How do I know if my child is ready for preschool?
What can I do to help him/her have a positive child care experience?

5 Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Child for Preschool — An article on ways to prepare your child for entering group care at any age.

Is My Child Ready for Preschool? — For families who are starting preschool voluntarily for the social/pre-academic experience, rather than for a full-time child care need, this is an excellent article with questions to consider.

 

Custom Permanent Name Labels

NameBubbles — Dishwasher-safe labels for your lunchbox containers, laundry-safe labels for clothing and shoes, allergy alert labels, custom wristbands. (NameBubbles.com)

InchBug — Dishwasher-safe labels for your lunchbox containers, laser-engraved removable silicon bands for bottles, and other accessories for families. (InchBug.com)

Mabel’s Labels — Dishwasher-safe labels for your lunchbox containers, laundry-safe labels for clothing and shoes, bag tags, and household labels for your kitchen. (MabelsLabels.com)

LabelDaddy — Dishwasher-safe labels for your lunchbox containers, laundry-safe labels for clothing and shoes, and allergy alert labels. Disney and sports teams logos available. (LabelDaddy.com)

 

From Our Families

Hidden Talent Art Studio — Toddler art classes Wednesdays 11-12. Two groups: ages 18 months to 5 years and under 18 months. $10 per class. Drop-in family art classes the first Sunday of the month too. Call 408-221-4736 to enroll. The studio is in Princeton Plaza shopping center, behind The Little Gym, at 1375 Blossom Hill Rd. Suite 17 in San Jose, 95118. (hiddentalentartstudio.com)

ASL Resources — This page has many links to American Sign Languages information and resources.

Doman Watch Store — This new watch store and repair shop is a small family business from one of our teachers. Located at 467 N Santa Cruz Ave in Los Gatos, CA across from Safeway. Phone: (408) 828-8374.

RJ3 Signs — Custom banners, letters, signs, raised/Braille/ADA-compliant signage, wayfinding, etc.

LuLaRoe — LuLaRoe clothing, available online or at special in-person events.

 

Community Resources

PAMF Health Education — Lectures/discussions on family health topics. Events are free and open to the public. PAMF is Palo Alto Medical Foundation. (pamf.org/healtheducation)

San Jose Public Libraries: Parent Resources — Story hour and book suggestions by age, special events for children and families, links to other websites and community resources. (sjpl.org/parents)

Bay Area Parent: Events Calendar — List of current events throughout the Bay Area, searchable by category, date or location.

 

Recommended Reading

First Meals by Annabel Karmel
An easy-to-read guide to your child’s nutrition from their first solids to meals that work for the entire family. Includes straightforward expert advice, sample menus, recipes, balancing milk and solids, and other important details about childhood nutrition.

Your Self-Confident Baby by Magda Gerber
An excellent overview of the RIE method of caring for infants with respect. By emphasizing respecting infants’ natural abilities, rather than what they can’t do yet, parents and teachers can help build children’s healthy self-confidence and creative curiosity.

Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky
Discussion of the “seven essential life skills every child needs,” including focus/self control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges, and engaged self-directed learning. Shares current research on brain development and concrete ideas for ways parents can help their children develop these skills.