Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years

In today's episode of Teach, Play, Love, our hosts & education and development experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, delve into how to set limits with your young children.

In this episode, our education experts Rachel and Claire discuss the benefits of giving chores to young children. Listen for tips on what chores are best for certain ages, and learn how giving your child responsibilities leads to not only a tidier home, but also builds your child’s confidence and independence.

Join Rachel and Claire as they discuss how executive function skills develop and how to work on these skills with your children as they grow and learn. As children grow and learn, they continue to develop and refine their executive function skills, which are crucial for success in school and in life. In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., Rachel and Claire will share why these skills are so important and how you can help your children strengthen these abilities throughout their life. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Join Rachel and Claire as they sort the fact from the fiction, redefine what matters most, and equip parents with the confidence to provide the experiences their children need to thrive now and in the future. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Did you have a favorite book as a child? Perhaps you remember reading with a loved one or special teacher. In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., Rachel and Claire discuss why reading to your child is so important and how to make story time a memorable bonding and learning experience. Do you need help picking out books for your kids? Check out our program. helps to share the joy of reading, cultivate an appreciation for books, and foster early literacy skills. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., explore the advantages of grandparent and extended family support, and learn how to overcome common challenges. Grandparents and other extended family members have the remarkable ability to bring joy to a child's life. When grandparents are actively involved in their grandchild's life, they can provide invaluable support to parents and also become a reliable part of a child's family system, providing nurturing and care. Join Rachel and Claire as they explore the advantages of strengthening your family village and discover effective strategies for navigating moments of conflict. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Listen to this episode of Teach. Play. Love., to learn why play is one of the most important things a child can do each day and get advice on how to have fun playing with your kids. Play allows children to experiment with concepts and ideas to make sense of the world around them. Setting aside time each day to play with your child can foster their growth and development, as well as create lasting family memories. In this episode of Teach. Play. Love. you’ll hear why play is so very important and you’ll get actionable ideas on how to have fun playing with your kids. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at teach.playlove@brighthorizons.com.

Whether you’re preparing for a new baby, answering complicated questions, or encountering defiance from a toddler, it’s important to give yourself grace. Guiding your children through these moments will not only help them build resilience and understanding, but will ensure they know you’re there for them no matter how tricky life may get. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Hands-on, minds-on — that’s how children learn best. When they can touch, wonder, explore, and discover, the opportunities are endless. In this episode, get expert advice from Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss on encouraging immersive and meaningful learning experiences. Plus, you’ll find out how to build a foundation for happy, healthy development. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at teach.playlove@brighthorizons.com.

Are you getting ready for a family trip? Join Rachel and Claire as they share their own travel adventures and provide a practical list of tips you can implement right away as you plan your next family getaway. While traveling with kids has challenging moments, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences your family can have. Make sure to get your children involved in planning your trip and set your own expectations that everything may not go as planned. Above all, enjoy your time together and rest assured that you're making memories that will last a lifetime! Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Sibling relationships can be complicated—camaraderie and closeness sometimes mixed with moments of intense competition and conflict. From understanding the root causes of sibling rivalry to promoting cooperation and empathy, Rachel & Claire will navigate the intricacies of sibling relationships and explore effective strategies to foster harmony among the children in your home. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Raising children on your own can feel overwhelming. In addition to caring for your children, it’s also vital to take care of yourself. Learn how to turn to family, friends, and even strangers for support, how to use Prime Times to build connections with your children and find reassurance in your parenting. Join Rachel and Claire as they speak candidly about their own experiences with solo parenting and remind listeners that they can find joy in the journey of solo parenting. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also send them an email at .

Establishing a consistent routine can not only benefit your child, but also make your life as a parent or caregiver much easier. By providing predictability and structure, routines can help everyone in the family feel more confident and prepared for each day. Be sure to give children enough time to get used to new routines and once they do, you’ll see your child's independence and happiness grow! Join Rachel and Claire as they discuss the importance of routines and share tips and tricks to implement simple routines to help your children through each day.

