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 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.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center recently developed a new screening tool that can help to assess preschoolers’ early literacy skills—and the first of its kind type of tool uses a specially designed children’s book.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, looked at how well The Reading House (TRH) book-based assessment tool could identify early literacy skills in children ages three through five. Seventy preschoolers completed standardized assessments and 52 completed MRI’s to measure the gray matter surface of their brains.
The researchers found a connection between a thicker gray matter, or cortex, and higher TRH scores. Of the results, TRH book designer John Hutton, MD said, “We found significantly thicker gray matter cortex in the left-sided areas of the brain in children with higher TRH scores, which align with cortical thickness patterns found in older children and adults with higher reading skills.” Hutton continued, “This is an important neurobiological correlate of screened skills at this formative age, when the brain is growing rapidly.”
While the TRH book assessment is designed for use in pediatric healthcare, early education settings, and schools, its potential extends into the greater community and into the individual child’s life. Hutton noted, “By screening early during pediatric clinic visits, especially in practices serving disadvantaged families, we can hopefully target effective interventions that help children better prepare for kindergarten and improve reading outcomes––literally ‘shaping their brains to read.’ ”
Black History Month is historically celebrated every February, but learning about and honoring Black History with purpose can and should happen year round. One way to do that, especially with young kids, is to read Black history books by BIPOC authors and illustrators. Our friends at
Reading Partners, a National early literacy program who always have education and equality in mind have put together a year-round reading list to celebrate Black History Month every month.
January: Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson
This children's biography about the man known as the "Father of Black History" learn all about this author, editor, publisher and champion for Black rights. Illustrated by Don Tate.
February: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
Hyperion
A Caldecott Honor Book, children can learn more about Harriet Tubman, the champion of the Underground Railroad who earned the nickname "Moses" for leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. Contains religious overtones. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
April: Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
HMH Books
Beatuifully written from the point-of-view of a young African-American girl living in Birmingham, Alabama, who hears MLK's call for a peaceful protest. The girl's parents are fearful, but the children march instead. Illustrated by Frank Morrison, this book won the Caldecott Honor Book Award for illustrations in 2019!
May: Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told by Walter Dean Myers
Armistad
Ida B. Wells was the leader of the movement to include Black women in the charge for women's right to vote. Children will learn about this fearless, outspoken woman who fought for equality through her words, actions and teachings. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen.
The story of the first Black girl to attend an all white school after desegregation, children everywhere will relate to this incredible journey of one girl's whose example made a lasting impact on history. Illustrated by George Ford.
August: Frederick Douglass: The Last Days of Slavery by William Miller
Lee & Low Books
A beautifully illustrated look into the life of Frederick Douglass, born enslaved, who found reading as an escape in his early years, and credited it to helping him become the abolitionist and champion of Black rights he is remembered as being today. Illustrated by Cedric Lucas.
September: Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins by Carole Boston Weatherford
Puffin Books
Four black teens sit down at a lunch counter in 1960's segregated South and young Connie sees how change is on the horizons. Though Connie is young, she is mighty and we can all learn from this child's eye view of the Civil Rights Movement. Illustratrated by Jerome Lagarrigue Lagarrigue.
October: Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
Knopf Books for Young Readers
President Barack Obama writes a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans, from Jackie Robinson to Georgia O'Keefe to George Washington, in the form of a letter to his two young daughters. Illustrated by Loren Long.
December: Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, by Deborah Hopkinson
Dragonfly Books
Clara was born into slavery and is known for being a renowned seamstress. This talent proves invaluable later when she uses it to create a quilt with a map of the Underground Railroad. Illustrated by James Ransome, a Caldecott Honor Award winning artist.
Reading Partners is a New York Times-endorsed organization uses volunteer tutors across the country to work one-on-one with kids to foster early reading skills.
To learn more about Reading Partners, and learn how to volunteer or donate, visit: readingpartners.org
We’ve been reading for months now through all kinds of wonderful new books and, thanks mostly to our kids, have narrowed down our top picks for the best children’s books of 2020. From picture books to bedtime stories to graphic novels and chapter books for young readers, all those hours of reading added up to this vetted, mom-and-child-tested list. Read on for our choices.
Board Books & Books for Early Readers
My Favorite Color: I Can Only Pick One?
Candlewick Press
Fans of Aaron Becker's previous stunning board book You Are the Light will love the newest exploration of colors from the Caldecott-Honor-winning author-illustrator.
New York Times-bestselling and NAACP-Award-winning illustrator AG Ford comes together with Tameka Fryer Brown in their new collaboration, Brown Baby Lullaby. Gorgeous illustrations are paired with the sweet lullabye of parents caring for their baby. Using both Spanish and English, this book makes for the perfect bedtime story.
Help your kiddos learn the colors of the rainbow in addition to fine art with the Andy Warhol What Colors Do You See? board book. Using Warhol's signature style and love of color, this simple book brings his masterpieces to your little's fingertips in a fun and easy way. Available Jan. 21.
From activist, professor and father Ibram X. Kendi, this lovely picture book will help you and your kids learn about cultivating a more equitable world by following nine simple steps. We love this new and powerful read; it is filled with thoughtful rhymes and beautiful, bold illustrations.
Out in time for Pride Month (June) this early reader board book is the perfect way to engage kids, especially if you can't attend a Pride Parade this year. "1 Parade in the month of June/2 DJ's spin fabulous tunes." Michael Joosten's rhyming prose is perfectly accompanied by Wednesday Holme's bright illustrations.
Llama Llama is back! In the newest book, your fave character can't find his funny. Where could he be? Kids will love lifting the flap to help Llama find his bedtime bestie. Available Jan. 14.
This adorable new book series comes in a set of four: Equality, Happiness, Imagination and Truth. Each one features a famous philosopher (think Socrates and Simone de Beauvoir) and has vivid, fun illustrations any baby will love. There are also thought-provoking questions that are appropriate for the toddler set, and each book will inspire your tiniest readers to consider their place in the world.
In the sixth book of the This Little series, This Little Dreamer: An Inspirational Primer brings some of the most historic figures to light for young readers. The sweet illustrations share the tales of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. and more with age-appropriate facts that are sure to inspire. Available Jan. 14.
The third book in the Tiny Travelers series takes readers on a journey from San Juan to Vieques. Created by a team of parents with multicultural backgrounds, the series promises a celebration of diversity with hidden treasures on every page. Great for kids of all ages, the interactive book is packed full of beautiful illustrations and rhyme-based storytelling.
From the beloved brand Highlights comes a new set of picture books for kids. One, in an A-Z format, this book will show kids all the different ways they can bring a little kindness into the world. Think helping with chores, delivering cookies to a neighbor, standing up for what’s right and more. The other does the same in counting form and featuring a diverse cast of kids and beautiful illustrations, these are both excellent books to read aloud in a classroom or at home before bedtime.
Though we’re not together we’re never truly apart, because you’re always on my mind and you’re always in my heart. This is what a mother tells her child as she leaves for work each day. This lovely board book perfectly captures the sentiment that many women feel about being a working mom. The lyrical text takes us through a mother’s day away, demonstrating that although she’s working hard, her child is always on her mind and always in her heart. Available Mar. 10.
Explore the adorable tiny houses of woodland critters in this interactive board book by Nicola Slater. In it, Alex—an orange tabby cat—visits one house after another, collecting new friends at every stop. At the end of the book, the rabbits, dogs, hedgehogs, squirrels, and bears join Alex outside to play catch with a touch-and-feel big, red ball.
