Bonjour! Buongiorno! Guten Morgen! It’s no secret that speaking a second language provides lifelong benefits. Before we know it, today's preschoolers will be college students studying abroad and embarking on careers in a global economy. Until then, they can sharpen their minds, enhance their memory and critical thinking skills. Below are a handful of preschools in the Connecticut that immerse young students in a second language. Also, check out some tips for how to choose the right preschool for your child. 

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Houston-area communities need a lot of help. Baby items are some of the most needed items in every community right now, and several drop-off locations for these supplies have been set up around the greater Houston area. See the list below for where to go and what to take. We recommend calling the venue before showing up for the most up-to-date items needed because needs change frequently.

We’ve toured all kinds of farms: alpaca farms, berry farms, orchards, we’ve even dug up our own potatoes in a community garden. So, it only seemed appropriate that one of our last summer adventures would be to head out to Hummock Island Oyster Farm in Westport. 

Every year, I get a certain catalog in the mail filled with all kinds of wonderful Halloween costumes. It arrives in late August/Early September and promptly ends up in “the pile.”  By time I get around to actually look through it, I realize that most of the costumes are out of stock and/or rush shipping is our only option of getting it to us on time to wear it to one of five bazillion Halloween Events that seems to have popped up on my calendar. Or maybe your child wants a truly uniquely creative costume that seems to only exist in the land of pure imagination. If you - like me -have found yourself in this predicament then, here's the rundown on where to snag Halloween costumes in Fairfield County.

As schools across the country cut recess in favor of test prep, and kids spend more time indoors staring at screens, there is a growing movement to reacquaint children with nature, free play, and the joy of exploring the great outdoors. Modeled after the forest kindergartens that have long been popular in Germany and Scandinavia, nature-based preschools, kindergartens, and other outdoor programs for young children are popping up all over the U.S., including New Jersey.

In these programs, children examine flora and fauna, climb trees, make art, splash in streams, play with mud, count sticks, sing, listen to stories, and more. Proponents of outdoor learning point to its many benefits, saying it can improve cognitive function and physical health, boost confidence and empathy, and even counter symptoms of ADHD. 

The Garden State offers a variety of options, from preschool programs that take place entirely outdoors to more traditional schools that place a premium on spending time outside. There are even parent-and-child classes, so grown-ups can get in on the fun, too. All promote child-led, unstructured play as a means to spark curiosity and foster learning and a love of nature. 

To find more opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration, check out NJ's great nature centers, and for a comprehensive selection of classes of all kinds, take a look at our guide to Classes and Enrichment Programs for NJ Kids. 

Our daughter feels like Vegas is her second home, and it’s no wonder: we've been visiting Sin City a couple of times a year since she was a baby. We fit in lots of family outings during our visits, like riding the High Roller Las Vegas Ferris wheel, watching the Bellagio fountains, and checking out the flamingoes at the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. My husband and I usually do the rotation thing when it comes to gambling (one of us goes and one of us stays with our daughter), but every now and then it's nice to splurge on childcare and enjoy Las Vegas as a couple.

For many moms and dads, Music Together® might as well be the official soundtrack to early parenthood. Even those who haven't taught their toddlers to shake a tambourine at one of the many classes available across Long Island are probably familiar with the much-loved program that brings kids and caregivers together through music and movement. And while Music Together has been a family favorite since it first launched in the eighties, its latest collaboration with The Jewish Education Project is a really exciting new addition to the already-popular offerings.

You don't need us to tell you Hurricane Harvey has devastated Houston. The Bayou City has quickly become just that—a submerged metropolis where people have been pushed from their homes, from hospitals, and from entire communities. While this historic storm has wrecked our home, good Samaritans have emerged from all corners of the Greater Houston area to help those in need.

Here are some ways anyone can help families and individuals affected by the storm, as well as ways for locals to search for help. Send us a note at houstoneditor@mommypoppins.com if you have any resources we do not have listed, and we can add them here. Stay safe, Houston. Together, we will pull through. #HoustonStrong