Whether you’re coming inside after fun at the playground, going from playtime to bath and bed, or even just leaving the house to go to school, transitions can cause an array of complicated feelings for our children. Learn strategies to help them through these tough moments and make the day a bit easier for everyone! Transitions can be challenging moments for children and can lead to a range of complex emotions. In this episode, Rachel and Claire offer helpful strategies to support children during transitions and make the day a little easier for parents and caregivers. Whether it's establishing routines, offering choices, or incorporating enjoyable activities, you'll learn how to approach transitions with patience, empathy, and a bit of fun.

One of the key ways we can help our children grow in life is to let them fail. While it can be difficult as a parent to see your children struggle, we know we won’t always be by their side to help when things get tough. Developing a child’s resilience can help them prepare to tackle future challenges. We want them to have the confidence to handle anything life throws their way. Join Rachel and Claire as they discuss why it’s important to let your children experience failure and strategies to help them build a growth mindset that will last them for life.

While creative art activities may seem like something that is “just for fun,” they are actually key elements to child development. Remember to let your child take charge of the artistic process! Your job is to provide the rich environment and materials. Then allow your child to take the creative lead. In this episode, Rachel and Claire discuss the importance of art, how engaging with art helps children with school readiness, and how to set up a playful and joyful art experience for your child.

While separation anxiety can be tough for both parents and children, it’s reassuring to know it happens because we love each other so very much. Establishing daily routines and rituals – paired with patience and grace -- will help your child trust the process. And YOU can find comfort in knowing that your child is in good hands, even on the most difficult days.

At what age should a child understand the concept of sharing, and how do we give them tools to develop this important life skill? Join our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss as they share developmentally appropriate expectations around taking turns and sharing, how to practice and model sharing with your child, and when it’s actually okay not to share.

Curiosity is an important skill that enhances cognitive and social-emotional development, gives your child confidence, and contributes to their love of learning. If your child is asking you a question, instead of answering, try responding with, "what do you think?" or "let's find out." Minimizing direction and instruction will help your child build that curious mindset. Learn from our early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, about the simple strategies to make time in your day to encourage curiosity.

Small developmental milestones, such as stranger awareness and imaginative play, give children the chance to think, process, wonder, and act on their curiosity. These minor, often overlooked, milestones can signify growth in cognitive, social, emotional,language, and motor skills. Learn from our early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, about just how important these milestones are and how they play a huge role in your child's early life.

Some love math, many hate it, but we all need it. And no matter how you feel about it, it’s critical to your child’s development. Take another listen to this episode as Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino discuss appropriate math activities for your child. Go beyond counting, teach the bigger concept of numbers and what they stand for, and find out how to set up simple everyday learning experiences!

With the approach of summer comes camps, family vacations, and outdoor fun. But you may be wondering, when will you have time to prepare your child for the new school year? Luckily, outdoor fun encourages learning for your child. Play contributes to the imagination and encourages healthy risk-taking. When we’re outside moving our bodies, we’re doing a lot of beneficial things for our brains. Hear from Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, who are here to assure you that you don’t have to choose between summer adventure and learning support.

Does it seem like your child’s favorite word is “no” these days? Why are they suddenly opposed to everything? Find out what’s really going on and how to get through this frustrating phase from our own early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss. Learn why saying “no” is a positive milestone and hear how to nurture your child’s emotions, offer other ways to express frustration, present options to get through sticky situations, celebrate the wins, and more.

Biting, hitting, kicking, “I hate you!” Why does physically aggressive behavior happen in the early years? Where does it come from, and what can you do to deal with it proactively and manage it in the moment? Our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss explain the many different underlying reasons why your young child might get physical, how to react when it happens, and how to help them work through their emotions.

