Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.
If you’re raising, teaching or caring for young children, you want simple, meaningful ways to support their development without pressure, overwhelm or endless preparation. That’s exactly what you’ll find here.
How I Can Help
Empowered Parents gives you clear, practical ideas that help children learn through play at home or in the classroom.
I break down early childhood development into easy-to-understand, everyday actions so you don’t have to sift through complicated theories or time-consuming activities.
Here, you’ll find:
- Play-based activities that build real skills through simple materials
- Clear explanations of what children are learning and why it matters
- Printable resources you can use instantly
- Theme-based ideas for any preschool or early years setting
- Guidance that saves you time, boosts your confidence and supports children’s natural curiosity
Everything I create is designed to make your life easier — whether you’re a parent who wants to nurture your child at home, or a teacher looking for practical activities that fit into a busy day.
My Approach
Young children learn best when they feel safe, valued and free to explore. My goal is to give you the tools to create rich play environments that develop essential skills — from early literacy and problem-solving to social-emotional growth and independence.
I focus on simple over stressful, practical strategies over perfection, and developmentally appropriate learning rather than pushing academics too early.
To make learning through play as simple and stress-free as possible, I also created the Learning Through Play Activity Pack — a practical tool for parents who want quick, developmentally appropriate play ideas at their fingertips.
Who I Am
I’m Tanja McIlroy — a former early childhood teacher with 11 years of classroom experience and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (UNISA). I’m originally from South Africa and now living in Ireland.
I’ve taught both preschool and the early grades, which means I understand the developmental foundations children need in order to thrive — not just during the early years, but as they move into more formal learning.
Empowered Parents began as a way to share that knowledge with families and educators everywhere. Today, it reaches homes and classrooms around the world, and I’m honoured you’re here.
What You Can Expect
Here’s what I aim to provide:
- Content that respects children
- Activities that are easy for you to use
- Ideas that support real developmental growth
- A friendly, down-to-earth community centred around learning through play
Whether you’re here for a quick activity, deeper understanding or long-term support, I’m here to help you raise confident, capable, curious learners — one playful moment at a time.
Your questions and comments are always welcome. Email me at tanja@empoweredparents.co — and if you find my articles helpful, and please share them so other families and teachers can benefit too.