Introduce your toddler to the legendary E.T., with this adorable interactive board book. Help E.T. find the right word to describe what going on in the picture by turning the wheel at the side. From what he likes to eat to what he wants to do with the phone, this sweet dose of nostalgia will be enjoyed by everyone.
Little mole is sad, so his mother takes him out of his dark, underground burrow to search for hope. They find it in flower bulbs that will become daffodils, trees that will grow green leaves in the spring, and a chrysalis where a butterfly will soon emerge. Close your eyes and imagine what's to come, Mama says, showing little mole that there's always hope when you're in a dark place. This sweet lesson shows kids how to endure their own challenges and find hope around them.
Just breathe.... This book provides a guided meditation that shows kids how to focus on their breathing and stay calm even when they have troubling thoughts in their head. Illustrations show how thoughts can feel—flitting like butterflies, stomping like monsters or popping like bubbles—while reassuring kids that even scary thoughts pass and that mindful breathing, just ten deep breaths, can put us at ease.
Jane Ormes' lift the flap board book all about the forest is a perfect addition to any baby or toddler library, and one that teaches more than just shapes or colors. A daddy deer is called a stag, a mommy bear is called a sow, a baby is called a kit. The flaps reveal the different names for baby animals, all accompanied by the woodlandy-cute illustrations that set it apart.
Hello, Elephant!; Hello, Bear! and Hello, Whale! Board Books
Candlewick Press
This large, sturdy board book format with lots of flaps will keep curious kiddos entertained while they learn all about the animals of the African savanna in Hello, Elephant; creatures of the ocean in Hello, Whale and forest friends in Hello, Bear! Author-illustrator sam Boughtons images are reminiscent of Eric Carle, in the best way possible.
Picture Books We Can’t Stop Staring At (& Reading)
Can Bears Ski?
Candlewick Press
This cheerful new book (released in November 2020) introduces readers to deafness and hearing aids in a totally kid-friendly way: Little Bear is having trouble hearing, but doesn't understand what is happening. He just keeps hearing funny phrases, like "Can bears ski?" The author, Raymond Antrobus was diagnosed with deafness at age seven and the illustrator, Polly Dunbar, became hard of hearing in her '20s. The result is a lesson in empathy that aims to destigmatize deafness and an excellent addition to any library, especially a classroom one.
Written by Smiriti Prasadam-Halls with luscious illustrations by David Litchfield, perhaps the author and the publisher both had a premonition about just how important this book would be in 2020. The message is clear, as Dolly Parton will tell you, "If you want rainbows, you gotta' put up with the rain." This beautiful book rhymes its way through a magical world that is full of thunder and clouds and kindness and clarity. This is a great bedtime book, too and though its written for ages 3-7, older kids will get some comfort from it at night as a girl and her fox companion move away from a sorrowful past, through challenges, and into a new tomorrow. Sounds about right, no?
Mexican-artist and author-illustrator Flavia Z. Drago's stunning debut picture book full of bright illustrations that bring to mind gorgeous papel picado paper-cuts as we adventure through Gustavo's world. Gustavo doesn't like to talk much and has trouble making friends, but soon he learns his other gifts are something the world (and his friends) need.
There are a lot of tough times for kids in life, and moving away or losing a friend to a move can be really hard at any age. This beautiful book by Newbery medalist Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, helps children process more of those big feelings and remember that friendship is in our hearts. This is also a helpful book during these times when playdates are few and far between.
The second book from the author of Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way focuses on teaching kids gender-neutral pronouns. Jamie goes on a walk with Bubbie (grandma) and along the way has to correct Bubbie when she assumes genders about some of the people they meet. Includes a special section for parents and educators and makes an excellent gift for any classroom.
Claude is a celebrity alligator and the mascot for San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. His story started almost 25 years ago in Louisiana, where he hatched out of his egg to discover he looked different from the other hatchlings. They were green and Claude was white. The other hatchings avoided him, and his color made him vulnerable to predators. So Claude went to a special zoo that cared for alligators where he lived in a pen by himself. Now he was safe—but alone. Find out what happens to Claude in this wonderful new book by Emma Bland Smith.
With a can-do attitude, Cor Cor shows that with enough determination anything is possible. Cor Cor's readers learn about places around the world, as he explores exciting destinations from his wheelchair. Whether admiring the northern lights in Iceland or meeting kangaroos in Australia, no adventure is off-limits.
As a wheelchair user that has visited all seven continents, co-author Cory Lee always wanted to read a book that he could relate to while growing up. Collaborating with his mom, co-author Sandy Gilbreath, they created this children’s picture book to show that the possibilities for all children are limitless, regardless of their abilities.
Part fairy-tale, part woodland adventure, author-illustrator Lucy Fleming will transport your kiddos to a forest family of creatures work together to make one little, tiny person's dream comes true. Celebrates the power of generosity and helping those who may have an issue they are dealing with (Ella can't go out in the day). It also makes an utterly beautiful bedtime read.
With bright watercolor illustrations, this book tells the story of how an imaginative lion named Guion shows his friends how to see magic in their everyday world. Inspired by the author's three kids, including her oldest with Down syndrome, the book shows readers how to change their perspective and find a little magic in their own lives too. The book ends with suggestions for fun activities for families to play together, building on the themes in the book.
The shoulders on the drag queen go shimmy, shimmy, shimmy...all through the town.
Fans of Drag Queen Story Hours around the country will love this book from Lil' Miss Hot Mess, one of the first Queens to host DQSH. Bright, playful illustrations by Olga de Dios add the perfect touch to this update on the classic "wheels on the bus" song that aims to teach little kids everywhere...there's nothing wrong with a little swish in your step.
Mom and author Sara Olsher wrote the book she wished she could have given her own daughter while they navigated her own divorce. Written with clear words and bright illustrations, this book shows kids that even though divorce is scary, it is something lots of families get through. Olsher's life mission is to help little people through tough times, including how to talk to kids about a parent's cancer diagnosis and the coronavirus.
Clarissa the cottage doesn't want to be adorable, she wants to be scary like her parents, a witch's hut and a creepy castle! Told in lyrical stanzas, Clarissa embarks on a journey to learning to be her very best self.
A beautiful, empowering picture book from Meena Harris about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of the author’s aunt, Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer and policy expert Maya Harris.
This story about a little girl who is very close with her grandma and the girl's experience as her grandma's dementia progresses. It is an excellent child's eye view of this often confusing and heartbreaking disease and a great tool for parents and caregivers to engage kids in the conversation of aging, dementia and alzheimers.
Geisel Honor Winner Kara LeReau teamed up with Caldecott Medal winning illustrator Matthew Cordell to introduce readers to "the newest star in the circus: Baby Clown!" Frieda and Boffo clown's little make-up ready clown is adorable, but he's also not very happy. Laugh out loud as Baby Clown cries his way through the circus acts, diaper changes, feedings and nap. As any parent can attest, though, the show must go on. Find out how on Apr. 14.
The true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, a man who, in the midst of the on-going Syrian civil war, managed to find and offer safe haven to dozens and dozens of abandoned pet cats. A somber but important book that offers kids’ a glance at the effects of war, this inspiring tale is accompanied by wonderful illustrations.
"When work is done, it's time for FUN!" Explore the forest, the canyon, fields and more beyond the job site where these adorable dinosaur-equipment characters find out that fun can mean work (and work can be fun!). Written and illustrated by Michael Whaite.