“Where do babies come from?” Your child’s inevitable questions are coming — but when? What if they come up in inopportune moments or places? How should you answer? On this episode, early childhood experts (and moms!) Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss share guidance and personal tips. Tune in to learn how to prepare for body conversations, make everyone feel more comfortable, promote a healthy view of the body, and offer simple answers — even when you’re caught off-guard.

Your child’s brain is hardwired to categorize things — so they’re going to notice and ask about differences. The question is: how should you respond? Join early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Melanie Brooks to find out how to explore race with your child in a sensitive, positive manner. Plus, learn how to use play, books, images, and experiences to integrate important conversations on diversity, inclusion, and equity into your child’s everyday life.

Your child has the desire to build new skills and learn new tasks from day one — but motivation is something they need to learn. And you can impact the inner workings of their brain to help them do so. In this episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss cover strategies for inspiring motivation and the foundational steps that will set your child on the right track for becoming a happy, successful, and motivated person.

“What happened to my world?” “Am I going to be okay — will everyone be okay?” When stress and trauma disrupt your child’s life, what can you say and do to help them feel safe and secure? Early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss say the four pillars of security — people, places, routines, and rituals — can guide your child through difficult times. On this episode, learn how to bring these pillars to life and find out how you can use them to offer reassurance and reduce the effects of toxic stress.

We’re all born hard-wired for empathy — but we have to work at it. How can you help your child build this lifelong skill? In this episode, early education experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss offer a run-down on what empathy is and why it’s important. Plus, hear how to set appropriate expectations for your child’s age group and learn proactive, simple ways to encourage empathy in everyday life.

Hands-on, minds-on — that’s how children learn best. When they can touch, wonder, explore, and discover, the opportunities are endless. In this episode, get expert advice from Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss on encouraging immersive and meaningful learning experiences. Plus, you’ll find out how to build a foundation for happy, healthy development.

Healthy eating is an important part of your child’s development. Nutrition impacts energy and brain function, so building healthy habits early on is key. But high cost and low availability of some foods, busy schedules, and picky eaters can throw a wrench in your healthy plans. Take another listen to this episode as Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino discuss how to make make healthy eating fun, easy, and accessible.

Wondering how to help your child feel ready as they head back to the classroom? After remote or hybrid learning, the school-year transition might feel like a whole new ball game. But the good news is: your child needs the same strategies they’ve always needed to prepare for back to school. Tune in to hear early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, discuss what you can do to ease the summer-to-fall transition, including practicing the change in routine, boosting your child’s confidence, connecting with your child’s teacher, and more.

Are you concerned that the mask-era hindered your child’s language development? Listen to this episode to get advice from Rachel and Claire on how to keep helping your child improve their language skills.

Outdoor play offers so many developmental benefits – including healthy risk-taking. But bold, physical risks might make you feel uneasy. How can you encourage your child to bravely step outside their comfort zone, without letting on that you’re worried? On this podcast episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss cover how to help your child try new things, build skills, and discover what their body can do – all while encouraging a love of the outdoors.

As things start to open up, opportunities for socialization do, too. Is your child craving social interaction, or are they nervous about what comes next? How can you support them as they ease back into social situations, and venture out into the world again? On this episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss discuss how play, in particular, can have a major impact. Find out how to help your child rediscover the joy of being around others — and don’t worry, they’ll rapidly make up for lost time.

How has the pandemic affected children’s learning? Are they behind? What can we do about learning loss? For over a year, child care and school have felt anything but normal — and if you’re a parent concerned about learning loss, you’re not alone. But according to early education experts (and parents!) Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, we need to think about it differently. On this episode, hear about some of the gains children have made throughout the pandemic, and find out how to approach educational opportunities this summer.

Inspiring strong voices, boosting self-confidence, encouraging risks, and celebrating differences — it’s all part of raising a girl. Who does your daughter want to be when she grows up? How can you help her get there? On this episode, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss — early childhood experts and proud girl moms — talk about everything from setting up your home to tackle gender stereotypes, to helping girls fulfill their full potential, and more. Join us!

