Raising Playful Tots

The Two Hardest Things #137.5

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:40:22 +0000

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The Two Hardest Things #137.5 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Outdoor play is more than sandpits #137

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:19:47 +0000

We’re playing outside today. We’re looking at new ideas and getting some inspiration for our natural play space for our children, whatever the weather.

Not all tots are happy to be outside. They are easily bored or don’t know what to do. Maybe you have children like mine who stand at the glass and beg to come in…. I know how hard that is.

During the show I talk about how we overcame their resistence to being outside.

Sometimes we just look in our playspace and just don’t have any more to give…..we’re busy, tired or lack inspiration. There’ s nothing like a bit of inspiration to get us thinking about our families and what we can do that’ll fit our age and stage outside in our playspace.

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Once you’ve listened to the show come back and share in the comments below

What outdoor play activities and ideas are you doing this year? Do you have an outdoor play area? What do you do for shade and play or rain and play Do you have any tips for reluctant outdoor tots or new takes on activities.. In the comments, share your experiences.

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In this episode::

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What’s the point of play? #136

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:45:01 +0000

“They just played this afternoon.”

There’s something about the just in that sentence that we all worry about in our children’s play. What if what they are doing isn’t enough? Unstrucutred play- how will I know that they are playing and learning and doing and and. If they have a book, a toy a something at least we know they are getting things done. That’s playing right?

Children need to play. We hear it all the time but what is play? There’s no easy way to explain it. Don’t worry this isn’t a philosophical episode or long definition about play instead we’re exploring what play is so that we can do more of it in our homes. Knowing what play is helps us choose preschools, clubs, and classes. There’s lots of pressure to get it right….do more….. start early. Always at the back of our mind we wonder are we doing the right thing. What if this play thing is wrong and my child is behind?

Dr Roberta Golinkoff, professor at the University of Deleware.She holds the H. Rodney sharp Chair in the School of Education at the University of Delaware & has joint appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Linguistics is the guest for this episode. We’re covering a wide area of play for us to make up our minds about the play we have going on in our homes.

In the links below you’ll find some discussion questions to take away and talk with your spouse, partner, friends and family. It’s not until you talk about play that you find allies in your area and fellowship in numbers. In the comments, share your experiences of events( classes or clubs) you’ve been to that you went to for play? After hearing about the 5 elements of play how do they measure up?

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In this episode::

What is the point of play?
They are ‘just playing’
Market place shaping the discussion about what is play?
Everyone wants to do what’s best for their kids
What has research proven about the level of play and the variety of play when adults join in?
Should we direct their play?
Using guided play
STEM ( Science, technology engineering and Math) and spatial understanding and awareness
Should parents be playing with their children all the time or not?
If done in a fun way children helping out is play.
Children need time alone to figure out things
Influence with the media about the frequency about their children being in danger
News and playful experiences- Is the news outlet impacting how our children play?
What are the 5 elements that make up play?
Unstructured play and structured play- which ones are play?
Benefits of having free play at home and a conversation about play that happens in classes and clubs
Learning language in context than disembodied voices
Lessons, classes and being entertained.
How would we notice if we have play deprivation in our home?
Why do children need play breaks when they are in school?
How do you get past the fear of our children failing and falling behind?

Tweet if you agree-Play helps parents too- Take a little break

Tweet if you agree- Follow a child’s interests- Dr Roberta Golinkoff

Links::

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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What’s the point of play? #136 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Looking up and forward- perspective in our season of Early childhood #135

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:26:47 +0000

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Today we’re talking to Vivienne McNeny former owner of a sea-side restaurant and bar in the Channel Islands; powerboat racer, water skier and full on water babe. She married her blue eyed cowboy and calls Texas her home. she dispelled the myth that homeschoolers were odd and her children graduated from college despite the fact that they were never chained to the kitchen table and today Vivienne hosts her own show on Toginet radio called The Sociable Homeschooler where she encourages like-minded parents, from all walks of life, to consider homeschooling as an heroic and viable move away from traditional school.

In this episode::

What’s it like to have been homeschooling 20 years ago?
How visible was homeschooling 20 years ago?
Homeschooling families do they make it to college – what happens to homeschooled children when they grow up?
Family life and the changes
Lifestyle choices
Connecting homeschooling and getting into college
Job choices
“Homeschoolers are self motivated and colleges love that!”
Advice looking back at that season of Early childhood- what would you say to those of us here.
Would you have done anything differently looking back on the early childhood season?
What was it like keeping your relationship special with your partner during the early years season?
What two actions have you taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?
What were you doing 13 years ago in the year 2000?

