Book Nook - I Am Not Boring: The True-Life Story of a Log

 What’s so special about a log? It just sits there and does nothing. How boring! But in I AM NOT BORING: The True-Life Story of a Log by Lena Podesta (on sale May 26, 2026) you will learn that logs are anything but boring—they are an essential part of life in the forest! A delightful blend of SEL themes and STEM content, I AM NOT BORING is perfect for summer reading roundups and upcoming back to school preparation.

Told with humor and heart, I AM NOT BORING shows how an old log is not, in fact, boring at all. This endearing, goofball picture book by author-illustrator Lena Podesta is subversive humor at its best. Factual back matter about log lifecycles is also included. While readers are giggling along, they're learning about the importance of ecosystems—and believing in themselves.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ ILLUSTRATOR:

Lena Podesta has been working as an artist in the animation industry and as an illustrator for more than two decades. Her work has included picture book illustration, editorial illustration, character development, design for animation, directing, story boarding, and character animation.

Parenting Pointers - How to Identify Your Child’s Learning Style (And Support It at Home)

 Original post here

Every child is wired differently. Some light up when they get to move their bodies. Others want to take everything apart and see how it works. Some are drawn to art and color, while others want to talk through every idea out loud. These differences are not random. They often reflect your child’s learning style, the natural way their brain prefers to take in and make sense of the world.

As a parent, understanding your child’s learning style can be one of the most powerful tools you have. It helps you choose the right activities at home, communicate more effectively, and set your child up for a lifetime of loving to learn. 

First, a Note About How Young Children Learn Best

If your child is six or under, there is one thing that matters more than identifying their learning style: play.

Young children’s brains are not yet developed enough to absorb learning through structured lesson plans, worksheets, or rigid instruction. What they need—and what they are neurologically built for—is play-based learning. 

Through play, children develop language, problem-solving, creativity, social skills, emotional regulation, and early academic concepts. The goal at this stage is not to fast-track skills. It is to build a child who is curious, confident, and excited to walk into kindergarten.

This means that no matter what signs you notice of your child’s learning style, the best way to support it is always through play. A child who seems to be a visual learner doesn’t need flashcards. They need colorful art projects and picture books. A child who seems to be a kinesthetic learner doesn’t need a structured movement curriculum. They need time to dig, build, climb, and explore.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, our classrooms are designed around this truth. As a daycare with play-based learning at the heart of everything we do, we meet every child where they are, honoring their natural tendencies while nurturing the wonder and love of learning that will carry them far beyond their early years.

The Main Learning Styles: What to Look for in Your Preschooler

Most educators recognize several core tendencies that show up clearly even in young children. Here is what each learning style looks like at the preschool age, and how you can support it at home through play.

1. The Visual Learner

Signs in preschoolers:

• Loves looking at picture books, even before they can read
• Drawn to art, drawing, and colorful materials
• Notices details in their environment that others might miss
• Tends to remember things they have seen rather than heard
• Enjoys puzzles, patterns, and sorting by color or shape

How to support this child’s learning style at home:

• Provide lots of open-ended art materials: crayons, paint, clay, and collage supplies
• Use picture books with rich illustrations and talk about what you see together
• Let them help decorate their space and organize materials visually
• Try nature walks where they sketch or photograph what they discover
• Use visual schedules or drawings to help them understand routines

2. The Auditory Learner

Signs in preschoolers:

• Loves songs, rhymes, and being read to
• Talks through what they are doing as they play
• Picks up new words and phrases quickly
• Enjoys conversations and asking lots of questions
• May hum, sing, or make sounds while playing independently

How to support this child’s learning style at home:

• Read aloud every day and let them ask questions freely
• Introduce music, rhythm instruments, and songs tied to everyday activities
• Talk through what you’re doing together (narrate cooking, errands, and play)
• Encourage storytelling (ask them to tell you about their day or make up a story)
• Audiobooks and educational podcasts for kids can be wonderful supplements (this is a favorite for families!)