Children are hard-wired to want to help others. Collectively, we’re raising the next generation of leaders — and we can empower them to make a difference. On this episode, we’re exploring social justice. Our child development experts share strategies to help you teach your child about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage them to be curious, share feelings, and take action.

2020 brought unimaginable instability, and 2021 didn’t begin with the fresh start we hoped for. No one knows what’s happening next, and everyone’s stressed — including kids. How can you tell if pandemic stress is affecting your child, and how can you offer the support they need? Early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss describe different types of stress and their telltale signs, and how to help your child cultivate coping skills.

“Am I doing this right?” “How will my child turn out?” Overwhelming, isn’t it? Join Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino — early education experts and parenting veterans — who say that parenting doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful. There are so many ways to be a good parent, and you’ll find what works for you. Tune in to hear what worked for them as they reflect on their many years of parenthood.

Your child’s brain is hardwired to categorize things — so they’re going to notice and ask about differences. The question is: how should you respond? Join early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Melanie Brooks to find out how to explore race with your child in a sensitive, positive manner. Plus, learn how to use play, books, images, and experiences to integrate important conversations on diversity, inclusion, and equity into your child’s everyday life.

Building secure, social attachments…during a pandemic? None of us have trained for this. But it is possible to help your child stay connected with others, even while staying apart. Get ideas that will boost social-emotional development for little ones through elementary schoolers — including games, cooperative play, interactive technology, virtual field trips, and more.

School has started, but it’s far from what we’re all used to. Are you scrambling to create a remote learning environment that will make things easier on you and your child? Our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino have ideas that can help. Tune in to hear how to set up a learning space, establish routines, rituals, classroom jobs, and more.

Remote learning, a hybrid model, or fully in-person, no matter how your school district decided to start the academic year, it’s sure to look and feel different than you and your child expected. And, on top of that, no one knows what’s coming next. Hear from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, senior education advisor, as they discuss success strategies for approaching this unusual school year.

World events shake all of us — parents and children alike. So how do you answer when your child asks, “Are we going to be okay?” On this episode, Bright Horizons early childhood education expert Rachel Robertson gives concrete advice on all of it — supporting your child through difficult times, giving calm, simple reassurances to tough questions, and using play time to help process and express feelings.

Full schedules and little downtime can cause stress for everyone – including children – but practicing mindfulness can alleviate that stress. We are bringing back this episode to help you learn about the many benefits of being mindful, how to pay attention on purpose, and how to do mindfulness activities like Shake the Sillies Out and Mind Bubbles.

Children need us to focus on their physical development — they need to play, take risks, connect with nature, and more. Why? To enhance fine and large motor skills and encourage exciting milestones. On this episode, Bright Horizons early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino discuss simple ways to give your child as many active, physical moments and experiences as possible throughout the early years.

Do you find yourself picking up the same story over and over again? Are you wondering how to choose your child’s next book? Join Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, education and development senior advisor, for this previously aired episode about children’s literature. They discuss what it means for a children’s book to be high quality, the many benefits of reading, the low-down on tablets and audiobooks, and what matters most — helping your child learn to love reading.

As much as you might want your child to say “thank you” and mean it right off the bat, the concept of gratitude requires a high level of social-emotional skills, and it grows over time. How can you promote and support that development? Find out from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, senior education advisor. Learn when to start, how to model gratitude, and how to differentiate between saying “thank you” and actually being thankful.

Technology is everywhere. As adults, we rely on it constantly. And for kids, it provides great value, as long as it’s used in the “right” way. But what does that mean, exactly? In a look back at our premiere episode, Debbie Hoppy, director of curriculum and education at Bright Horizons, and Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, share what really matters: interactive experiences and co-exploration, questions that encourage deeper thinking, and opportunities for integrating technology into the real world.

