Practicing oral motor skills might sound like “work,” but you can easily do it during everyday activities you already do with your child. Here’s 3 simple tips to practice oral motor skills during meal time and play time: Drinking through a straw: Have your child use a straw when drinking to strengthen oral motor muscles. [...]
Children need to build their oral motor skills to eat, swallow, speak, and make facial expressions (to say the least!) To do all of these properly, children must first develop awareness, strength, and control of the muscles in their face and mouth. Activities that require children to use pursed lips — such as playing certain wind [...]
Our blogger Tiffany (Peanut Blossom) is not afraid to admit that she doesn’t LOVE spending time outdoors. So this year, she resolved to spend 15 minutes outside with her kids every day. And we have been excited to follow along as she shares this journey on her blog (and provide outdoor entertainment along the way). [...]
As any parent knows, babies just LOVE to see themselves in their mirror toys. What could be more interesting and relatable to babies than another baby reflected back at them — who looks, feels, and moves just as they do? Sure, babies are attracted to mirrors because they are shiny and bright. But mirrors are [...]
Prepping for school in the morning is a high-point of stress for many parents. You’re battling the clock while trying to keep your sanity. As children grow from kindergarten to early elementary school students, their daily responsibilities evolve. Their morning routine begins to include: homework assignments, school library books, milk money and more. “The essence [...]
Written by special guest blogger Joyce from Childhood Beckons. In honor of Presidents’ Day, I put together this fun activity that can combine money math with a bit of presidential trivia. My son had a great time with this and really benefited from the hands-on learning. To play this game, we used the coins from [...]
Stuffed animals are a very popular gift around Valentine’s Day, but did you know that, when you give the gift of a furry new friend, you’re actually helping a child’s developmental growth as well? Here’s how: 1) Even very young children learn through all of their senses. Stuffed animals have a soft texture that is [...]
Winter storms getting you down (and giving your kids the “crazies”?) Here are some great ways to stay entertained indoors – and outdoors – when the snow starts to fall: Embrace the Snow! When the snow starts to fall, you may not necessarily need to stay indoors! As long as it’s safe (and not TOO [...]
We love when our guest blogger Tiffany (Peanut Blossom) shares her fantastic recipes, creative play ideas, and more on the Melissa & Doug blog. This week, she posted some wonderful tips for hosting a Valentine’s Day party for kids that we know you, our readers, will love. In her posts, Tiffany often shares some of [...]
Tips & Printables to Keep Kids READING over the Summer
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5 classic ways to keep your child entertained and learning while traveling:
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From our Summer Fun calendar...a slimy, messy pond study project!
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Fun activity for playdates - kickball/soccer hybrid game
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