Toy Talk
Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature
They may prefer to stick to their screens, but here's why getting outdoors matters In the early 1980s, a Harvard University biologist named Edward O. Wilson proposed a theory called biophilia: that humans are instinctively drawn towards their natural surroundings. Many 21st century parents, however, would question this theory, as they watch their kids express a clear preference for sitting on a couch in front of a screen over playing outside. The national panic about kids spending too much time indoors has become so extreme that the crisis has a name: Nature deficit disorder. While calling it a disorder might be merely rhetorical, it’s clear kids spend significantly more time inside than outside. This shift is largely due to technology: The average American child is said to spend 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured play outdoors, and over 7 hours a day in front of...
11 Solutions to Store Toys in Small Living Spaces
Small living spaces are great for encouraging family togetherness and keeping cleaning and maintenance tasks to a minimum. What they’re not so great for is storage. I enjoy having my kid’s toys in family living spaces so they’re interacting with others and playing where I can keep an eye on them. But without an extra family room or playroom, it can feel like my kid’s toys are taking over the house. 1. Furniture that Doubles as Storage There are many options for attractive furniture that doubles as storage space. Ottomans or benches that open up are a great place to hide your children’s books or bins of toys when you need them put away. Coffee tables or end tables with drawers or cupboards underneath are great places to stash puzzles or other games. Most of us can’t afford to go out and buy all new...
How to stop your baby from throwing food off the high chair
It's normal, but it sure is frustrating. Here's how to deal if your baby keeps throwing food during mealtime. BY SARAH REMMER The first few times your baby grabs food off her high-chair tray and throws it on the floor, you laugh, pick it up, smile and say in your gentlest voice, “No throwing, honey.” You might even snap a picture because it’s so adorable. But when the cuteness wears off, and food throwing becomes a game—one where you’re the loser—it can become frustrating (the mess!) and worrisome (there’s more food on the floor and wall than in your baby’s mouth!) Food throwing is a popular topic in my nutrition counselling practice; most parents deal with it at some point with their little ones. I always reassure my clients that it’s normal—most kids go through a food throwing phase in their early years....
Should we worry that American children are becoming less creative?
In 2012, early-childhood education expert Nancy Carlsson-Paige wrote the following on this blog: We have many decades of theory and research in child development that tell us so much about how young children learn. We know that, like children all over the world and throughout time, children need to play. We know that learning in the early years is active — that kids learn through direct play and hands-on experiences with people, with materials, and in nature.Kids need first-hand engagement — they need to manipulate objects physically, engage all their senses, and move and interact with the 3-dimensional world. This is what maximizes their learning and brain development. A lot of the time children spend with screens takes time away from the activities we know they need for optimal growth. We know that children today are playing less than kids played in the past. Seven years later, the...
Flying With A Toddler – 15 Tips and Ideas
I’m not going to lie to you — flying with a toddler isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It can be downright traumatic at times, especially if you haven’t put any thought and preparation into your upcoming flight. Rest assured, sometimes you’ll get lucky and have an enjoyable, relaxed flight with your toddler. In which case, you’ll totally feel like doing a happy dance right there in the isle, all the way up to the cockpit and back. But if you’re a parent who doesn’t want to leave flying with a toddler to chance, then you must read on. You’ll discover my very best tips for air travel with a terrific toddler in tow. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly of toddler air travel, while travelling the world for Around The World + Kids. With twelve months of flights and changing cities and...
Jul 19, 2021
Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature
They may prefer to stick to their screens,...
Post by Nart Studio nz Admin
Jul 19, 2021
11 Solutions to Store Toys in Small Living Spaces
Small living spaces are great for encouraging family...
Post by Nart Studio nz Admin
Jul 19, 2021
How to stop your baby from throwing food off the high chair
It's normal, but it sure is frustrating. Here's...
Post by Nart Studio nz Admin
Jul 19, 2021
Should we worry that American children are becoming less creative?
In 2012, early-childhood education expert Nancy...
Post by Nart Studio nz Admin