Healthy eating is an important part of your child’s development. Nutrition impacts energy and brain function, so building healthy habits early on is key. But high cost and low availability of some foods, busy schedules, and picky eaters can throw a wrench in your healthy plans. Hear from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, senior education advisor, as they discuss how to make healthy eating fun, easy, and accessible.

Some love math, many hate it, but we all need it. And no matter how you feel about it, it’s critical to your child’s development. Listen in to hear Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, senior education advisor, discuss appropriate math activities for your child. Go beyond counting, teach the bigger concept of numbers and what they stand for, and find out how to set up simple everyday learning experiences!

Social-emotional development is essential, from the classroom all the way to the board room. Often paired together, these two different categories of development help children understand and respond to emotions and build relationships with others. Wondering how your child will develop these skills? Listen to this important discussion with Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, senior education advisor.

As young children make sense of the world, their behavior at times can be challenging for parents. But there’s usually a reason behind it, and positive guidance can help. How? Find out from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director. They’ll discuss what your child might be trying to tell you with certain behaviors, as well as how to set realistic expectations, be proactive, and use your child’s behavior as an opportunity to teach.

Summer's here and your child wants to get outside, but if you have a child getting ready for kindergarten, you probably have academics on the mind. Good news: outdoor play and learning go hand-in-hand! Learn how, from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director. They’ll discuss how to boost traditional math, science, and language skills with outdoor activities and build a foundation for lifelong learning.

Do you find yourself picking up the same story over and over again? Are you wondering how to choose your child’s next book? Join Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director, as they discuss what it means for a children’s book to be high quality, the many benefits of reading, the low-down on tablets and audiobooks, and what matters most — helping your child learn to love reading.

Full schedules and little downtime can cause stress for everyone — including children — but practicing mindfulness can help. How? Find out from Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director. They’ll cover the many benefits of being mindful, how to pay attention on purpose, and how to use activities, such as Shake the Sillies Out and Mind Bubbles, to help children manage emotions.

Superheroes, lightsabers, bad guys, and more. Children use pretend play to make sense of the world — and it’s important to let them do so. Why? Tune into this episode to find out. Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director, cover how this universal childhood behavior helps children process, and how you can set guidelines that will keep everyone safe.

You might feel silly carrying on a conversation with your little one since babies can’t respond like adults can…but don’t! On this episode, Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director, discuss the magic of social engagement for babies. Learn why this is the best thing you can do for early language development — and find out how to have fun with it.

“Is play important?” On this episode, Rachel Robertson, Bright Horizons education and development vice president, and new mom Amanda, tackle this increasingly popular question. Find out why play is the key to healthy child development, discover how you might already be incorporating play without even realizing it, and get new ideas you can use to engage your child in playful ways throughout the day.

On this episode: executive function, an important set of organizational skills that will take your child into the future. Listen as Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, and Ruth Fidino, learning and development director, discuss how you can weave executive function skill-building opportunities into your everyday life, and support your children while helping them learn to do things for themselves.

On this episode, we dive into how to respond to those dreaded words: “I’m bored.” Debbie Hoppy, Bright Horizons curriculum director, joins Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, to talk about the value of boredom, the importance of leaving parts of the day unscheduled, and ways your child can turn downtime into a meaningful experience full of exploration and imagination.

On this episode, we tackle the hot topic of technology in early childhood. With so much information out there on the “right” way for kids to use technology, how can you figure out what really matters? Debbie Hoppy, Bright Horizons curriculum director, joins Rachel Robertson, education and development vice president, to discuss how to use technology as more than just a way to occupy children’s time.

Subscribe to the new Bright Horizons parenting podcast, featuring expert advice on what really matters—and what doesn’t—in your child’s earliest years of learning, growth, and development. The series kicks off with a look at children and technology in Episode 1: The Digital Dilemma, and follows up with a discussion on the value of boredom in Episode 2: Bored? Good! Take a listen, and then be sure to subscribe to receive a new episode every month.