The Preschool Portal guide
Clear answers for the early years
Practical ideas, reassuring guidance, and useful next steps for life with little ones.
Fresh from our editors
Latest parent guides
-
6 Simple ASL Practice Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
You can explore a few ASL signs without turning playtime into a lesson. These activities use familiar materials and leave room for pointing, speaking, signing, or simply watching. Before beginning, learn your chosen signs from a reliable demonstration or an ASL instructor. Handshape, movement, location, palm direction, and facial expression can all affect meaning. These games practice vocabulary; they do not teach the whole language or replace a child’s communication support. The age ranges...
Read the guide -
Learning ASL With Preschoolers: Play, Stories, and Connection
Explore ways to introduce preschoolers to ASL through shared stories, favorite interests, and respectful learning from Deaf educators.
Read the guide -
Learning to Play Together: Friendship Skills for Ages 2–5
Playing beside another child, waiting for a turn, and joining a game all take practice. Explore gentle ways to support early friendship skills.
Read the guide -
How Pretend Play Helps Toddlers and Preschoolers Grow
A teddy bear tea party can be more than fun. Discover how pretend play supports learning and simple ways to encourage it without expensive toys.
Read the guide -
6 Playful Early Learning Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Six playful ways to explore shapes, counting, stories, sounds, sorting, and problem-solving with toddlers and preschoolers.
Read the guide -
Thinking and Learning from Ages 2 to 5
Explore thinking and learning from ages 2 to 5, with age-based guideposts, playful ways to build skills, and when to ask for support.
Read the guide -
Thinking and Learning in Toddlers: 12 to 24 Months
Explore how toddlers think and learn from 12 to 24 months, with early milestones, playful ideas, and when to ask for support.
Read the guide -
Thinking and Learning in Infants: Birth to 12 Months
Explore how babies think and learn from birth to 12 months, with early milestones, simple play ideas, and when to ask for support.
Read the guide -
Age 5 What to Expect and How to Support Your Child
Five-year-olds are building longer conversations, stronger friendships, early literacy and number skills, and greater independence. Learn practical ways to support development, big feelings, movement, routines, and kindergarten confidence.
Read the guide -
Age 4 What to Expect and How to Support Your Child
Four-year-olds are becoming more conversational, imaginative, social, and independent. Learn what growth may look like at age four and find practical ways to support learning, friendship, movement, routines, and emotional development.
Read the guide -
Learning Through Play: Simple Ways to Build Everyday Skills
Discover how babies, toddlers, and preschoolers build language, movement, problem-solving, confidence, and emotional skills through simple everyday play—without expensive toys or elaborate activities.
Read the guide -
Preschool Activities for Busy Days: Six Low-Prep Ideas
Six easy, low-prep preschool activities that build language, movement, creativity, problem-solving, and confidence using simple materials you may already have.
Read the guide -
Kindergarten Readiness Is More Than Knowing Letters and Numbers
Kindergarten readiness is about more than letters and numbers. Discover the social, emotional, language, physical, and independence skills that help children begin school confidently.
Read the guide