7 Fun Outdoor Learning Activities for Young Kids

By Goddard School

June 24, 2021

Photo: Phil Goodwin on Unsplash

I recently did an interview to share insight into the benefits of summer learning and the positive impact it will have on a young child’s social-emotional development. I was joined by Dr. Helen Hadani, an expert in early childhood and creativity development, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and member of The Goddard School Educational Advisory Board.

We talked about the value of outdoor play and highlighted research that proves that this type of play builds and promotes children’s confidence, resilience and executive function skills. These skills include planning and flexible thinking; things that children will take into their adult lives. Outdoor play also has long-term health benefits. Discovering nature and other exploratory outdoor activities support gross motor skills (balance, coordination and agility), impact muscle strength and heart health and provide opportunities to develop senses of sight, hearing, touch and smell.

With such important skills that can come from outdoor play, my colleagues at The Goddard School recommend these seven easy activities to enjoy in the summer sun and the benefits of each:

1. Play in the water. Turn on the sprinklers. Blow up an inflatable pool. Break out a bucket of soapy water and the hose and make a toy car wash. Your little ones will love dunking their toys into the bubbles and spraying them clean. Sing a song as you play in the water to describe what your child is doing. Try singing “Here we are playing in the water” to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” Water is great for sensory play and observing the bubbles is fun for your young scientists. Singing and talking while playing are terrific for early language development.

2. Let your child help. Children love to help, so why not enlist them to help water your flowers? Fill a watering can and show them how to water the garden. Tap into your child’s natural curiosity by asking why plants need water or what helps plants grow. Allowing children to assist with simple tasks helps them acquire valued skills and feelings of personal empowerment, self-worth and belonging.
3. Go for a walk. Ask your child to point to what they are seeing and talk to them about it. Your descriptions of the items will help them learn about nature while building language skills. Children also learn by observing and experiencing new things, so help them pick up flowers, leaves, stones and sticks and feel the textures of the different items. Being able to touch and feel in the outdoors is also the best way to spark creativity.

4. Conduct science experiments. Get out some ice cubes and watch them melt while asking your child to describe what’s happening. Or place ice cream in a sealed plastic bag and have your child play with it until it melts. Remember to talk to your child about what they’re seeing and repeat the activities a few times. Repetition supports learning and recognition.

5. Let kids get messy. Messy art projects are perfect for the outdoors. Using finger paints and paper, encourage your child to use his or her feet and hands to create a design. Or let your child get their hands really dirty by making mud pies. Creating a make-believe outdoor kitchen where children can “bake” muddy delights is always a big hit. Getting messy is one of the best ways for children to learn science. Bonus: Use the hose to clean while enjoying even more water play. Jumping over the hose spray is a great gross motor activity!

6. Set up an outdoor obstacle course. Using big cardboard boxes, blankets draped over a chair and favorite toys, create an obstacle course. Your child can explore going in, under and around the items. Give simple directions such as “roll the ball into the box” or “let’s have Teddy go through the hoop.” Your child will build language and listening skills as well as work on gross motor development.

7. Play with bubbles. Bubbles are just plain fun for children and adults. Kick bubble-play up a notch with some experiments. Get your child’s hands wet, blow bubbles onto their palms and listen to them squeal with delight when the bubbles don’t pop. Bubbles help young children strengthen muscles and develop gross motor skills.

Summer is a great time for outdoor play with your little one, and these activities will ensure that your child experiences a memorable summer full of learning and fun.

— Dennis R. Maple is Chairman and CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., the franchisor of The Goddard School, and the proud father of two beautiful, grown children. Dennis is passionate about educating our nation’s young people. He comes from a family of educators and has spent a significant portion of his career supporting the K-12 community.

Goddard School

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

The Goddard School’s mission is to make the world a better place through early childhood education. As the nation’s leading premium early childcare provider, Goddard is trusted by parents and families, reaching more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 560 Schools across 38 states.

New Research Suggests Babies May Have More Advanced Language Skills Than You Think

by Erica LoopApril 7, 2021

New research from the University of Edinburgh found that infants may recognize combinations of words before they can speak. The study, which was published in the journal Cognition, challenges the idea that babies learn single words first and then progress to more complex multi-word phrases.

Researchers assessed the language development of 11 and 12-month-olds to learn more about how infants build communication skills. This study specifically looked at language learning behaviors in 36 babies during a series of attention tests.

photo: Helena Lopes via Pexels

The tests used recorded adult speech to explore how the babies responded to combinations of three-word sequences. Study researchers then compared the babies’ responses, measuring how long the children looked—also known as central fixation. Using central fixation times, the researchers found that some of the babies were learning their first words while simultaneously learning combinations.

