wheelhouze
@wheelhouze.bsky.social
Hey parents! Substitute teacher & tutor exposing what's really happening in our schools📚Former daycare owner + 15 years in law enforcement = I've seen it all. Writer @ The Parenting Revolution (Substack). Real strategies for real families. Coffee-fueled! ☕
A 12-month 'typical' range for walking: 9-18 months. That's a 9-month span! Yet we panic if kids aren't walking at 12 months exactly. The data tells us to chill out a little.
January 10, 2026 at 7:49 PM
A 12-month 'typical' range for walking: 9-18 months. That's a 9-month span! Yet we panic if kids aren't walking at 12 months exactly. The data tells us to chill out a little.
Tired of milestone anxiety? New article breaks down what 'typical development' actually means (hint: it's way broader than social media makes it seem). On Substack now 👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
Beyond “On Track”: Understanding Developmental Ranges vs. Milestones
Why your child’s “late” or “early” milestones may be hiding what really matters in development
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Tired of milestone anxiety? New article breaks down what 'typical development' actually means (hint: it's way broader than social media makes it seem). On Substack now 👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
The week is over. You showed up, even on hard days. That consistency is what children need most—not perfection. Rest well this weekend.
January 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
The week is over. You showed up, even on hard days. That consistency is what children need most—not perfection. Rest well this weekend.
Weekend reflection: What's one small win you had with your child/students this week? Celebrating the tiny victories is how we sustain this work long-term. Drop yours below! 👇
a cartoon cat holding a yellow letter w
ALT: a cartoon cat holding a yellow letter w
media.tenor.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Weekend reflection: What's one small win you had with your child/students this week? Celebrating the tiny victories is how we sustain this work long-term. Drop yours below! 👇
Quick tip: Document development through photos/videos instead of just checklists. You'll see progress you'd otherwise miss AND have precious memories. Win-win.
January 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Quick tip: Document development through photos/videos instead of just checklists. You'll see progress you'd otherwise miss AND have precious memories. Win-win.
Poll time: What would you most like to see data on? (A) Outdoor play benefits (B) Bilingual development (C) Transition to kindergarten (D) Teacher-child ratios. Drop your letter below!
January 8, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Poll time: What would you most like to see data on? (A) Outdoor play benefits (B) Bilingual development (C) Transition to kindergarten (D) Teacher-child ratios. Drop your letter below!
The data is clear: It's not screen time vs. no screen time. It's about what's on the screen and who's watching with them. Context is everything in early childhood development.
January 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The data is clear: It's not screen time vs. no screen time. It's about what's on the screen and who's watching with them. Context is everything in early childhood development.
Screens aren’t wrecking kids’ language. Silence is.
New piece: “Language Development in the Digital Age: What 1,200 Studies Tell Us” — why minutes matter less than missing conversations. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
New piece: “Language Development in the Digital Age: What 1,200 Studies Tell Us” — why minutes matter less than missing conversations. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
Language Development in the Digital Age: What 1,200 Studies Tell Us
Why screens aren’t the real villain—and silence is.
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Screens aren’t wrecking kids’ language. Silence is.
New piece: “Language Development in the Digital Age: What 1,200 Studies Tell Us” — why minutes matter less than missing conversations. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
New piece: “Language Development in the Digital Age: What 1,200 Studies Tell Us” — why minutes matter less than missing conversations. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
Quick question: At what age should a child say their first words?
If you said '12 months,' you're technically right. But so is 10 months. And 15 months. And 18 months.
The 'typical' range spans 8 months. Development isn't a race, it's a range.
If you said '12 months,' you're technically right. But so is 10 months. And 15 months. And 18 months.
The 'typical' range spans 8 months. Development isn't a race, it's a range.
January 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Quick question: At what age should a child say their first words?
If you said '12 months,' you're technically right. But so is 10 months. And 15 months. And 18 months.
The 'typical' range spans 8 months. Development isn't a race, it's a range.
If you said '12 months,' you're technically right. But so is 10 months. And 15 months. And 18 months.
The 'typical' range spans 8 months. Development isn't a race, it's a range.
A common question parents ask: 'Is my child behind?' The most common answer from research: 'Development isn't a race, it's a range.' Working on a full piece about this for next week.
January 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
A common question parents ask: 'Is my child behind?' The most common answer from research: 'Development isn't a race, it's a range.' Working on a full piece about this for next week.
Your weekly reminder that taking breaks doesn't make you less committed, it makes you sustainable. What's one boundary you're setting this week to protect your energy?
January 7, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Your weekly reminder that taking breaks doesn't make you less committed, it makes you sustainable. What's one boundary you're setting this week to protect your energy?
Only 15% of programs meet all 10 quality indicators. The difference makers:
• Low ratios + stable teachers
• Adults follow kids' lead, not scripts
• Play is the curriculum, not filler
#ECEData #DataVisualization #EarlyEducation #ChildcarePolicy
• Low ratios + stable teachers
• Adults follow kids' lead, not scripts
• Play is the curriculum, not filler
#ECEData #DataVisualization #EarlyEducation #ChildcarePolicy
a girl in a blue jacket is talking to a teacher in a hallway with hap pily written in the corner
ALT: a girl in a blue jacket is talking to a teacher in a hallway with hap pily written in the corner
media.tenor.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Only 15% of programs meet all 10 quality indicators. The difference makers:
• Low ratios + stable teachers
• Adults follow kids' lead, not scripts
• Play is the curriculum, not filler
#ECEData #DataVisualization #EarlyEducation #ChildcarePolicy
• Low ratios + stable teachers
• Adults follow kids' lead, not scripts
• Play is the curriculum, not filler
#ECEData #DataVisualization #EarlyEducation #ChildcarePolicy
New on Substack: I analyzed research on early childhood program quality, and the results might surprise you. Spoiler: fancy facilities ≠ quality outcomes. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
The Hidden Gap Between “Has a Spot” and “Has a Shot”
From ratios to retention, the research‑backed factors that make one preschool a launchpad and another a trap
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
New on Substack: I analyzed research on early childhood program quality, and the results might surprise you. Spoiler: fancy facilities ≠ quality outcomes. 🧵👇
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
Real talk: What's the most frustrating myth about early childhood you still hear? I'll compile responses for a future article debunking these myths with research. #ECE #EarlyChildhood #CommunityInput #MythBusting
January 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Real talk: What's the most frustrating myth about early childhood you still hear? I'll compile responses for a future article debunking these myths with research. #ECE #EarlyChildhood #CommunityInput #MythBusting
Screenshot this: 90% of brain development happens before age 5, but only 3% of education funding goes to early childhood. We're investing in the wrong end of the pipeline.
