I know the New England area is renowned for the colors of Autumn, but as I get out and about here in the PNW we can be awfully proud of our own spectacular show put on by the changing of the seasons! What a sensory extravaganza! THAT of course means it's full of learning opportunities for kiddos! Go out on a nature walk! Collect LEAVES: Be sure to look for 1. Different shape of leaves OR 2. Leaves in a variety colors For example, look at this leaf I found.... Its vibrant color stopped … [Read more...]
Taking-Off! It’s Time for Holiday Travel
Holiday times are here! Busy times to be sure. Memory-making times. Full-of-family-and-FUN times! Travel. AND stress! Got some travel coming up? If so, with some PLANNING your family'll be thinking “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” PLAN & Be PREPARED Okay, you’ve been a parent for a while now. You know to expect the unexpected so PLAN for it and be PREPARED! Better Safe Than Sorry... ● Safety comes 1st, especially during the holidays, when there are more people on the roads. … [Read more...]
Hop in for a Book Review of 10 Little Frogs
On a recent hike with some fellow friends of the forest, we observed various flora and fauna. One fauna, in particular, made short work on some flora (you can see where they get the name Busy Beavers!) Another creature of the forest we came across was the red-legged frog. It was so cool!! Walking along the trails we heard ample evidence of other frogs’ presence. … [Read more...]
It’s Your Move: Why Playing Board Games is Important
A fact: Children learn best through PLAY. The genius of PLAY is there are many and varied types of PLAY. When you understand what is possible with PLAY, you’ll want to facilitate as many PLAY situations for the kiddos in your Life as possible! Board games are a type of play; namely play that has rules. Since board games are a type of PLAY, it would follow they'd offer lots of learning opportunities. Below are some. Family That PLAYS Together Stays Together When I’m out at a restaurant, too … [Read more...]
Why Nursery Rhymes are Important
If you’ve been following Play & Grow for any time you know I’m fond of rhymes for children. It doesn’t matter if they’re traditional nursery rhymes, action songs or fingerplays. Have you wondered why I’m so insistent children learn these? See below for just some of the benefits! Language & Reading: ● Nursery rhymes and/or fingerplays help children develop an ear for language! The rhymes and rhythms highlight the sounds and syllables in words. Repeated exposure to nursery rhymes or … [Read more...]