According to Dr. Barbora Skarabela, of the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Languages Sciences, “Previous research has shown that young infants recognize many common words. But this is the first study that shows that infants extract and store more than just single words from everyday speech. This suggests that when children learn language, they build on linguistic units of varying sizes, including multiword sequences, and not just single words as we often assume.”

Dr. Skarabela added, “This may explain why adults learning a second language, who tend to rely on individual words, often fall short of reaching native-like proficiency in the way they string words together into phrases and sentences.”

—Erica Loop

What Are Kids Reading? This Report Has the Answers

New Research Sheds Light on Bilingual Baby Talk

10 Clever Ways to Get Your Child to Read More

By Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

March 16, 2021

Photo: Gabriel Tovar via Unsplash

Reading is a skill that everyone begins to learn when they enter elementary school or possibly before then at home. It’s necessary to learn to read to navigate life. Some children seem to love books, and others could do without them.

Every parent wants their children to read more, but before you force your child to sit alone for hours with a book, you should understand why they don’t want to read. Perhaps reading is too difficult for your child or they think it’s boring. It’s not uncommon to have children who aren’t interested in reading. That’s why it’s up to you to make reading exciting and enjoyable for your child.

After reading these clever ways to get your child to read more, you’ll see an increase in interest in reading!

1. Read to Them
Your child looks up to you. Anything you model, they’ll likely do. That’s why they need to see you both reading on your own time and reading to them or with them. Make sure your children see you reading. This will spark their curiosity, and they’ll want to read, too.

Also, read books to them. Especially if you have kids that can’t read, make it a habit to read at least one book every day to them. They’ll love hearing you bring the words to life.

2. Have Your Kids Listen to Audiobooks
Swap out their pop playlist for some audiobooks. Audiobooks certainly count as reading, and they’re a great way to get your child reading. Some children learn better by hearing, so listening or reading along with audiobooks will help them read more confidently.

If you’re headed for a long car ride, set up a playlist of books. They can practice reading while listening to someone else read.

3. Set Aside Regularly Scheduled Reading Time
To create a habit of reading, it’s best to set a regular reading time. Maybe it’s when the kids are done with school or right after dinner. Either way, keep the time consistent.

Encourage your kids to grab a book and read for an allotted time. If you’re just starting, keep it short. As they get into reading, you can increase the time.

4. Find Material for Their Age
If the books are beyond or not meeting your child’s reading level, they aren’t going to enjoy reading. Motivation to read will decrease when there aren’t any books that your child can read.

Most books have a reading level printed on them. If you’re unsure of the reading level, ask a librarian or your child’s teacher. They’ll help you find material that matches your child’s interests and reading abilities.

5. Create a Comfy Reading Nook
Who wouldn’t love a quiet, comfortable place to sit down and read? A reading nook is a special place in your house or even in your child’s room dedicated to reading. Set them up with a bookshelf, a comfortable pillow they can rest on, some blankets and a lamp.

Reading nooks also encourage independent reading. Your child can get away from distractions or annoying siblings by going to the reading nook and diving into a book!

6. Visit the Local Library
Get your child involved in the local library. Set them up with a library card so they can borrow books. It will save you money in the long run because you can borrow books instead of purchasing them.

Every time you go to the library, make it an adventure. Many libraries have activities for children, like storytime and games. Plus, your child can make new friends with other book lovers at the library.

7. Reread Books to Your Younger Children
Younger children can better develop their language development when you read the same thing over and over. They’ll become familiar with the pictures, page-turning and eventually realize that it’s the same book.

Choose books with fun story plots and rhyming. They’ll recognize the sounds of the words you’re saying and the repetition. Rhyming helps them remember and predict what word might come next.

8. Have Your Child Read a Recipe While You Cook
This tip will make your child read without them realizing you’re trying to get them to read more! Often, with recipes, you have to reread the ingredients and instructions over and over. This will help your child comprehend what they’re reading because they have to slowly read for you to understand what to do.

You can also read as your child makes a recipe. They’ll have to comprehend what you’re saying, which will help them read better.

9. Ask Others to Gift Your Child Books
Start building your child’s library early! If family members keep bugging you about what to get for your child’s birthday or Christmas, suggest books. You can never have too many books.

As your child receives books as gifts, they’ll realize that books are valuable. Your child will continue to grow in their interest in books, so they’ll be excited to get reading every time they receive a new story.

10. Offer a Variety of Genres
Every child has different things they like. Maybe you have a child who loves comedy. Perhaps the other child loves action and adventure. However, with books, you want to offer a variety of reading materials.

Children naturally gravitate towards fiction books. While fiction books are great, don’t limit them to only fiction. Add in nonfiction, biographies, cookbooks and children’s magazines.

