Toddler learning journals are popping up everywhere—on Pinterest boards, in parenting groups, and all over social media. They’re marketed as “keepsakes” or “tools to document learning,” but let’s be honest: they’re often more about adult expectations than actual child development. Here’s the truth: Learning journals are not developmentally necessary for toddlers and often shift focus away from play-based learning. Toddlers Aren’t Supposed to Show Their Learning in a Journal T

Let’s get straight to it: you don’t need worksheets, flashcards, or early academics to get your child ready for kindergarten. And you definitely don't need Ms. Rachel. What you need is independent play. As an early childhood expert with a master’s degree in ECE and two decades of experience working with young children, I can tell you that the best preparation for school doesn’t come from sitting and memorizing—it comes from the kind of open-ended, child-led play that happens

How do I Encourage More Independent Play Without Entertaining my Child? Independent play isn’t something you do to  your child — it’s something you support . Children play independently when they feel connected, confident, and when their environment invites curiosity, exploration and innovation — not when adults step in to entertain or direct. Independent play isn’t encouraged through activities or constant adult involvement. It’s supported through a few key foundations that