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Work Your Body Grow Your Brain, A Book Review

January 12, 2019 by Karen Whittier Leave a Comment

Work Your Body Grow Your Brain, A Book Review

In teaching a yoga class recently I realized how similar yoga is to ECE developmentally appropriate practice. By that I mean, both address the individual in a holistic way: Either in a practice that unites mind, body and spirit OR activities and/or experiences that address all areas of development ( Physical, Emotional, Social and Cognitive). Often it’s the promise of physical benefits that draws students in to yoga. Before too long, the other aspects naturally follow. I received the book, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Learning Activities, Parenting Tips, Play Ideas, Requested Reviews Tagged With: brain development, children's books, cognitive development, developmentally appropriate, ECE, executive functioning, family fun, homeschoolers, physical development, preschoolers, sensory activities, sensory experience

What’s cooking? PLAY & Learning in the Kitchen

May 23, 2018 by Karen Whittier 2 Comments

What’s cooking? PLAY & Learning in the Kitchen

For young children, PLAY & learning occur simultaneously—one cannot be separated from the other. What a brilliant construct! PLAYING makes learning self-initiated and self-directed! PLAY & learning can occur in a variety of settings; one of them being your kitchen! Kitchen as the Classroom: Baking is a fantastic activity to do with children because it is an activity that engages and uses their senses. Additionally, baking is an activity that can touch on all developmental domains! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Learning Activities Tagged With: baking, cooking, developmentally appropriate, grandmas, hands-on learning, homeschoolers, learning activities, preschool, sensory

Video Games Day–Making the Case for PLAY

September 13, 2017 by Karen Whittier Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Growing & Developing Tagged With: brain development, child development, developmental, digital wellness, ECE, hands-on, hands-on learning, homeschoolers, playmatters, preschoolers, unplug, unplugged

PLAY for Language Development–3 Tips for Parents

August 28, 2017 by Karen Whittier 1 Comment

PLAY for Language Development–3 Tips for Parents

When something’s referred to as ‘child’s play’ it usually is signifying something done easily; an insignificant or trivial matter. In fact, actual child’s play is no trivial matter and has major significance in all areas of child development—and specifically, language development. Being a parent you are your child’s 1st, and most important teacher. You can support your kiddo’s language development, naturally, in three ways: reading to your child, singing together, and encouraging pretend … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Benefits of PLAY, Family Life, Learning Activities, Parenting Tips Tagged With: developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning, homeschoolers, language development, learning activities, parenting tips, preschoolers, pretend play, singing

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