11 Math Games That Equal Tons of Fun

by Abigail MatsumotoOctober 6, 2021

Learning about numbers doesn’t have to boring! Take a look at these 11 examples below—from writing on windows to reinventing hopscotch, there’s more than one way to count it out. Read on for the ideas and get ready to make math fun for everyone.

Roll and Dot the Numbers

fun math games for kids — Fun Learning for Kids

This activity can be played together or independently. This game, from Fun Learning for Kids, has kids roll the dice and then "dot" or color in the corresponding number on the free printable. Great for kids just learning their numbers or, for kids looking for a harder challenge, create a sheet with various sums from the dice. Once they roll the dice, have them add-up the numbers and then find the corresponding number on the sheet. Get the full how-to here.

Division 1 Racing

Racers, on your mark! This division activity from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational will go over big with Matchbox car fans. Score the instructions—and a free download of the race track—here.

Measurement Exploration Center

Get the littles learning about size and measurement thanks to this hands-on idea from Buggy and Buddy. They'll love having they're own station and tools for experimenting—you'll love that everything's contained in one area. Learn more here.

Hopscotch with a Math Twist

Who says math is all sitting still and staying in one place? Over at Guilt-Free Homeschooling, there's an idea that has all the active fun of hopscotch, with a bit of addition and subtraction thrown in. Feel free to tailor the grid to your kiddo's age and math level. Get more info here.

Crown Jewels Math Game

Your pint-sized royalty will get a kick out of this activity from Where Imagination Grows. It's a fairytale way to practice counting, simple addition or subtraction, and more. Learn more here.

LEGO Garden Preschool Math

Those LEGO bricks your little one is obsessed with? They might as well get some milage as math helpers. We like how this activity from The Educators' Spin On It is centered on what kids already like to do with LEGO: build things. Get the scoop here.

Build and Smash Numbers

We're pretty sure this idea from Coffee Cups and Crayons is the very definition of hands-on learning. It's a simple way to get kids counting or visualizing addition problems—and it involves tactile fun, too. Just add playdough! Get all the info (plus more math ideas) here.

Building Block Fun

Take your kids love of building LEGO towers and transfer it to this LEGO game from Teach With Laughter. The highest tower wins and everyone gets to practice counting and adding. Bonus: you can download the game board (for free!) thanks to Teach With Laughter.

Number Order Window Game

Sure, the littles are bound to be excited about writing on windows—but they'll also get a kick out of number matching, counting, and making those mathematical connections. See more here.

Super Hero Math Game: Catch a Villain

With this game, your little super heroes get to bust nefarious bank robbers—and practicing number recognition, counting, and addition while they're at it. Get the instructions here.

LEGO Fraction Game

This fraction game from JDaniel4's Mom is just further proof that LEGO bricks are the ultimate learning tool. It uses fraction prompts and different color LEGO, to get kids thinking about fractions—genius! Get the how-to here.

—Abigail Matsumoto

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Featured image iStock

The Power of Observation & Empowering Children to Use Their Senses

By PBS KIDS

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 1, 2021

Photo: PBSkids

Science is all about asking questions and making observations—and so are young children!

Observation, an important part of scientific inquiry, leads to discovery and learning. By encouraging your child to use their five senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting—you’re empowering them to stay curious and grow in their environment.

Jorge Cham, co-creator and executive producer of “Elinor Wonders Why,” is a cartoonist and robotics engineer whose own daughter Elinor inspired the show’s main character, an observant and curious bunny rabbit with seemingly boundless energy to explore and learn.

“My youngest daughter Elinor was four when we were developing ‘Elinor Wonders Why.’ The real Elinor is super curious and I got inspired by her relentless question-asking and excitement. I would see her get excited about learning things and discovering the world around her,” Cham said.

“Our premise is that all kids are curious at a young age—the entire world, the entire universe is new to them. Their brains are hungry for information on how things work. Every kid is curious to learn how to ask questions and how to answer them. We’re not only teaching science facts but also how to think, ask questions, and look for answers yourself through observations.” Elinor encourages children and grown-ups at home to ask their own questions and experience the joy of discovery and understanding.