Meet Cornelius J. Sparklesteed. He has a secret. He’s a unicorn!! He also lives in Hoofington, where lots of nasty rumors about unicorns get passed around. They’ve gone so far as to announce that unicorns aren’t welcome. So, Cornelius designs fabulous hats to conceal his secret, and along the way, garners the admiration of friends and even the mayor! This shiny, sparkly book is a delightful read, and more importantly, shows that sometimes, different isn’t just weird, it’s AWESOME.
Little Meg has a unique skill; she can build almost anything out of cardboard. She enjoys the maker spotlight until one day she meets Simone, who shares the same abilities. This book follows their antics as they try to out-construct each other. DIY directions for some of Meg's favorite creations are included at the back of the book.
When debut author Angela Joy set out to teach her children their first Black History lesson she was not expecting her preschooler to say, "But Mama, we're not black, we're brown." It was then that she realized that she wanted her children, and all children, to understand that being Black was about culture as much as color. And so Black Is a Rainbow Color was born. Vibrant, stained-glass like artwork by Coretta-Scott King Award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes accompanies Joy's poetic text as we join a little girl on a journey to discover all the wonderful things that Black is.
"Black is the robe of Thurgood's back. Black are the trains on railroad tracks. Black are the eyes on salted peas. Black are the shadows of ooo-old magnolia trees."
Includes a suggested playlist as well as an expanded explanation of the historical references in the text to allow parents to explain Black history to their kids. It's an exceptionally designed, written and thoughtful new book appropriate for kids of all ages and ethnicities. We can't wait to see what Joy does next. Available Jan. 14.
Ages: Suggested age, 4-8, but we think even older kids can benefit from this book due to the important historical talking points in the back of the book
This incredibly compelling book written by Thomas Harding and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup tells "The True Story of a House, Its History, and the Four Families Who Made It Home" and follows the history of a house taken from a family by the Nazis. Though it could end there, the author continues to tell the story of the new families who came to live in the walls and make it a happy home over the years. A deeply moving reminder of the sorrow of loss and the hope of new beginnings.
Fred is bound to make school less boring. The creative boy decides that his teacher is a robot, and takes his friends on a fantastical journey that only the wildly imaginative mind of a child can do.
While this book is technically a Kickstarter campaign (ends April 19), we just had to share. A beautiful collection of 30 stories about kids from all over the world, it includes fun facts and activities that help bring each culture to life. Available now for pre-order, books will be shipped in November—which makes this a perfect holiday gift.
If you read Jessica Love's Julián Is a Mermaid, a beautiful book about gender identity and acceptance, you'll love Julián at the Wedding. Just as gorgeously illustrated, this time we find Julián and his abuela heading to a wedding where Julián is in the wedding party. He makes a new friend and together they enjoy the beauty and enchantment of a magical wedding. A wonderful view of how young children see love and another homerun for acceptance and individuality that every family should own.
Author-illustrator Deborah Marcero brings us a beautifully illustrated picture book about the beauty of ordinary things and the magic of young friendships. Little bunny Llewellyn is a collector of ordinary things, "like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones" along with cherry colored sunsets and the shadows of summer with his friend, Evelyn. But when Evelyn moves away, they stay connected in a most magical way. Each page delights with "jars" of illustrations your children will love discovering. Available Jan. 21.
The first picture book from renowned astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana is a delight. Set as a poem, Child of the Universe is a sweet meditation on the fact that from the literal stardust that makes our bodies to the atoms that connect us, we are all connected to the universe and to one another. (Available March 17)
Your child's Spanish will be muy bien thanks to this picture book that introduces common Spanish words organized by categories including animals, body parts, food, colors, numbers, household objects and more. The words are introduced with kid-friendly images that make learning both informative and enjoyable.
This remarkable biographical picture book, written by Lisa Robinson and illustrated by Rebecca Green, introduces young readers to one of the trailblazing women of the circus arts! In revolutionary France, a young girl named Marguerite dreamed of becoming a tightrope dancer, and she dazzled from the young age of nine, going on to garner the admiration of crowds. She became known as Madame Saqui. This is her remarkable story!
If the adorable illustrations from award-winning artist Miguel Ordóñez (Jimmy Fallon’s Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada) don’t draw you in, then the funny, lively prose and the smattering of Spanish words thrown into this twist on a classic fairy tale by author Susan Middleton Elya will. There’s even a glossary of words at the front for kids to reference.
The dreamy watercolor wash of a magical undersea world comes to life in Anna Pignataro's The Heart of a Whale, the story of a whale whose beautiful song calms all the aquatic creatures and whose lonely sigh calls out to another whale across the sea. Enchanting, magical and incredibly sweet. Available Jan. 28.
This just-published book by Janet Sumner Johnson, illustrated by Courtney Dawson, is for every kid who has ever had a parent too busy to read a bedtime story. When it happens to Shailey, she takes matters into her own hands. She fires her dad, posts a help wanted sign and the offers start rolling in…from her favorite fairytale characters. Find out who winds up reading bedtime stories to Shailey when you sit down to read this cute book with your crew.
Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers
Simon & Schuster
This picture-book biography by Laura Renauld, illustrated by Brigette Barrager, reminds us all of one of the purveying messages from Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Fred Rogers' life: it's okay to have feelings. The book takes us from his childhood finding his feelings through the piano, his grandfather McFeely's unconditional love, the feeling of gaining confidence in high school by being compassionate, through the feeling that children's television was conveying the wrong message: and Fred's feeling that he should change it. This book teaches kids not only about Fred Rogers life and legacy, but also to express and embrace their own feelings. Available Jan. 14.
Ages: 4-8 (but we grown-ups really enjoyed it, too!)
Helena Ku Rhee's wonderful new picture book tells the story of little Daniel, whose parents work as night janitors, usually while he sleeps. When the babysitter can't make it, Daniel has to go along with his parents to the big glass building they clean. Little does he know it is the land of the Paper King. Inspired by Rhee's own parents, this is the story of hardwork and imagination, and a reminder to be kind. Beautifully illustrated by Pascal Campion.
The democratic process comes to the jungle with this debut picture book by Brazilian authors Paula Desgualdo & Pedro Markun and illustrators André Rodrigues & Larissa Ribeiro. Yes, Lion is the King but when his selfish behavior causes his subjects to dissent, they decide it's time to hold an election. Each candidate campaigns with their unique attributes: Sloth, Snake, Monkey and more all bring something new to the table. A great way to teach kids about elections in a non-partisan way.
Penned by Sharon Langley, the famously photographed African-American who rode a carousel at Baltimore's Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in 1963, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of peacefully fighting for equality.
Katarina's dreams are bigger than city life. The ten-year-old has it in her heart to become the best: a prima ballerina. Despite not having any training, Katarina sets out to win a coveted spot in an international dance camp that is sure to make her a start.
"When someone opens a door to you, go forward." Young Frances Perkins spent her life heeding the wise words her grandmother taught her as a little girl. Kathleen Krull's The Only Woman in the Photo tells the story of Frances Perkins, the first woman to ever sit on a presidential cabinet. Perkins became Franklin D. Roosevelt's trusted advisor, and it is Perkins you can thank for such things as child labor laws, unemployment insurance and social security. Illustrations by Alexandra Bye bring the life and times of this persistent, fearless trailblazer to life.
Olympia, Washington-based paper artist, Nikki McClure, released this beautiful book about the power of creativity and community at the end of February. It follows a family for a day in a small town, wondering with each turn of the page, what these hands will make. Will they make a fiddle? Fire from a stack of wood? How about a beautiful bouquet or a house for swallows? McClure’s recognizable art showcases the potential of each possible creation in the most compelling way.
