Steelville R-3 Parents as Teachers

09/03/2026

Did you know that research has shown that children who participate in the Parents as Teachers program are more advanced in language, social development, problem solving, and other cognitive abilities starting at 3 years of age compared to children who do not participate in PAT?

STEELVILLE R-3 Parents as Teachers is a FREE school readiness program for kids prenatal – kindergarten entry. Parents as Teachers provides activities, screenings, and resources to help kids grow in all areas of development. Call or scan the QR Code to enroll your child today! 573.775.4419

09/03/2026

Your child held it together at school, then came home and melted down over the wrong snack.

It can feel like it came out of nowhere, but sometimes that tiny thing isn't really the thing. It's likely the last demand on a nervous system that's been working hard all day.

Instead of starting with: "Why are you acting like this?" try considering whether today took more out of them than you realized. Assure them that they're safe to fall apart if needed, and respond from there. 💙

08/31/2026

Join us for our traditional Harvest Festival Family Fun Night!
🌾Tuesday, September 8th
🌾4:30-7
🌾Main Street in Steelville!

08/28/2026

07/16/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that the Science of Reading and child-led play are somehow at odds.

I don’t believe they are.

The Science of Reading doesn’t tell us to eliminate play. It tells us which foundational skills matter for learning to read.

Oral language.

Vocabulary.

Phonological awareness.

The question isn’t whether those skills matter. We know they do.

The question is:

If the Science of Reading values oral language, vocabulary, and phonological awareness… shouldn’t we be paying closer attention to where young children naturally develop those skills?

That’s the conversation I hope we’re having more often.

Because when we recognize the literacy already happening in children’s play, we stop asking, “How can I fit more literacy into play?” and start asking, “How can I intentionally support the literacy that’s already emerging?”

I’ll be going deeper into this during my free session at the Science of Reading Summit (July 20–23), where we’ll explore how child-led play supports many of the foundational skills reading development depends on and how to make that learning visible in your classroom.

Comment SUMMIT and I’ll send you the free registration link.

06/04/2026

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but support can make a big difference.

We're excited to offer an upcoming psychoeducation opportunity for caregivers who want help with:
• Big emotions and meltdowns
• Discipline without constant conflict
• Building stronger connection with their child

This course is designed to be practical, supportive, and judgment-free.

You’ll walk away with tools you can actually use at home—not just ideas.

Spots will be limited to keep the group supportive and interactive.

Early bird registration link opens this Friday! Set your alarm to secure registration at a discounted rate.

Comment below or message us with any questions!

05/11/2026

This week's Storytimes: The Great Outdoors! From bears to butterflies and everything in between, join us for Storytime at any of our three locations!☀

🛶Bourbon: Monday at 11:00 AM
🐻Cuba: Tuesday at 11:00 AM
🌄Steelville: Thursday at 12:30 PM

05/08/2026

We were told classrooms build brains.
Truth is… brains are built long before the desk.

“Play builds the brain that school later uses.” – Dr. Gordon Neufeld

Mud pies. Climbing trees. Bare feet. Endless imagination.

This is the real curriculum.

This is where brains are built. Where curiosity takes root. Where regulation begins.

Not in rows.
Not on worksheets.

Children aren’t designed to sit still for hours on end.
They’re wired to climb higher, get messier, play longer. 🌿

This isn’t a bonus.
It’s not enrichment.

It’s the foundation.

04/21/2026

10 Reasons Why Reading to Children is Important 📚🌱✨

04/17/2026

Here are some benefits of dirt play for toddlers and preschoolers.

Things to Add to Make Dirt Play More Fun:😅

Tools: Small shovels, buckets, and rakes.
Water: Add water to make mud.
Nature Items: Sticks, rocks, leaves, and flowers.
Toys: Cars, trucks, or animal figures.
Containers: Cups, bowls, or spoons for scooping.
Seeds: Plant seeds and watch them grow.
Paintbrushes: Use water to paint on dirt.
Magnifying Glass: Check out bugs and soil up close.