Links::

Big and Little….. Explorers sensory play

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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Looking up and forward- perspective in our season of Early childhood #135 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Sensory Play at Home #134

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:55:08 +0000

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Today we’re talking about Sensory Play at home with Adele Crozier from Playfullearners.co.uk.

Links::

Child care bar and grill

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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Independent Play Challenge #133

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:04:53 +0000

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Today we’re talking about doing MORE independent play with our young children. Join in with our challenge!

In this episode::

We talk about setting up our home for independent play.

Spring cleaning and sticky toffee pudding
Debunking myths and starting with new knowledge
Looking at our environment with fresh eyes and noticing the space and setup for play
All the 1:1 play we do and how we can move through semi independent and independent play.
Transitions, struggles and keeping going- how we build endurance as parents.
dump and run along with invitations to play.
Encouraging through praise and not being derailed by tantrums
Semi independent play
Busy Bags and quiet activities
A place for everything and access for children
Choices
Examples of independent play
You training
Independent play challenge

Little ones and play #132

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:39:27 +0000

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Today we’re talking about what we do with our baby and toddlers when we have them home. Nicole shares resources and ideas in the interview for those active now moving children using everyday, easy activities.

Nicole, founder of The Activity Mom, has a passion for sharing simple ideas and activities that make learning fun for toddlers and preschoolers.

In this episode::

11 month old games and play activities
Young toddler activities ( 18-24mtn) entertain or keep busy with equipment or everyday things.
How do we help children who want to do things they are not quite ready to do like scissor use?
How long should children be sitting to a task as a toddler?
What will your day look like with a young toddler?
Time alone play
Go to items to have on hand at home
Play Activity ideas
Alphabet activities for young children.
PAper plate activities
Putting stories and play activities together- Dr Seuss Wacky Wednesday
Baby type games since we’re home all day
Not entertaining all the time
Time for Tots- selling hands on learning kits for preschoolers and toddlers

two actions you’ve taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?
What were you doing 12/3 years ago?
What’s the favourite play activity in your household?

Links::

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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Little ones and play #132 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Raising a playful tot while traveling around the world #131

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:08:21 +0000

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Meet Paz Chetnick of InternationalCravings.com

They moved to China when their kids were 1 and 3 almost two years ago. They’ve lived in China for 13 months and then have been traveling through Malaysia, Thailand, Mexico, and the U.S. Paz talks about leaving it all and traveling with the kids

In this episode::

Tell us about your family
How did you come to be travelling around the world with your family?
How do you handle language and school?
How do you handle stuff? Toys, books, electronics, clothes
What’s day to day life like with handling discipline and routines
Where have you been so far and how do you choose where you go to next?
How long do you stay in each place and how do you decide that?
How has travel deepened your view of cultures?
What things/experiences have your children experienced ( probably wouldn’t have experienced it in the same way if you’d stayed in the US, perhaps a few stories)
What cultural activities have you embraced as a family because of travel?
What are the children’s favourite toys
What was play like when you were younger- best memories?
For fun what type of family are you: Homemade playdough, store bought playdough, no playdough
Can you think of 3 play activities you do every week
two actions you’ve taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?
What were you doing 12/3 years ago?

Links::

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

Call in your feedback : http://raisingplayfultots.com/feedback

Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

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Raising a playful tot while traveling around the world #131 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Parenting Mantras #130

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:57:25 +0000

What is a Parenting Mantra?
parenting mantra is a short statement that reminds you of a quality or characteristic that you desire (or already possess) as a parent. It also might be things you say to yourself to keep yourself going or the children.

Join Kate of Picklebums, Catherine of indirectobservations and I as we talk about Parenting Mantras in this special episode of Raising Playful Tots

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In this episode::

Catherine started a discussion in the Slow parenting :: Simple parenting community about Parenting mantras- “One thing I discovered last year that has added a lot of ease to my parenting and teaching is some “parenting mantras”.
For example, when there is arguing or complaining like “I wanted a red cup not a green cup”, I say “You get what you get” and it is a quick and easy way to end the discussion without a big fuss.
Another mantra I use all the time is “healthy food first”, when we are choosing lunch items or eating out.
So, do you use parenting mantras? And if anyone does, what are your favourites?

