No doubt you played peek-a-boo with your child when they were a baby. Peek-a-boo, a time-honored game played by generations of parents and babies, has real developmental benefits to it. Playing peek-a-boo helps with separation anxiety and object permanence. Hide-and-seek takes peek-a-boo to the next level and beyond. ALL Learning Requires Some Risk I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it. To grow and learn, everyone—young and old—must be willing to risk something. Hide-and-seek offers … [Read more...]
Cool Down in the Sun with Sponge Bombs
In the Pacific Northwest July 4th is considered the beginning of Summer. As a kid, Summer meant visiting my cousins in Arizona and Texas. Talk about sun, heat and fun! We played outside for a majority of the day and into the night. And, to be able to live through the heat, we'd be: •In the water •On the water or •Using water to stay cool! To be more accurate, I really should say cooler. I don't think anyone can say they're cool in 110° + heat! Some FUN in the SUN... My summer highlights … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
Risky Play–4 Reasons Parents Need to Relax
In my day, there was no risky play. Play was PLAY! Well, okay, maybe there was inside vs outside play or quiet vs noisy play, but none of this safe vs risky play. Scrapes, bruises, the occasional broken bone were taken in-stride and accepted as just part of Life for a growing child. Oh did Dylan have it right! Sometime after the 60s, when it came to children’s PLAY, the times were a-changing! Children naturally want to test their limits. Unfortunately that natural inclination has too … [Read more...]