Lovevery has become a trusted brand, offering curated play kits for each stage of development. Today, they announced that they will be expanding their Play Kits line. Now, they will offer the perfect play essentials for toddlers ages two to three years old.
Lovevery understands how critical the first three years in a child’s life is for their mental development. Lovevery worked with researchers and specialists to design their Play Kits subscription, offering stage-appropriate play products delivered on a schedule that aligns with the baby’s development. With their newest Two-Year-Old kits Lovevery extends their mission to take the guesswork out of how babies learn and take some of the pressure off of parents.
The new Play Kits offer products for toddlers between 25 – 36 months and start at just $36/month when purchasing a subscription upfront:
The Helper (25-27 months) strengthens a toddler’s independence
The Enthusiast (28-30 months) develops a toddler’s practical life skills
The Investigator (31-33 months) enables a toddler to explore early concepts in STEM
The Free Spirit (34-36 months) further develops a toddler’s creativity with imaginative play
Each piece in all of Lovevery’s Play Kits is sustainably sourced using FSC certified, organic cotton fabrics, water-based non-toxic paint and finishes, and carbon-neutral shipping. Programs ship every 3 months for $120 per kit ($40/month of play).
From newborns to toddlers, Lovevery makes just what your child needs at every stage: toys, books, activities, and ideas for play. Every two to three months, a carefully curated Play Kit shows up on your doorstep, filled with expertly designed and meticulously researched playthings for your child’s growing brain. Baby kits (0-12 months) ship every other month, while toddler kits (13-36 months) ship every three months. Play Kits start at just $36/month when purchasing a subscription upfront.
The good thing about helping your baby learn is that they’re pretty much learning all the time in this stage of life. New experiences are happening every day, and every unique experience supports learning. To foster your baby’s skills, here are nine simple things you can do (if you aren’t already!) to support your baby in their learning process.
1. Introduce New Foods: Once your baby is a few months old, it’s time to start introducing solid foods. From the beginning, vary the types of foods you give your baby—it’s good for their health and will help them learn about different textures and tastes.
Some tips for successfully introducing new food include checking for cues that your baby is ready—such as reaching for your food. And don’t worry if they reject a new food—it’s all part of the process.
2. Talk Often: Talking to your baby helps them in many ways. By listening to your voice, they’ll slowly begin to understand words and respond in their own way, eventually leading to them speak and communicate in the same way you do. There are lots of ideas to help you talk to your baby. Talk to them about everything—even reading a book or singing a song will help their brain develop.
Remember to include them in the conversation, even if you’re unsure of what they’re communicating, by listening and responding to their sounds. It may seem silly, but infant-directed talk (more commonly known as baby talk) has been found to help children’s language development.
3. Use Hand Motions: Using your hands to describe concepts helps your baby start to understand what those words mean. Songs like “itsy-bitsy spider” and “pat-a-cake” are fun not only because they make rhyming sounds, but they also provide physical explanations about language.
Beyond such games, gesturing when you want your baby to do something, or when you’re explaining something, is also a great way to help babies learn to communicate. And remember that babies can use gesturing before they can use words, so making good use of physical language will also help you understand your baby better.
4. Be Silly: Play is one of the main ways babies and children learn. Though you might feel, well, silly, it’s important for you to be a goofball for your baby. Doing so provides entertainment and also a strong emotional connection. And you already know the delight of hearing your baby laugh in joy.
Start with something simple like peek-a-boo. Dance around to some music with them. These things aren’t only fun, but help your baby develop important motor skills and understanding of how their bodies move through space.
5. Demonstrate: When you’re trying to teach your baby to do something, do it yourself. Babies and young children are often drawn to imitate the adults in their lives, so take full advantage of this tendency.
Do what you want them to learn. When they’re learning to eat, showing them how you use a spoon before encouraging them to do it themselves helps them understand. And a few months after that, they might start imitating your every move—whether you want them to or not.
