Summer is here! And with the heat comes cooling down in pools, oceans, springs, and lakes. Swimming is a great way to stay cool and get the kids out of the AC and into the sun. But with younger kids who are just learning to swim, sometimes getting in the water can be a challenge. …
Simple Pleasures of Summer with Summertime Books Summer begins officially this year on June 20th, and already we are seeing and feeling the pleasures summer brings. School is out, the days are long, and we want to be outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. Summertime seemed simpler back in the olden days when I …
Gemini: May 21 – June 21 For those of you who have been blessed with Gemini children, hold on to your hat! You’re in for a ride with these curious, active, busy bees, who are always thinking and talking about whatever is on their mind. Mercury is their ruling planet, so they like engaging with …
Taurus: April 20 – May 20 It’s time for more fun with the astrological star signs! Four out of five family members were born under the Taurus sun sign, so I’ve had plenty of time to observe these sweet, practical, loving, down-to-earth characters. Venus is their planet, so they like nice things that appeal to …
What is a Fairy-Tale? What is a fairy-tale? Why are they so entrenched in our culture, and in cultures around the world? And why might some parents hesitate to read them to their children? I’ve been delving deep into fairy-tales lately, and the deeper I go, the more complicated it gets. According to Merriam-Webster, a …
In this post I want to talk about modeling behavior through play, specifically putting the child in the role of the decision-maker. Role-playing during playtime gives the child autonomy to make decisions for themselves. (I talk more about modeling behavior and how it relates to children’s books here.) Something my three-year-old and I have been …
books are a key resource for providing kids with good behavioral role-models. Children are Mimics Kids model their behavior based on the actions and words of the people around them. They watch and mimic what we as parents do and say. They watch and mimic their friends and teachers. They mimic what they see on …
What should you get the book-loving child in your life? The default answer is, of course, books! Books make amazing gifts and for specific book recommendations check out just about any post on this site! This post is a good place to start, and this one has great recommendations for the younger crowd. But sometimes …
Easter is almost here! Holidays have been lots of fun in our family for the past year or so. My three-year-old is at an age where she is really appreciating and understanding the traditions and rituals that go into holidays. When she was very little we would dress her up in the appropriately adorable seasonal …
What’s Your (Literary) Sign? Aries: March 21-April 19 Can the stars determine the personality and characteristics of a person? Whether you believe in astrology or just like to giggle at your daily horoscope, it’s always fun to see what the stars have aligned for you. If your child was born from March 21-April 19, they …