Content by Audrey Rider

A young girl and boy playing with a STEM geometric building kit.

STEM Learning: Tips to Let Kids Tinker and Build

Tinkering, or the playful, open-ended exploration of materials without a specific end goal, is an important part of STEM learning. It involves problem solving, creativity, hands-on learning, and more.

Mother with two sons decorating a dinosaur costume fashioned out of a cardboard box.

Using Boxes to Spark Imagination

Have you heard kids say, “Don’t throw that box away!” as you are receiving boxes and packages for the holidays? Keep your boxes and let kids use their imagination to create their own designs and creations!

A small group of children at daycare.

Strengthening Rural Childcare Through Community Collaboration

Survey reports that aim to understand the current landscape of childcare in the state, focusing on availability, cost, quality, and impact on families and the economy.

Baby seated at a highchair with a variety of soft, cut-up foods on its tray.

SDSU Extension working to bolster rural child care needs in South Dakota

September 05, 2024

South Dakota needs more child care providers, and SDSU Extension is part of a growing collaboration to meet that need.

Group of children eating fresh vegetables

Pick it, Try it, Like it for Preschool

Use these Pick it, Try it, Like it! lesson plans to make nutritious eating fun and engaging for preschoolers. 

Child exploring a variety of textures in a sensory play box.

Importance of Sensory Play for Kids

What is sensory play and what does it do? Let’s explore some easy and affordable ways to incorporate sensory activities into your child’s day.

Children outside daycare center

The Importance of Becoming a Registered Provider

Are you thinking of starting a daycare, or are you currently operating a childcare practice? Many parents and families look for places that are registered and licensed.

Group of young children climbing on a playground obstacle course.

Fit and Healthy Kids

Fit and Healthy Kids is a team of Early Childcare experts from across the United States who offer online training opportunities. The programs feature experts sharing evidence-based practices, resources, ideas, and the latest in research.

SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist Audrey Rider reading a book to a group of four children.

Reading for Resilience

Caregivers play a significant role in young children’s emotional development in addition to helping them cope. Using children’s literature in an interactive way, caregivers can help children heal. Using an engaging format, Read for Resilience may help children better understand their experiences and improve their coping skills.

Daughter and happy mother join hands in heart shape.

Teaching Kids To Be Grateful

Research shows that gratitude plays a big part in our well-being and can even reduce stress and depression over time. So how can we start teaching our children gratitude starting at birth?