3. The Kinesthetic Learner

Signs in preschoolers:

• Cannot sit still for long and learns best while moving
• Loves building, digging, climbing, and hands-on exploration
• Touches everything and learns by doing rather than watching
• Full of energy and often expresses emotions physically
• Engages deeply with sensory materials like sand, water, and clay

How to support this child’s learning style at home:

• Prioritize outdoor play, nature exploration, and physical activity every day
• Set up sensory bins with rice, sand, water beads, or kinetic sand
• Incorporate movement into learning (count while jumping or spell while clapping)
• Give them building materials like blocks, LEGO, or cardboard boxes
• Let them help with hands-on tasks like cooking, gardening, or building

4. The Reading and Writing Learner

Signs in preschoolers:

• Shows early interest in letters, words, and books
• Loves to “write” even before they know letters (scribbles and marks with intention)
• Enjoys looking at books independently and turning pages carefully
• Asks how to spell things or what words say
• Drawn to journals, notepads, and anything that involves paper and pen

How to support this child’s learning style at home:

• Keep a variety of books at their level accessible and within reach (read our blog here about creating a reading nook at home!)
• Provide journals or blank notebooks for drawing and early writing
• Let them “write” grocery lists, notes, or stories alongside you
• Visit the library regularly and let them choose their own books
• Use magnetic letters on the fridge for playful letter exploration

5. The Social and Logical Learner

Signs in preschoolers:

• Thrives in group settings and learns from watching peers
• Loves working on projects with others and negotiating roles in play
• Asks “why” constantly and wants to understand how things work
• Enjoys sorting, categorizing, and finding patterns
• May prefer structured games with rules over open-ended play

How to support this child’s learning style at home:

• Arrange playdates and collaborative play opportunities
• Introduce simple board games and puzzles that involve logic and turn-taking
• Encourage questions and take time to explore the answers together
• Try simple science experiments (think baking soda volcanoes, sink and float, etc.)
• Give them sorting and matching activities using everyday household items

Most Children Are a Mix, And That’s Perfectly Normal

It is worth noting that most children don’t fit neatly into one box. Your child might show strong kinesthetic tendencies but also love being read to. They might be deeply social but also spend hours quietly drawing. A child’s learning style is not a label. It is a collection of tendencies that can shift and grow over time.

The most important thing is to observe your child with curiosity rather than trying to fit them into a category. 

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can I identify my child’s learning style?

You can begin to notice tendencies as early as toddlerhood, though they become clearer between ages three and five. Keep in mind that at this age, observations are more helpful as guides for play and home activities than as definitive labels.

Should I focus on strengthening my child’s weakest learning style?

Not at this age. For children six and under, the goal is to build love of learning through play. Lean into your child’s natural strengths and interests rather than drilling weaker areas. There will be plenty of time for well-rounded skill-building as they grow.

Does my child’s learning style mean I should choose a specific type of school?

What matters most for preschool-aged children is finding a daycare with play-based learning at the core. No matter what your child’s natural tendencies are, play-based environments support all learning styles simultaneously.

Can a child’s learning style change over time?

Yes. Learning style preferences can shift as children grow, develop new interests, and encounter new environments. Stay curious and keep observing.

How does play-based learning support different learning styles?

A high-quality daycare with play-based learning naturally supports every child’s learning style because play encompasses so many modes of engagement at once. Building a block tower involves spatial reasoning and fine motor skills. Acting out a story uses language and social negotiation. Painting combines sensory experience with self-expression. Play celebrates all learning styles.

How can I share what I’ve noticed about my child’s learning style with their teacher?

Share your observations openly and specifically. Tell your child’s teacher what you notice at home: what activities they gravitate toward, what frustrates them, what makes them light up. Good early childhood educators welcome this information and will use it to better support your child in the classroom. 

The Best Investment You Can Make Right Now

Understanding your child’s learning style is a wonderful gift, but at this age, the best thing you can do with that knowledge is channel it into play. Follow their curiosity. Say yes to the mess. Let them lead.