As your child sharpens their powers of observation and more questions about the natural world arise, rest assured—you don’t have to be a professional engineer to point your child in the right direction! “Parents might feel intimidated by science and science questions, saying, ‘What if I don’t know the answer? I don’t want to say the wrong thing.’ One of the things we’re aiming to do with the show is saying that you don’t always need to know the answer,” Cham said. “Sometimes you can reflect it back to the kids by asking, ‘I don’t know, what do you think?’”

The next time your child is feeling extra curious, motivate them to keep asking questions and use their senses to discover the answers (or find more questions!).

Tap Into the Power of Observation With Your Five Senses
Inspire your young child to use their five senses to observe the world around them. As Cham said, “Observations are the key to science!”

1. What do you see? When your child has a question, encourage your young scientist to look closer! “Owl Girl” is one of Cham’s favorite episodes when it comes to the power of making visual observations and constructing explanations. “Elinor thinks she knows all about owls—they’re awake at night and sleep during the day. But one day when she’s with her grandmother, she sees a burrowing owl and it turns her world upside down,” Cham said. “Through observing with her eyes, she notices these owls are different and realizes there are different kinds of owls. Science can reveal things you thought were one way but are another.”

Observation activity: Observe With a DIY Magnifying Glass

2. What do you smell? Cham suggested inspiring your child to sniff out new things by saying something simple like, “Let’s use our noses to smell!” to help your child observe and make sense of everyday outings, like walking past a garden or baking a cake. In “Colorful and Tasty,” Elinor and her friends are trying to sell cupcakes at a bake sale, but no one is buying any! After observing how flowers attract bees through smell, the kids use a fan to spread the aroma of the cupcakes. Before they know it, the place is “buzzing” and they sell every cupcake!

Observation activity: Play a Senses Discovery Game

3. What do you feel? Young children are naturally tactile learners. Cham recommended leaning into this to help them understand their world. Grab a soft blanket, a wooden block, or a fallen leaf and ask, “What can you tell about this object by using your fingers and hands?” “Ms. Mole’s Glasses” is one of Cham’s favorite episodes when it comes to sensory exploration. When Ms. Mole forgets her glasses at school, Elinor and her friends follow her to return them. “She has big, thick glasses that she leaves at school, and they retrace her steps through town and figure out Ms. Mole observes a lot of things through other senses—bread through smell, fruit through feeling. I love that episode because it’s so tactile.”

Observation Activity: Nighttime Is a Great Time to Explore!

4. What do you taste? Even something as ordinary as lunchtime can be full of opportunities for little ones to use their senses. In “Strawberry Jam,” Elinor plans the perfect camping breakfast for her dad’s birthday but realizes they’re out of his favorite strawberry jam. She and her friend Olive set out to find some strawberries and learn how to tell which strawberries are ripe and which are not. The two girls then use the ripe strawberries to make the perfect birthday breakfast for Elinor’s dad.

Observation activity: The next time you’re sharing a snack with your child, let the taste and texture of your treat lead to curiosity-sparking questions. Is the cookie salty or sweet? What ingredients might make a cookie taste sweet? Is the banana soft? How do you know when it’s ready to eat?

5. What do you hear? Cham said asking a question like, “How does this sound different from other things you’ve heard before?” can help you explore the natural world with your child. In “Make Music Naturally,” Elinor and her friends learn that Señor Tapir is putting on a concert. They want to participate but don’t have any instruments. After hearing all of the beautiful sounds around them in nature, Elinor realizes that they can make their own by listening to nature.

Observation activity: Play Elinor’s Nature Adventure Game

—Kayla Craig is a writer, podcaster, and author of To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents. She’s also a mom to four curious and messy young kids.

This post originally appeared on PBS KIDS for Parents.

PBS KIDS

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children learn life lessons, explore their feelings and discover new adventures, while seeing themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters through television, digital media, and community-based programs.

