@amandabrocato

Teaching Children to Identify Emotions Does your preschooler have huge feelings but doesn’t know how to explain them? Here’s something you can start doing today: put feelings into words during everyday moments. Say, “You look frustrated because your tower fell down,” or “I think you’re excited because Grandma is coming!” Why does this work? Children need to hear emotional vocabulary before they can confidently use it themselves. Today’s action step: Name one feeling your child experiences today and talk about what caused it. #feelings #identifyemotions #earlychildhoodeducation

#DumplinTheCat #Sealook #CatWatchingTV

Here’s something I want every parent of a preschooler to try tonight. Give your child ten minutes of completely child-led play. No phone. No correcting. No teaching. No telling them what to do. Just sit with them and let them lead. Why does this work? Child-led play gives you an opportunity to connect, observe your child’s interests, and show them that their ideas matter. Today’s action step: Set a timer for ten minutes, put your phone away, and let your preschooler choose what you do together. #teachertips #preschoolers #childledplay #earlychildhoodeducation #learningthroughplay

An update on Autumn 🤍 We found her, but she has passed away. Our hearts are completely broken, but we wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped us. Every share, message, and prayer meant the world to us. Rest in peace, sweet girl. 🕊️♥️

Think you need flashcards to teach math? You already have everything you need. Grab some socks, spoons, blocks, or snacks and count them together. Count forwards, backwards, sort them into groups, and compare which pile has more. Why does this work? Preschoolers learn best by touching and moving real objects. Today’s challenge: Find ten items in your house and turn them into a counting game. #learningmath #learnthroughplaying #teachertips

He has been driving the neighborhood for hours and researching every single tip on how to bring a lost cat home. He won't rest until his baby girl's fur baby is safe. Seeing him love our daughter this much is everything. Please pray we find her soon! 🙏❤️ 🐾 #girldad #catsoftiktok #missingcat #searchandrescue #lostpets

Let the journey begin! #congobasin #journey

-vacation blues? I don’t know her. ✈️🌴 The only cure for a vacation ending is opening 45 new tabs to plan the next one. Who else does this before they’ve even unpacked? 🙋‍♀️💼 #postvacationblues #traveladdict #vacationmode #traveltok #planningmytrip Is your next trip already booked, or are you just getting started? Let me know where you're heading next!

If Mexico is on your travel list, save this one because Secrets Akumal is definitely worth adding to it! ✈️🌴 #SecretsAkumal #AkumalMexico #allinclusive #RivieraMaya #beachvacation

Do you ever look at your child building with blocks and think they’re ‘just playing’? Think again. During block play, children are learning math, science, engineering, problem-solving, and creativity. They’re testing balance, counting pieces, comparing sizes, and planning structures. Why does this matter? Some of the most powerful learning happens through play. Today’s challenge: Sit beside your child during block play and ask, ‘Tell me about what you’re building.’ #blockbuilding #earlychildhoodeducation #learningthroughplay

#TravelInspiration #LifeIsForLiving #AdventureAwaits

Current status: Do not disturb. 🌴#secretsakumalrivieramaya #mexico #vacation 📍 Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya • México 307 Km 254-+ 600, Akumal, Quintana Roo

Forget ordinary beach days. This is Tulum, where ancient history meets the Caribbean Sea. We’re exploring a 13th-century Mayan walled city built directly on a cliffside. Look at these ocean views! This place is unreal. Put Tulum Ruins on your bucket list! #tulum #mexico #tulumarchaelogicalzone #elcastillo

#secretsakumalriveramaya #mexico #vaca

#secretsakumalriveramaya

Successfully coordinated six different work schedules for this view. #vacation #mexico #vacationwithfriends

Swamp soup, also known as Alabama turnip green soup, is a hearty Southern comfort dish combining seasoned turnip greens, smoked sausage, beans, and potatoes. Ingredients • 1 pound smoked sausage (such as Conecuh or andouille), cut into pieces. • 1 cup finely chopped onion. • 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (optional). • 4 medium gold potatoes, diced. • 1 (28-ounce) can seasoned turnip greens (with liquid). • 1 can Hoppin' John or seasoned black-eyed peas. • 1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel). • 1 can navy beans or Great Northern beans, drained. • 2 cups water 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste (or 2 bouillon cubes). (Note: You can substitute the water and bouillon with 4 cups of prepared chicken or beef broth.) #swampsoup #alabamaturnipgreensoup #turnipgreensoup #1potmeal

Want to build your preschooler’s confidence? Stop praising only the finished product. Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try, “You kept trying even when that was hard.” Why does this work? You’re helping your child understand that effort, persistence, and problem-solving are valuable. Today’s action step: Catch your child trying today and tell them exactly what you noticed. #teachertips #preschool #earlychildhoodeducation #fyp

Parents, please remember this: developmental milestones are not a competition. Children develop at different rates, and one skill being ahead doesn’t mean every other skill will develop at exactly the same pace. Why does this matter? Comparing your child to another child can create unnecessary worry. Today’s action step: Focus on your child’s progress over time. If you have concerns about development, discuss them with your child’s pediatrician or another qualified professional. #developmentalmilestones #preschooler #teachertips