The children who arrive at kindergarten most prepared are not the ones who spent their early years on academic drills. They are the ones who spent those years exploring, creating, asking questions, and falling in love with the world around them.

 

If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at a Reggio Emilia preschool and daycare near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together.

 

Keep reading, keep learning!

• 2025 Little Sunshine’s Playhouse National Teacher of the Year
• Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children are Natural Communicators
• Setting Rules for Toddlers

Parenting Pointers - Parento and Tinyhood

Parento, the insurance-based paid parental leave solution trusted by employers across the country, today announced a strategic partnership with Tinyhood, the leading digital parental education platform. Beginning immediately, all employees covered by Parento will have seamless access to Tinyhood's complete catalog of expert-led videos, downloadable resources, and articles, which support parental wellness and emotional health.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in Parento's mission to deliver a comprehensive paid parental leave solution, one that supports working families not just financially, but through every stage of the parenting journey. As the demand for paid parental leave increases, with only 27% of the private sector offering coverage, companies who invest in employee wellness have a competitive advantage.

Closing the Gap Between Leave and Support

As paid parental leave becomes a vital policy that drives employee loyalty and engagement, parents struggle to close the gap between leave and support, resulting in a fragmented and disjointed experience.

Through this partnership, all parents can access digestible, bite-sized content created by professionals and specialists, to ease the isolation, anxiety and fear that often impedes their ability to confidently work and parent.

"Parental leave isn't just a financial event - it's a defining live event," said Parento founder Dirk Doebler. "Our clients come to us because they want to do right by their people, but struggle to know what employees need during this fragile time. This partnership with Tinyhood means we can now support employees on both sides: the financial protection they need to take leave confidently, and the expert education and resources that help them thrive in parenthood.That's the standard we're building toward."

The Tinyhood partnership is the latest in a series of product enhancements to deepen the value and accessibility of parental leave for parents, employers and distribution partners.

"We are intentional about the partners we bring into the Parento ecosystem," said Doebler. "Tinyhood is the best in class in digital parenting education and this partnership ensures Parento remains the most complete parental leave solution in the market."

In a competitive benefits landscape where talent retention and culture are top of mind, offering paid parental leave increases employee loyalty, with 86% of millennials saying it will make them more loyal and over 70% desiring family-friendly policies. Employers who offer Parento aren't just providing income replacement during leave, they're sending a clear message: we support your whole experience as a parent.

About Tinyhood
Tinyhood is the #1 online learning platform for parents, offering expert-taught, on-demand video classes covering every stage from pregnancy through parenthood. With over 650 lessons, more than one million classes watched, and a 4.9-star rating from 60,000+ reviews, Tinyhood gives families the knowledge and confidence to navigate parenthood. Available to individuals and through employer partnerships at tinyhood.com.

About Parento
Parento is the nation's leading insurance-based paid parental leave solution that makes it simple and affordable for employers to offer fully funded leave to every employee. By combining financial protection with a growing suite of parent support resources, Parento delivers a modern, comprehensive parental leave program that supports working parents and drives improved outcomes for employers. Parento partners with HR leaders, benefits brokers, and PEOs across the country. Learn more at parentoleave.com.

SOURCE Parento

Travel Tidbits - Custom Itineraries for Asia & Pacific

 If you're planning a travel experience ot Asia and the Pacific region, check out these agencies for custom travel planning.

VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, THAILAND + LAOS: Mooi Travel is a female-owned company that responds immediately, curates the most incredible culinary and experiential opportunities and seamlessly connects the countries with a swift wave of a magic wand.

INDIA, MALDIVES, SRI LANKA, NEPAL + BHUTAN: Caper Travel is your creative, mindful DMC that spans this stellar region with immediate replies, thoughtful itinerary suggestions and a relentless pursuit of the unimaginable.

AUSTRALIA: It's tough to know where to start but 39 Degrees South makes it all possible with a litany of niche itineraries to get clients inspired! They're the best at what they do and they'd love to show you what's on offer to cover as much of Down Under as possible!

