Sparkler updated our resource guide for CT families. It has an exciting lineup of activities, tips for parents/caregivers, information about early childhood milestones, and listing of resources available to CT families with young children! You can download a digital copy here!
This month is National Book Month — an annual celebration of authors, literature, and reading. At Sparkler, we’re taking this opportunity to highlight some of the play activities in Sparkler about specific books — which we’ve designed to help families explore books together. Families can access the activities by clicking the links from their mobile devices. Programs: You can find the activities in Sparkler’s library and, from there, share them with parents/caregivers.
Three Billy Goats
Lion & Mouse
The Three Little Pigs
Little Red Hen
Cinderella
Abiyoyo
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
When You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
Clifford Goes to Kindergarten by Norman Bridwell
When’s My Birthday by Julie Fogliano
Harold and The Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson
Little Bear
123 by Eric Carle
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
Are there other books we should add to the Sparkler Library? We’d love to hear your suggestions: email support@playsparkler.org.
Sparkler has thousands of activities that families can use to support the development of their children’s social and emotional skills — starting before babies and born and through age five. All of the activities focused on social and emotional skills are grouped within the Sparkler domain called “heart.” Families can discover these activities in “Play” in their Sparkler app, or you can suggest activities to families using Sparkler’s library.
Within “heart,” Sparkler has three sub-domains and 8 skills:
Social: Empathy, Trust
Emotional: Feelings, Self-Regulation, Identity
Outlook: Curiosity, Persistence, Independence
Outlook Activities:
In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Sparkler talked with Angela Webster, the new associate director of the Connecticut Association of Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) about mental health and what families can do to help support their children’s mental health from their earliest days. Angela’s work focuses on strengthening the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health workforce through strategy and operational alignment, professional development, and the development of sustainable systems that support reflective practice and relationship-based care.
Angela: When we talk about children’s mental health, we’re really talking about how both big kids and little ones feel, connect with, and handle the world around them.
It’s their ability to feel safe, to trust, to express big feelings (even the hard and messy ones), feel comfortable exploring and learning, and to build relationships with their peers and grownups. Children’s mental health shows up in all the everyday moments, things like how they come to you for comfort, how they explore their world, how they recover after being upset.
At the very heart of it, children’s mental health grows through relationships. It’s built in those small, repeated moments where a child experiences the feeling that “Someone sees me. Someone’s here for me. I am loved and people want to be around me.”
Angela: Children’s mental health and infant mental health are very connected. Infant mental health just zooms in on the very youngest children — from prenatal, to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
What’s a little different is that with babies, you can’t separate them from their caregivers. A baby’s mental health lives inside the context of that relationship. The way you respond to their cries, the way you look at them, hold them, figure them out, all those moments are what shape their sense of safety and trust.
So really, it’s not about the baby alone. It’s about the two of you together.
Angela: Because it starts way earlier than most people think.
The early years are when kids are building the foundation for everything they’ll be, everything they’ll do, and everything they’ll become. They’re laying the groundwork for how they’ll handle stress, how they’ll relate to others, and how they will ultimately see themselves with their grown-up eyes. Those patterns don’t magically show up later. They grow from children’s early experiences.
The good news is that you don’t have to do anything big or get it perfect. The little things you’re already doing, comforting them when they cry, smiling back at them, sitting with them when they’re upset, reading to them, singing to them, talking to them when you are dressing and diapering them, all those little moments are what matter most. Just being there for your child, again and again, is what really makes the difference. Then they understand that you are their “go-to” trusted person — they can count on you and you will predictably meet their needs.
Angela: Yes CT-AIMH is a statewide non-profit, and we do not serve children or families directly, but our mission is to work to promote, support and strengthen nurturing, quality relationships for infants, young children and their caregivers, within the context of family, community and culture through education, advocacy, and professional development.
Sparkler: Starting prenatally, what are some things that families can do when their babies are on the way to lay the foundation for their babies’ mental health and wellness?
Angela: You don’t need to have it all figured out before your baby arrives. Truly. But there are some things that we can do even before our little ones enter the world:
Remember, it isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about beginning a relationship.
Angela: Honestly, it’s the little things you’re probably already doing.
Parents don’t have to be perfect (thank goodness!) There’s no such thing. Kids grow best when their grownups keep showing up. Every day, day after day. Every interaction builds their tiny little brains. From the time they are born, to age 5, their brains have formed billions of connections each minute, and their brains are growing fast!
Angela: A lot of parents might wonder:
Things like tantrums, sleep struggles, feeding issues, toileting concerns, clinginess, or sudden changes can feel overwhelming.