Kids Stop Being as Physically Active at Age 7, According to Studies

by Shahrzad WarkentinAugust 10, 2021

Young kids are so full of energy and movement that parents often don’t worry about their kids’ physical activity levels until they get closer to the tween years. However, new research suggests that those levels start to decline as early as age seven.

A study conducted by the University of Jyväskylä and LIKES Research Centre for Physical Activity and Health reviewed scientific research and data identifying specific subgroups of physical activity across different life phases and countries. The study revealed that the proportion of active individuals hitting a decline in physical activity was highest among kids and teens.

kids playing soccer — David Vliches via Unsplash

While drop-off in sports participation began in adolescence, overall physical activity started to decline already by age seven among highly, moderately and low active kids. This decline in childhood led to a decrease in activity later in life, however, the opposite was also true with kids remaining physically active correlating with a more active lifestyle as an adult.

“Since physical activity behavior stabilizes with age and inactivity is more persistent behavior than activity, interventions should be targeted at children early in life before their habits become stable,” emphasizes Lounassalo.

“Additionally, supporting schools and sports clubs is crucial for promoting an active lifestyle for all children. Since parents may have an effect on activating their children, parents would need support for finding ways to do that. Building publically available sports facilities and safe bicycling and walkways might help in increasing opportunities for being active regardless of age, nationality, gender or educational level,” Lounassalo noted.

The study showed that having parental support for an active lifestyle was linked with increased physical activity among kids and teens and low television viewing time with continued activity among teens.

7 Reasons Volunteering with Your Child Is a Great Idea

By Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

July 29, 2021

Photo: Anna Earl via Unsplash

One of the most valuable things you can give is your time. Those who volunteer not just benefit those who receive the help, they’re benefiting themselves as well.

As a parent, you want to instill values into your children. An excellent way to do this is by volunteering with them. There are so many ways to get involved, whether it be in your local community or beyond.

Below, are all the reasons you should volunteer with your child, no matter what their age.

1. It builds relationships. Volunteering allows you to bond in a new way with your kids. Most volunteer opportunities are surrounded by teamwork, meaning you and your children can work together on a project.

Additionally, volunteering gets everyone out and into a new environment. You and your children get to explore that together. Plus, volunteering might be a new activity for you both to enjoy. Your children will value the time they get to spend with you just as much as you will love spending time with them.

2. It teaches social skills. Another reason to volunteer with your children is that you can help them build their social skills. Volunteers come from all walks of life. There may be some older adults there or even kids around your child’s age. When they’re able to meet new friends, they can engage with them over this similar activity.

They can learn how to better interact with others, boosting their confidence and helping them interact even outside of the volunteering group. Social skills are necessary for success, so by volunteering with your kids, you can offer that to them.

3. It expands friendships. Once you and your child work on social skills through volunteering, you can expand your friendships, too. Your child will no doubt make new friends through volunteering. This might be other volunteers or even people within your community that you’re helping.

Your child will make friends, and you can go and meet their parents to create friendships as well. This will help expand their friend group. They may make new friends of different ages, races and backgrounds. Every time you go back to volunteer again, you and your children will be able to spend time with your friends!

4. It offers a sense of community. Volunteering with your children also offers a sense of community. When children are exposed to the news through various media outlets, it can be difficult for them to distinguish what it might mean to be part of a community. They see things from throughout the world but may not have an idea of their own community, especially if there aren’t any children’s programs available to them.

When you take them to volunteer, they have the opportunity to ground themselves in the community. They can feel as though they’re making a difference in their corner of the world. When you go alongside them to volunteer, they’ll see that you also care about your community. Your children can learn about the people and places that have helped shape them. It’s easy to get caught up in your daily lives, but volunteering helps ground you both.

5. It inspires gratitude & empathy. It can be challenging to teach your young children about gratitude and empathy. However, volunteering can ease that challenge. Some volunteer projects may have you and your children working with those less fortunate than you. Your children will learn to be grateful for what they have. After a day of volunteering, have a conversation with your child about what they noticed about the people you helped.

