Working my 1st BabyFest NW this past Saturday was quite a treat for a baby-loving, grandma-type like me! Everywhere you looked there were pregnant bellies! First-time parents, parents-to-be with grandmothers in tow, seasoned parents and hoping-to-BE-expecting parents all converged at Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall for a baby extravaganza! Granted, it's been awhile since I was a mom-to-be, but I couldn't get over all the fantastic gadgets and gizmos available nowadays to make caring for an … [Read more...]
Parent Preparedness & LOOSE PARTS
You may feel at loose ends but I want you to have LOOSE PARTS as part of your Parent Preparedness Arsenal. It's all about being prepared—and that’s not just a motto for the Scouts it’s a GOOD day-to-day LIFE motto for parents…especially when you’re trying to get any work done! ---------------------------------------------------------So what can you do? Create PLAY packs or PLAY scenarios that’ll keep your kidlets engaged. After all, PLAY is the WORK of young children. This comes with a … [Read more...]
Babies’ Laughter: Music to My Ears
Babies' laughter--there's just nothing sweeter to hear! I would go so far as to say no one can resist breaking into a huge smile, if not joining right in with them! LAUGHING is a way babies interact with family members. I recently read an article that shed light on just how much more information we can glean from babies' laughter! In the article Peek-a-Boo: A Window on Baby's Brain laughter is shown to been an effective tool at pinpointing stages in the way a baby's minds is growing … [Read more...]
Tech-NO? Technology & Young Children
Technology has given us: 1.Tools to make LIFE easier; 2.Many LIFE-saving treatments; and 3.Tools to make LIFE more convenient Technology is a good thing! BUT you know the expression: "Too much of good thing…." The reality, of course, is technology isn't going away. It is interwoven into our lives. I recognize the many ways I’ve benefited from it and expect to benefit from it in the future. I'm not advocating for that! What I am advocating for is for parents to decide: • When • … [Read more...]
Why Building with Blocks is Important
Maybe you haven't given any thought to the importance of blocks, but they have been a staple of early childhood education for good reason. Following this post, you'll be able to describe and/or explain ways blocks further child development. In other words, you'll be able to explain why building with blocks is important! Gaming: It's Not about PLAY... A main focus for video play systems such as those made by Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation is to capture and keep your attention with graphics and … [Read more...]