By making reading fun, your child will begin to read more. They’ll love heading to their reading nook, picking a book from the library and even reading stories to their younger siblings. Encourage your little one to read starting now!

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.

Creative Growth & Development Activities You Can Do at Home

By Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

February 21, 2021

Every parent wants their newborn to grow into a strong and healthy baby. While every interaction helps them develop, parents can take extra steps to ensure they are maximizing playtime. With the right toys and activities, parents can foster creative growth and development at home, long before the age of one.

Here are six fun and unique activities worth trying.

1. Tummy Time
Tummy time is an activity you can start on the first day you bring your baby home. As the name suggests, you should turn your infant onto their stomach for a short period. This allows your baby to develop vital motor skills while strengthening their neck and shoulder muscles. You should aim to complete two to three sessions each day that last approximately three-to-five minutes.

As your child grows, the time spent on their belly will increase, especially as they become more comfortable with lifting their head. They can use tummy time to explore their surroundings and play with age-appropriate toys. It will also help to prevent your child from developing flat spots on the back of their head.

2. Food for Sensory Development
Developmental activities can be inexpensive and straightforward, such as using food for sensory development. As your child ages, you may tell them to stop playing with their food, but while they’re young, playing with food can be a good thing. Lucky for parents, they can use everyday items—like noodles—which most families have stocked in their cabinets.

As the child feels, smells and plays with the food, adults can rest easy knowing the food is safe and non-toxic. However, as with all activities, parents should monitor their babies to avoid accidents. Since the child is young, you’ll want to use soft foods that are not potential choking hazards. Food games can help to develop motor-function, vocabulary and sensory skills.

For little ones beginning to eat purees, you can use applesauce, pudding or whipped cream and encourage them to draw pictures and feel the textures. As they get older, you can begin activities using more sold foods. An example might be how picking up small foods like peas can help with developing fine motor skills. Another option is to use crushed cereal as if it were sand.

3. Music Maker
Sounds intrigue babies—even if they don’t understand what they represent. Parents can make simple music devices using a plastic bottle or sippy cup and some noodles or nuts. With the lid on tight, babies can shake the noisemaker to their heart’s content. This activity helps to form new neural pathways through neuroplasticity. In other words, learning and playing with music can physically change the way your child’s brain develops.

You can also practice singing with your baby to improve language development and parental bonding. Lullabies can calm a baby since your voice will be one of their favorite and most comforting sounds. If you’d prefer not to sing, you could listen to child classics like the Hokey Pokey and dance with your baby. Dancing can help your baby develop a sense of space, time and rhythm.

4. Reading for Cognitive Development
Reading helps your child’s growth and development long before they can understand the words on a page. As your baby listens, their vocabulary and language skills improve. If you decide to read in a secondary language, that can also help with neuroplasticity.

Even how you read will make a difference. By expressing different emotions and using various voices or personas, you can support your child’s emotional and social development. As they grow, they’ll begin to recognize pictures and may even point at things in the book.

5. Baby-Friendly Obstacle Course
Babies learn through experience, and they love to use their senses to explore. By making a baby-friendly obstacle course, you allow your baby to adventure around the room to discover different textures and sounds. This will help them improve their motor function and sensory skills. You can use various materials like carpeting, a wool sweater and a fuzzy blanket while encouraging them to crawl through the course. Most babies will begin crawling by 9-months-old, but they’ll likely be able to grab materials around them much sooner.

6. Open-Ended Play
Have you ever heard that boredom is a good thing? While children need structure in their lives, open-ended play has numerous benefits. More specifically, it’s an opportunity for babies and young children to explore without restraint and exercise their imagination. As your baby freely expresses their emotions and desires, they demonstrate creativity and emotional intelligence.

Open-ended play materials could include:

Wooden blocks
Cardboard
Sand or playdough
Musical instruments
Edible paint

Remember to monitor your baby during open-play sessions to reduce the risk of accidents or injury.

As a parent, you can use these six activities to encourage your baby’s healthy growth and development. Every action you show has a response for your child. When you speak, they are learning, and when you hold them close, they are bonding with you. Feel comfortable adapting these games and activities to suit your household. Each second is worth cherishing, so remember to embrace the moments you have because kids grow up quick!

Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Incorporating Music into Distance Learning

By Chris Parsons

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

February 16, 2021

Photo: Pexels

Technology limitations and hiccups. A lack of focus by students. Greater feelings of isolation. With distance learning is now the norm for most of us, these are just some of the problems we encounter daily as we navigate our new learning landscape.

But what if I were to tell you of a way to lessen the stress and strain for teachers and students alike and improve learning? It’s something so simple and readily available to all of us. I’m talking about music.

