For me PlayAbility™ has four components: Children, adults, toys and the play environment. Young children inherently 'know' how to play when given the time, materials, space and freedom to play. Dr Lawrence J Cohen said: "The single most important skill that parents can acquire is playing." To facilitate that this year, along with PlayAbility™, I’ll be adding more PLAY-based learning activities parents, grandparents and/or caregivers can use with the kidlets. To help them become more confident … [Read more...]
So Many Books, So Little Time…
I've felt adage "So many books, so little time" when thinking about my reading opportunities...there're just so many good books with good stories to tell out there! And aside from the facts that: 1. Reading is a good predictor for success in school (as well as Life in general) and 2. Reading to your child is a good way to lay the foundations for your child becoming a reader The sooner you start reading to your child the sooner they'll be able to start making it through their own … [Read more...]
Nurturing Touch, Infant Massage & Beyond–Guest Post By Regina Greenwood
I have been reveling in being a new grandparent...that also made me think back to when my children were babies--hard to imagine enough time has passed that they can be parents! To grandparents, babies are nothing but a joy and delight! I do remember, though, the fatigue of sleepless nights trying to console an upset baby. Oh how I would have LOVED having the services of Regina Greenwood of Genetic Bond available to me … [Read more...]
Play & Specific Needs
Toys may be geared to little children, but they are BIG business. They usually are marketed to select niches. For example: to babies, girls, boys, or special needs kids. In my opinion, that targeting is misplaced. I’m not fond of labels. They’re limiting for one, ‘trapping’ kidlets into expected behavior. In addition, labels can follow a child along have long term repercussions. In my opinion, one label, in particular, burdens a child unfairly and unnecessarily: hyperactive. To me, it’s natural … [Read more...]
Why Playing with Baby Dolls is (Very) Important
Baby dolls have stood the test of time…and with good reason! Children learn by doing. And often what they do, is what they see. A lot of what they see is a parent or care giver taking care of a younger sibling or baby. Playing with baby dolls comes naturally! Speaking of what comes naturally... Play is the natural, organic way to learn. In fact, because play often involves using both sides of the body—developing bilateral coordination—and the brain, it’s a holistic activity. Baby dolls offer … [Read more...]