25. Pretend Play

Pretend play offers young children the opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through imitation and imagination they build a deeper vocabulary, hone motor skills, and develop problem solving strategies. Listen as Jen and Alaina talk about all the benefits of pretend play and share strategies for caregivers to create spaces that support and enhance this emerging skill.Resources:https://www.patagonia.com/stories/why-is-unstructured-play-crucial/story-33448.htmlhttps://www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-for-kids/arts-and-craft-ideas/importance-pretend-play.htmlhttps://www.pentagonplay.co.uk/news-and-info/why-pretend-play-is-important-to-child-developmenthttp://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/The-Land-of-Make-Believe.aspx​

Almost a year ago, Jen and Alaina recorded an episode about self-care. During a time of physical distancing and extra stress there is an increased need to focus on such an important topic. On this episode Jen and Alaina provide guidance on the importance of self care and a variety of ways to squeeze in things that good for caregivers at a time where the care of others is intensive. Resources:https://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/11/how-to-stop-entertaining-your-baby/?fbclid=IwAR3dS9bF6TJIbEBQa6lATxdCnryCy-CgiprXBxWtSyY-_A36EI7xrAmqtzchttps://www.janetlansbury.com/2019/07/how-to-create-a-yes-space-outdoors-when-you-dont-have-a-yard/https://www.howwerie.com/rie-yes-space-a-safe-play-space-for-your-independent-baby/https://avirtuouswoman.org/the-one-minute-rule-printable/?variant=12553824403517https://childmind.org/article/self-care-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/https://www.childcareexchange.com/surviving-to-thriving/?fbclid=IwAR3VHk4LAGmCNKzB4R2_ZgxMuWUgRHjUhzmGxDmx-xWwwZGmo7bWSbczi1c

The weather here is changing and families are able to spend more time outside. On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Jen and and Alaina share some of their favorite ways to bring nature and art together. With specific instructions and recipes this episode will add some variety to your outdoor adventures rain or shine.Resource for this Episode:Rhythms of Play https://rhythmsofplay.com/

On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Jen and Alaina talk about cooking with young children. Families are home together for all meals while we are social distancing. That means some sort of food prep is happening at home daily and there is no better way to involve children in the work of the family and build skills through play than by bringing them into the kitchen. Listen as Jen and Alaina discuss the benefits of cooking with children, where you can find inspiration for recipes, and some key tools to have on hand to make everyone's life a little easier in the process. Some of the helpful resources for this episode are: C is for Cooking Recipes from the Street by Susan McQuillan RDNAEYChttps://families.naeyc.org/WOYC/children-learn-so-much-cookingSimple Toddler Recipeshttp://simpletoddlerrecipes.com/blog/40/20-valuable-benefits-of-cooking-with-toddlersKids Eat in Color https://kidseatincolor.com/Look to our Facebook page The Infant-Toddler Toolbox Podcast​ for recipes and cooking projects to follow

There are few activities that are more soothing and beneficial to our senses than digging in dirt. On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Alaina and Jen discuss the benefits of gardening with young children as well as offer tips and tricks to creating a garden that is family friendly. Resource: https://kidsgardening.org/

Over the last 4 weeks we have experienced a collective shift as a community, a nation, and a world. As parents and educators we have begun to adjust to life either working from home or working as an essential employee and caring for our children full time in the process. This shift has also left many adults and their children without the aide of typical support structures like grandparents, teachers/ schools and other special others. This podcast aims to answer some of the ways we can support our children in understanding and processing all of the big emotions that come along with these kinds of shifts.

As we settle into the new routines of the stay at home order parents are being asked to come up with a new "work life balance." This episode of The Infant Toddler Tool Box encourages parents to do less because in the end it does more for their children. In embracing boredom, children are provided the opportunity to discover themselves and gain new life skills.

Singing with children and engaging in simple rhymes and finger-plays build important social emotional, language and motor skills. Alaina and Jen share some of their favorites, come learn some new songs to add to your personal catalogue or sing along.Common Children’s Songs and Fingerplays:-Old McDonald-Wheels on the Bus-Itsy Bitsy Spider-Mary Had a Little Lamb-Row Your Boat (Alternate verses! Lion/roar, Tiger/scream)→ You can change up common songs by changing the words but keeping the same tune, singing the songs like animals might sing them (like a cat: “Meow” to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle or another song)-I’m a little tea potMore Obscure:-Jack’s House-Slippery Fish-Reach Up to the Sky-Ram Sam Sam/Family Song-Sing a Rainbow (colors and sign language song)-The Color Song -Matilda the Gorilla-The belly button song (not the one from the belly button book)-I had a little turtleCounting Songs:-FIve Little Ducks-Five Green and Speckled Frogs-Ten in the Bed-Let’s Go Riding in an Elevator-Ants Go MarchingSimple Games-This Little Piggy-Peek-a-Boo-This is the Way They Ride-Doggy, Doggy (Older children, works better with group)-Pat a cake

It's time for part 2 of the child-centered transitions episode. On this edition, we list ideas that both parents and teachers can implement to support children in their daily care setting and strengthening the parent, teacher, child relationship.

Jen and Alaina discuss some of the essential characteristics of successful drop off and pick up routines. This is part one of a two-part episode! Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion next week.