This simple nature craft has gotten hours of use in our home. This is a great way to teach letter sounds and CVC words. We try to make all of our own learning manipulatives. Pictured here are our beeswax letters. A tutorial can be found here. What is a CVC word? A “CVC” is a…
These are my favorite toys for promoting fine motor skills and development. These are especially useful for kids in the toddler or preschool age, but they are great for all ages! We try to incorporate play based learning in everything we do, and fine motor development is not exception. My son doesn’t even realize he…
Have you ever tried to set up a calm down corner in your home? Our calm down corner is utilized daily by my twin toddlers. My boys are just now learning emotional awareness and regulation. Our calm down corner provides them the space they need to quiet their mind and their body, and have some…
Advent Advent is observed the four Sundays that lead up to Christmas. If you aren’t christian, you may choose for your advent to lead up to Hannukah, Yule, Solstice, etc. Advent means “anticipation” so you might use this time to meditate on the season and its meaning to you. Advent celebrates the bringing of light…
There’s no better way to get in the fall spirit than to tidy your bookshelf with a few books about fall! These are my favorite children’s books about autumn. We like to choose books that are all about nature. Tidy Yellow Time Leaf Jumpers The Busy Little Squirrel Leaf Man We’re Going on a Leaf…
There’s nothing better than snuggling up and reading a book on a rainy day. These picture books are a great way to encourage kids to go out and play in the rain, to conquer their fear from storms, or to give them something to do while they wait for the rainclouds to roll over. These…
In Early Childhood Education, loose parts are a manipulative toy which can be used in open ended play. Loose parts can be anything at all, and they can be used in an endless number of ways. I love to use natural materials in our loose parts play, and it has become somewhat of a collection…
The Golden Glow Red Sky at Night Summer Blueberries for Sal Fireflies The Sun Egg The Story of the Wind Children Sun Come on, Rain! Hiking Day The Hike The Worm Family Has Their Picture Taken Over and Under the Pond Watercress Jambari Jumps I Talk Like a River Beach Themed Summer Books Taking Time…
Have you ever been interested in gentle parenting? This parenting style is garnering a lot of attention lately, and for good reason! Gentle parenting is an approach that respects the child, and raises happy, confident kids. Gentle parenting isn’t easy, and most of the time, it means re-parenting ourselves and unlearning attitudes that we’ve held…
What is a “Waldorfy” baby toy? To me, a Waldorf toy is made from natural materials, is soothing and simple. Waldorf toys are also open ended, and their own kind of magic. This natural rubber ball is the perfect example. It can be used as a teether. You can put a play silk in it…