This is our topic for today parenting mantras I’m going to ask each of our guests in turn about their parenting mantras. If you want to join in on Twitter we’ll see if we can do both. Tell us your parenting mantra and add the hashtag #simpleparenting and we’ll see if we can add in your ideas.

Links::

http://raisingplayfultots.com/surveys
Parenting Mantras – Make That Little Voice in your Head a Positive One.
Parenting Mantras

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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Parenting Mantras #130 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Choosing a homeschool curriculum and secular homeschooling #129

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:11:18 +0000

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Meet Tina and Beckie.

The Savvy Homeschool Moms is a podcast by homeschooling moms for homeschoolingmoms. “In the trenches as we’re going through it!”

Each week’s episode brings listeners peeks into our homeschooling lives, answers to listener questions, and reviews and recommendations of resources we like. We don’t sugar coat the homeschooling experience, you’ll hear the good, the bad, and the weird. While we focus on a secular point of view, our show is respectful of all beliefs! We are a podcast to entertain, inform, and uplift fellow homeschool parents.

Through sharing our day-to-day joys and sorrows, challenges and triumphs, reviews and recommendations, we hope to help those consideringhomeschooling, just starting out, as well as those already in the homeschoollifestyle.

Excited they are on the show today talking about their adventures in choosing a homeschool curriculum, secular homeschooling and podcast listens. Stay with us after the interview as we talk about books, play activities and share news and views in the play community.

In this episode::

How are you homeschooling this year?
How long have you been homeschooling?
How did you come to be homeschooling?
How do you go about choosing and using a curriculum?
Homeschooling from a secular point of view
How did you meet and start a podcast?
Upcoming topics
Podcast recommendations and how we listen
two actions you’ve taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?
What were you doing 12/3 years ago?
The favourite play activity in your household?

Links::

Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

Call in your feedback : http://raisingplayfultots.com/feedback

Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

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Choosing a homeschool curriculum and secular homeschooling #129 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Tins, Pockets and belts #128

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:52:17 +0000

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Finding new things to play using tins, pockets and belts. I’m sharing lots of resources this episode.

In this episode::

Links::

Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

Call in your feedback : http://raisingplayfultots.com/feedback Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

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Tins, Pockets and belts #128 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Introducing cooking activities for children #127

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:46:23 +0000

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Meet Leah Cherry, founder of Skill It where she teaches children and their families how to cook, sew, make and grow, time-honored talents that remain essential for living well today.

In this episode::

How to make a large batch of Quesadillas quickly for the family.
Getting out of a dinner rut and bring joy to the dinner table.
Introduction to Season’s Eating.
Cooking with kids in local communities and cooking clubs
Simple things you can do to make cooking accessible to all ages.
Reports of broccoli pesto
Home economics teachers
Making something with our hands
Being connected, handmade and home cooked
Learning how to grow and make stuff
Living in Hawaii and locally grown food
Why choose seasonal food for children?
Local, fresh and things that are in season- what foods and what that will make you feel ?
Cooking a complete meal isn’t a hard as it seems
there has to be cooking going on in the house
opportunities to be part of the cooking process
a fun test to try with the children
How we can help children to be comfortable and work well in the kitchen
When are good times to help
How do we unify the dinner experience so not so many different meals are served at the same time.
Dinners with bases lead to customized dinners
Two actions you’ve taken in the last two years that has had a positive effect on your life.

Links::

Paint & Paste Chinese Dragon
Sweet Pepper and Spinach Quesadillas
Seasons Eatings Use the coupon code “playfultots” at checkout to get 20% off!
Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

Call in your feedback : http://raisingplayfultots.com/feedback Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

Introducing cooking activities for children #127 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Being organized and a Playful Tot in Japan #126

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:29:02 +0000

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Meet Jo Ebisujima a Brit living in Japan. She loves creating for children and helping parents to organize themselves and their children so that they can spend more quality time together. She writes about her work at My Organized Chaos. She can also be found at her personal blog jojoebi designs where she shares about her everyday life, Montessori, crafting and raising a bilingual child in Japan.