Do you ever read a book to your child and wonder if they're actually learning anything? Here's the trick teachers use: stop and ask questions. Ask, 'What do you think will happen next?' Or, 'How do you think that character feels?' Why does this work? These questions build language skills, comprehension, and critical thinking. Tonight, read one book and ask at least three questions during the story.#preschoolteachertips #readingtipsforparents #readingtipsandtricks #fyp

Does your child want friends but doesn’t know how to start? Teach them this simple friendship phrase: ‘Can I play with you?’ Practice it at home through role play. Take turns pretending to be another child and responding positively. Why does this work? Social skills don’t magically appear. They need to be taught and practiced just like any other skill. Today’s action step: Practice this phrase three times before your next playground visit. #socialskillsforkids #teachertips #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator

Does telling your preschooler to “calm down” seem to make them even more upset? Try this instead: “I can see you’re having a really hard time. I’m right here. Let’s take a breath together.” Why does this work? When a child is overwhelmed, they may not have the ability to simply calm themselves because an adult told them to. First, we help them regulate, and then we teach them what to do. Today’s action step: The next time your child has big feelings, connect before you correct. #connectbeforecorrect #teachertipsandtricks #teachertips

Watch at your own risk! This video contains 4 gallons of hairspray and zero regrets. #bringbackthe80s #fyp

My Louisiana accent isn't even that thick until I get north of the Mason-Dixon line and suddenly I sound like a talking plate of jambalaya. #northdakota #fortbufordstatehistoricsite #funnytiktok 📍Fort Buford State Historic Site

Is your preschooler’s behavior normal, or should you be concerned? Tantrums, testing limits, big emotions, and wanting independence can all be normal parts of preschool development. But persistent or severe concerns that interfere with communication, learning, relationships, or daily life deserve professional attention. Today’s action step: If something consistently concerns you, write down what you’re seeing and talk with your child’s pediatrician or teacher. #preschool #behavior #preschoolteacher #foryoupage

Here’s today’s one-minute preschool parenting tip: Give your child enough time to answer you. Ask a question—and then wait. Don’t immediately repeat it. Don’t answer for them. Why does this work? Preschoolers often need extra processing time to understand a question and formulate their response. Today’s action step: The next time you ask your child a question, silently count to five before speaking again. #preschool #earlychildhoodeducation #teachertipsandtricks

He’s just a baby who loves to play 🐱💕 #kittensoftiktok #fyp

I’m a foster fail 😂 #fosterfail #kittycatsoftiktok #blackcatsoftiktok

All the glory goes to God today! 👆Two days away in North Dakota.📍Got the scariest call of my life on Thursday. 📞 A life-threatening emergency with my baby girl. 💔 But God stepped in. ✨He used my amazing family and friends to protect her. 🛡️They ran to her side when I couldn't. 🏃‍♂️Thank you to my village. 👭 I love you all more than words can say. ❤️#Faith #AnsweredPrayers #FamilyIsEverything #GodIsGood #Thankful

Come with me to one of the most fascinating places we visited in Medora, North Dakota—the Château de Mores! 🏰 At first glance, you might not expect to find a beautiful historic château right here in the Badlands… but there’s actually a pretty incredible story behind it. This was the summer home of the Marquis de Mores and his wife, Medora, who came to this area in the late 1800s. And yes—the town of Medora was actually named after his wife! ❤️ The Marquis and Medora were a young, wealthy couple from France who came to Dakota Territory in 1883. The Marquis was an ambitious businessman and dreamed of transforming the cattle industry by creating a meatpacking business closer to the cattle ranches. But what really caught my attention was learning about their life here. The family didn’t just rough it out on the prairie—they built this beautiful 26-room summer home overlooking the Little Missouri River. They had their own bedrooms, dining room, library, servants’ quarters, and even modern conveniences that were considered quite luxurious for the area at that time. Medora herself was more than just the woman the town was named after. She was the daughter of a wealthy American family and was married to the Marquis at just 20 years old. She accompanied him on this incredible adventure into the Dakota Territory, where they spent their summers entertaining guests, enjoying the outdoors, and raising their family. Walking through the château today, you can see personal belongings and furnishings that help tell the story of what their everyday life was like. It made me stop and imagine what it must have been like for Medora to leave her life of privilege behind and spend summers in such a remote part of the country. And there’s something almost surreal about standing inside this elegant home while looking out at the rugged North Dakota Badlands. It’s such a fascinating contrast—French aristocratic elegance surrounded by the wild American frontier. The Marquis had big plans for this area. He wanted to create a modern meatpacking operation right here in western North Dakota, instead of shipping cattle all the way east. Unfortunately, his business venture didn’t turn out the way he hoped, and the family eventually left the area. But their story became an important part of Medora’s history. Today, you can walk through their historic home and get a glimpse into what life was like for this wealthy family over 100 years ago. And honestly, standing here and looking out at the landscape made me think about just how different this place must have looked back then. I absolutely love visiting places like this because you’re not just looking at an old building—you’re stepping into a little piece of history. If you ever find yourself in Medora, North Dakota, put Château de Mores on your list. You won’t want to miss it! 🏰❤️ #medora #northdakota #chateaudemore