Failure--everyone experiences it. It can be in the form of not getting that sought-after job or promotion; or not making the varsity team; or failing to follow through with your New Year's resolutions. Failure is a part of LIFE. The big question though is: How do you react to failure; yours and/or your child’s? It’s no secret I’m a zealot when it comes to PLAY. The POWER of PLAY impacts all facets of a child’s life—now and in the future! Parents need to set up as many PLAY opportunities for … [Read more...]
Play-Based Activities for Play-Based Learning!
If you’ve been following PLAY & GROW for very long, you know one thing for sure about me. I’m more than passionate, closer to obsessed about, providing play-based activities so children PLAY! And why? Because PLAY is instrumental for children to gain the knowledge, skills, concepts and capabilities that they need now, but also to build upon for use in the future. The basic developmental domains in early childhood are: physical, social, cognitive, and emotional. And guess what? PLAY … [Read more...]
Video Games Day–Making the Case for PLAY
I was kind of left with my mouth on the floor when I found out what day it was...Video Games Day?!! Really? We need a day to encourage and celebrate playing video games? (sigh) How about trying for a NO-Video Games Day? Now that would be something out of the ordinary!! I'm not going to say video games don't have a place or don't have any beneficial aspects (read 6 Scientific Benefits) but they are inappropriate for young children. Young children need PLAY! Consider PLAY as one of the … [Read more...]
It’s Still Summer…Go PLAY
As July gives way to August you might be starting to wonder how to keep your kidlets active and engaged in PLAY—especially if you’re trying to limit electronic device use…which I applaud! One option is to get the Summer Set of Go PLAY Activity Cards—the dual goals of the cards are to promote literacy as well as PLAY. They’re perfect for the preschool set, but I’ve known many older children than have thoroughly enjoyed doing the activities AND activities can always be amended as needed for … [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...]