Growing Nimble Families

Unplugged project: Dark/light

in Play activities, Seasonal play on 12/23/08

With the holidays it seem like the perfect time to complete a project together… Unplug your kids have a weekly [tag]unplugged project[/tag] that you can join in by adding to their Mr. Linky. You can go see all the other unplugged projects. It’s a lot of fun to come up with a project on a theme for your little one…. View Post

Book review: Too many toys

in book review, Play activities on 12/19/08

What could be better than a book that does the telling for you… The middle one just had his 3rd birthday and his little brother bought him this book. “…Have you ever stepped on a Lego piece in your bare feet? Or a Jack? Well, it really hurts!” [tag]Too many toys[/tag] by [tag]David Shannon[/tag] Spencer is the boy who has… View Post

TV on in the background

in Play activities on 12/16/08

Consider a 2-year-old child playing with toys in the living room. The television is playing a program designed for adult viewers. Mother is in the kitchen making dinner while listening to the TV. The child intermittently looks at the television for brief periods of time. Is television having an effect on the child? Source : [tag]Child Development[/tag], Volume 79, Issue… View Post

Finding time for holiday play

in Play activities, Seasonal play on 12/12/08

Holiday times are busy times. Finding time to play and have one on one time often gets squeezed out. However, because of the season there are many things that naturally lend themselves to together times with your little one. Making your own advent calendar Decorating the tree Making & baking cookies Donating toys Singing carols or Christmas songs Here’s an… View Post

Overlooked creative toys part II

in Education, Play activities on 12/05/08

This is the second part of the interview: Overlooked creative toy. In your experience with blocks have you seen it as a boy’s toy? No, but children accessorize them with different things as you’d expect with young children. They may play with them differently but still use them equally. Adding accessorizes help promote pretend play. Adding large and small pieces… View Post

Barefoot books giveaway

in Play activities, Seasonal play on 11/28/08

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS *Congratulations to Beth H* In our home, as soon as you sit down anywhere someone will bring over a book, or two for you to read. We’re a family of book lovers and use the library frequently to keep up with our habit. We love to give [tag]books[/tag] as presents over toys as it’s… View Post

Overlooked creative toy

in Education on 11/25/08

[tag]Blocks[/tag]… we’ve all heard about them but why should we be using them with our children? Here’s a recent interview about those blocks packed away in that dusty corner and why they should be dusted off and out. Elise Clark, Director of admission at City & Country school. She’s a teacher and parent. Elise has been in education for 20… View Post

Are you an effective counterweight?

in Education, Play activities, Seasonal play on 11/21/08

Through Michelle of ECSmart blog, she shared a great site by author Ginger Carlson . Imagine a place where you can discover, ‘.. wonder, imagination, thinking, and creativity!’ all in one place. Her article inspired this post. [tag]Play[/tag] with kids is all about balance. Choosing to do activities that enhance and ultimately benefit them in the long run. I’ve never… View Post

Come Snuggle up!

in Play activities, Podcast on 11/14/08

Welcome to the [tag]Snuggles Podcast[/tag] – the podcast for little ones and the moms and dads who love to snuggle with them. With a welcome like that you know you are in for a treat. Fancy listening to a [tag]audio story[/tag]?This audio program is great for you to snuggle with your little ones any time of day or for bedtime…. View Post

Carnival of Parenting Podcast No.19

in Podcast on 11/11/08

Welcome to the 19th edition of [tag]Carnival of Parenting Podcasts[/tag] It’s a place to share and find some new parenting [tag]podcasts[/tag] from the podcaster and recommendations from those who listen to podcasts. ..Not sure about Podcasts? Try this ecourse. Parenting Zoo presents Fun and fabulous music for preschoolers posted at ParentingZoo, saying, “Great music for preschoolers and their parents” Mert… View Post

TV and Your Toddler

in Education, Play activities on 11/07/08

TV and Your Toddler Author: Maeve Rich Children love television. Bright colors and constant action draw them in and can keep them occupied for hours. But is it good for your toddler to be watching [tag]television[/tag]? And if so, how much is acceptable? The Professional Opinion The [tag]American Academy of Pediatrics[/tag]’ position is that children under two shouldn’t watch any… View Post

Play, Rhymes with baby

in Education, Play activities on 11/04/08

Do you sing or clap with your baby? My three month all has two avid singers as company…well three if you count me. My MO sings a version of “Twinkle Twinkle” on a loop that you recognize the tune but not the words. Whereas my BG likes to change [tag]songs[/tag] he knows to include the name of his little brother… View Post