6. Explore the World: Adults aren’t the only ones for whom the outdoors holds health benefits. The sun, wind, grass, trees, and insect life will all be fascinating to your baby, who’s experiencing new things all the time. New experiences hold great learning potential for babies, as long as you’re there with them to provide a sense of security and comfort.
Studies have found that being outside helps babies and young children develop language skills, improve motor skills, and even develop stronger immune systems. And don’t forget the time outside is good for you too.
7. Provide Sensory Toys: Babies will turn just about anything they reach into a toy, but for your own sanity as well as their learning process, you can make plenty of sense-stimulating toys available. Toys with interesting and varied textures and colors are great for babies of any age. Instruments for babies are also good—just remember you’ll be listening to them, too!
While less common, you can also find toys that offer specific smells or tastes, or make things yourself. For instance, a bowl of spaghetti and some food coloring can be endlessly fascinating to your baby. Or make a homemade scent bottle with fresh, whole spices and a plastic bottle with a pop-top lid.
8. Start Counting: Even when your baby is pre-verbal, they’re starting to build upon concepts that will be used later. Count the steps you take together to the car, the number of times you clap, or their fingers. Count their blocks, and when they’re a little more advanced, divide the blocks by type and count each group. This behavior will be beneficial when they’re old enough to start learning basic mathematical concepts.
9. Touch Often: While it might seem less directly connected to cognitive development, touch actually supports the development of physical, language, and cognitive skills. Of course, you spend plenty of time holding your baby, but branch out from that into other forms of touch. Try stroking or gently massaging your baby’s back and legs when they’re upset. To help them wake up from a nap, touch their face and stomach. If you’re able, also consider using body carriers or wraps to take your baby out and about with you rather than a stroller.
Before you get caught up in trying to find the best learning toys out there, remember that straightforward behaviors from you and the creative use of simple objects can go a long way in helping your baby learn. The best way to support your baby’s development is to make these things part of everyday life.
Morgen is a writer from the beautiful mountains of Utah. She's constantly writing, but when she does have free time, you can find her baking yummy treats and preparing to be a mother.
Swimming, yoga and art museums are fantastic Portland activities…especially when you’re a baby! If you find yourself constantly searching for “toddler classes near me” then you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to the city’s littlest residents, there’s no shortage of fun activities. Check out these amazing classes that you and your baby or toddler can enjoy side by side. Read on to find out more.
Photo: Music Together of Portland
Make Some Music
If your little one loves to groove when the tunes come on, a fun-filled music class may the perfect activity. Check out one of the infant music classes at Music Together of Portland, designed for families with non-mobile, non-crawling babies. (Birth to 8 months.) In a warm and engaging environment, parents and caregivers can connect with their babies using methods such as “sound-layering,” and “purposeful touch.” Bond with your little one while building early music appreciation and supporting musical learning.
Tuition for infant classes is $150 per 10-week semester, and scholarship applications are available. Want to get the older kids involved? Music Together also offers mixed age classes for age 0-5, as well as Bigger Kids classes and Intergenerational classes with adults and seniors from Providence Elderplace. Free demo classes are available prior to each semester, but reservations are required. Dates vary, so check the website for the most current class offerings and registration options.
If you’re looking for drop-in music classes without committing to a series, try the early childhood music classes that Chirp! offers. Run by Licensed Music Therapists, these lively classes for 0-5 year olds combine music, play and movement at a variety of locations around Portland. First time families can check out a class with a $10 “test flight.” Chirp! also offers 4- and 8-class passes, as well as drop in rates. Check their website for current schedule and locations. Along with their locations around PDX, Chirp! can also bring classes to your home, school or other venue.
Embrace Your Inner Artist
It’s never too early to appreciate good art! Give your little sidekick a jump start on their art education with Baby Mornings at the Portland Art Museum. On the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., babies up to a year old and their caregivers can head to the museum for tea, coffee and a leisurely docent-led 45-minute tour through the galleries to take in the sights. The meet-up spot also has toys, books and games to keep babies entertained while they wait. $5 members and children, $19.99 non-members. Pre-registration is required, and baby carriers are recommended.