We already know, according to a study by the John Hopkins School of Education, that playing reflective music can hold a student’s attention for longer periods of time than without. That music instruction appears to accelerate brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills.

But we don’t need studies by highly respected universities to tell us what we already know: That music soothes our soul, stimulates our senses, and opens up our imaginations.

Below are 5 ways you can incorporate music into your home learning program to create a spark for greater productivity, stimulation, and joy.

1. Set the Mood with Music

What would our favorite movies be without music? Think about the theme from Jaws or any of the songs from the Sound of Music. Think about how music affects mood during a film—how the right tone can calm or excite. Why not use the same techniques of Hollywood moviemakers for your learning program? The next time you read a story, accompany it with music that fits the scene or development of a character.

Use music as a transition from one subject to another. Use it as a cue to inspire a sense of urgency, such as the Batman theme. Create energy with the theme from Rocky. Instill calmness with a lullaby.

What music you choose is up to you, but used appropriately, the right piece can set the right mood for the moment.

2. Write a Song, Melody, or Lyrics

Having your students try their hand at writing music or lyrics can deepen their understanding and appreciation for any lesson. Instead of assigning the typical book report or essay, use music to spark new inspiration.

Let the student take ownership and choose whether to create a song, write a rap, or develop a beat. Creating music is a terrific way for your students to express their creativity.

Remember how you learned your ABCs? Use a sing-along to memorize new material or even their multiplication tables.

3. Let the Music Guide You

Music can be a great teaching assistant. The next time your students are practicing math drills or learning spelling words, for example, let them keep a beat or tap to it with anything they have on hand, such as a toy drum or even an aluminum pot. Of course, be sure they get their parent’s attention before suggesting they bang away on their mom’s cookware.

Music, in general, works wonders when learning new material. I bet you can still recite the lyrics from the series, Schoolhouse Rock! (Two of my favorites are I’m Just a Bill and Conjunction Junction, which can be viewed on Disney+ by the way).

4. Let’s Dance

One of the most challenging aspects of at-home learning for children is the lack of physical activity. Allow them to get up from time to time and shake a groove to the music and release some energy.

Dancing to music also helps to build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression.

Flocking is a method of interpretative dance where students mirror or shadow each other’s movements in a group. One student will act as the leader and express their meaning to a song by creating a move. The other students will attempt to follow. The Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators has all the details. Keep in mind it was written for in-class learning, but you can use your imagination to create ways for it to work virtually.

5. Let a Musician Tell Their Story

Listening to a musician’s story can do wonders to increase one’s appreciation of their art. The good news about today’s Zoom/Google Meets culture is that we’re getting use to meeting virtually.

Invite a local musician to discuss their craft, how they get started, and even to perform a tune or two. Although many musicians are night owls, you might be surprised how willing they would be to get up early and talk about one of their greatest passions.

As an alternative, there are plenty of fantastic and inspirational documentaries for older kids on musicians – many of which you can find on Netflix, Amazon and even on YouTube.

Music is the ultimate international language, making it easy to explore other cultures, which is why I’m a huge fan of the Buena Vista Social Club (1999, Hulu), which tells the story of Cuban musicians continuing to hone their craft while isolated under Castro.

Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers (Yes, Bob’s son) headlines an enlightening history lesson of the 60’s Los Angeles music scene in Echo in the Canyon (2019, Netflix), showcasing the community and shared-influence responsible for many of the era’s greatest hits.

Hip-Hop Evolution (2016-20, Netflix) is a 16-part series covering the key moments (musically and socially) in the history of rap.

Chris Parsons

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Chris Parsons grew up in Flatrock, Newfoundland. After many years of telling his stories, he published his first book "A Little Spark" in October 2020. The book is a fully illustrated chapter book - complete with a Soundtrack and Audiobook. The book recently received the Mom's Choice Gold Medal. He resides in Dallas.

Happy New Year! 18+ Family Activities to Kick Off 2021

by Maria ChambersJanuary 7, 2021

3, 2, 1. . . 2020 has blasted off! This is normally where we’d share our favorite happenings for the entire year. But, it seems like a good idea to not get too far ahead of ourselves these days. If 2020 has proven anything, it’s that things can change on a dime and plans are best made in the short-term for now. We’re still pumped for everything January has to bring—quick road trips, outdoor adventures, virtual activities. Here are our Editor picks for making the most of family time.

TAKE A ROAD TRIP

Hit the Slopes in Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin

Pack your snow gear and head about an hour north of Chicago to Wilmot Mountain for snowboarding, skiing and tubing. Wilmot has been in operation since 1938, but with their recent facelift, skiers and boarders can now enjoy updated towers and chairs, rope tows, an expanded terrain park, beginner area conveyor lifts, new decor in the base lodge and improved dining options.