JAPAN: Beauty Of Japan has got you covered like none other- Japan has not slowed down in pace over the past few years and nowadays it's all about looking outward, beyond the energetic pace of the high pulse cities and exploring soothing, soulful prefectures. They're swift, creative and innovative.

Movie Minute - Goat Girl (La niña de la cabra)

Directed by Ana Asensio, GOAT GIRL centers on eight-year-old Elena as she prepares for her First Communion in 1988 Madrid, while wrestling with the loss of her grandmother. Her burgeoning friendship with Serezade, a gypsy girl always accompanied by her goat, pushes Elena to challenge what she has been taught about the world. The film beautifully renders the dark and mysterious facets of life through a girl’s eyes, capturing tensions between childhood and adulthood, and touching on themes of classism, racism, religion, and emotional honesty, all with extraordinary tenderness.

GOAT GIRL is not just a portrait of childhood in a specific time and place, but a sincere, intimate story that bridges realism and fantasy, comedy and drama. The director’s approach paints a vivid portrait of a generation’s childhood, complete with the small details that make a city and era come alive. It offers a family film that appeals to both younger viewers and adults who appreciate emotional honesty and nostalgia.

Parenting Pointers - Postpartum Home Prep: Small Tweaks That Make the First Weeks Easier (and Safer)

 Image via Pexels

Preparing a home for postpartum life is about supporting a recovering parent (or parents) and a newborn with fewer steps, fewer surprises, and fewer “where is that thing?!” moments. You don’t need a full makeover. You need a few calm, repeatable systems that work at 3 a.m. with one hand free. The aim: reduce friction so you can rest, feed, and recover without turning every task into a mini expedition.

A quick read-before-you-start snapshot

You’ll get the biggest payoff from four moves: (1) put the essentials within arm’s reach, (2) build “drop zones” where you naturally pause, (3) pre-decide a low-maintenance cleaning rhythm, and (4) do a fast safety sweep for sleep + night navigation. If you only do a little, do it where you’ll spend the most time: bed/couch, bathroom, and wherever baby sleeps. Optional upgrades (room layout, storage, lighting) can wait—but it helps to know what to watch for once real life starts.

The 30-minute “grab-and-go” setup

1. Rest + feed station (bed or couch): water bottle, snacks, burp cloths, phone charger, wipes, diaper cream, a small trash bag, and a spare shirt for you.

2. Bathroom station: peri bottle/approved postpartum supplies, pads, pain relief your clinician okays, hand soap, and a small basket for daily items so nothing migrates.

3. Baby sleep station: a safe sleep surface, a dimmable light or nightlight, and a place for diapers/wipes within a step or two.

Result: you’re not walking laps just to meet basic needs.

The “less walking” upgrades that feel instantly better

• Laundry baskets in key spots: one in the bedroom, one near where you change the baby most, and (if you have stairs) one at the bottom or top for “things that need to go up/down.”

• Accessible storage: open bins beat drawers for postpartum. Put diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and spare onesies in labeled bins at waist height.

• Freezer meals (or snack bins): aim for a few “no-thinking” options. If cooking is too much, even stocking easy breakfasts and protein snacks helps.

• One-handed tools: pump parts bin, magnetic/clip-on burp cloth holder, easy-open containers. Anything you can operate half-awake wins.

What to place, and where

Area	Put these within arm’s reach	Why it helps
Bed/couch	water, snacks, charger, wipes, burp cloths, spare shirt	fewer trips + faster resets
Changing spot	diapers, wipes, cream, trash bag, extra pad	no mid-change scrambling
Bathroom	postpartum supplies, soap, clean towels, small bin	supports recovery + hygiene
Entryway	basket for deliveries, returns, errands	reduces clutter creep
Kitchen	“easy food” shelf + freezer meals	you eat before you crash

Funding larger home upgrades, carefully

Sometimes the postpartum reality reveals a real need: converting a room into a nursery, improving lighting for safer night movement, or adding storage that makes recovery smoother. One financing option some homeowners consider is a home equity loan, which provides a lump sum of cash using your home’s equity as collateral. Lenders commonly look for enough equity, good credit, stable income, and a manageable debt-to-income ratio. If you’re comparing options, you can review home equity loan rates today to get a better feel for your options.

