Content by Audrey Rider

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.