This is a story that celebrates the enduring power of friendship over time and distance. “If we have learned anything in 2020, it is how much we depend on one another for love and support, especially in difficult times. I hope this story resonates with families all over the world who will share it together… Read More
Full disclosure….I love dogs. That said, I promise that even if you don’t fancy dogs, your heart will be warmed by this book. It is like a love song to the bond between young and old. I’m quite certain you will want to sit right down and read to someone you care about. ****************************** “This Old… Read More
To take care of one another and the Earth, we must truly see one another as unique and valued. If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other. ************************ An introduction to Earth for children big and small who… Read More
Outside is waiting, our most patient playmate of all, most generous friend and most miraculous inventor. We are reminded that we are all part of a much greater universe. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by our days spent indoors. ******************************** Outdoors is part of… Read More
Most of us are spending a lot more time indoors these days. Hopefully, these activities will keep your family engaged in creative pursuits, that will also stretch their minds. ******************************** GEOBOTS CREATING ROBOTS WITH GEOMETRIC SHAPES Materials can be whatever you’d like. I used my computer to draw the ones above. Cut out lots… Read More
As our children have opportunities to meet kids who are different than they are, there are possibilities for new perspectives, ideas, experiences, and awareness. Encouraging them to make friends with those who are different — no matter how big or small the difference — is an excellent way to encourage acceptance of diversity and participate in… Read More
In early childhood, having positive self-esteem is critical as our children begin to explore the world. They need confidence in themselves in order to try new things. Self-esteem shapes what decisions we make, the types of activities we try, and how we respond to set-backs. In Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes employs the literary device, anthropomorphism, to give… Read More
The natural world is a giant, open-ended learning laboratory. Our children are innate scientists and love experiencing the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of the outdoors. Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery and to figure out things for themselves. “We should not think of a child’s experience in nature as an extracurricular activity. It should be… Read More
“There is growing evidence that strong spatial reasoning skills in preschool help support math learning in elementary school,” said Newcombe. “Beyond math, spatial thinking is important in and of itself for fostering interest in science, math and technology.” … Read More
The ability to understand cause and effect, figure out how things work, and solve problems – are essential to support critical thinking in our children. One way to encourage these skills is by having children experiment with color mixing. Color mixing can help practice critical thinking skills like exploring cause and effect through observation of how… Read More