Find a Cozy Cabin

We're knee-deep into the cold-weather months and most of Chicago is sticking close to home due to COVID-related uncertainty. For a change of scenery or maybe even a quick getaway without the kids, escape to a sweet cabin in the woods. Within a short drive, you'll find cozy cabins, sweet cottages and even a converted grain bin to unplug and schedule time amongst the trees and alongside lakes. Relax, unwind and say hey to Mother Nature. Find your retreat here.

Check Out Galena

Beat the winter blues and CELEBRATE winter with a trip to charming Galena, where gorgeous rolling hills blanketed in snow (if it ever falls, that is!) surround a quaint, history-filled small town. While Galena is a wonderful city to visit year-round, wintertime promises magical, hygge-filled experiences. They have special COVID procedures in place to keep visitors as safe as possible and the activities encourage staying outdoors. Read more about Galena here.

See Eagles at Starved Rock State Park

Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is haul your crew to Starved Rock State Park for hiking with a stellar view. Starting in mid-January, thousands of eagles migrate to Starved Rock State Park and stay through March. They’re easy to spot as they soar through the sky or perch on the treetops. Bring binoculars!

Hit the Highway for a Little Escape

Kids dig hotel stays for the chance to sprint down long hallways and jump like monkeys on the bed. Parents love vacay for the squad-bonding opportunity, replacing the same ole for a new scene and having someone else make the bed for a change. Take a winter road-trip escape to destinations that allow for time in the great outdoors and lots of space to socially distance as a family.

BRAVE THE COLD & STEP OUTSIDE

Take the Family for a Spin at Maggie Daley

The Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon is one of the best spots in the city to skate a figure eight. The railing that lines the loop is the perfect pick-me-up for wobbly skaters.

Bundle Up for a Wintry Hike

We’ll admit, a Chicago winter can be brutal. But, a dose of fresh air, unforgettable scenery and a chance to visit animals in their natural habitat is a guaranteed day of wintry family fun. There are beautiful trails all around the city that'll have you lacing up your boots, strapping an infant to your back and setting out for an adventure.

Have a Scavenger-Hunting Adventure

Show your kids the coolness of their hometown with a scavenger hunt. You'll spy on Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel and stroll along the Chicago River to see its moveable bridges. Best part? You can do all this in a totally safe, socially distanced way that’ll keep Covid-19 far, far away. Mask up and hop in the car to seek out these Insta-worthy Chicago landmarks. You can download our Chicago-themed scavenger hunt for kids here.

Take a Walkie-Talkie Neighborhood Tour

Chicago Children's Theatre got creative during COVID shutdowns! They commissioned fun, totally original audio experiences that facilitate families exploring Chicago neighborhoods called Walkie Talkies. Take a self-guided tour through South Shore, Little Village and around the North Pond Nature Sanctuary in Lincoln Park. Even during the winter months, you can be outside learning about our beautiful city.

Lace Up the Skates at The Forge

It wouldn't be a midwest winter without ice skating on the to-do menu. Lace-up your skates—or rent a pair—and glide across The Forge's Ice Skating Shelf. Teleport yourself to childhood memories and create new moments to cherish.

SHOP & EAT LOCAL & SMALL

Find a New Favorite Neighborhood Toy Store

We all know the last year has been rough on small businesses. While Christmas is behind us, perhaps you have a birthday coming up? Or, are treating the kids to a just-because gift? Make your kid's toy-filled dreams come true at a locally owned toy store.

Hunt for Chicago's Best Cup of Hot Cocoa

Make Chicago's winter a little easier to swallow with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. When Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose, it’s time to go sipping. If your kids love cocoa—or need a good introduction to it—check out local restaurants or cafes that make their own from scratch.

Intro Your Kids to a Chicago Hot Dog

Love ’em or leave ’em, hot dogs are big in Chicago, and if your kids haven’t begged for one yet, they will soon. We love the on-the-go ease (no silverware!) and colorful condiments (kids get a pass where the sacrilege of using ketchup is concerned). Grab one at a legendary local hot dog spot and turn eating into an adventure.

Fill Your Bellies with a Hearty Bowl of Soup

Slurp it. Stir it. Make waves. Blow on it. Nibble the good stuff and use a straw for the rest. No wonder kids love soup; it’s so fun to eat. And it keeps us warm and cozy, which right now is a very good thing. From a Jewish deli with great Matzah balls to an Argyle Street pho haven, we'll help you get your fix by sharing our favorite Chicago restaurants for soup.

GO VIRTUAL

See Chicago Children's Theater's Frederick

Frederick is Chicago Children's Theatre's first venture into releasing online content for families via their YouTube channel, CCTv. The award-winning picture book comes to life as a clever and colorful virtual puppet show.

