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family

Family Engagement

You are your little one’s first teacher!

The importance of the family’s role in children’s academic, social, and emotional development is widely accepted by educators. All the ways you support your child’s learning and healthy development are sometimes referred to as “family engagement.”

There are lots of ways you can help your little one learn and grow, even if you work full-time or are always on the go. Your customized learning includes a number of printable activities that you can complete together!

Family Time

As your little one’s first teacher, help develop their academic, social and emotional interests by spending time together.  Family time is a great way to boost their curiosity, vocabulary and attitude. Mini adventures around your community will encourage them to discover and discuss their surroundings. These early conversations and findings will prepare them for a classroom learning environment.

529 College Savings Plans

Saving for college does not have to be overwhelming, especially if you start early! A small monthly contribution will add up over time. 529 plans give parents and caretakers the opportunity to save for college when their kids are young. We’ve made the math easy for you. Simply slide the ruler to adjust for monthly contributions and the interest rate you expect and watch how your small investment can grow!

Once you’ve figured that out, click on your state and we’ll bring you to the correct plan.

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How Much Can I Save?


Use the calculator to see how much you can save for your child's college.

529 Plans


Find plans and programs that work for you.

health

Health & Wellness

Physical well-being is a key factor in every child’s development and long-term success. For families, this means establishing healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity. Help keep your child healthy by making sure he or she gets enough sleep, engages in physical play, and eats a balanced diet – including breakfast – every day.

Healthy Routines

Kindergarten is all about structure and routine. Help your kids prepare for this arrangement by creating a schedule either around wake-up time, lunch time, bed time or all of the above! It can be as simple as a bedtime story before bed or a song when they wake up.

 

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literacy

Literacy

Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child’s earliest experiences with books and stories. Young children’s interactions with materials such as books, paper, crayons – and with adults in their lives – offer the building blocks for language, reading, and writing development. This relatively new understanding of early literacy development complements the current research supporting the critical role of early experiences in shaping brain development.

Word Play

Literacy skills do not form solely by reading books. Kids can learn by playing games, reading signs and much more. Allowing your child to identify words and letters during play and at the grocery store – and even scribbling – will help them develop the necessary skills for kindergarten.

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stem

STEM

As a child’s first teacher, parents and caregivers can expand their little one’s STEM learning by leading them toward discovery. Encourage your child’s natural curiosity by helping them explore and observe their surroundings. Allowing your child to collect, measure, discover and report will help expand your child’s science learning.

Stem Skills 101

Use time with your child to teach them basic number skills. Pointing out patterns, reciting phone numbers and allowing them to help you count are all easy ways to introduce them to math concepts. It doesn’t have to be a complex math problem – use simple, everyday objects to help!

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Customize a Learning Plan


Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack is here to help you get your little one ready for kindergarten. Fill out the quick 3-minute check-in to customize a learning plan for your child.