A solid, non-sales resource to keep bookmarked

If you want a trustworthy place to double-check safe sleep setup (especially when you’re tired and second-guessing everything), the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent guidance is a strong reference. It walks through practical “what to do / what to avoid” choices, and it’s written for families—not clinicians. It’s also useful for aligning everyone who helps you (partners, grandparents, sitters) on one consistent standard. When you’re sleep-deprived, having one shared source reduces friction and debate.

FAQ

What should I prioritize if I only have one hour?
Do safe sleep setup, add a nightlight path, set up one feeding/rest station, and place laundry baskets where clothes actually land.

How many freezer meals do I need?
Enough to cover the days you won’t want to think—often 5–10 dinners plus easy breakfasts/snacks is plenty. Even partial coverage helps.

Where should the baby sleep first?
Follow your pediatrician’s guidance and safe sleep recommendations. Many families start with babies in the same room as caregivers, in a separate safe sleep space.

Do I need to babyproof everything right away?
Not everything. Focus on sleep safety, cords, alarms, and clear walkways first. Full babyproofing ramps up as mobility increases.

Conclusion

A postpartum-ready home is less about perfect organization and more about predictability: the right items, in the right places, with fewer steps. Start with micro-stations, a minimalist cleaning rhythm, and a safety sweep you can trust at night. Then live in the space for a couple weeks before deciding on bigger upgrades. The best setup is the one that makes rest and care feel just a little more doable.

Healthy Habits - uplitMD

uplitMD today announced the launch of its subscription video platform for new and expecting parents, debuting on National Streaming Day. Positioned as "the streaming channel for new parents" and "the baby book for the streaming generation," uplitMD delivers short-form, high-quality video guidance created and hosted exclusively by practicing, board-certified pediatricians from across America.

The Boston-based company launches with 50 all-original educational video segments, each 5–10 minutes in length, focused on two critical stages: before baby arrives (prenatal) and a baby's first 100 days. Additional content will roll out across the first year, with 6-, 9-, and 12-month age-and-stage content dropping this summer, along with deep-dive programming featuring pediatric specialists.

The platform is led by three founding physicians—Alok Patel, MD; Brittany Odom, MD; and Natasha Burgert, MD—all practicing pediatricians and parents, who serve as the primary on-camera hosts guiding families through each stage.

"At a time when information is everywhere, what parents are really looking for is clarity, trust, and curation," said Ed Keohane, Founder and CEO of uplitMD, a former CNN morning show producer and healthcare executive. "We built uplitMD around a simple idea: what if parents could sit down with an exceptional pediatrician and learn from their experience and wisdom—on their schedule, without the pressure of a short office visit or the noise of endless, conflicting information online?"

A New Category at the Intersection of Media, Trust, and Early Parenthood

The launch comes as streaming continues to reshape how people learn, exercise, and build skills—from platforms like MasterClass, Peloton, LinkedIn Learning, and Ladder Fitness. uplitMD applies that same model to early parenthood, organizing expert-led content around the real stages and decisions families face in a baby's first year.

"Parenting today is happening in a very different information environment," Keohane added. "As AI accelerates access to information, the challenge isn't finding answers—it's knowing what to trust. That's where uplitMD fits. It combines the scale of technology with the judgment and experience of real pediatricians, in a format built for how families actually live."

The company plans to expand its platform over time with AI-powered features designed to help parents better understand and navigate common questions in real time—layered on top of its growing library of pediatrician-created, human-led content and guided by clinical expertise.

