Skip to main content

Content by Audrey Rider

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.

A mother with three children at a craft table cutting and gluing pieces of colored paper.

Childcare Needs in South Dakota

There is a shortage of rural daycare providers throughout South Dakota. SDSU Extension provides resources, partnerships, and research on advocating for early childhood workforce development and striving to help providers and communities with childcare.

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?

South Dakota State University Extension logo

SDSU Extension experts receive national awards for mental health, early childhood programming

October 17, 2023

SDSU Extension’s Mental Health First Aid team received a regional Excellence in Extension Team Award, and SDSU Extension Early Childhood Field Specialist Audrey Rider is on the team that won a regional and national Excellence in Multi-State Collaboration Award from the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.

Grandmother and grandchild using a tablet.

Media Use for Young Children

Like it or not, screens are here to stay. What you expose children to and how you share it with them can make a difference in whether or not learning takes place during screen time.

Mother and son reading bedtime story under a blanket.

Quality Versus Quantity

Children need high-quality and truly “connected time” with their parents to feel supported and help develop social and emotional skills. Learn some expert tips for making high-quality moments with your kids.

Mother and daughter packing backpack and brown lunch bag.

Getting Ready for School!

Where did summer go? Several schools are starting soon. By taking some proactive steps, you can set yourself up for a healthy, successful start to the new school year.