A beautiful picture book based on the life and journey of who most consider the father of modern art. This lovely work follows the life of the painter Paul Cézanne, who never gave up, even when the Parisian critics rejected his work, never gave up his mission to be a great painter, and was always evolving in style and technique. And yes, he really did have a parrot!
Geraldine and the Most Spectacular Science Project
Geraldine is a spunky second-grade student who loves science but sometimes has a hard time paying attention in class. When her teacher announces the science contest, she’s determined to take the prize. With lots of hard work, a pile of everyday stuff, and tons of confidence (she doesn’t let her fellow students' whispers get her down), Geraldine creates something truly amazing. A great story for kids who like to dream. (Available Feb 28th)
Beautifully illustrated with charcoal, ink and watercolor, this sweet story about the friendship between a young girl and a bison evolves into a tender tale of loss and the passage of time. Ultimately, the girl learns that the bison will always be in her heart, so this may be a good story to help a young reader understand the loss of a loved one.
Learn the true, amazing story of young Peter Wetzel, whose family attempts to escape East Germany in 1979 in a homemade hot air balloon. The story explains, in kid-friendly terms, about the differences between East Germany and West Germany and how his family and close friends prepare to risk their lives for the promise of a better one.
Introduce your modern kid to the world of reporting and writing for an independent newspaper. Join Nellie, the new kid in Bear Creek, Maine (and the daughter of two newspaper veterans), as she strives to uncover who’s behind the recent attacks of vandalism. She’ll need a whole crew of journalists, who might, in the end, end up being new friends too.
The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca
This newly released book, by author Amanda Abler and illustrator Levi Hastings, details the real-life rescue of Springer, a northern resident orca found swimming alone in Puget Sound in 2002. The book immerses kids in the thrilling details of the heroic rescue and even follows up with Springer in the present.
This alphabet book stars women artists including iconic painters like Georgia O’Keefe and Frida Kahlo but also puts the spotlight on lesser-known artists like Mirka Mora, Judith Leyster and more. Each page has a short explanation of the works that define each artist (for example, legendary photographer Dorthea Lange is X is for EXposure), and if older kids want to learn more, the back pages have extended biographies. Beautiful illustrations complete this lovely picture book that's bookshelf worthy.
Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Tables
Phaidon
We're not gonna' lie, with all of this at-home schooling parents can use all the help they can get and this smart, well-designed book will give any kid (and their parents) a little guidance when it comes to the basics of chemistry. Written by Isabel Thomas and illustrated by Sara Gillingham. It's like the textbook you wish you'd had as a student.
A ghostly, fantastical tale written and illustrated by Irish author P.J. Lynch, this picture book for older readers is full of ghosts, love and an underwater world that is both haunting and beautiful. It reads like an ancient story someone once whispered to you as you walked the shores, and yet is completely new.
The subtitle says it all in this brightly illustrated (William Luong) book by author Mifflin Lowe: Real Stories about Black Cowboys, Women Sharpshooters, Native American Rodeo Stars, Pioneering Vaqueros, and the Unsung Explorers, Builders, and Heroes Who Shaped the American West.
Engaging, full of awesome pictures and rich with historic info every kid (and their parents) should learn.
Not your average reference book, author Jules Howard presents a thorough investigation of the wonder of bones in this hardcover volume with insanely-amazing illustrations by Chervelle Fryer, who manages to be both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Seriously, you'll wish you could frame this whole book. The added bonus? Kids will learn all about bones and skeletons, from horses to flying foxes to penguins. The book is arranged by "type" of animal: jumping, flying, running, swimming, etc. A must-buy for any kid's reference library.
A seek and find book with a beautifully simplistic and minimal approach, Jorrien Peterson's new work is a can't miss. Kids will learn about nine unique biomes (naturally occurring communities), what makes them special, be challenged to find specific flora and fauna and answer a question at the end of each "lesson."
Shannon Hale and Dean Hale's beloved character is back to try to solve the "big problem," a noisy stomping giant. The eighth book in this New York Times bestselling series, the illustrations by LeUyen Pham are just as important to telling the story as the Hale's well-crafted words. A perfect first-chapter book series.
This graphic novel written by Matthew Cody and illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani features young Zatanna, daughter of a magician but don't be fooled. It's a very in-depth story about a young girl—mourning her mother and being bullied in school—who embarks on an utterly fantastical adventure through a house of secrets, full of riddles, enemies, unexpected friends and the afterlife.
Dav Pilkey's latest in the Dog Man series is full of laughs, as per usual. This time, Dog Man turns in his badge and resigns his post. Will he get back on the force? Read it to find out!
This fun graphic novel follows a tween Diana (aka Wonder Woman) on the island of Themyscira. As the only child on the island, she faces bouts of loneliness and ends up trying to make a friend, with unintended consequences. Featuring strong female protagonists and vivid illustrations, this is a great choice for early elementary-school kids.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World i
Rebel Girls
This wonderful collection by Elena Favilli, the third in the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls series, covers famous immigrant women from Josephine Baker to Rhianna. In the signature style, it is beautifully illustrated by women artists from around the world and full of relatable stories and facts for rebel kids to learn about these fierce and awesome women.
Retired pirates! Secret Codes! Witches! Sea Monsters! If that isn't enough to entice you to read this heavily illustrated chapter book, the fact that Warren the 13th is full of puzzles and riddles just might. In this adventure, we find Warren managing his family's floating hotel and planning his 13th birthday party. In this final adventure for Warren, part of a three-book series, Author Tania Del Rio's and illustrator Will Staehle bring us one of the most entertaining and unique books of 2020.
Ages: 10-12
Buy it now. $12
Chapter Books We Love
Tristan Strong Destroys the World (Tristan Strong Book 2)
Penguin Random House
Part of Rick Riordan Presents, this book blows just about every other book of its kind out of the water with humor, history and some seriously amazing and heart-touching themes including children facing trauma, in a way that is perfectly relatable to young readers. Tristan, who has returned from his previous epic adventure to the land of African-American folk heroes (Alke) with PTSD, is forced to return to Alke—this time to rescue beloved grandma! Themes of resilience are interwoven artfully with loveable heroes (like Gum Baby, Tristan's other world sidekick) and larger-than-life characters. Our editor's son, who poured through every Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan Presents book written to date, said this is by far one of his favorite books of the year.
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (Pandava Series, Book 3)
Penguin Random House
If the Tristan Strong is our editor's son's favorite this year, Aru Shah is a close second. Another series in the Rick Riordan presents, now 14-year-old Aru Shah returns to the Otherworld from books 1 & 2, based on characters and the landscape from the epic Hindu poem, the Mahabharata, this time to help a captive clairvoyant. The richness of voice and humor is present throughout.
When a child goes through a divorce, many things change. When ten-year-old Bea's parents tell her they are getting a divorce, they present her with a list of the things that will not change, including their love for her. Follow Bea as she navigates her big feelings as her dad remarries, and things definitely change, yet always returning to that list of things that don't, which author Rebecca Stead navigates artfully and age-appropriately.
The eagerly awaited new book from Rick Riordan (and the final in the Trials of Apollo) series does not disappoint with all of your favorite characters and monsters together for an epic conclusion, masterfully and hilariously written by one of the best incredible-adventure telling, middle grade authors to grace our shelves since Tolkien. (Yeah, we read Tolkien in middle school! #booknerds).