Gratitude is something that is cultivated, and your children will experience that firsthand. Empathy is also something your children can learn through volunteering. Children often have a sense of wanting to help others. Once they see the impact they’re making on others in their community, it will further inspire them to continue volunteering throughout their lives.

6. It provides meaningful family time. With the busy lives that you and your children have, volunteering offers a chance to slow down. When you’re volunteering, you’re not on any sort of schedule. You go to offer your help, whether that be physical labor or just talking with others. Volunteering as a family allows you to spend meaningful time with one another.

After a day of volunteering, you can go home and discuss everything you did. This allows you to have meaningful conversations that go beyond your day-to-day lives. This world is full of distractions, but volunteering enables you to go without distractions and be in the moment.

7. It provides great health benefits. Finally, volunteering provides excellent health benefits for both you and your children. Screens are a huge part of most children’s lives. A child tends to be in front of a screen for 7.5 hours every day, which can be detrimental to their health. This means their days are spent either sitting or staying in one place for an extended period.

Volunteering offers an opportunity to get children—and parents—away from the screen and outside. Volunteer opportunities often take place outdoors where you’re on your feet or at least moving around.

The next time you have a free day or weekend, use it to volunteer. Find a local project you and your child can participate in to better the community. You’ll enjoy getting to spend time with your child, and you’ll love seeing the impact you’ve made.

Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.

Tripadvisor Just Released the Top-Rated Family Activities & You’ll Want to Check This List

by Sarah ShebekJune 23, 2021

Sometimes it’s hard enough to figure out where you’re going for family vacation this year, let alone what you’ll do once you get there. Luckily Tripadvisor just released the 2021 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Things to Do Awards and for the first time there’s a whole family-friendly category!

If you’re headed to the Smoky Mountains area, make sure to look up Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting. The company’s Upper Pigeon Smoky Mountains rafting trip is the number one ranked family activity worldwide, with 395 glowing reviews. Family members eight and up can take on Class III and Class IV rapids, but the activity is billed safe for beginners! The most recent comment? “A 10/10 experience.”

Here’s the Top-10 list of family-friendly fun:

Exciting Upper Pigeon Smoky Mountains Rafting Trip, Hartford, Tenn.
Whale Watching Trips to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, Gloucester, Mass.
2-Hour Strasbourg Euro Tour by Segway, Strasbourg, France
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine plus On-Site Goat Farm, Asheville, NC
Private, luxury, custom charters to Stingray City, Snorkeling & More, Grand Cayman Islands
Athabasca River Mile 5, Jasper, Alberta
Natural History Walk: ONLY YOUR SOCIAL BUBBLE (private tour), Monteverde, Costa Rica
Ada’s Tours – Pompeii, Pompeii, Italy
Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Tickets Guided Tour from Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Amber Cove Shore Excursion: 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua / Cruise Ship Passengers, Puerto Plata, DR

Whether you decide to whale watch, mine for gems or raft the rivers, you’re in for a real treat. For even more recommendations from Tripadvisor, check out the full Traveler’s Choice lists for 2021. Happy travels!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of SMO Rafting and TripAdvisor

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Enjoy Bird of Paradise All Year Long with New LEGO Kit

by Karly WoodJune 8, 2021

Are you a big time botanist? LEGO’s new set is for you!

A fresh addition to the LEGO Botanical Collection, the Bird of Paradise makes for the perfect relaxing activity plus a fabulous centerpiece. With repositional flowers and leaves, the building set is as close to a lifelike plant as you can get-no watering required.

Joining the collection alongside the LEGO Flower Bouquet and the LEGO Bonsai Tree, the Bird of Paradise measures 18 inches tall and sits in a five inch wide black flower pot. The set is geared for adults, or builders 18+ and contains 1173 pieces.

LEGO went above and beyond with this set that includes fun building elements like purple swords that make up the stamens. In the piece de resistance, the leaves even slightly sway when placed in a light breeze!

