Early On of Barry County

09/12/2025

Helping Young Children Assert Their Boundaries

Teaching children to assert their boundaries is an important life skill that starts early. It helps them develop confidence, self-respect, and the ability to communicate their needs clearly.

Begin by modeling healthy boundaries yourself. For example, saying “I need a moment to finish this work, then I’ll play with you” shows your child that it’s okay to express limits respectfully.

Encourage your child to use simple phrases like, “I don’t like that,” or “Please stop,” when someone crosses their personal space. Practice these phrases during role-play, games, or daily routines so they feel natural.

Validate their feelings when they assert themselves: “I see that you didn’t want to share your toy, and that’s okay.” Positive reinforcement teaches them that their voice matters.

Help them recognize physical and emotional cues. If they feel uncomfortable, teach them to take a step back, say no, or seek an adult’s help.

Storytelling and reading books about personal space, consent, and respect can also make learning boundary-setting engaging and relatable.

By giving children the language, confidence, and support to assert their limits, you are fostering independence, self-awareness, and strong communication skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

09/12/2025

09/10/2025

Stages of Social-Emotional Development: Birth to 3 Years

The first three years of life are full of rapid growth, especially in social and emotional development. From birth, babies begin bonding through eye contact, crying to express needs, and soothing when held. This stage builds trust and security, forming the foundation for later relationships.

By around 6–12 months, infants start showing stranger anxiety, recognizing familiar faces, and responding to the emotions of those around them. They begin to learn that their feelings are connected to others, which is an important step in empathy development.

Between 12–24 months, toddlers start to test independence. They may say “no” often, show frustration, and have big emotional outbursts. While this can be challenging, it’s a normal and healthy part of learning boundaries and autonomy. At the same time, they begin showing affection, seeking comfort, and imitating social behaviors.

By age 2–3, children develop stronger self-awareness. They start understanding turn-taking, playing alongside peers (parallel play), and expressing a wider range of emotions with words. They may also begin to show early problem-solving skills and empathy, like offering comfort when someone is upset.

Supporting children through these stages means meeting their emotions with patience, guiding them with love, and modeling regulation. Each stage builds the skills needed for resilience, healthy relationships, and confidence as they grow.

09/05/2025

The Power of Co-Regulation

Co-regulation is the art of helping a child calm down by sharing your own calm presence. When a child is upset, your steady voice, gentle touch, or patient posture can guide them back to a sense of safety and balance.

But co-regulation has its limits. It won’t work if you’re feeling dysregulated yourself. Children pick up on our tension, so taking a moment to breathe, slow your heartbeat, or pause for a few deep breaths is essential before you engage.

It also struggles in over-stimulating environments. Bright lights, loud noises, or chaotic spaces make it harder for both you and your child to settle. Sometimes simply moving to a quieter corner or dimming the lights is the first step.

Finally, if emotions have escalated too far, co-regulation may not work immediately. Your role then is to stay present, offer consistent support, and wait for the moment when your child can receive your calm energy.

Simple tools like singing softly, mirroring slow breathing, or offering a gentle hand on their back can help bridge the gap between chaos and calm. With patience and practice, co-regulation strengthens your connection and helps your child learn to self-regulate over time.



The Therapist Parent

09/05/2025

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Michigan Family to Family is pleased to announce the next webinar in our Learning Connections series, Children with Special Needs (CSN) Fund 101 on September 24th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EST).

The CSN Fund provides family-centered support to help families obtain equipment to enhance quality of life and promote health and mobility for their child. Please join us to hear from Program Coordinator, Marcia Franks, and Jacque Lett as they share information about eligibility, the application process, and types of items covered by the CSN Fund.

To register for this event, please use the following link: https://redcap.link/lcsept24

Learning Connections Webinars - These webinars are open to anyone (parent, family member, professional, youth, educator, etc.) interested in a variety of topics of interest. These webinars provide resources, information, or skill development on relevant topics related to children with disabilities or special health care needs. They are led by seasoned parent staff and/or guest speakers with expertise in the topic.

We appreciate you sharing this information and flyer with interested families or professionals in your networks.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

07/16/2025

Some fun in the sun (and rain!) at the Barry County Fair until 3:00 today in the community tent! Come see us!

07/11/2025

Behind every data point is a child with potential, a family seeking support, and a team committed to opening doors.

Michigan's early intervention system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities, Early On, has earned the highest possible federal distinction - for the second year in a row.

Read the full release: https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/press-releases/2025/07/08/michigan-early-on-program-receives-federal-distinction

07/05/2025

🗣️ Parent Talk System is a six-week series to improve communication & discipline
🗓 Thursdays, July 10–Aug 14
🕢 7:30–9:00 p.m.
📍 Register at the link in the comments.

06/07/2025

Reframing Parenting Guilt

Parenting guilt often shows up when we feel like we’re not doing enough, being enough, or getting everything right. But guilt is not always a signal of failure—it can be a reminder of how deeply you care. Instead of letting it spiral into shame, reframe it as an opportunity for reflection and growth.

Ask yourself: What values am I trying to uphold? What expectations can I release? You are human, and your children don’t need perfection. They need presence, honesty, and love. When you repair after a hard moment and show up again tomorrow, you’re modeling resilience and emotional responsibility.

You don’t need to be a perfect parent—just a present one.

06/07/2025

What Your Child's Tantrum Is Really Saying

A tantrum is not your child trying to give you a hard time—they're having a hard time. Beneath the screaming, crying, or flailing is a message: “I’m overwhelmed,” “I don’t know how to handle this,” or “I need help feeling safe.” Young children haven’t yet developed the skills to express big emotions with words, so their behavior becomes their communication.

When we pause to look beyond the behavior, we can respond with connection rather than correction. Offering calm, empathy, and support teaches them how to move through intense emotions safely. Over time, this helps them build emotional resilience and trust in their relationship with you.

Your presence is the anchor they need in their storm.

06/07/2025

Starting in June there are SO MANY great events happening through the week. We will try to keep you updated on what you can get involved in as a family.

Here is what is happening in the area this week:

Each month you can always check out the storybook walk on the trails of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. The book for June is Rainbow Hunters

Tuesday evening is the dedication for a new storybook walk along the Riverwalk in Hastings and Yoga at Tyden Park.

Wednesday morning is Itsy Bitsy Book Club at Tyden Park if the weather is nice (otherwise at Hastings Public Library-MI). Wednesday evening is the first Hastings Live concert of the year with Hastings City Band: Band Favorites

Thursday morning is Story time at Deep Roots Produce and in the evening is a concert from Jedi Mind Trip at Delton Summer Sounds (Revitalize Delton Community Project)

Friday morning is Story Time at Hastings Public Library-MI, Little Ones Story Hour at Putnam District Library. In the afternoon is Middleville Market (Middleville DDA) and Putnam District Library summer reading kick-off at MOO-ville Creamery in Nashville, MI. Friday evening is Friday Night Features: The Rebel Eves at Thornapple Plaza.

Saturday morning is THE BEST summer kick-off Very Barry Family Event 2025 that you do not want to miss!

Check out our website calendar for details on all of these events: https://www.barrycountykids.org/calendar

06/07/2025

Hastings Live is here! We're kicking off the series with 3 FREE performances in Downtown Hastings this week with Hastings Live.

🔹 June 4 | Hastings City Band: Band Favorites
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🔹 June 6 | Little River String Band
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🔹 June 6 | The Rebel Eves
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