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You are here: Home > Teacher Karen’s Thoughts > Archives for Family Life

Growing Up Made Easier with PLAY

December 27, 2016 by Karen Whittier Leave a Comment

Growing Up Made Easier with PLAY

I was driving around my neighborhood recently. As it happened, it was while school was letting out. Stopping at a crosswalk for kids to go across, I thought: WHEN did it happen that adults had to be in charge of school crossings? I remember how proud I was being part of the school patrol—entrusted with the responsibility for the safety of fellow students. We didn’t have sidewalks; we weren’t always within viewing of the school; and some of the streets we covered were main arterials. And yet, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Growing & Developing, Safety Tagged With: cyberbullying, digital, growing and developing, online, parenting, play, playmatters, unplug

Sticks and Stones: Play for Resilience

November 23, 2016 by Karen Whittier Leave a Comment

Sticks and Stones: Play for Resilience

Remember the nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” WHAT has happened to that sentiment? Before going on, I want to emphatically state that YES, words can hurt, and hurt deeply, especially when it’s within the context of demeaning, belittling, or hateful words spewing from a loved one. So let me emphasize, I expect parents to talk to their children with kindness, compassion and/or respect. They should speak that way even if they are disappointed, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Growing & Developing Tagged With: coping skills, emotional development, life skills, parenting, playmatters

PLAY: Making the Men We NEED

November 1, 2016 by Karen Whittier 2 Comments

PLAY: Making the Men We NEED

Play is an essential component of childhood. It could even be considered a basic survival need much like shelter, food and touch. Of the many, many benefits play imparts, one of the most far-reaching and long-lasting effects could be in the preparation of future fathers. Children learn by doing; and often, what they do, is what they see. A lot of what they see is a parent or caregiver tending to a younger sibling or baby. Children incorporate this into their pretend play. Pretend play offers … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Growing & Developing Tagged With: dad life, emotional development, fatherhood, fine motor skills, gender equality, kindness, nurturing, parenting, playmatters, self-help skills

Grandparents Day

September 10, 2016 by Karen Whittier Leave a Comment

Grandparents Day

The 2nd Sunday of September honors grandparents with their own ‘Grandparents Day.’ I've always thought being grandparent means you’ve reached the pinnacle of life! A handful of generations ago it wasn’t uncommon for grandparents to being living under the same roof with their grandchildren, but that isn’t the typical American family unit now. Make no mistake though, the grandparent-grandchild relationship is very important. GRANDPARENTS ARE IMPORTANT Grandparents: 1. Share family and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Family Life, Learning Activities Tagged With: baking activities, developmental, grandchildren, grandparents, intergenerational, learning activities, making memories, traditional games, unplugged

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