Eye Contact What to do: Look your child in the eye when he/she is talking to you. What it says: “I hear you, and I’m paying attention to what you’re saying.” Tone of Voice What to do: Keep your voice calm and steady, even when your child is overwrought. What it says: “You can trust [...]
Easter is over, but my kids are still eager to hunt for things. When the weather is nice we head outside and hunt for bugs and worms and heart-shaped rocks but when it’s raining we hunt for numbers! A number hunt is a great learning-and-playing rainy-day activity. Melissa & Doug Chunky Number Puzzle is the [...]
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott. What better way to chat with children than while their hands are busy crafting? -Amy It’s easy to forget that time with our kids–even if it’s just sitting next to them as kids are crafting or snacking–can [...]
Your child will treasure the time together. For many families, the normal rhythm of the day can be busy verging on frantic. Sitting down with a book is a way to step out of the race and focus on each other. Put away your phone, turn off the TV and enjoy being together as [...]
This family activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Stacy Teet. Explore your backyard in a new way with this sensory adventure. Gardening with my kids is a big deal to me. It is one of the most rewarding ways we spend time together. There are so many [...]
Beanbag Toss: Draw different throw lines for children of different ages. (You might even let toddlers walk up to the target and drop their bean bag into the hole!) Water Play: With supplies as simple as a wide plastic bowl (or water table) and a collection of cups, older children can experiment and learn about [...]
Playing with puzzles is a teacher and parent favorite for quiet time, when kids need to calm down. When I taught preschool, after lunch but before nap was always a good time for puzzles because it calmed my students before rest time. But that’s not the only way you can use puzzles; they can be [...]
Puddles & Sun, It’s Spring Oh My! Pin Your Sunny Patch Favorites and Win! Pinterest Contest! HERE’S HOW TO PIN IT TO WIN IT! Visit Melissa & Doug’s Pinterest Page and click “Follow All.” On your Pinterest page make a board titled “Spring Wish List.” In the board’s description tell us why you love Melissa [...]
8 Ways to Keep the Happy in Your Holidays by Melissa for grandparents.com No one can deny that the meaning of the holidays can easily get lost during this frenetic time of year. All year, it feels as if we are moving ever faster to keep pace with technology and the daily changes in the [...]