You can find the Bird of Paradise starting Aug. 1 at lego.com and local retailers for $99.99.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of LEGO

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4 Ways to Help Your Teen Daughter with Her Struggles & Stress Right Now

By Lindsay Sealey

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

May 11, 2021

Photo: Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

In a recent Instagram poll, I asked this question: “Are you feeling stressed and anxious—now, more than ever”? 97% of teen respondents said, “YES”!

Am I surprised? No way. Am I curious what a teen girl’s world is like now that everything has changed? You bet.

I decided to ask more specific questions. To start, I queried about their body signs of stress.

They told me they are experiencing more headaches, stomachaches, tears, insomnia, and lethargy. I then asked about how they are coping. Most told me they are turning to their screens and some said they were trying to get outside more and be more active. Finally, I asked about what was causing the most stress. Girls told me their top three stressors: friendships (as in, not getting enough time to hang out and have fun), school (as in, how difficult it is to teach herself and stay engaged on Zoom or teams calls), and the future (as in, when will life get “back to normal” and what is summer and life going to be like).

At Bold New Girls, I have noticed a radical shift this year in girls’ energy (they are constantly fatigued), their enthusiasm (they really isn’t any), their moods (they are often sensitive at best, cantankerous at worst), and their mindsets (they are unable to hold a positive attitude about what’s working for them or going well).

Teen girls get my utmost empathy and compassion. Life is just tough right now. And, so are they! Your daughter is similarly struggling like these pollsters and she can become resilient by going through the tough stuff. Here are four ways you can help her with her mental health right now:

1. Look at her context. See her story and what’s been happening for her—at school, with her friends, and online. You may want to try asking more creative questions like, “I’d love to hear about your day today or how you are connecting online and in-person.” This helps you understand the “whole girl.”

2. Let her talk. Give her your undivided attention (putting down your phone and to-do list), the safe emotional space (assuring her this is her time to share, not yours), and the time to tell you what’s really on her mind (where neither of you watches the clock). This helps her unburden her concerns.

3. Listen. Don’t interrupt, interject, add on, problem solve, or minimize anything she says. Your job is to really hear her—both her words and the feelings behind her words—and “get” her in perhaps a new way. This helps her feel accepted.

4. Start as many sentences as you can with “Let’s try…” Suggest what you can do together to cultivate her healthy and positive mindset. You could try a relaxing activity together such as stretching, yoga, or meditation. You could also plan a new activity or a little adventure that could offer you both a change of routine and scenery. This helps her feel she is not alone—you are right there with her—and you are on her side.

In the next Instagram poll, I am going to ask this question: “Are you getting the support you need and feeling more balanced!” I can’t wait to see improved results.

For more help raising teenage girls, check out Growing Strong Girls: Practical Tools to Cultivate Connection in the Preteen Years and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready.

Lindsay Sealey

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am a girl advocate and girls champion; the founder of Bold New Girls and Brave New Boys teaching and coaching for girls, boys, and their parents. As well, I am the author Growing Strong Girls and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready (available on Amazon and Audible). I am an international speaker and an instructor with Udemy.

Here’s How to Take Your Child to Work In 2021

by Erica LoopApril 16, 2021

While this last year for many parents has meant taking kids “to work” pretty much every day thanks to school and work from home, you might find yourself laughing at the idea of celebrating this day. But hear us out!

This year, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is going virtual for 2021 and is adapting to current times by creating a virtual career day for parents and kids to experience together. They’re hosting an online event geared toward elementary and middle-school-aged kids. Each program will include keynote speeches, interactive polls, video programming that focuses on diversity and inclusion, and an up-close look into more than 15 workplaces from industries such as the Arts, STEM, Health Sciences, Marketing, and Business.

photo: iStock

Whether you currently work from home, are back in the office in a hybrid model, or are a full-time in-person employee, this special day is a way to celebrate your career with your child. Starting in 1993 daughters and sons have enjoyed learning more about what their parents do for a living. To carry on the excitement of this career-centric day, the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation is transforming the previously all in-person events to cyber fun.