#ECEData #InvestInChildren #EarlyEdMatters #ChildcarePolicy
#ECEData #InvestInChildren #EarlyEdMatters #ChildcarePolicy
January 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Screenshot this: 90% of brain development happens before age 5, but only 3% of education funding goes to early childhood. We're investing in the wrong end of the pipeline.
#ECEData #InvestInChildren #EarlyEdMatters #ChildcarePolicy
#ECEData #InvestInChildren #EarlyEdMatters #ChildcarePolicy
Monday thought: The best early childhood educators I've studied don't have the fanciest materials or biggest budgets. They have curiosity, consistency, and genuine warmth. That's what the data shows matters most.
#MondayMotivation #ECE #TeacherInspiration #EarlyChildhood
#MondayMotivation #ECE #TeacherInspiration #EarlyChildhood
January 5, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Monday thought: The best early childhood educators I've studied don't have the fanciest materials or biggest budgets. They have curiosity, consistency, and genuine warmth. That's what the data shows matters most.
#MondayMotivation #ECE #TeacherInspiration #EarlyChildhood
#MondayMotivation #ECE #TeacherInspiration #EarlyChildhood
Sundays are for rest, not guilt. Whether you're meal prepping or binging TV, you're doing enough. The children in your life need you rested more than they need you perfect.
#SelfCare #CaregiverWellness #SundayVibes #RestIsProductive
#SelfCare #CaregiverWellness #SundayVibes #RestIsProductive
January 4, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Sundays are for rest, not guilt. Whether you're meal prepping or binging TV, you're doing enough. The children in your life need you rested more than they need you perfect.
#SelfCare #CaregiverWellness #SundayVibes #RestIsProductive
#SelfCare #CaregiverWellness #SundayVibes #RestIsProductive
Did you know? Children who attend high-quality early childhood programs show stronger executive function skills through age 8. Here's the key: quality matters more than quantity. I'll be breaking down what 'quality' actually means in this week's deep dive.
#ChildhoodResearch #DevelopmentalScience
#ChildhoodResearch #DevelopmentalScience
January 4, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Did you know? Children who attend high-quality early childhood programs show stronger executive function skills through age 8. Here's the key: quality matters more than quantity. I'll be breaking down what 'quality' actually means in this week's deep dive.
#ChildhoodResearch #DevelopmentalScience
#ChildhoodResearch #DevelopmentalScience
Starting fresh in 2026: I'm committing to translating early childhood research into actionable insights for caregivers & educators. Expect data-driven content, evidence-based tips, & real talk about challenges we face. What's 1 thing you want to understand better about child development this yr?
January 4, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Starting fresh in 2026: I'm committing to translating early childhood research into actionable insights for caregivers & educators. Expect data-driven content, evidence-based tips, & real talk about challenges we face. What's 1 thing you want to understand better about child development this yr?
Happy New Year. 2026 is when we start building from the ground up - literally from age 0. The revolution doesn't begin in 3rd grade. It starts in the nursery.
January 1, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Happy New Year. 2026 is when we start building from the ground up - literally from age 0. The revolution doesn't begin in 3rd grade. It starts in the nursery.
Everything we talked about this year—curriculum, testing, interventions—happens too late. The work that matters most happens before kindergarten. That's where I'm focusing in 2026
December 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Everything we talked about this year—curriculum, testing, interventions—happens too late. The work that matters most happens before kindergarten. That's where I'm focusing in 2026
The weight you carry—worrying about their future, fighting for their education, trying to get it right; your child may not understand it now. But they feel your love in every decision. That's what they'll remember.
December 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The weight you carry—worrying about their future, fighting for their education, trying to get it right; your child may not understand it now. But they feel your love in every decision. That's what they'll remember.
December: Exposed balanced literacy as rebranded whole language, named failed curricula, distinguished dyslexia from teaching failure. January: Early childhood—what kids need before kindergarten, how to recognize quality care.
December 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
December: Exposed balanced literacy as rebranded whole language, named failed curricula, distinguished dyslexia from teaching failure. January: Early childhood—what kids need before kindergarten, how to recognize quality care.
✨2025: Built this platform exposing balanced literacy, showing dyslexia over-diagnosis, demanding accountability. 2026: Focusing on where it all begins—the first five years. Let's build it right from the start.
December 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
✨2025: Built this platform exposing balanced literacy, showing dyslexia over-diagnosis, demanding accountability. 2026: Focusing on where it all begins—the first five years. Let's build it right from the start.
If you're serious about transforming education, you don't start with high school reform. You don't start with middle school curriculum. You start with a 2-year-old and build the foundation right.
December 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
If you're serious about transforming education, you don't start with high school reform. You don't start with middle school curriculum. You start with a 2-year-old and build the foundation right.