In this episode::

The journey to living overseas for Jo
Moving between countries and what you notice
Itchy gums and socks in the summer
What it is like raising a playful tot in Japan
Walking to school- life in Japan
Bells, monkeys and mountains
rotating toys in a small space
Small spaces and play
Typical day of play in Japan
2 fifteen minute or less activities we can do to organize our chaos
Organizing the part of the home where the children stay- organized chaos
two actions you’ve taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?
What were you doing 12/3 years ago?
The favourite play activity in your household?
How Jo tackled raising a bilingual child
Tips for thriving and surviving overseas as an expat

Links::

Kitchen Clear Out Bootcamp, it starts on Monday! http://www.my-organized-chaos.com/2013/01/21/take-control-of-your-kitchen-chaos/
Acts of Kindness for kids- Blog post with hangout.
Acts of Kindness- What to do and how to start- main page
Watch the Parenting Mantras- Slow Parenting :: Simple Parenting hangout
Celebrating #simpleparenting on G+ and Instagram

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Being organized and a Playful Tot in Japan #126 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Calmer Easier Happier Parenting Of Boys #125

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:22:44 +0000

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Boys have energy! Ask any parent. Today we’re talking about boys, parenting and play.

Join Noël Janis-Norton, author,teacher, trainer speaker learning and behavioural specialist has developed a practical, solution-focused approach parenting programme, called Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting as we talk about raising a boy.

Listen to the girls show here

Visit: Calmer Easier Happier Parenting

In this episode::

What’s unique and special about boys and how they play?
Space and boys and what can we do about our situation?
Recognizing boys being who they are.
Changing our expectations especially moms
The value of boys letting off steam
Things we should consider when raising boys?
Language, fine motor skills, social skills
How we can learn as moms about our boys easily?
“Children need those interactions more than they need a tidy house“:- Noel Janis Norton
extending conversation and encouraging eye contact
Ideas for helping with Fidgeting, Focus, competition and play fighting
Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting: The Revolutionary Programme That Transforms Family Life
Special time with same gender parent

How do we start the conversation with our partners about our boys without it seeming to be confrontational?
Praise appreciation and acknowledgment and the Dad
Being a stranger in your own home.
Date nights and connecting
Solution finding for your family conversations solution talk
Male input for solutions, consequences and rules of the family
Male role models
Benefits of think throughs for getting things done
On getting out of the role of being your child’s entertainer try these ideas
Meeting other families and parents of boys
…let’s not forget the boys and the DVD- Bringing Out The Best in Boys

Links::

Going on a shape hunt
Book list worth reading by Lisa-Jo Baker

Inspired to action #4 Podcast with Kat
Calmer easier happier homework book out 14th February!

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This episode is linked to

Calmer Easier Happier Parenting Of Boys #125 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Creative Coloring For Kids #124

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:53:16 +0000

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There’s more to coloring than printables and staying inside the lines. Get creative with your coloring ideas for your young child. Plus newest ebooks, ecourses, memes, challenges and books in the play community to have a bumper year with your tot.

In this episode::

Art projects for kids

Summer Journalling

30 Day Drawing Challenge!

Favourite activity of the week

Nighttime drawing

The ABC’S of…a Kid Blogger Network Series

I can teach my child to read Project organize your entire life!

Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids

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Now that you listened to this episode of Raising Playful Tots, here’s what you could to do next:

Education is meaningless without action. So, tell me what you learned from this episode, and how you plan to apply it to your family in the comment section or via voicemail.
If you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor and share it on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, send a personal email to one of your friends whom you’d think would love this.
This part is important. I’m currently have only a few reviews on iTunes, and I need to get to 10 reviews. If you have a few seconds, can you please go to iTunes and leave me an honest review (after subscribing).

Thank you.

Creative Coloring For Kids #124 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Doing a good job- praise and the young child

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 09:54:04 +0000

Welcome to Raising Playful Tots- an Early Childhood Podcast for mums who want to make the most of their playtime with their under 5 children.

I’ve shared the top interviews on Early Childhood Education for Raising Playful Tots for 2012 that you loved. If you missed them pop on over and have a listen to some. Today I’m sharing my favourite show as part of the Best of 2012 bloghop. Just one only………. now this was hard.

I’ve chosen Show 86 with NurtureShock co author Ashley Merryman;

Praise and its impact on the Under 5 child at play

The book had been on my to read list forever. Once I started reading it, I was calling friends, reading parts out to my husband and really just trying to digest the messages. I knew I had to get Ashley Merryman onto the show.

With the shows focus on the Early years, what I loved about the book Nurture Shock and the information Ashley shared was that what we do now has a massive impact on who and what our children become. When you’re busy in this under 5 stage it’s hard to focus on further ahead when there’s so many demands on our attention right here and now. She gave perspective and opportunity to talk about something that we all do- praise.