It's the simple tale of a family of field mice who work together to prep for the long, cold winter. Although the work is difficult, all the mice but Frederick realize if they pull their weight, they'll be ready. The other mice think he is lazy and daydreaming his days away. But when winter arrives, it’s Frederick who has a special surprise that helps them survive until spring dawns again.

Book a Virtual Playdate with Storytown Improv

Plan a virtual playdate for the kids with the help of Storytown Improv. While Storytown has halted their family-favorite in-person performances, they are using the same tools that have made their Saturday performances a success to host virtual laugh sessions. Choose between an Improv Workshop Party that introduces kids to the basics of improvisation or an Interactive Performance Party with 3 performers and a musician who are ready to take kids on any adventure they can imagine.

Tune into "What Will She Do Next?"

What Will She Do Next? is a musical podcast for kids that celebrates key moments in the lives of history's greatest women. The educational and entertaining series also features bite-sized biographies with no singing or actors that are perfect for bedtime. The podcast can be streamed free of charge on whatwillshedo.com, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Shake your Groove Thing with Mr. Dave's Music

Mr. Dave guides kids through a virtual 30-minute musical experience designed to keep them engaged, active and happy. Your musical adventure will feature the greatest kids hits, storytelling and imagination play, creative thinking and oral language development. They'll also be introduced to new sounds and instruments from all over the world.

—Maria Chambers

Themed Restaurants You Have to Try at Least Once

Chicago-Inspired Names for Those Quarantine Babies

5 Helpful Tips for Raising Bilingual Kids

By Alejandra Tejada

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

November 20, 2020

Photo: Alejandra via Enlingos

Raising a bilingual child is an incredibly rewarding experience. It gives parents the opportunity to share a part of themselves and their world, while also opening up so many new possibilities for their young and eager learners.

While studies have focused primarily on the career benefits of being multilingual, there are also great cognitive benefits too. Recent studies show that a bilingual experience has been linked to improved cognitive abilities, particularly in problem-solving.

Research has shown that the sooner a child is exposed to a second language, the better. According to the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at the University of Washington’s published research, babies raised to listen to languages early stay adaptive to the different sounds. Assistant Professor Dr. Naja Ferjan Ramirez shares “results underscore the notion that not only are very young children capable of learning multiple languages, but that early childhood is the optimum time for them to begin.”

So how do parents encourage bilingual learning? It all starts at home. Parents can start by making sure the home environment is integrating the language in everyday life. Here are five helpful tips to get started:

1. Talk, Play, Sing & More Talk

Babies respond best to personal interactions when learning a language. As a child, it’s nearly impossible to learn a language just from watching a TV show or playing with an app. Social interaction is necessary for language development and interacting with young babies through “baby talk” can really stimulate learning for the youngest of learners. Think about how a child mirrors your sounds and words, those are the basic building blocks—start talking early, and often!

2. Read Books to a Child Early & Often

Not only does reading to your child bring a lot of social and emotional benefits, but it also helps with language development. It’s another active way of engaging with children.

However, not all language books are created equal. Direct translations of English books can make it harder to learn about cultural expressions and figures of speech necessary for social interactions later on. Think about the books you share with your child and what you want them to learn. Having faced my own troubles finding quality books from authentic authors, I started Enlingos, which delivers Spanish and bilingual books for kids 0-6 to test out before buying.

3. Use TV Programming as Reinforcement, but Don’t Use It as a Crutch

Kids shows and language programming are great tools to keep children engaged with second language learning. Turn to shows on Netflix like Little Baby Bum, Word Party, or Pocoyo, and change the language output to Spanish (or whatever language you are teaching). You can also purchase a subscription to Little Pim—online programming geared towards multi-language learning. While I recommend using these options as additional resources, it’s important to note that only listening passively to language does not help in development. Nothing can truly substitute in-person active interactions in a child’s language development.

4. Online Classes Can Be a Helpful Tool for Meaningful Interactions

As we continue to live through the pandemic one way that we’ve benefited from these times is the larger selection of online learning classes now available to kids. Classes found on Outschool, Care.com, or through sing-alongs like 123 Andres are now geared towards younger learners. While younger kids don’t do as well sitting in front of a screen just attending these classes together is a great way to support interactive play and learning.

5. Travel Early & Often When Able, or Increase Your Virtual Interactions

Yes, I know that the pandemic has limited this severely if not halted it altogether. But travel used to be, and will one day continue to be, the best way to keep children engaged in language learning. Travel gives children the opportunity to use their language skills with others, expand their learning, and deepen their motivations to be bilingual. While we may not be able to travel right now, do your best to increase the virtual interactions with friends or relatives from other countries. To know that others, not just he or she, speak the language can be an incredible booster for children as young as two.