Hit the Books
There are plenty of fun story times in Portland, but here’s one just for the smallest book lovers. The petite and magical Green Bean Books on Alberta now has a new Friday morning Baby Story Time at 10:30 a.m.. (Best for ages 0-2.) With a focus on interaction and early literary skills, Baby Story Time features stories, rhyming, songs and time for play. Meet other families, pick up a few new books for your collection and don’t forget to score a few goodies from the whimsical vending machines throughout the store.
You can also head to your local library and catch one of the popular Book Babies classes with your tiny bookworm. Along with a story, you and baby can enjoy songs and play while getting to know some new friends. Before you leave the library, don’t forget to stock up on some great new stories to share together at home. Book Babies is for children from birth to twelve months. Classes vary by location, so check the Multnomah County Library website to find a class at a library near you. Book Babies is a free program, but is first come, first served, so arrive early to snag a spot.
Share Sign Language
What does your baby have to say? Enhance pre-verbal communication, learn more about what your baby is thinking and find new ways to interact at a baby sign language class. At Tiny Talkers’ Sign, Sing and Play, parents or caregivers and their little ones 9 months- 2.5 years participate in 5-week themed sessions that combine sign language with movement and music. Learn new signs, as well as strategies and tips for continuing the learning process at home.
Upper Westside Play Gym hosts Baby/Toddler Sign Language every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00-10:30 a.m. Build a vocabulary of signs, share fun songs and then stick around afterwards for even more good times at Open Play! Open Play is included with class cost. $5/child, $2.50 per additional sibling, cash or check. 10-class punch cards are also available. The class also has its own Facebook page.
Portland Early Learning Project offers a variety of play-based classes to introduce families to American Sign Language, all taught by licensed Speech-Language Pathologists and Deaf Education Specialists. The Baby Sign Language in Play is geared for 5/6 months- 24 months, and includes songs, play, sign practice and plenty of strategies and handouts for home. Check the Portland Early Learning Project’s website to see their full menu of class offerings and registration links.
Connect through Touch
You can never have too much snuggle time! Up the cuddles, bond with your baby, regain strength and find your inner calm with one of Doula Love’s Baby and Me Yoga classes. Babies 6 weeks to crawling and their parents or caregivers can practice yoga, explore movement and meet other families. Crying baby? Sleeping baby? Need to stop for a nursing break? No worries. It’s all welcome in this warm and supportive class environment. Baby and Me Yoga takes place Wednesdays at 1pm. Registration is required and covers one adult/baby pair. Classes are $15/drop-in, or $65 for a 5 class card.
Continue to connect with your little love at one of Doula Love’s infant massage classes. Learn techniques to enhance baby’s development, increase body awareness and build quality one on one interactions, among other benefits. These three-hour classes with breaks for baby are $60, and registration is required. Check the Doula Love schedule for upcoming classes.
Searching for more offerings? Through their prenatal and postpartum offerings, The Bhaktishop offers weekly prenatal yoga classes, as well as their Baby & Mama Yoga classes. Prenatal Yoga takes place Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 10 a.m., and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Mama & Baby Yoga classes happen Tuesdays at 10 a.m. The Bhaktishop offers a variety of pricing options, including drop-in, 10- and 20-class cards, monthly unlimited cards and Yoga Passports with a choice of price level.
Find even more balance when you head over to Zenana Spa and Wellness Center. You’ll find weekly prenatal yoga classes, as well as weekly Mama and Me Yoga. Take care of your body while you get to know the newest little member of the family.
Make a Splash
Take your little fish to make some waves in the pool! Parent/child swimming classes through Portland Parks and Recreation are the perfect way to learn, laugh and splash together! In the Angelfish class, parents and caregivers with babies 6-18 months can explore the water through songs and pool activities. Practice bubble blowing, floating and more while making new friends and building water confidence. Adult must participate, and registration is required. Prices vary by location, so check the website for the latest class offerings.