The Quest for the Crystal Crown (The Story Pirates Present)
Random House
Based on an original idea by a real kid! The third book in The Story Pirates Presents series, it's like two books in one. The first part is the story about an enchanted city, and the second part of the book is all about how to create your own fantasy adventure, including creative writing tips and tricks.
This beautiful book kicks off a new series by Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake, illustrated by beloved artist and Caldecott medalist Jon Klassen (I Want My Hat Back, The Dark, and others). In Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger Book 1) we are introduced to a classic new odd-couple that will quickly grab your kiddos' hearts.
This is the second middle grade novel from Bay Area author Mae Respicio and it is full of Filipino folklore, history and cuisine. Any Day with You is a warm, tender story about a creative girl who hopes that by winning a filmmaking contest, she’ll convince her great-grandfather not to move back home to the Philippines.
New in January of 2020, author Tiffany Jewell aims to dismantle racism by helping readers understand the origins of racism, current racism in our society and how to stand up against racial oppression. Each chapter builds on the previous one as you learn more about yourself and racial oppression and it includes 20 powerfully effective activities to get you thinking and help you learn and grow.
Recommended age: The publisher list ages 11+ but we think every family should own a copy of this and read it together.
Ramona Quimby gets a modern update with Ryan Hart and her middle-class family. Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson starts a new chapter book series for budding readers with Ways to Make Sunshine. The intro novel follows Ryan as she navigates family that includes her dad finding a job after a long period of unemployment, school and self-image. No matter what she faces, Ryan knows how to make sunshine out of any situation.
Sandy Stark-McGinnis' second middle school novel offers a hopeful yet heart wrenching story of a young girl dealing with her mother's early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis. Cassie and her dad are handling all the new changes quite well until Mom forgets Cassie's name, and she struggles to stay connected to friends and her art. Tough topics abound in this middle grade story that follows Cassie as she decides to break one of her dad's rules to make her mom happy.
Imagine a world where girls loved their body just as it is. Love Your Body, a new book by Jessica Sanders strives to make this a reality. With “imperfect” illustrations, this book helps show girls that their bodies are powerful instruments, rather than just an object. It covers all shapes and sizes, what happens with puberty hits, and even has tips and tricks that may help girls feel better about themselves.
Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist
Readers will learn all about mysterious and mystical places that really exist, like The Skeleton Coast, The Fairy Tale Route and even the Lost City of Petra. Piquing the interest of budding and seasoned travelers alike, this is an ideal book to read with kids who are curious about all the unusual things out in the big wide world.
Billed as 5 bookzzz in 1, Tedd Arnold's popular Fly Guy Presents series including Sharks, Dinosaurs, Insects, Bats and Snakes, are compiled into one book. In each chapter, Fly Guy and Buzz introduce kids to these "scary" animals with facts, photos and Fly Guy commentary.
If your kid likes the Wimpy Kid series, this new set of stories might be right up his alley. Meet Iggy. He's a mischevious kid who will go through a series of doing bad things, from kinda bad to really bad. Then he'll deal with the consequences. Told with a dry wit and including plenty of fun illustrations, this easy chapter book is perfect for kids mastering their reading skills.
Part choose-your-own-adventure, part mystery, part activity book, the newest book in the Escape This Book series by author Bill Doyle and illustrator Sarah Sax will have your kids reading, laughing, drawing and puzzling out an "escape route" from an Egyptian tomb by choosing one of three paths. Educational and interactive, this might be the best book for travel we've seen in ages.
Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw: The Friend Thief Book 2
Epic Originals
Head back to Nottingham Elementary for another adventure! Robin is happy to be "back together" with her BFF after "winning" her back from the schoolyard bully, Nadia. But Nadia starts to win over the other kids including Robin's bestie. The second book in this Robin Hood inspired series, find the first one here. Written by Gina Loveless, illustrated by Andrea Bell.
In the vein of books like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, this illustrated book aims to empower and inspire kids by telling incredible stories of courage, ingenuity and deep commitment of kids who have changed (and are changing) the world. Amy Blackwell's rich illustrations accompany author Amandi Li's account of true-life tales of 29 incredible, ordinary kids including activist Great Thunberg, shark-attack survivor and surfer Bethany Hamilton, football (soccer) star Pelé, and more.
Small & Mighty: An Activist's Guide for Finding Your Voice & Engaging with the World
Gibbs Smith
Filled with six activity-packed chapters, this interactive journal encourages young people to find and share their voice. Young activists will find checklists, stickers, worksheets, and introspective activities that will encourage them to think about their future and the world around them.
Ages: 9-14
Get it here, $16.99; Find Girl Almighty: An Interactive Journal for Being a Mighty Activist of the World & Other Utterly Respectable Pursuits here, $16.99
A Girl, A Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon
Chronicle Books
Karen Romano Young introduces readers to a group of kid (and raccoon) activists who are fighting to save their local library. If that fact alone isn't enough to get you reading (raccoon activists! library lovers!) her frequent references to Edna St. Vincent Millay, delightful footnotes, and magically-infused writing should do it. Classic illustrations by Jessixa Bagley's add even more enchantment to the pages.
From first-time author J.M.M Nuanez comes a story about a girl named Jack and her gender non-confirming little brother Birdie. A beautifully written tale about loss, sibling relationships, and how love and understanding can grow and thrive, even for the most unexpected families. Strong characters and flowing prose make this stunning debut a must-read book for 2020.
We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport
Harrowing real-life stories come to life in award-winning author Debrah Hopkinson’s non-fiction retelling of families torn apart by Nazi Germany. With interviews, photos and detailed research, Hopkinson approaches what might be, for middle-grade kids, their first non-fiction account of the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust, with incredible details and readable prose. An important contribution to YA literature.
Before Hermione and Katniss, there were brilliant queens, clever villagers and brave girls who were saving the world around them—even if you’ve never heard their stories. Now is their chance to shine in this lovely collection of folktales from China, Russia, Persia, India, France, Germany and more. These strong protagonists are ideal role models for young girls.
As an Indian American girl in a small town, Lekha hides her differences and avoids confrontation so she won't get teased. But when a new Indian girl moves in across the street, she teaches Lekha about prejudice, pride in her culture and the power of her own voice.
Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou are orphans in 19th century Amsterdam. In all the years that Little Tullip Orphanage headmistress Elinora Gassbeek has been in charge, she's never seen more unusual arrivals than that of these five. Each with mysterious beginnings, all with unique character, they become known as "the unadoptables." When they unearth a villainous plan from their apparent adopted patron, they escape together into the frozen streets and canals of Amsterdam. What follows is the discovery of who they are and where they came from. With delightful prose and an excellent plot, readers will be captived until the last page of this fantastic debut by author Hana Tooke.
When her father gets sick, 12-year-old Piper is sent to live at her grandmother's house. The grand estate and its garden hold many secrets: Who are the mysterious children who live on the property? And is Piper's grandmother really a witch? Piper needs answers to help heal her father.
From Newbery Award-winning novelist Mildred D. Taylor comes the end of the Logan family saga that began with Song of the Trees and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. In All the Days Past, Cassie Logan is all grown up and trying to find her place in the world. Her journey takes her to Toledo, California, law school in Boston and finally, back to Mississippi in the '60s to help with voter registration. She will be witness to the rise of the civil rights movement, which is preceded by racist American white society, and the often violent confrontations that bring about historical change.