Tune in to the virtual event on Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 at DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org. All participants should register before the event begins. Visit the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation website here to register.

Catch the broadcast at one of two times—either 9:00 a.m. ET or 12:00 p.m. ET. Entrepreneur and author Ellen Langas will host the 9:00 a.m. event, along with her daughters Stephanie and Veronica Campbell. Activist and icon Gloria Steinem will also make a special appearance, answering questions gathered from children before the event day. Courtney Carson, beauty and lifestyle TV personality, will host the 12:00 program. Gitanjali Rao, TIME Magazine’s first Kid of the Year will also make a special appearance.

Visit the Take Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation’s website to get an Activity Passport and an Activity Guide for parents and teachers.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

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Recall Alert: Teether Sold at Walmart Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

by Karly WoodApril 15, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission is recalling two infant teethers due to choking hazards. Both products contain items that can become dislodged and pose a risk to small children.

Keep reading to see all the details.

PlayGro Clip Clop Infant Activity Rattles

Playgro is recalling its Clip Clop Infant Activity Rattles because the abacus ring on the horses back can come off and release the small beads, posing a choking hazard to small children.

To see if your teether is part of the recall, the affected products contain batch code number 010053 or 010082 printed on the back of the sewn-in seam label. The product package will contain UPC code 9321104011459. Currently no reports have been received of choking.

The teethers were sold at Walmart stores and online at Walmart.com from Nov. 2020 through Jan. 2021 for $5.

If you have an affected product, stop using and contact Playgro for a free placement. The company can be reached at 855-775-2947 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Mon. through Fri., email at customercare@playgro.com, or online at https://us.playgro.com/ and click on the Safety Recall link located at the top of the page or https://form.jotform.com/vgadmin/PlaygroRecall to register on-line for a free replacement or for more information.

B. toys Firefly Frank Infant Teethers

Battat is voluntarily recalling its B. toys Firefly Frank Infant Teethers. It's been found that the plastic wings can detach from the body of the teether, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The teethers were sold exclusively at Target and Target.com from Jul. 2019 through Feb. 2021 for $6 to $10.

The company has received 14 reports of the wings pulling off or pieces breaking, and one report of a child choking on a part of a broken wing. If you have one of the teethers, immediately take away fro children and return to a Target store for a full refund. Consumers can also contact Battat to return by mail for a full refund.

Call Battat toll-free at 844-963-2479 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Mon. through Fri., email at recalls@battatco.com or online at www.battatco.com and click on “Recalls” located at the bottom of the page for more information.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of U.S. CPSC

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5 Thoughtful Ways to Empower Your Kids to Achieve Success

By Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

April 12, 2021

Photo: pan xiaozhen via Unsplash

We all want our kids to be successful—to be a leap ahead. Not ahead of every other kid, necessarily, but to their full potential.

So, how do we do it? And how do we achieve it (even more importantly) without making them stressed-out and overwhelmed in the process?

First, get a grip on your parenting goals and philosophy.

Is my goal to have my daughters be doctors like me? Why? Because that sounds successful? Not a good enough reason. Is my number one focus for them to be accepted into some highly-acclaimed academic institution? For what purpose? I have to check in with myself about my own motivations.

Instead, I try to make it my goal to raise daughters who 1) are well-adjusted, self-sufficient, confident adults; 2) who love what they do-no matter what that is; and 3) who understand that they have to work hard to achieve their dreams. That is the REAL measure of success.

Allow time for imaginative play to foster a love of learning.

Just because I’m not gunning for Ivy-League admittance for my kids (not that it would be bad if they ended up there, it just isn’t my focus), it doesn’t mean I don’t look for educational opportunities every day. In fact, I do a lot of that.

But my main goal with the activities is that my kids totally nerd out on whatever it is that THEY think is really cool, even if it’s not in my interest area. I also make sure that they have plenty of free time to play without structure.