What we often say is, big feelings are part of growing up. Kids aren’t giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time. And they’re still learning how to handle all of it. All behavior is communication, and your job is to figure out what they are trying to say, and what they need. You are a baby detective, and a brain builder!
Angela: First, trust yourself. If something feels off, it’s okay to check it out.
You don’t have to carry it alone. You can talk to your child’s pediatrician, a caregiver, or use tools like the Sparkler app to learn more about what’s typical and what might help. CT also has the 211-Infoline that offers many supports that you may be in need of.
Reaching out doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means you care and want to understand your child better.
Angela: Families shouldn’t have to work this hard to find support.
The biggest opportunity is making help feel easy, normal, and close to where families already are, like at the pediatrician’s office, in child care, in playgroups, in Family Resource Centers, in Early Intervention or through tools they can use at home.
And just as important is truly supporting parents. When caregivers feel supported, kids feel it too.
At the end of the day, children do best when the people caring for them aren’t doing it alone. Remember, infant and early childhood mental health is all about those very important early relationships!
Sparkler chatted with Alison Tyliszczak, a consultant for the Connecticut Hospital Association, who leads some of the association’s maternal health efforts, including the Connecticut Perinatal Quality Collaborative, which is behind the new CT Urgent Maternal Warning Signs Bracelet Initiative, which launched in the fall.
A. The bracelet is a really simple tool that is meant to be worn after birth, and up to 12 weeks after birth. Oftentimes after birth, there are a lot of complications that can happen that can be unexpected — things like bleeding, fever, and high blood pressure. We really just want to make sure that if any of these things happen, that she can quickly get the care that she needs.
A. The Bracelet Initiative was really designed to increase community awareness of preventable postpartum complications, and conditions like hemorrhage, like hypertension — and to ensure that birthing persons are empowered to seek help when they are experiencing symptoms of those complications.
An urgent Maternal Warning Signs Initiative began with The Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and orange was kind of their signature color. We wanted to make sure that we were aligning the bracelet Initiative in Connecticut with what AWHONN was doing, and what other states were doing, because other states were also starting to use orange.
A. Yes! We’re the first state to launch a unified statewide strategy, to increase awareness of urgent maternal warning signs. We’re bringing hospitals, EMS, community partners together to help ensure that those warning signs are recognized quickly.
A. We have heard from a couple of our partners that there were some patients, some postpartum patients that had come to the emergency room and were immediately triaged…Because they wore the bracelet, they were quickly triaged to an OB consult, which is what they needed at the time.
A. I supervised a home visiting program for many years, and we actually did have this come up. We had a patient that did end up having a postpartum hypertensive episode, and had to go to the hospital, and was kind of on the fence, and we really had to encourage her to go to the hospital.
Providers should look out for headaches that will not go away, or that are getting worse over time, dizziness or fainting, changes in vision. body temperature of 100.4 or higher, swelling of the hands and feet, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby … The CDC Hear Her campaign provides a list of symptoms that are warning signs.
A. The campaign urges you to connect them with emergency care right away.
A. The next objective we’re going to be working on is a statewide data management strategy. So, right now, CHA is meeting with hospitals individually to talk about what is feasible, what makes the most sense in terms of outcomes to measure … We’re also continuing this engagement with community, making sure that our community partners know about the Bracelet Initiative, that if they are working with a postpartum person, that they are encouraging them to wear their bracelet for 12 weeks, that they know the warning signs, and that if they have someone that they’re working with and are experiencing any warning signs, they’re helping to connect them to emergency care right away.
Everyone check out the website: cthosp.org/bracelet. There are so many resources there!
New In Sparkler: A new unit of tips for grown-ups is available, providing an overview of the Bracelet Initiative and links to resources about Urgent Maternal Warning Signs.
In honor of Read Across America, we spoke with Meaghan Penrod, Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Family and Community Engagement Specialist at Sparkler Learning, about why reading together matters so much in the early years, and how families can make it part of everyday life. Meaghan helped to create this year’s special partnership between Read to Grow and Sparkler — in which we’re sharing a lineup of stories read by their authors (and aligned play activities) throughout the week. Learn more online or find it in the Sparkler app starting on March 2, 2026.
Meaghan:The early years are a period of incredible brain development. When families read together, they’re not just sharing a story — they’re building neural connections that support language, thinking, and social-emotional development. Reading aloud helps children hear new words, understand how language works, and begin to make sense of the world around them. But just as importantly, it strengthens the relationship between caregiver and child. That warm, back-and-forth interaction — snuggling up with a book, talking about the pictures, laughing together, learning what interests your child — is what truly fuels early learning.