America's Test Kitchen has just released their newest book, My First Cookbook and its one for every little up and coming chef. The photo-focused book introduces kitchen language, equipment, helpful kitchen prep and tons of step-by-step instructions that littles (and cooking-challenged adults) will adore. Enjoy simple and delicious recipes for appetizers and snacks, main meals, seasonal goodies and international recipes.
Perfect for budding bakers, The Llamacorn Cookbook's bright photos and easy recipes will inspire everyone. The 96-page book shares 45 recipes, many of which use store bought items to make cooking easy and fun––especially for parents. Kiddos can whip up Llamacorn's Meringue Cookies, Enchanged Unicorn Horns and Lah-Tee-Dah Pink Limeade and plenty more whimsical treats.
The Peanuts gang is here to spice up your kiddos lunch! Packed with over 50 recipes and 60+ comic strips, this fun cookbook puts a fun twist on kid-friendly recipes, sneaking in a fair amount of fruit and veggies in the process.
Over 60 royal recipes await in the new Disney Princess Baking cookbook. With categories that include morning treat, cakes, bars, cookies, pies and tarts, this comprehensive baker's book is great for budding chefs. While the recipes are a little more complex for a beginner, they make the perfect challenge for kiddos looking to up their skills.
When people think of kid-food, choices like mac and cheese and chicken fingers are often top-of-mind. Yes, those foods are delicious and often well-accepted by little foodies, and I feed them to my daughter on occasion as well.
Being a registered dietitian and mom, I try and find a balance between serving my five-year-old foods that she loves (brownies make the top of her list) and foods that I know she needs for health benefits (and she also loves). And while my list of “mom-approved” foods is long, there is one that is always prioritized: Seafood.
My daughter gets seafood on her dinner plate two times a week—the amount that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends children consume. But my rationale doesn’t end at simply wanting to follow the guidance of the USDA. Over the years, more and more data has come out that highlights just how impactful two servings of seafood per week can be to little ones—enough to convince me that it is a must-have in my home.
Eating Seafood Helps Support Strong Growing Bones
When kids are chowing down on seafood options like salmon, they are getting a boost of vitamin D, a nutrient that supports bone health and is not found in many other foods. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which can in turn support healthy bones and teeth.
Additionally, the lean protein that seafood provides helps support bone health as well as your child’s overall growing body. Think of the salmon, tuna, or shrimp on your kiddo’s plate as bone-booster during the time in their life that they need it most.
Eating Seafood Can Help Boost Brain Development
When they say you are what you eat, that rule certainly applies to brain health. And when specifically looking at kids, eating seafood has been shown to directly impact their brainpower.
When choosing seafood options that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like farm-raised salmon, your child may end up literally having a bigger brain—which is a good thing! Also, data suggests that kids who eat fish at least once per week may do better in school. Fish consumption has also been linked to higher IQs (about 4.8 points higher than non-fish eaters) and improved reading skills. So, along with making sure your kid gets quality sleep and does their homework, including fatty fish in their diet can be an important part of their weekly routine to help support their academic progress.
Seafood Supports a Healthy Immune System
In these times, supporting a healthy immune system is at the forefront of everyone’s minds—especially since kids are back in school and around all of the potential “ick”. While there are tons of miracleimmunity supplements on the market, one overlooked booster is seafood.
Some varieties of seafood also provide protein, zinc, and vitamin A—all nutrients that play an important role in immune health. So, that salmon patty that you are feeding your family may be the ticket to keeping them healthy during cold and flu season!
Shopping the seafood counter (or frozen section) can feel a bit overwhelming, so here are some tricks to buying the safest, best-quality options. Choose seafood with integrity by looking for the BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) certified seal. I also recommend serving sustainably raised varieties that are low in mercury and high in omega-3 fats, like farmed salmon from Chile. Opting for seafood that is low in mercury, such as salmon, pollock, flounder, cod, tilapia, and shrimp is particularly important for pregnant women and children.
When feeding your kids seafood, it is important to think about the fact that people (especially children) eat with their eyes first. In other words, the food needs to look good. While plopping a raw oyster on your child’s plate may not be a hit, offering some grilled shrimp with a dipping sauce can be a fun and appealing meal for your little one to enjoy. And making a twist on some classic favorites, like a salmon burger instead of a beef option, can be a simple swap that loads your child up with important nutrients. Lastly, be sure to offer seafood starting at an early to help your child develop a life-long habit that can play a huge role in their overall health and brain development.
Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian, lactation counselor and author. Lauren's work has been featured in numerous publications and demostrates her committment to sharing evidence-based nutrition guidance that simplifies healthy eating. When she is not writing, Lauren can be found boating with her husband, daughter and rescue pup on the waters of Charleston, SC.
If you’re planning your baby registry or stocking up before the big day, focus your to-buy list on these essentials that will get you through those first weeks. High chairs, toys and even the crib can wait. This is what you’ll really need when baby arrives.
Diaper Changing Pad
Skip Hop
A changing table is handy if you have the room, but for outings and travel, a portable diaper changing pad is all you'll need. And as your child gets older, you may prefer the simplicity of changing them on the floor, couch or bed. This one, from Skip Hop, has a wipe-clean, zip-off changing pad and roomy pockets for diapers, wipes, bum cream and hand sanitizer. It also features a zippered front pocket for your phone, keys and wallet. Best of all, it folds up into a sleek clutch you can wear on your wrist, clip to your stroller or toss in a diaper bag.
We love: the Pronto Signature Changing Station, available at skiphop.com.
Infant Hat
MORI
Hats on babies are not only adorable, they're necessary in certain conditions. A hat will keep baby warm and comfortable in cooler temps and block the sun from their sensitive scalp. As a general rule, put a hat on your baby if you feel the weather is cold. And if your baby looks or feels flushed or appears uncomfortable while wearing a hat, take it off.
Keep track of baby's feeding, sleep and diaper schedule, as well as developmental milestones, immunizations and illnesses, with one of the many awesome apps out there. You'll be able to pick up patterns to help you establish a baby routine that maximizes comfort (yours and baby's), and you can more easily answer any of your pediatrician's questions.
You can start reading to babies the day they're born, and you should! Babies love your voice and find it soothing, and bonding with your babe over a book is a great way for you to get some relaxation amid the stressful, sleepless early days of motherhood. Studies show that regularly reading to your baby builds language comprehension and reading skills too. So visit your library for board books; stock your shelves with classics; or sign up for Literati's baby book club and have age-appropriate books sent to your door.
Tiny babies can make big messes. And when you're a new mom, you want your cleaning products to be safe and toxin-free, but you also want them to be super effective. Truce cleaning products have you covered. We especially love the peppermint-scented all-purpose cleaner, which cuts grease, leaves a streak-free finish and contains only five ingredients (water, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, organic castile soap and essential oils).
We love: Truce cleaning products, available at truceclean.com.
Diapers
Abby & Finn
A stockpile of diapers and wipes is essential for any new parent. Take the guesswork out of when to reorderwith a diaper subscription service that brings the goods to you. Perks of ABBY&FINN include a convenient "set it and forget it" approach, mix and match with multiple sizes and designs in the same box, and the ability to select from a range of frequencies. All of their diapers are eco-friendly and toxin-free, and are comparable in price to Pampers subscribe and save.
Wraps are a helpful carrier option in the early months as the fabric keeps babies close and is soft on their skin. Some look tricky to fasten, but if you ask a sales associate or watch a YouTube video, you'll catch on quicker than you think. You can also pick a style (like this one) that makes it as easy as putting on a t-shirt.