So there you have it. While kids (just as adults) may have different levels of comfort in being bilingual throughout their life, it’s important to start paving that path early for them. There are still so many undiscovered benefits to teaching a child to be bilingual, not just for the child but for the parents as well.

Alejandra Tejada

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Alejandra Tejada is the founder and CEO of Enlingos and Totts. After spending four years in product innovation and digital consumer research, she left a startup incubator at a Fortune 100 company to pursue her passion for sharing travel, culture and learning with children by creating products serving young parents.

Back to Basics: The 10 Best Non-Electronic Toys for Babies & Toddlers

by Oz SpiesNovember 7, 2020

Traditional baby and toddler toys boost brain-building, hands-on exploration and are durable so younger siblings can play with them, too. Our favorite non-electronic baby and toddler toys come without batteries and ear-splitting beeps. Little ones learn through play, so a few carefully chosen toys in the toy bin will give your baby a chance to have fun as a tiny scientist, artist, and motor-skill champ. Here are a few of our favorite non-electronic toys for babies and toddlers.

1. Rattles
A good rattle is sized just right for babies working on tricky hand-eye coordination and learning how to pick things up. This classic toy doesn't look like much, but as babies grasp, shake and even slobber on it, they're learning about the world. Rattles reward curious little ones learning about cause and effect with a satisfying sound as it shakes. Choose a rattle you can easily clean, and make sure it's designed for babies to safely put it in their mouths—because it's sure to end up there!

2. Stacking Cups
Stack them in a tower, tip them over, put them inside one another, and then turn them into a home for a plastic cow. Stacking cups offer lots of interactive opportunities for fun and play. Most sets of stacking cups come in bright colors, giving little ones a chance to learn about colors. Balancing cups in a tower shape builds problem-solving skills, self-control and persistence. Another colorful stacking option is Grimms Rainbow, an all-wooden toy that's so beautiful you won't mind having it out on a shelf.

3. Sensory Bins
Toddlers learn about the world through hands-on activities and observation. Sensory bins or tables are a great way to give little ones a chance to explore. You can easily replicate this key preschool tool by filling a plastic bin with dry oats or water and adding measuring cups and scoops. If you're worried about the mess that scooping up water or dry oats can make, put a towel underneath your kiddo and the bin. If the weather is nice, put the bin outside to minimize clean-up, or purchase a water table or sandbox for more sensory fun. If you'd like to take your sensory-bin game to the next level, hide plastic animals or cars for kids to find, or dye rice or dry pasta for rainbow-colored play. Bonus: Sensory bins give curious kids a chance to learn about volume (how much water fits in a scoop?) and boosts imaginative play and language development.

4. Push-Pull Toys
From Fisher Price's classic, affordable plastic corn popper to a wooden animal on a string, push-and-pull toys are beloved by budding walkers everywhere. These toys encourage balance and gross motor skill development, and they make perfect buddies for toddlers as they stumble and zoom through your home. We love this Little Dutch Walker & Block Trolley from Scandiborn ($59.95, pictured above), as it combines two beloved non-electronic toys in one.

5. Classic Blocks
Your kiddo will play with a set of durable wooden blocks for years and years. With blocks, little ones get a chance to work on problem solving as they figure out how to stack blocks on top of one another or organize them in a row. Eventually, blocks become a blank canvas for imaginative play, as kids turn their creations into castles, houses and zoos. Talking about block creations builds language and conversation skills, and, with a big set of blocks at the ready, older toddlers can work together and learn about cooperation.

6. Dolls & Stuffed Animals
Whether you're looking for a lovey for comfort or a toy your child can practice caring for and rocking to sleep, soft dolls and stuffed animals are a great addition to any baby's toy collection. Playing with dolls helps little ones learn about empathy and feelings. Pro tip: Choose those without plastic eyes that can be a choking hazard!

7. Music Makers
One of the benefits of non-electronic toys for parents: fewer ear-splitting sounds. But sometimes a baby has just got to make music. Whether you break out your pots and pans and a wooden spoon or give your child a toy drum and a few egg shakers, toys that let kids make their own music are always a hit. Sturdy music-making options without batteries are more likely to last from kid to kid, and they give children the chance to be more creative. We like wooden xylophones like this one from Melissa & Doug because of their bright colors and the variety of sounds they make.

8. Balls
Roll it, throw it, catch it! Balls are awesome for boosting motor skills and hand-eye coordination. But they're also a great way to introduce little ones to the back-and-forth interaction and taking turns, which is one of the building blocks of conversation. Rolling a ball gives grown-ups the chance to connect and make eye contact with babies and toddlers, and it boosts language development. From soft balls with jingly bells inside to bumpy plastic balls just the right size for chubby little hands, toy stores are full of options perfect for babies and toddlers.

