Adventures with Jack-a-Roo
The Resource Garden
A place to explore children's emotions and the everyday moments that shape childhood.
​Here you'll find carefully selected information from respected early childhood development organizations, alongside the Jack-a-Roo stories that help children understand the same feelings. Whether you're looking for reassurance, practical guidance or you're trying to understand your child's world a little better, I hope this page helps you find a place to begin.
Every child is wonderfully unique, and no website can tell the whole story of your child. I am not a doctor, psychologist, therapist, or medical professional. The information shared throughout The Resource Garden is intended for general educational purposes and should never replace advice from your child's pediatrician, family doctor, therapist, or another qualified healthcare professional. Every child develops differently. If you are worried about your child's development, behavior, emotional wellbeing, or health, please speak with a qualified professional who can provide advice based on your child's individual needs. I hope The Resource Garden helps you better understand your child's world and gives you a place to begin exploring reliable information.
Growing Little Hearts
Understanding Big Feelings
Young children are still learning what feelings are, how to name them and what to do when those feelings take over. Below are resources for emotions, frustration, patience, resilience and the early skills children use to recover after a difficult moment.
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First Feelings: The Foundation of Healthy Development - ZERO TO THREE
A helpful introduction to accepting, naming and responding to a young child's feelings.
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24–36 Months: Social-Emotional Development -
ZERO TO THREE
Practical ideas for helping toddlers express strong feelings in safe, age-appropriate ways.
Emotional Development: 2-Year-Olds -
HealthyChildren.org
A pediatric overview of the broad range of emotions common at age two.
Growing Together
Relationships, Belonging and Connection
Children learn about themselves through the people around them. Below are resources for separation anxiety, friendship, empathy, sharing, taking turns, missing someone and building confidence in relationships.
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How to Help Your Child Develop Empathy -
ZERO TO THREE
Simple ways to help young children begin noticing and responding to other people's feelings.
Social Development in Preschoolers -
HealthyChildren.org
What parents may notice as preschool children learn to play, cooperate and build friendships.
Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home -
NAEYC
Everyday activities that help children practice feeling words, problem-solving and relationships.
Peaceful Evenings
Sleep, Bedtime and Feeling Safe
Bedtime can bring worries to the surface, especially when the day becomes quiet and a child has to separate from the people who make them feel safe. Below are resources for bedtime fears, sleep routines, nightmares, fear of the dark and nighttime separation.
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Sleep Resources for Young Children -
HealthyChildren.org
Pediatric information about sleep, routines and common concerns during the early years.
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Anxiety Resources - Child Mind Institute
Guidance on how worry and fear may affect routines, separation and sleep.
Resources for Families - Sesame Workshop
Short videos and activities that help young children talk about feelings, routines and safety.
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Growing Confidence
Independence and Trying New Things
Young children often want to do far more than their words, patience or judgment will allow. Below are resources for children developing confidence, independence, waiting, accepting help, trying again and learning through small risks.
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Positive Parenting Tips by Age - CDC
Age-based information about development, independence, communication, play and safety.
Helping Toddlers Develop Self-Control, 24–36 Months - ZERO TO THREE
A realistic look at how toddlers gradually learn limits, waiting and self-control.
5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return -
Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Shows how ordinary back-and-forth moments support learning, confidence and connection.
Looking Beneath the Behavior
Understanding Before Correcting
Behavior often tells us something a child cannot yet explain. Begin here for tantrums, meltdowns, hitting, biting, screaming, saying no, overstimulation and the feelings that may sit beneath the behavior.
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Tantrums and Meltdowns – Child Mind Institute
Understand why meltdowns happen, what children may be communicating, and practical ways to respond calmly.
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How to Help Children Develop Self-Control – ZERO TO THREE
Research-based strategies for helping toddlers learn emotional regulation and self-control.
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Behavior and Development – NAEYC
Research-based articles that explain children's behaviour through the lens of healthy development and emotional growth.
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Tender Hearts
Sensitive Children and Deep Feelers
Some children notice more, worry more or need longer to feel comfortable in new places and situations. Begin here for sensitivity, shyness, worry, overwhelm, perfectionism and supporting children who experience the world intensely.
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Anxiety Resources – Child Mind Institute
Information about childhood anxiety, common worries, and practical strategies for helping children feel more secure.
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Healthy Mental & Emotional Development – HealthyChildren.org
Pediatric guidance for supporting children's emotional wellbeing and helping families navigate big feelings.
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Serve and Return – Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Discover how responsive relationships provide the secure foundation emotionally sensitive children need to thrive.
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Social and Emotional Development – NAEYC
Resources for nurturing children's emotional growth, confidence, and healthy relationships through everyday interactions.