We Love: Baby K'tan PRINT baby carrier, available at babyktan.com, $60.
Swaddle Blankets
aden anais
Loose blankets are a safety hazard for the first year of baby's life, but swaddling blankets are a life-saver. Wrap baby like a burrito to keep restless arms and legs from jolting them awake. These are also great as stroller covers, nursing covers, park blankets, and more.
Top priority: the car seat. You'll need one installed in your car before you leave the hospital with your newborn, so this is one purchase that can't wait. Look for one with a high safety rating. If you plan to buy a stroller from a different brand, check that there's an adaptor for your brand of car seat.
Diaper changes can leave sensitive baby bums irritated, and rashes from wet diapers, certain soaps or baby wipes, or even food intolerances are common. Keep a diaper cream like Triple Paste (a mom favorite!) at the ready to smooth on at the first signs of redness, and you can stop discomfort in its tracks. This ointment is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and thick to create a protective barrier on baby's skin. Buy a set of smaller tubes so you can keep one in your diaper bag, another at your changing station and a third at the grandparents' house.
We love: Triple Paste, available at amazon.com, $30 for a 3-pack of 2 oz. tubes.
Bassinet
Chicco
With multiple nightly wakeup calls, you'll want to keep baby within reach. A bassinet by your bedside keeps baby close enough for you to soothe them quickly, and to peer over to watch them sleep.
Give your arms a rest during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding with a fit-to-your-body pillow. In later months, baby can use it to practice tummy time and sitting up.
Your newborn doesn't need a fancy wardrobe at first, as newborns spend most of their time sleeping or snuggling at home. An arsenal of onesies makes dressing your baby quick and easy, and soft cotton in solid colors will match your other baby clothes.
We Love: Primary Organic Babysuit 5-Pack, available at primary.com, $45.
Infant Tub
Boon
A tub that's designed for newborns makes bathing baby easier in those early months. Choose one that converts to a toddler tub to get maximum use out of it.
We Love: Boon Naked 2-Position Collapsible Baby Bathtub, available at amazon.com, $70.
Bibs
Bumkins
Bibs aren't just for babies who eat solids. They're handy for bottle-feeding and catching spit-up and drool. Buy them in bulk. You'll be swapping and washing them often!
We Love: Bumkins Super, available at target.com, $13.
Diaper Bag
7 a.m. Enfant
Getting out of the house with your baby is a must in the first weeks, not just for your sanity, but also for the little one's doctor's appointments. Arm yourself will a well-organized diaper bag so you're prepared with everything from a fresh onesie to a burp cloth and warm blanket.
We Love: 7 a.m. Enfant Soho Diaper Bag, available at 7amenfant.com, $85.
Baby Monitor
Nanit
Video is key for checking in on your baby without disturbing them. Some monitors, like this one, work with an app so you can monitor from your phone when you're away from home. Even grandparents can tune in to watch baby sleep.
We Love: Nanit Pro Camera, available at nanit.com, $299+.
Slow-Flow Baby Bottles
LUX
Whether you're feeding your baby formula or pumped milk, look for bottles that mimic the shape of the breast and slow down the flow of liquid to reduce colic, spitting up, burping and gas.
Middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes go a lot smoother with a soft light that doesn't wake up baby or your partner. Better yet, choose an illuminated gadget that doubles as a sound machine. The repetitive sounds of white (static) or pink (rainfall) noise can help soothe your newborn throughout the night.
Swaddling from scratch isn't for every parent (especially in the middle of the night), and some infants can wiggle out of a swaddle blanket like a mini Houdini. These sacks make it easy on both of you with simple zippers and Velcro. Baby will feel snug, and you'll feel like a superstar swaddler!
We Love: HALO SleepSack Swaddle, available at halosleep.com, $25.
Natural Pacifier
Natursutten
When your baby is crying and you've tried everything from shushing and milk or formula to a diaper change, a pacifier gives baby some comfort. Sticking to orthodontic designs may protect your baby's future teeth, and a one-piece design isn't only safer but also easier to clean.
We Love: Natursutten Orthodontic Rubber Pacifier, available at amazon.com, $12.
Is your daughter (or the growing girl in your life)…1. NEVER confident? 2. SOMETIMES confident? or 3. ALWAYS confident?
If you are like most parents, teachers, and girl champions today, you will likely see that she is wavering between numbers 1 and 2, unlikely to be anywhere near number 3. I am so curious why girls seem to be confident until around age 8 or 9. Then, their confidence wanes, enormously. What happens? Where does this confidence go? And, most importantly, how do we work together to build and boost her self-confidence?
What Is Confidence?
Put simply, confidence is feeling strong and secure in yourself and your abilities and knowing you are capable of developing even more of your skills and talents to become even more confident. Why does confidence matter? Confident girls feel more happy and healthy. They are much more willing to take risks and show their bravery and adapt to changes. The most confident girls I know don’t spend a lot of time on their devices, they are engaged and involved in many different activities, and they don’t seem to care about what others think of them. Refreshing but rare.
Why Does a Girl Seem to “Lose” Her Confidence as She Grows?
Girls seem to lose their confidence in a “perfect storm” of changes as they grow. They begin to have an awareness of how they compare to their peers and they start to evaluate (am I taller, smaller, smarter, less smart, as popular, not as popular, prettier or less pretty than so and so?). At the same time, their bodies start to change (at different rates, of course), their thinking becomes more shaped by their perception of how others seem them, and they are sensitive to what others think of them. Since they also need to gain peer acceptance (and fear judgment, criticism, and, ultimately, rejection) they change themselves to fit in. So, it’s no wonder they hold back and shy away from bravery, morph themselves into who others want them to be, and diminish their uniqueness. And, at the very seem time, they have 24/7 access to something called social media—perfected and polished images for them to see and though they love their phones, they do not realize how this is damaging their self-confidence and feelings of “not good enough.”
Do you see how it is no wonder her confidence diminishes?
How Do We Work Together to Build & Boost Her Confidence?
Here are my top 6 tips to help you get started:
1. Be a positive power of example to her: you can tell her to “be confident” but more helpful, you will have to show her how it’s done —with your words—how you speak to yourself and also to others (and about others), with your body language—posture is everything, and with your actions, challenging yourself to speak up when you have been wronged and taking chances that may make you feel uncomfortable.
2. Together, find examples of confidence in the girls she may be following online or watching on Netflix: talk about why they seem confident and if she is willing to try to emulate these girls in any way. What about Malala Yousafsai, Zendaya, Greta Thunberg, or any of the girls from the Babysitter’s Club Netflix series? Help her find and follow girls who are taking big steps, breaking glass ceilings, speaking up and out, making a difference, and shaping our world.
3. Practice how she speaks: words are EVERYTHING. First, to herself. Instead of, “I am just not good at reading”, ask her to try, “I am working hard on my reading skills and improving every day.” Then, with others. Instead of “I kind of think I might want to try a new restaurant for dinner”, ask her to say, “I would like to try a new restaurant” —clear and concise!
4. Work on her body language: essentially, this can help her feel more confident from the inside out but it also can show others she believes in herself. Body language includes: standing tall, chin out, shoulders back, and good eye contact. Practice makes progress (especially when it comes to muscle memory).
5. Finally, work on her skillset: I promise you, the more competent she feels the more confident she can feel too. To start, ask her what skills and talents she already has (girls tend to discount and discredit the work they have already achieved) from being a good friend, creating videos on Tik Tok, or being your sous chef. Then, ask her what skills she wants to develop—come up with a broad and expansive list that could include: learning to bake or cook; adventuring with hiking, biking, or swimming; starting a group for a fundraiser for the food bank or an environmental club. After all, we want our girls to be “all-rounders.”
