As a little girl growing up, Toys R Us was a magical land that could do no wrong, but as an adult I started to question everything. Ever notice how Toys R Us had sections whose colors were geared to the gender they were trying to appeal to? The Barbie section was one giant wall of pink, and you likely couldn’t have found a pink Tonka truck in the…
My child LOVES sensory play, and it’s likely because I love it too, meaning she gets extra exposure to these kinds of activities. The good news? They’re super simple, offer a ton of possibilities for free exploration, and you likely don’t have to buy anything. I mean it; check out the very basic materials list below. This was actually the first time I introduced a clothes pin…
Puzzles aren’t just a ton of fun, they’re a great way for your child to develop fine motor and visual-spatial skills. But before you get all excited and run out to buy some, please stop to consider a few things: 1) What kind of puzzle is developmentally appropriate for my child? 2) How am I going to use this WITH my child? To simplify your life, I…
Every time I hear someone say that they’re basically paying for school so someone can “just play” with their child, my hair stands on end. Yes, it offends me. Why? Because I have 2 Master’s degrees that qualify me to know HOW to play with children, and what I can accomplish in 30 minutes with a child, the average person may not be able to…
Play-Doh doesn’t just help your children build up muscles in their hands, but it’s a ton of fun with infinite possibilities. Even without any of the fancy sets that Play-Doh sells, kids can use their creativity to take a colorful blob and create anything their hearts desire. Here are just a few examples: Letters – Spell out their name or words. Need to…
Visual schedules provide a way for young children to understand what comes next through pictures combined with print, even if they can’t read just yet. If you’re like me who wakes up and looks at her calendar so that I can mentally prepare for my day, imagine a child-appropriate version of that. Kids love it because it gives them ownership over their day and is…