Patterns are all around us. Simple rhythms in music, for example, or the patterning in manicured landscaping, or tiling on the floor. More complex patterns can be found in a child’s kaleidoscope or the ornate organization of decorative bricks on a building, or the intricate and delicate threading of a spider’s web. Patterns can be…
Tips for Choosing Out Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Tips for Choosing Out Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers One day while checking out books at the library, it seemed like every time I took a book out of the bottom basket in the stroller, two more appeared in its place…and before I knew it William, Corinne and I had checked out 38 books (only…
The Dirt on Dirt: How Getting Dirty Makes for Heathy Kids
In many households, dirt is a four letter word, one that must never be uttered and certainly playing in dirt is an urge that must never be acted upon. However there is a secret to share about dirt, a very dirty secret…playing in dirt and mud is healthy for you!…and how appropriate, since every kid…
Six Shape Activities That Involve Movement
Geometry is only one of the six primary strands of math that is considered foundational to later mathematical learning. (The others are number sense, arithmetic operations, algebra, measurement and data analysis and probability, but I’ll save those for future posts). Basic geometric principles connect directly to other mathematical concepts and skills, such as naming, constructing,…
Editable Letter Identification/Sound Assessment for Preschoolers
If your preschooler is learning her letter names and letter sounds, you may be wondering where her skills are. An editable letter identification assessment is what you need to understand exactly what your preschooler is capable of. And there’s a bonus, too! As many of my readers already know, I own and operate a preschool out…
ABC Letter Stack Game
Here’s a simple letter identification game that is sure to be a tumbling success! Play again and again to practice letters and fine motor skills. One of the many advantages of being the daughter of a cabinet maker is my ongoing access to wood craft supplies. It’s like I have my own private manufacturer because my…
Stacking Fruit Loops and How It Develops Fine Motor Skills
The term “fine motor skills” seems sometimes to be used lightly without much thought to its actual meaning. Fine motor skills involve the small muscle control in the fingers, hands, and wrists. Development begins in infancy, when a baby grasps for her mother’s finger, clutches a toy, passes a stuffed animal from one hand to…
Pretend Play and How It Creates Critical Thinkers
One of my favorite things as a parent is to listen to my toddler jabber while he plays independently. I love hearing the dialogue that takes place between him and his toys, I love listening to conflicts and resolution, and I love watching the way he manipulates his play space to meet the needs of…
