Make little Christmas crafts together and learn simple ways to build math and fine motor skills through play. Count ornaments, make patterns with beads, snip and glue, then take your crafts home with ideas to keep the learning going all season. Every family also gets a photo with Santa.
January at Bambino's Play Cafe. Counting, comparing, shapes and patterns: how 3- to 5-year-olds really build math understanding, and playful ways to grow it at home. The date and tickets are coming soon.
Brave Little Step is for parents of children from 12 months to about age 5, the years before kindergarten. Workshops are taught by a former teacher and based on current research, so you can help your child grow socially, emotionally and academically through play.
Emotional regulation, for them and for you.
Early literacy and math, on track or ahead, all through play.
Sharing, taking turns, friendships, sports and group play.
Follow your child's interests, and teach from there.
“This was AMAZING and so helpful!!”
Jackie, parent of a 2-year-old
“Options, not open-ended questions. I love this.”
Cheyenne, parent of a 1- and 2-year-old
“This is so helpful! Thank you so much!”
Hannah
Watch the replay any time, with a one-page summary of the main ideas.
Choose a workshop, then join on Zoom from your couch or in person at a play cafe. Every ticket includes the replay.
Virtual evenings after bedtime, and daytime sessions at play cafes where kids play nearby.
Every recorded workshop, to watch during nap time, after bedtime, or a little at a time. Each comes with a printable summary.
All past and future replays, all in one place. Example price
I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have worked in schools for 10 years in many different roles. Most of that time I spent as an early childhood educator. I'm also trauma certified, so I know how stress and hard experiences can shape the way little ones feel, behave and learn.
I'm married and a mom to two kids of my own, a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. I live the toddler years every day, from big feelings in the back seat to the joy of watching them figure things out.
My favourite age group is 3 to 5. Kids are becoming independent and starting to do amazing things, but they're still so little.
In classrooms, I saw too many children arrive at kindergarten without the social, emotional or early academic skills they needed. That usually wasn't the parents' fault. Nobody had shown them what those years could look like.
I started Brave Little Step to change that. I bring current research and real classroom experience to parents in a way that's play-based and child-led, and that fits into busy family life. If your little one has just turned one, you're in the right place. It helps to know where you're heading.
One brave little step at a time.
Children learn best through play, and research supports it.
Use your child's interests as the way into new skills.
Feelings, friendships and academics grow together.
They're for parents of children from 12 months to about age 5. Some workshops focus on a narrower age, like ages 3–5. If your child is younger than that, you're still welcome. Knowing what's ahead helps you prepare.
Virtual workshops run on Zoom in the evening, so you can join from your couch after bedtime. In-person events come in two kinds:
For play cafe events, yes. Those are planned with kids in mind. Parents-only events are a child-free break for you. Each event on the calendar says which kind it is.
Yes. Every ticket includes the replay and the printable summary, so you can catch anything you missed.
After you buy a ticket, you'll get an email with your Zoom link. On the night, tap the link. Your camera can stay on or off.
Tickets are non-refundable. But every ticket comes with the replay, so you'll never miss what was taught.
Yes. Workshops draw on current early childhood research and curriculum, along with 10 years working in schools, most of them as an early childhood educator.
Yes! Brave Little Step partners with play cafes, parent groups and local mom-owned businesses.
The CDC's free Milestone Tracker app is the tool I recommend to parents. It has easy checklists with photos and videos for each age, tips to help your child grow, and a summary you can share with your child's doctor.
Free on iPhone and Android, in English and Spanish. Covers 2 months to 5 years.
Every child grows at their own pace. Use it as a guide, not a test.
Choose your child's age to see what most children do by then, grouped the same way the CDC groups them.
These are the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones (revised 2022). Each one is something most children (75% or more) can do by that age. If your child isn't meeting one, or you have any concern, talk with your child's doctor. You don't need to wait. Source: cdc.gov/act-early/milestones
Do you run a play cafe, a bakery, a boutique or another local mom-owned business? I'd love to collaborate. Our events bring together engaged local parents of little ones, and every partnership helps families and small businesses grow.
Play cafes and venues: I bring a research-based parent workshop, and families get a reason to visit and stay.
Want a table, a goody-bag spot or to treat our parents? See the .
Donate a prize or goodie-bag treat and get introduced to every family in the room and online.
Instagram collabs, shared posts and stories, and shout-outs to each other's followers.
Tell me a little about your business and what you have in mind. I'll get back to you within a few days.
You don't need to host anything. Bring your business to a Brave Little Step event and meet local moms and dads of 1- to 5-year-olds in a warm, relaxed setting. It's perfect for bakeries, boutiques, kids' clothing, photographers, coffee, wellness and other mom-owned businesses.
Set up at our events, especially parents-only nights, and sell or showcase your products.
Add a sample, coupon or small treat to every parent's take-home bag.
Sponsor the free coffee or baked goods and get a shout-out in front of everyone.
Donate a prize and get featured at the event and on Instagram.
Vendor spots are limited at each event, so families get a calm, personal experience.
Tell me about your business and which events you're interested in. I'll reach out with details and next steps.