As the new school year begins, many children experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. For some, school can be overwhelming and frightening, whether it’s the fear of the unknown, separation from parents, or social challenges. As a parent, helping your child navigate these emotions and fostering a positive attitude ...

In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of a strong parent-child bond can sometimes be overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. However, these connections are the foundation of a child’s development and well-being, influencing everything from emotional security to lifelong success. Understanding why these bonds matter and ...

Did you know, positive feedback and language play crucial roles in the optimal brain development of young children? When children receive positive feedback, such as praise and encouragement, their brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This reinforces their learning experiences and motivates them to explore further, ...

In today’s fast-paced world, filled with screens and schedules, it’s easy to overlook the simple joy and profound benefits of outdoor play for our youngest generation. Yet, stepping outside into the natural world offers a plethora of opportunities for children to explore, learn, and grow in ways that indoor environments ...

Transitions are an inevitable part of life, and they often begin in early childhood. From starting daycare or preschool to moving to a new home, these changes can be both exciting and challenging for young children. As parents and caregivers, understanding how to navigate these transitions in early childhood with ...

So, you think your child is ready for potty training? That is very exciting and a huge milestone for you and your little one! There are many different potty training techniques and the three day potty training method is not designed for everyone, it is not a “one size fits ...

Making mistakes, doing the wrong thing, and having a child apologize for it has been normalized in childcare settings for far too long. Apologies can be overused and that makes the apology less meaningful. Does a 2-5-year-old really know what it means to be sorry? Anyone can say “I’m sorry” ...

Young children who have just started in a childcare setting are more vulnerable to illness, especially during flu season. This is primarily because it may be their first time being exposed to certain germs. In addition, they may also be too young to receive recommended vaccines to help develop their ...

Lakewood, a wonderful community with the most amazing jaw dropping views of the Rocky Mountains! Not only is Lakewood a good area to raise a family, it is a wonderful place to plant your roots, there is affordable housing, a growing job market, access to outdoor recreation, and so much ...

Hey there, awesome parents and guardians! The leaves are turning, there’s a crispness in the air, and the aroma of pumpkin spice is everywhere. Yes, you guessed it right! Thanksgiving is just around the corner. 🦃 Amidst the hustle and bustle of preparing festive meals and cozying up our homes, ...

BOO!👻 Halloween is just around the corner, and we all know how excited kids get about costumes, candy, and spooktacular fun. But, as parents and caregivers, it’s our job to make sure the excitement doesn’t turn into accidents. At the Big Red Barn, we totally get that, so we’ve put ...

The daily daycare drop-offs and pick-ups can sometimes feel like herding a cat through a yarn shop—especially when you’re racing against the clock. An easy morning drop-off can kickstart an amazing day for your little one, then an effortless pick-up can set a peaceful tone for the evening. Here are ...

It’s no secret that children largely feel most at home, when they’re at home! The home is where most of your young child’s developmental milestones are made and where they make the most early memories, and this naturally gives your child an attachment to the place they call home. This, ...

Even for the biggest supporters of outdoor and hands-on play, the benefits of such play can be surprising! Beyond getting some fresh air or letting them get some energy out of their system, outdoor hands-on play provides a number of tangible, real-world benefits to your child’s development that will help ...

Daycare and preschool… two words that parents of young children know all too well! For many these two words are synonymous, but the truth is that there are several key differences between the two. When comparing daycare vs preschool, parents should keep in mind that while they are in many ...

With every passing year, the childcare industry continues to grow and compete within itself for both business and talent. When it comes to talent in particular, new and up-and-coming childcare professionals are always in high demand -- and for good reason! With the continued growth of this industry, many preschools ...

As your child grows from an infant to a toddler to a kindergarten-aged kid, they're bound to discover all sorts of things regarding their minds and emotions. From giggling to temper tantrums, it can be difficult for young kids to fully understand their emotions and keep them under control — ...

Any parent knows how daunting a child’s first day at school or daycare can be! The first day in the care of people who are, to your kid, strangers, can be an uncomfortable and difficult thing for many kids. But if you think your kid is going to have a ...

It's a common misconception that early childhood learning is simplistic in nature, or trivially easy. While the lessons and activities children dmay seem that way from the outside, the truth is that there's an enormous amount of research, planning and science behind the reasons why ECE, or early childhood education, ...

A well-rounded education is at the heart of any child's learning journey. Letters, numbers, colors and all make up the foundations of any bright mind, as any early childhood educator can tell you — but modern early learning curriculums go beyond book smarts! How a child learns to interact with ...

We're The Big Red Barn, a new Preschool, or Early Learning Center, in Lakewood, CO! We understand you have a lot of choices when it comes to your child's early education, and that's why we set out to be different from the get-go. In this brief article, we'll run you ...