For example, my almost-four-year-old is on a Julia Child kick these days. We stumbled upon some old In Julia’s Kitchen With Master Chefs episodes and she was hooked after one show. I noticed that, soon after she started watching, she asked me to pull out ingredients from the cupboard and began making little concoctions with them.

At first, I asked if she was interested in an Easy Bake Oven, or some other way to actually cook food but she looked at me, appalled, when I suggested it. “Mommy, these are experiments, NOT meals.”

No problem, kiddo.

She then proceeded to narrate her addition of the baking soda to the vinegar (“Ooh, look how it bubbles! It’s making a frothy foam”) and every single other ingredient she added in. She sounded like she was a cooking show host but, apparently, she imagined she was the star of a fancy chemistry presentation.

The counters were a mess. We probably wasted $20 in flour and salt, but she was so content as her little imagination soared. The next time we were at the library, she wanted to know if there were books about other types of mixtures—paints, dirt and water, other types of foods. It was a little magical.

Provide age-appropriate learning opportunities that allow kids to build competence and confidence—but don’t overdo it.

I care about keeping my priorities straight but I also care about stimulating my daughters’ little neural pathways. In the process of fostering a love of learning, I have to make sure to simplify so we don’t get too overwhelmed.

Why? I’ve seen the effect of over-scheduling kids over and over in my office. The kids are so frantic and so are their parents.

Instead, I recommend focusing on one or two weekly non-school activities per kid per season (3 max!).

Mix it up while they are young, if possible, unless they find something THEY love that they want to stick with. If you can, find one active activity and one more “academic” or community option (think music class, art class).

For older kids, let THEM choose from a handful of options, versus demanding that they are involved in a specific activity you really care about. If the coach/teacher is a bad fit, that’s one thing but, if at all possible, try to stick with whichever activity you choose through the season, then switch it up if it’s not working out so you can help foster a little perseverance and commitment.

Model resilience and a growth mindset.

Allow your kids to see you fail and to rebound from your failures. Use family dinner times to talk about the best parts of your day but also about the challenges you faced and the ways you overcame them.

Have your kids, when they are old enough, share their “Rose and Thorn of the Day” as well. Work on letting them figure things out on their own, waiting to jump in with help until they ask you for it and, even then, assisting mostly by helping them to problem-solve the situation for themselves.

“Well, let’s see, how could you get your book back without yelling if your sister takes it?”

“I could give her another toy and ask if I could trade her.”

“I love that idea! Nice problem-solving.”

In your own work, look for ways you can adjust your attitude to consider yourself a “learner.” When you don’t do as well as you want to do, use it as an opportunity to grow as opposed to looking at each mini failure as a sign of ineptitude.

Approach your kids’ failures in the same way. “I can’t do that” is usually met with a “yet” in my house. “Did you try your best? Ok, then you did a great job!”

Aim for goodness of fit.

When you get involved in activities or make choices on which schools/educational programs are best, look first at how it fits with the personality of your child. Does your child need a warm, supportive environment to thrive, even if it’s not seemingly as rigorous as another option?

It might just serve you better in the long run. Does your kid need more structure and accountability? An educational program that fits that model may work better. The temperament of your child will often determine their needs and their ability to work well within the system where they go to learn every day,

A leap ahead—that’s my focus for my kids and I bet it is for you, too. A leap to wherever they want to go. To whatever they want to be. To an understanding that success in life and work is not about fulfilling expectations, it’s about finding the things that ultimately bring them joy and fulfillment.

Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm a pediatrician and a mama mindset expert. I host The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, and am a mom to two young girls in Portland, Oregon. I'm also author of The New Baby Blueprint and The Working Mom Blueprint from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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First, get a grip on your parenting goals and philosophy.

Allow time for imaginative play to foster a love of learning.

Provide age-appropriate learning opportunities that allow kids to build competence and confidence—but don’t overdo it.

Model resilience and a growth mindset.

Aim for goodness of fit.

Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP

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