It’s not that I didn’t know this but the words I use and their impact in schooling, creativity, exams, college and adulthood reaches further than I imagined. It radically changed the way I thought about parenting and the words I used.

If you’ve not listened to this show- listen now and see what I mean.

Subscribe to the show in iTunes or on your smartphone via Stitcher so you never miss an episode.

Now it’s your turn

Visit the other participants in the bloghop below
What’s been your best family/ play post of 2012? Would love to hear your favourite interviews or posts you’ve loved. Get in contact here via the contact page at the top or chat on our Facebook page. If you’re looking for more parenting podcasts check out the Parenting podcast board

52 Brand New ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~ angeliquefelix.com – The Magic Of Play ~ At home with Ali
B-Inspired Mama ~ Blog Me Mom ~Boy Mama Teacher Mama ~ Busy Kids = Happy Mom
Carrots Are Orange ~ Caution! Twins at Play ~ Coffee Cups and Crayons ~ Confessions of a Montessori Mom
Craft To Art ~ Creative Family Fun ~ Creative Kid Snacks ~ Creative Learning Fun ~ Creative Playhouse
Creative with Kids ~ Cute and Peculiar ~ De tout et de rien: Activités pour le Préscolaire ~ Dirt And Boogers
Edventures with Kids ~ Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ The Good Long Road ~ Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails
Glittering Muffins ~ Go Kid Yourself ~ Growing A Jeweled Rose ~ hands on : as we grow ~ Here Come the Girls
Home Learning Journey ~ Housing A Forest ~ Mama Smiles ~ In Lieu of Preschool ~ Inspiration Laboratories
Inspired by Family ~ It’s A Long Story ~ JDaniel4′s Mom ~ Kids Creative Chaos ~ Kid World Citizen
Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers ~ Kitchen Counter Chronicles ~ Laughing Kids Learn ~ Learn with Play at home
Lessons Learnt Journal ~ Life At The Zoo ~ Little Artists ~ Living Life Intentionally ~ Living Montessori Now ~ Love, Play, Learn
Loving My Nest ~ Mama Pea Pod ~ mama miss ~ Mamas Like Me ~ Mess For Less ~ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas ~ Momma’s Fun World
Montessori Tidbits ~ My Buddies and I ~ My Little Bookcase ~ My Nearest and Dearest ~ No Twiddle Twaddle ~ Nurturestore
Octavia and Vicky ~ One Perfect Day ~ ourfeminist{play}school ~ Picklebums ~ Play Activities ~ Playdough to Plato
PlayDrMom ~ playful learners ~ playing with words 365 ~ PragmaticMom ~ Putti’sWorld ~ RainbowsWithinReach
Rainy Day Mum ~ Raising Playful Tots ~ Reading Confetti ~ Red Ted Art ~ Royal Baloo ~ Science Sparks ~ Scribble Doodle and Draw
Small Potatoes ~ Smiling like Sunshine ~ Sun Hats & Wellie Boots ~ Sun Scholars ~ Teach Preschool ~ The Educators’ Spin On It
The Fairy and The Frog ~ The Freckled Homeschooler ~ The Golden Gleam ~ The Imagination Tree ~ The Iowa Farmer’s Wife
The Outlaw Mom Blog ~ The Pleasantest Thing ~ This Reading Mama ~ Toddler Approved ~ Train Up a Child ~ True Aim
Two Big Two Little ~ What Do We Do All Day? ~ Connecting Family and Seoul

Happy New Year!

Doing a good job- praise and the young child is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Best of 2012 #123

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:33:20 +0000

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We’re taking another look at our favourite shows of the year. The ones that stood out, made us laugh, encouraged us and challenged us to do differently.

In this episode::

86. Praise and its impact on the Under 5 child at play

112 Home Supply List

93. Positive ways to get to play activities bypassing the grumps

105 Emotional intelligence- Emotional Literacy- Your baby can read

87. How to teach children to share

83. Family mission statement

Simple Steps To Family Rhythm And Ritual #117

90. How do you divide your time between work that has to get done and playing with your child?

Anne Bogel shares about work/life blending instead of balance – BTTDL017

Books mentioned in the show

Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

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Photo credit

New to Podcasts?

Watch this video from Chris Marquardf to learn how to subscribe to podcasts using your iPhone.

