Early Childhood Matters focuses on the early years (birth through five), when the most crucial brain development occurs.
Offering workshops for parents and teachers of young children, with the goal of supporting them on the journey to nourish the minds and spirits of tomorrow's world! Our programs support parents and caregivers on the road to more connected and effective parenting, and nurture the development of compassion, creativity, and self-confidence in young children. Through our parenting workshops and facili
tated playgroups, we:
• Share knowledge on early childhood development, the root of challenging toddler/preschooler behaviors, and developmentally appropriate expectations for children
• Model evidence-based, tried-and-true strategies that empower parents to effectively respond to challenging child behaviors, while deepening their connection to their children
• Cultivate opportunities for young children and their caregivers to play together, laying the foundation for emerging social skills, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation in a safe, consistent, and supportive environment
• Build community among families, fostering an environment where parents can support one another on their shared journey through the dynamic and challenging years of raising young children
For Parents: Parenting is one of the most challenging, important, and rewarding things you will ever do. The sky’s the limit when it comes to understanding this monumental task - but life as a parent does not always allow for a lot of research! Our parenting workshops draw from the latest research in the field, as well as our own experience as parents and educators, providing opportunities for you to genuinely engage with this information in a supportive environment. For Teachers: Early childhood educators are the most important people on the planet. Entrusted with the job of growing the minds of tomorrow, our workshops are designed to help teachers better understand and implement this important task.
05/10/2026
Happy Mother's Day!
We are so happy to have so many wonderful mothers in our community.
Here are some past blog posts about Mother's Day from Rebecca:
If you know a new third time mom, let her know about our third time moms group starting this Wednesday. It's on Zoom (by request), so let your out of town friends know as well.
Find out what makes Early Childhood Matters' Second Time Moms groups so special!
We've got our weekly March-May group starting this afternoon (March 19 in GGP. If you can't make it today, contact us about prorating and join next Thursday!
In this episode, we tackle three of the most common—and exhausting—challenges parents of preschoolers face: not listening, power struggles over everyday routines, and full-blown tantrums when the answer is “no.” Drawing from decades of professional experience and many personal parenting stories, we explore why these behaviors are not signs of “bad parenting,” but normal developmental phases—especially for strong-willed, spirited children.
Through real-life examples like refusing to put on shoes, throwing snack wrappers on the floor, and melting down over yogurt before dinner, we break down practical, compassionate strategies that actually work. We discuss why repeating yourself undermines authority, how to set clear limits without punishment, and how calmly following through builds trust, self-esteem, and emotional resilience in young children.
Listen to the latest Parenting Matters' podcast episode (13): "Not listening, not getting dressed and tantrums, oh my!"
If you’ve ever felt worn down by daily power struggles or unsure how to respond when your child tests limits, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and concrete tools to help you parent with confidence and calm.
Listen to the latest podcast (or read the transcript) for Parenting Matters' Episode 13: "Not listening, not getting dressed and tantrums, oh my! - Our most common parenting questions answered"
This conversation reframes “choosing your battles,” explains why giving in during tantrums backfires, and shows parents how to stay steady in the face of big feelings—without yelling, bribing, or threatening. Most importantly, it reminds parents that enjoying parenting is not only possible, but essential, even when raising a challenging child.
In our latest episode of Parenting Matters' podcast, Rebecca and Belann cover not listening, not getting dressed and tantrums. Episode 13 answers our most common parenting questions.
If your preschooler ignores you, refuses shoes, or collapses into a puddle the moment you say “no,” this episode is for you. They unpack why these behaviors happen, why they happen even more with a strong-willed child, and share practical strategies to help you get back your confidence and your joy in parenting.
05/10/2026
04/27/2026
04/13/2026
03/30/2026
02/16/2026