Every segment on uplitMD is conceived, written, and hosted exclusively by practicing pediatricians. From the outset, physicians were asked to draw directly from their clinical experience and create a curated journey of content—the information they would be sure to offer to their own families and closest friends entering parenthood.

Built as a Guided Journey Through the Most Important Year of Life

uplitMD's initial focus reflects the outsized importance of a baby's first year—a period of rapid development and change.

"The first year of life is a period of extraordinary growth. Babies form more neural connections during that time than at any other point," said Brittany Odom, MD, founding physician of uplitMD and practicing pediatrician. "Helping parents understand what's happening, what's normal, and what to pay attention to can meaningfully change how they experience those early months. As a mom of a two-year-old, I love the idea of having that kind of guidance available right when you need it, whether that's on your phone, your computer, or in your living room."

The platform is designed to support not just medical understanding, but the day-to-day realities of new parenthood and to complement—never replace—the relationship families have with their own pediatrician.

"Parents don't stop having questions when they leave the hospital or the pediatrician's office," said Alok Patel, MD, founding physician of uplitMD, pediatric hospitalist at Stanford Children's Health, ABC News contributor, and co-host of the companion podcast for HBO's The Pitt. "This gives families a trusted foundation so they can feel more prepared, more confident, and better equipped for the conversations they'll have with their own care team."

"Parents today are navigating a flood of information, much of it conflicting or unclear," said Natasha Burgert, MD, founding physician of uplitMD, practicing pediatrician in Kansas City and author of Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies. "What we're trying to do is provide clear, practical information grounded in real pediatric care."

uplitMD's launch follows early momentum generated by a recent Boston Globe feature, which introduced the company to a wide audience of expecting parents—and, notably, grandparents. That response underscores the growing interest from extended family members and caregivers seeking trusted guidance as they support today's new parents. It also highlights how on-demand learning continues to expand across generations.

Subscription and Availability

uplitMD is now live at uplitMD.tv, with mobile apps expected later this summer.

• $20/month
• $180/year
• Select segments available for free

About uplitMD

uplitMD is a Boston-based digital media company building a pediatrician-led streaming platform for new and expecting parents. Created by practicing physicians and media veterans, uplitMD delivers trusted, stage-based video guidance for pregnancy and a baby's first year—helping families navigate early parenthood with clarity, confidence, and less overwhelm.

The name "uplit" reflects the company's core belief: that the right information doesn't overwhelm—it illuminates. Like an uplight revealing what might otherwise be missed, uplitMD is designed to help parents see more clearly in the moments that matter most.

Going Green - Little Sleepies Father's Day Collection

Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day with family-loved brand, Little Sleepies, latest Father’s Day Collection. Designed to celebrate the special moments fathers share with their families, the collection features a mix of dad-approved prints and coordinating styles made for everyone.  The Father’s Day collection introduces a range of spirited gender-neutral designs, including a charming duck pond print in soft greens and warm neutrals, alongside a retro-inspired “Game Day” print filled with vintage video game motifs. Blending comfort with personality, the collection offers superior comfort created from Little Sleepies’ signature bamboo blended, breathable fabric.

Expanding beyond apparel, the collection also features a range of cozy accessories and baby essentials, including blankets, hats, and more. Each piece is designed with comfort, durability, and flexibility in mind, perfect for everything from bedtime routines to summer weekend lounging. The Father’s Day collection is now available on www.littlesleepies.com, with prices ranging from $34 to $38.  About Little Sleepies Founded with families in mind, Little Sleepies creates high-quality, sleepwear and apparel for magical moments that matter most. Known for their whimsical prints, Little Sleepies’ designs make days and nights easier with super-soft yet impressively durable, thoughtfully designed products that families love. With prints kids & parents are obsessed with and fabrics parents trust, every piece is made to feel good, fit right, and get worn on repeat. Rooted in innovation and driven by care, the brand’s signature fabrics, Lunaluxe® and Soluxe®, are custom-developed to support the way kids move, sleep, and grow — because comfort isn’t just how it feels, it’s how it’s made.