Search for Raising Playful Tots to get to our show

Now that you listened to this episode of Raising Playful Tots, here’s what you could to do next:

Education is meaningless without action. So, tell me what you learned from this episode, and how you plan to apply it to your family in the comment section or via voicemail.
If you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor and share it on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, send a personal email to one of your friends whom you’d think would love this.
This part is important. I’m currently have only a few reviews on iTunes, and I need to get to 10 reviews. If you have a few seconds, can you please go to iTunes and leave me an honest review (after subscribing).

Thank you.

Best of 2012 #123 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Creating Christmas Memories

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:45:40 +0000

It’s never too late to start creating Christmas memories. With new siblings, new homes and various ages in the family we’ll often find we’ll need to adapt or completely change ideas.

Christmas traditions once taken on don’t have to remain and the beauty is if you see new, relevant or exciting things we should try them out.

When we look at our Christmas traditions we may feel they won’t be creating as many memories as we thought. Today’s a chance to think again, adjust and try some new Christmas ideas so we can be about the business of creating memories.

It’s easy to be swept way with all the different things you can do at Christmas time so let’s walk through a few stages to get to the memory making without overwhelming but fitting in with our family.

Focus

Pick a focus for the season and move in that general direction. Ideas for focus

crafts
music
activities
decoration
baking
giving and serving
faith
_____________

Add your own ideas. Choose a focus perhaps you’ll have sub categories or joint foci. It’s what you’ll hang your Christmas celebrations and traditions on. It’ll help you select the traditions you want to adopt from the ones that don’t fit your families focus.You’ll quickly and easily decide if you want to have certain traditions or memories.

attending a service, carol singing, hosting a party, advent activities, singing around a piano, puzzles and board games, visiting family, Making cards, decorations and ornaments creating a Christmas playlist, applesauce and cinnamon ornaments, dropping off gifts at a shelter, Putting Jesus first, taking baked goods to people who help us.

Timeless vs age specific traditions

Traditions that you can repeat each year easily hold real meaning because they are predictable. The anticipation adds to the rhythm of the season. Age specific traditions are brilliant to keep our children engaged. As they are older it makes a wonderful keepsake to remember Christmas pasts as well as something to start their own Christmas traditions with their own families in many years to come.

Keep a running list and adapt as your children grow older. Having a mix of activities and a flexible approach encourages memories.

Making a handprint Christmas tree ornament with the @ChildtoCherish handprint kit

Portable

As a traveling military family who’s called home in more than a dozen places. It’s not always about the things of tradition although you may have a special ornament from a long ago placement overseas. To see it broken after many moves brings its own sadness. Have traditions that don’t rely on places and things like the Christmas tree in the front garden or the antique ornament. Instead cultivate traditions that whether you’re in temporary accommodation like a hotel, staying with your folks, in a new town or in your own home the traditions still continue with minimal fuss.

Range

With two families coming together you’ll find often at your first Christmas with children how differently your views are on doing Christmas. Establish Christmas traditions as a new unit taking some from each of your pasts brings your childhood into your children’s. You, grand parents, aunts and uncles can tell stories about the traditions from many different perspectives and keep the tradition meaningful and exciting for the children. What do you remember about your Christmas that you want your children to experience?

How many?

Start slowly. With all the good intentions in the world Christmas is a busy time and adding many traditions at once will likely overwhelm us. Build up depending on the age and stage of the children. Will you be a decorating the tree family? kids decorate the tree family? tree has expensive colour coordinated ornaments. All have their place depending on the stage of the children. Is that time now?

Try not to get sucked into the ‘perfect’ anything but remember your focus to keep perspective when you visit other sites and homes.

So now you’re ready to go creating Christmas memories!

Happy browsing.

For more making memories, creating rituals and traditions ideas follow my Pinterest board and join in the conversation on Facebook.

family photos
kids decorating the tree
special tree ornaments
Dressing in Christmas colours- all red or all green
Advent calendars
Elf on the Shelf
Baking cookies
Delivering
Watching Christmas movies
Weeding out toys- donating.
Picking up local traditions
Using traditions from family
Gathering pine cones for a natural display
Reading Christmas books

From us to them

This post is part of the Christmas around the world series running from Friday, November 23rd– Monday, December 24th.

To read the other posts go here

Creating Christmas Memories is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Giving back to our kids #122

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:41:28 +0000

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Today we explore 11 ways to give back to your kids without giving them gifts.

