🌱 The Most Important Early Learning Goals for This Year
The start of a new year brings new routines, goals, and chances to help kids do well. At Greenehouse Children’s Center, we believe that learning should be fun, useful, and based on what kids do every day. If you set a few important developmental goals for your child this year, they will be able to explore, connect, and feel confident, no matter if they are a curious toddler or an active preschooler.
We want families to adopt these top early learning goals at home and in our classrooms in 2026.
1. Building language and communications skills
Language grows when you talk, tell stories, and play with it. This year, pay attention to: Talking to your child all day long, even if it’s just telling stories, helps them learn new words. Every day, read something together. Helping your child say what they want, think, and feel. Singing, saying rhymes, and pretending to be someone else not only fun, but helpful.
Kids learn that marks on a page have meaning by scribbling, drawing, and making letter-like shapes. Giving kids crayons, markers, and paper to play with lets them try out early writing in a fun, low-pressure way.
At Greenehouse Children’s Center, our teachers use circle time, outdoor play, and hands-on activities to help kids learn how to talk to people with confidence.
2. Helping kids grow up in a healthy way socially and emotionally
Kids do better when they feel safe, understood, and like they belong. Some important goals include: learning how to share and how to share with others. Learning how to name feelings and talk about them in a healthy way. Making friends by playing together. Learning to do small things by themselves or for themselves.
Kids learn empathy, self-control, and resilience in our caring environment. These are all skills that will help them stay healthy for the rest of their lives.
3. Helping kids learn to think and solve problems early
A child’s best trait is their curiosity. Giving kids things like blocks, puzzles, and art supplies that don’t have a set purpose. Asking “What do you think will happen next?” while you play. Getting kids to go outside and pay attention to things around them. Letting kids try, fail, and try again with encouragement and patience.
We plan activities at Greenehouse Children’s Centers that help kids learn about and connect with the world around them.
4. Improving fine and gross motor skills
Learning means moving. This year, pay attention to the little things. Using hands to grab and hold things is really important and practice makes perfect. For fine motor skills, writing, drawing, and painting are fun projects to exercise their little fingers. Cutting construction paper with child safe scissors is also great task to try. Putting small things in order, stacking blocks, and moving them around to build something.
Then there are gross motor skills that include the whole body and big movements. For example, running, climbing, jumping, and staying balanced. Things that involve music, dancing, and moving around. Playing outside whenever possible.
Every day, kids can work on their strength and coordination in our big indoor and outdoor spaces.
5. Fostering creativity and imagination
Creativity isn’t just about making things; it’s also about coming up with new ideas. Encouraging pretend play or art projects that don’t have a set end point. Stories, music, and dance all foster the imagination. Chances to try new things without worrying about whether they will go “right” or “wrong” when there is no correct answer.
At Greenehouse Children’s Center, creativity is a big part of early learning and self-expression. The photos used in this article are actual kiddos in action at our center.
6. Teaching kids how to be self-sufficient and learn skills for life early
When kids have small tasks to do, they feel capable and proud. Letting your child help with simple tasks around the house or at the store are big esteem boosters. Teaching kids how to do things on their own, like wash their hands, get dressed, and clean up after their playtime. Giving kids choices so they can learn how to make decisions no matter how small will contribute to their abilities as they grow.
Our teachers help kids become more independent and also give them the support they need to thrive.
This year, work together with Greenehouse Children’s Center
We love helping kids grow up in a nice, family-friendly place. Because of our play-based curriculum, caring teachers, and strong ties to the community, families can trust us to provide high-quality childcare and early education. If you want your child to learn, explore, and grow in a safe place this year, we’d love for you to join the Greenehouse Children’s family.
This year could be the best one yet for your child. You can call us, set up a tour, or just come by. We can’t wait to meet you and your child.