9. Bubbles
Bubbles mesmerize babies and toddlers (and many parents) as they float through the sky. Whether you make bubbles at home (we like this DIY option) and blow them outside to delight your kiddo, or pick up a bubble-making lawn mower, bubbles are a surefire hit with little ones. We like to keep a few jars of bubbles at the ready to distract cranky little ones.

10. Ride-On Toys
A good ride-on toy gives toddlers hours of indoor gross-motor fun. These toys develop balance and give little legs a workout. One of the best first-birthday gifts, our fave ride-on toys come with a basket or bin that little ones can use to give their favorite toy or stuffed animal a ride around the house, promoting imaginative play, too! We love the sturdy Little Red Rider Wooden Kid's Ride-on Bike from Hape.

—Oz Spies

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The More You Talk to Your Babies, the Smarter They’ll Be as Teens, New Study Finds

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 3, 2020

Feel silly having a conversation with a baby that can’t talk? Don’t, because those one-sided conversations about farm animals and the colors of the rainbow are actually vital to your kids as they grow. A new study has found that how much parents talk with babies can have an impact on their IQ later in life.

The 10-year longitudinal study was conducted by LENA, a company that creates curriculum and programs for educators and parents to help with early language development. The researchers concluded that the amount of talking parents did with their babies up to age three had an impact on their IQ and verbal abilities, like vocabulary and verbal comprehension, in adolescence.

Photo: Pexels via Pixabay

“We know all of the child’s conversational partners matter, from their parents and primary caregivers to their child care teachers,” said Dr. Stephen Hannon, president of LENA. “This research confirms a growing body of science that says adult-child interactive talk is essential to early development and success in school.”

The study showed that while talking to babies at this age was important, what was most vital was talking to them in a conversational manner. In other words, even if your baby is too young to answer you, its important to speak to them as if they might answer.

In order to complete the study, LENA researchers developed and utilized their wearable “talk pedometer” to measure things like adult words spoken, “conversations,” like a parent saying something and a baby offering a coo or sound in response. The first phase of data collection was conducted in 2006 with 146 families. Ten years later in 2016, the same kids at ages nine to 14 were given language and cognitive tests. The amount of adult words recorded in the first phase of the study correlated with the kids test results ten years later.

“It’s incredible that we are able to measure the relationship between the experiences of babies and their cognitive skills 10 years later,” said Dr. Jill Gilkerson, Senior Research Director at LENA, and lead author on the paper. “It strongly supports what other research has shown: talk with babies may make a huge difference in their futures and there is a need to begin early, since parents’ talk habits in the 18-24-month window start forming from the moment the baby is born.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Bilingual Teddy Bears Help Kids Learn a New Language

by Jennifer SwartvagherJune 12, 2020

Dr. Tameka Maiden, a single mom, pharmacist and former teacher from Houston, Texas, created the Cubby Love Bears line in 2019 using her own personal savings and a makeshift home workshop. Her young daughter, Tori, helped her to realize the importance of bridging the gap in early childhood language development by teaching children primary educational skills while building their vocabulary in both English and Spanish. The cuddly interactive teddy bears she created teach children colors, numbers, alphabet and other primary skills while teaching them a foreign language at the same time.

Cubby Love Bears allow children to vocally hear English and Spanish words with a simple click of the bear’s paws. The colorful dual-language educational line includes bears like “Yancy the Time Bear”, who helps kids learn the days of the week and months of the year in both English and Spanish, “Ory the ABC and Number Bear”, a Cubby Love Bears Color Set, with four color block bears and accompanying bilingual books, and “Zoli”, a non-speaking bear that holds on tight to mobile devices in both portrait and landscape mode; keeping it steady for children to enjoy their apps, games and movies hands-free on phones and tablets!

Maiden will be launching a one-of-a-kind bear to help special needs families in Spring 2020. The cuddly new baby blue Teddy Bear, named “Auzy Bear”, can help children on the autism nonverbal spectrum and kids with language barriers verbally communicate their needs and feelings to parents and caregivers through pre-programmed voice commands in the bear’s paws and ears!

Cubby Love Bears are appropriate for children as young as one-year-old. The Cubby Love Bear Line includes eight bears, retailing for 24.99 each.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Cubby Love Bears

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Hit the Slopes in Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin

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See Eagles at Starved Rock State Park

Hit the Highway for a Little Escape

BRAVE THE COLD & STEP OUTSIDE

Take the Family for a Spin at Maggie Daley

Bundle Up for a Wintry Hike

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SHOP & EAT LOCAL & SMALL

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GO VIRTUAL

See Chicago Children's Theater's Frederick

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