In this episode::

Be present
Be passionate
Listen
Laugh
Show compassion
Be different
Establish traditions, rituals that make your family unique
Learn their style- 5 love languages
Dream with them
Teach them how to heed criticism and shed defeat
Teach them how to adjust their behaviour to their situation
Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

Send your feedback for best of edition 2012 Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback

Please let your Twitter friends know about this podcast- Click this link

New to Podcasts?

Watch this video from Chris Marquardf to learn how to subscribe to podcasts using your iPhone.

Search for Raising Playful Tots to get to our show

Now that you listened to this episode of Raising Playful Tots, here’s what you could to do next:

Education is meaningless without action. So, tell me what you learned from this episode, and how you plan to apply it to your family in the comment section or via voicemail.
If you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor and share it on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, send a personal email to one of your friends whom you’d think would love this.
This part is important. I’m currently have only a few reviews on iTunes, and I need to get to 10 reviews. If you have a few seconds, can you please go to iTunes and leave me an honest review (after subscribing).

Thank you.

Giving back to our kids #122 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Keeping Christmas Simple and Meaningful #121

melitsa@raisingplayfultots.com (Melitsa Avila) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:00:46 +0000

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Stephanie Langford of Keeper of the home talks about keeping Christmas Simple and Meaningful with young children.

In this episode::

How we can keep Christmas simple with small children
Christmas lists
Stocking ideas

“Kids are actually happy with really simple things” @keeperhome — Click to Tweet

Gifts and traditions that you know and your partner knows.
Love Language of gifts
Conversations around gifts
Other family members and their ideas around gifts
Setting limits and finding your position.
Choosing to approach Christmas differently depending on which side of the family.

Talking about how we’re going to do Christmas each year as times change
Picking presents or making gifts how far in advance.
Clutter free gifts
Memories and experiences as gifts

“Remembering something you did with another person is the kind of memory that will stick with you “ Via @keeperhome —– Click to tweet

Keeping the Christ in Christmas
Advent and daily devotional plan
Christmas morning ideas
Giving and serving at Christmas
Focus on having a simpler Christmas
Deciding which things will NOT be part of your Christmas celebrations
What do you do when you don’t feel like Christmas?
Perspectives on Christmas.
two actions you’ve taken in the last 2 years that have had a positive effect on your life?

What were you doing 12 years ago?
The favourite play activity in your household?

Comments always welcome here in the shownotes or via feedback on Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback. ( Free)

Send your feedback for best of edition 2012 Raisingplayfultots.com/feedback

Links mentioned in the show::

Please let your Twitter followers know about this podcast- Click this link

New to Podcasts?

Watch this video from Chris Marquardf to learn how to subscribe to podcasts using your iPhone.

Search for Raising Playful Tots to get to our show

Now that you listened to this episode of Raising Playful Tots, here’s what you could to do next:

Education is meaningless without action. So, tell me what you learned from this episode, and how you plan to apply it to your family in the comment section or via voicemail.
If you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor and share it on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, send a personal email to one of your friends whom you’d think would love this.
This part is important. I’m currently have only a few reviews on iTunes, and I need to get to 10 reviews. If you have a few seconds, can you please go to iTunes and leave me an honest review (after subscribing).

Thank you.

Keeping Christmas Simple and Meaningful #121 is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Raising Playful Tots

The Two Hardest Things #137.5

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Outdoor play is more than sandpits #137

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What’s the point of play? #136

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Looking up and forward- perspective in our season of Early childhood #135

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Sensory Play at Home #134

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Independent Play Challenge #133

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Little ones and play #132

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Raising a playful tot while traveling around the world #131

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Parenting Mantras #130

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Choosing a homeschool curriculum and secular homeschooling #129

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Tins, Pockets and belts #128

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Introducing cooking activities for children #127

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Being organized and a Playful Tot in Japan #126

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Calmer Easier Happier Parenting Of Boys #125

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Creative Coloring For Kids #124

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30 Day Drawing Challenge!

The ABC’S of…a Kid Blogger Network Series

Doing a good job- praise and the young child

Now it’s your turn

Happy New Year! Doing a good job- praise and the young child is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime

Best of 2012 #123

Listen to this week’s show

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In this episode::

Creating Christmas Memories

Happy New Year!

Doing a good job- praise and the young child is a post from: Raising Playful Tots- a podcast for mums who want to make the most of playtime