Meaghan: Early literacy isn’t about pushing young children to decode words before they’re ready. It’s about building the foundational skills that make reading possible later on and instill a love of reading! That includes vocabulary, listening comprehension, print awareness (like knowing how to hold a book and turn pages), and understanding that stories have a beginning, middle, and end. It also includes conversation. When caregivers ask questions, pause to let a child respond, or connect a story to real life, they’re building comprehension skills that are essential for later reading success. For babies and toddlers, early literacy might look like chewing on a board book, pointing at pictures, or babbling during story time — and that absolutely counts.
Meaghan: Be gentle with yourself. Reading together doesn’t have to mean sitting down for 20 uninterrupted minutes, and it may change over time with your child’s age and interests! Even five minutes counts. Reading while waiting at the doctor’s office, bringing a book on the bus, or sharing one quick story before bed all make a difference. You can also “read” the world around you — pointing out signs, labels, grocery lists, and environmental print helps children understand that words have meaning everywhere. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection and consistency over time.
Meaghan: Follow your child’s lead. If they want to linger on one page, that’s okay. If they want to flip back and reread their favorite part, that’s wonderful. With younger children, you might not even read the words on the page. Sometimes it works better to just talk about the pictures. When my kids were little and didn’t have a very long attention span, I’d scan the page to find a picture I knew they’d connect with and talk about that, even if it wasn’t really a part of the “story.” Something like “Oh, do you see that dog? That looks like your aunt’s dog!” This will usually get them interested and talking. You can ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How is the character feeling?” Let them turn the pages. Use different voices. Make it playful. When children are active participants in reading—not just listeners—they’re building comprehension, confidence, and a love of books.
Meaghan: Talking, singing, and storytelling are powerful literacy tools. Narrating your day — “Now we’re putting on your shoes. One shoe, two shoes!” — builds vocabulary. Singing songs supports rhythm and sound awareness, which are important for learning to read. It’s also great for children to see how you engage with reading! When they see you read a book you enjoy, make a meal from a recipe, learn to play a game by reading the instructions, or make a grocery list, they’re learning that reading and words are meaningful and important! At Sparkler, we encourage families to see that literacy is woven into everyday moments. It’s not a separate subject. It’s part of daily life.
Meaghan: This year for Read Across America Week (March 2–6), Sparkler partnered with the early-literacy nonprofit Read to Grow to bring a very special “Read Together” storytime campaign to families and caregivers everywhere. The idea is simple but powerful: we’re featuring a curated lineup of stories read aloud by the authors and illustrators who created them, so kids can hear the voices behind the books and connect with stories in a meaningful way.
Families can access these read-aloud videos right in the Sparkler mobile app or on Sparkler’s website — and each story comes with related activities designed to extend learning through play and interaction. That might look like movement prompts, simple art projects, or language-building games tied to the themes of the book.
Meaghan: Our BIG idea this week is read together, play together, learn together—because when grown-ups and children enjoy books side-by-side, children’s hearts, words, minds, and bodies all benefit. We created this campaign in partnership with Read to Grow because we believe deeply in supporting families as children’s first teachers, and we want Read Across America Week to be more than just a celebration. It’s an invitation to build joyful, ongoing reading routines that nurture curiosity and confidence early in life.
Young children are wired for connection. When they feel like they belong — in a family, a playgroup, a classroom, or a neighborhood — they feel safe and secure. That safety lays the groundwork for growth in every area: emotional, social, and cognitive.
This February, Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is focused on community — a topic that is important in childhood and throughout life.
On the first episode of the month — a kidventure episode featuring three kids, Zuri, Credence, and Gabe — the kids take an imaginary adventure to the Land of Qook-a-lackas where they discover that a big storm has blown all sorts of stuff — from shells to glitter to screws — all over the Land, disrupting plans for the Qook-a-lacka’s big bright block party. Together, they help a Qook-a-lacka friend, Quandy, who is feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to bring everyone together. With creativity, teamwork, and big-hearted ideas, the kids help transform piles of random objects into games, decorations, music, and art.
They discover that community isn’t about perfection; it’s about sharing ideas, helping one another, and building something meaningful together.
The guest star of the episode — playing the role of Quandy — is Mandy Gonzalez. Mandy starred on Broadway in the megahit Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler. She also originated Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, In The Heights, for which Mandy received a Drama Desk Award. Mandy also starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked. Mandy recently performed a solo concert at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
After listening, extend the learning with discussion and play activities to support children’s understanding of the big idea of “community.”
Sparkler is sharing two different activities:
Little Helper, Big Impact: Create a plan of the ways you can help out in the different communities you’re part of…and figure out ways to contribute, whether it’s doing something kind for another person, cleaning up, or donating toys you’ve grown out of.
