A critical stage of verbal development happens before children turn 2, when they have several words in their vocabulary but they can't quite form the right words to communicate. This is why more parents are teaching their children American Sign Language, said Caroline Taylor, a sign language instructor at The Sandbox.

Walk into The Storybook Shoppe and walk into a different world. It's a world with talking bears looking for their honey, a pesky rabbit with a penchant for getting into trouble, a pair of hippopotami best friends and a brave, little French girl — to name a few colorful characters.

It's a world Nancy Beaupre, owner of The Storybook Shoppe, carefully created for moms, dads and children. The brightly colored book nook is neatly tucked into the up-and-coming Habersham Marketplace in Beaufort. Children can be seen meandering her aisles, thumbing through hundreds of books, where every page awaits an adventure.

Parents can never get too much advice, right? Here is Lowcountry Child's top picks for the best parenting books — from newborn to toddlers. 

Not outgoing enough to playgroup pick-up? 
Don't worry. Lowcountry Child has you covered.

For local playgroups, click here.

Being a new mom is a daunting job. During those first couple of months, you’re preoccupied with how to feed and how to get this little baby to sleep while trying to fit in shut-eye for yourself. But after a while, when you settle into the role of motherhood, you begin to crave the company of other moms.
Before having my son, Cole, I went to work and interacted with 10 to 20 people every day. Once I became a mom, all of that changed. I suddenly found myself cooped up in the house, just me and this little thing that cried and spit up all the time (and I mean all the time). After a while, I was desperately seeking some social interaction. But where do you turn?

As much fun as it is to point that registry gun at your favorite store, how do you know you're selecting the items you'll really need and use? For first-time moms or for those who have been out of the game for awhile, it’s important to seek guidance from other moms to discover which tools of the trade are the most important. As I’ve learned from trial and error, there is no right or wrong when it comes to baby items but some just work better than others. And there are those must-needed items that no mom should be without.

What do you do when toys or DVDs don't entertain your baby, toddler or preschooler? You asked. We answered.

Here’s a great tip to use when you’re running some errands with your toddler. Find something fun to watch while you’re out, such as checking out a decorative window display or the squirrels in the park. The slight distraction will keep them motivated to continue on with you. 

Let’s face it. We’re not all super parents. You know, the ones who can make a smiley face mask with a page from an old magazine and a piece of hair? Well, maybe they're not exactly like that, but there always seems to be that special parent who can entertain a child for hours without breaking a sweat (or their partner’s neck at the end of the day). I am not one of those parents. After playing with my son, Cole, for half an hour, I start to wonder, "What now?"Whether you’re like me or part of that unique breed of super parents, it never hurts to have ideas to keep your little ones entertained. I’ve gathered some tips from moms, family members, teachers, etc., to help us in our quest to keep the kids occupied.

When our moms were pregnant, their nursery décor decisions consisted of pink, blue or yellow and elephants or Teddy bears. For modern parents, designing the nursery can take more time, thought and effort than any other room in the house.

Often, the nursery comes to mean more than the place where your precious bundle of joy will sleep. It reflects your parenting style. Are you trendy or traditional? Do you want to incorporate the latest finds in furniture and color or do you prefer nostalgia?