Helpers United: Create a collage of the helpers in your life.
🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website: https://playsparkler.org/podcast
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month — a great reminder that healthy smiles start early! For families with young children (birth to age 5), building strong dental habits now can prevent cavities, reduce discomfort, and set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Baby teeth may be temporary, but they play a big role in your child’s development. Healthy teeth help children:
Chew and eat nutritious foods
Develop clear speech
Smile confidently
Hold space for their permanent teeth
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions in young children — but it’s also largely preventable with simple, consistent care.
Dental care begins before the first tooth appears. Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings. Once teeth come in, brush twice a day with a small smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. At age 3, increase to a pea-sized amount.
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting.
Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks increases the risk of cavities. A few simple steps can make a big difference:
Offer water between meals (especially fluoridated tap water if available)
Limit juice and avoid sugary drinks
Serve sweets with meals rather than as standalone snacks
Choose whole fruits instead of fruit snacks or sticky treats
Even natural sugars (like those in dried fruit) can stick to teeth and contribute to decay, so brushing after snacks is important.
Young children need help brushing until at least age 6 – 8. Make brushing fun by:
Singing a two-minute song
Letting your child pick out a toothbrush with a favorite character
Brushing together as part of the bedtime routine
Once teeth touch, it’s time to begin flossing. Floss picks designed for little hands can make this easier.
National Children’s Dental Health Month is also a time for community learning and celebration! Many local organizations host special events focused on children’s dental wellness.
Our partners at the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) are hosting a special “Popcorn & PJs” virtual event in collaboration with our friends at Read to Grow in Connecticut. This fun, family-friendly program combines storytime and dental health tips—perfect for cozy learning at home.
Check with your local dental associations, community health centers, or pediatric dental offices to learn about additional events and free resources happening in your area.
For more information about children’s dental health, explore:
The parent tips and play activities featured in Sparkler’s app this month
The American Dental Association
Educational materials from your child’s dentist or pediatrician
Healthy habits start small — but they make a big difference. By focusing on preventive care, limiting sugar, and making brushing and flossing part of your daily routine, you’re helping your child build a bright, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.
Here’s to happy, healthy smiles this February! 🦷✨
Every February, store shelves overflow with heart-shaped candy and plush teddy bears. Valentine’s Day marketing makes it easy to believe that love is something you buy, wrap, and present with a bow. But for parents of young children, the most meaningful expressions of love rarely come in red and pink packaging.
They come as rocks.
Or dandelions.
Or a soggy cracker clutched in a tiny fist.
When a toddler waddles over and places a pebble in your hand, they are not giving you a rock; they are giving you their treasure. And in their world, offering a treasure is one of the purest expressions of love.
Young children are just beginning to understand emotions. “Love” is an abstract concept, but they learn it through repetition and connection: not through candy hearts but through moments.
When your child saves you the last bite of their snack, runs to you after a fall, brings you one of their creations, or hands you an acorn they found in the park, they are showing their love.
Children’s small gestures are opportunities to name the feeling of love and say, “I love you too.” When you parents name the feeling and reciprocate it, they are boosting their child’s understanding of love and building their social-emotional skills.
Genuine love requires attention. It asks us to slow down. Instead of focusing on what to buy this Valentine’s Day, parents can focus on what to notice:
The way your child lights up when you enter the room
The way they reach for your hand
The way they offer you something important to them
Narrate it for them:
“You brought me your favorite rock. That feels like love.”
“You saved this for me? I love you too.”
“You wanted to sit next to me. I love being close to you.”
These moments teach children that love is connection, generosity, and presence—not presents.
There’s nothing wrong with a small treat or a stuffed animal. But if we want our children to understand love deeply, we have to look beyond the aisle of heart-shaped boxes.
Love is in the pebble.
Love is in the scribbled drawing.
Love is in the sticky hand reaching for yours.
And when that small hand offers you its treasure, the most powerful response isn’t another object.
It’s four simple words:
“I love you too.”
Find a series of activities in the app to help you play and learn together this Valentine’s Day — from Heart Yoga to You Are My Sunshine.
As the 2026 Olympics begins in Italy, we’re getting excited to watch all of the athletes compete on snow and ice…and we’re excited for all of the learning opportunities for little ones watching the Winter Games from home.
Here are 10 ways that families can learn, play, and create together at home with their babies, toddlers, or preschoolers as they root for the athletes in Italy:
Find more Winter Olympics play activities in your Sparkler mobile app!
We are rooting for you, little athletes and scholars!