6. Teach her to be brave: taking risks—whether this is making a new friend, ordering for herself at Starbucks, or trying new activities is never easy—and you may need to do this in tandem. Break new skills into small acts of micro-bravery. Remind her that skill development takes time and practice but she has done it before and she can do it again! Finally, teach her that failure is a good thing; it is an opportunity to try again, to improve, and to grow even more. I can’t tell you how critical it is that we build and boost her confidence—not just today, but every day! In the words of the Dalai Lama, “With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.”
Lindsay Sealey, MA Ed. is an educator, speaker, consultant, and author of Growing Strong Girls: Practical Tools to Cultivate Connection in the Preteen Years and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready now available on Amazon and Audible. She is the founder and CEO of Bold New Girls and Brave New Boys.
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.
Looking for a little inspiration to get through your week? We talked to seven local moms who are giving back in a big way. From providing toys and games to hospitalized children to growing and distributing produce to those in need, these women and their stories are giving us all the feels—and putting everything in perspective. Read on to meet these down-to-earth super moms and discover how you can get involved in some amazing causes.
Natalie Flores
Courtesy of subject
Founder of Nourish LA
As the founder of grassroots organization Nourish LA, Natalie Flores is helping to ensure people in her community have access to healthy food. Flores, a longtime urban farmer, began Nourish LA shortly after the pandemic began, when members of her Mar Vista community were losing their jobs and worrying about putting food on the table. Since April, Flores has rallied businesses (partnering with The Wood Cafe), farmers markets, and other local urban farmers to contribute to the cause. With a team of volunteers, she runs a food-giveaway drive-up on Sunday, and delivers free vegetables and seedlings (so others can start their own garden) to those in need, including at-risk individuals and single parent households.
When it comes to balancing motherhood and running Nourish LA, Flores says it can be crazy. Both she and her husband work full-time, but she fortunately has close friends and Grandma to help out watching her almost 3-year-old daughter. "My daughter knows throughout the week, Mama's gotta go to work," she says. "That could mean picking up food for our drive-up or having zoom meetings with various other organizations."
So how does she stay positive and energized when so many of us are feeling overwhelmed? "To see your tangible efforts create a positive affect in our neighborhoods and in the lives of others is a really incredible feeling," she says, adding that it helps her maintain perspective. "My complaints and hardships are nothing in comparison to my neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table for their families."
Get involved: Click here to learn about volunteering opportunities for both you and your kiddo with Nourish LA.
While lots of parents have been working at home since mid-March, Talitha Phillips, a mother of two, hasn't had that option. She's a labor and postpartum doula and the CEO of Claris Health, a non-profit women's clinic focusing on sexual health and pregnancy. "My days are long—sometimes 18-20 hours," she says. "As an essential business and medical clinic, we’ve been open throughout the pandemic."
In addition to leading the team at Claris Health as they navigate their way through the changing regulations and needs of the communities they serve, she's continued to work directly with moms-to-be whose "labor, delivery, and other plans have been completely thwarted" because of Covid.
Phillips is the first to admit that balancing all the duties of work and motherhood hasn't been easy. She does her best to keep her kids active and she brings them to work when she needs to do so. But she admits, "The honest truth is that my kids are also staying up way too late, sleeping in, and watching more TV than I would have ever previously allowed!"
And that's okay. "I feel like a success at this point is learning when to catch or dodge the balls that are thrown at me all day, finding creative and productive solutions, and trying to stay sane and hopeful in the midst of it all," she says. Hear, hear!
Get involved: In-person volunteer opportunities with Claris Health are currently limited, but there's still a chance to help with the center's Baby Store, where families in need can “shop” for baby necessities (including diapers, wipes, clothing, food, and equipment), as well as with #ClarisOnWheels, a mobile clinic that distributes food and hygiene kits in LA county. Click here for all the details.
Christen Peterson
Courtesy of Christen Peterson
Teacher & Childhood Cancer Warrior
In 2018, Christen Peterson got the news no parents ever want to hear: Her 11-year-old son had cancer in his brain. "It’s always somebody else’s child until it’s yours," says Peterson, a 7th grade teacher in Corona, CA. Cole was diagnosed with WNT medulloblastoma. In a way, he was lucky—this particular kind of medullablastoma, the rarest of four subgroups, has the best prognosis.
Cole underwent surgery at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, and then Peterson and her son left for Memphis so Cole could be part of a clinical trial at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. "We had to pack up and leave California for six months," she says, while her husband stayed behind because of work. "The hardest part for Cole was being separated from his dog."
But Peterson's says that the team at St. Jude took care of them both. "They hold your hand through the whole process," she says. "I firmly believe St. Jude is the best place for kids to go for cancer treatment," she adds. (You can see a video of Cole's experience at St. Jude here. Note: Grab a tissue.)
After 30 rounds of low-dose radiation and four weeks of chemo, Peterson and Cole returned to California, but she was forever changed by her time at St. Jude. "When we came back, I had this drive; this need to fight," she says. "I was angry, angry at cancer, and I needed my voice to be heard."
She has given her voice to St. Jude, participating in campaigns and speaking engagement to help raise awareness of childhood cancer. "Childhood cancer only get 4 percent of all cancer funding—it's not enough," she says.
Today, Cole is in remission, though he still travels back to St. Jude every three months for scans, and Peterson continues to fight to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Recently, she and a group of fellow "cancer moms," as they refer to themselves, convinced the City of Corona, as well as her school district and fire department to "Go Gold" during September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
"We realized the power of our voices," Peterson says. "And we decided to use that power to make a change."
Get involved: Check out Peterson's fundraising page and contribute to St. Jude and their efforts to cure childhood cancer.
Neferteri Plessy
Co-Founder of Single Mom Planet
Neferteri Plessy (third from left) knows firsthand the challenges of being a single mom. She had two young sons and her divorce rocked her world, as she struggled to balance the day-to-day obligations of motherhood with providing financially for her children following her divorce. Her own experience prompted her to research the effects of divorce and single motherhood. That's when she learned that the most disadvantaged group in the U.S. are single-mother families, 30 percent of which live below the poverty line.
To help other women like her, Plessy and Cole Patterson started Single Moms Planet. Their goal? To end the poverty cycle in single parent households and empower single moms and their children through financial literacy, family bonding activities, mentorship, family counseling and entrepreneurial training.
Plessy is quick to acknowledge that while she's the co-founder of Single Moms Planet, she shares the credit for the non-profit's work and success with other local mothers (pictured) who have given both time and money to the cause to make a difference.
Get involved: Find out how you can donate and fundraise for Single Moms Planet here.
Sharon Rubinstein-Litwak
Founder and Executive Director of The Oscar Litwak Foundation
To honor the memory of her son—4 year-old Oscar Litwak who died from cancer—Sharon Rubinstein-Litwak founded the The Oscar Litwak Foundation in 2003. The foundation's mission: to bring the joy of play to hospitalized children. Since then, the non-profit has provided more than 130 Mobile Playrooms (filled with toys, books, games, arts and crafts and more) to hospitals and pediatric facilities around the country.
The pandemic has only increased Rubinstein-Litwak's commitment to the cause. "Hospitalized children right now are more isolated than ever," she says. "They are only allowed one visitor and need to stay mainly in their rooms, so donations like ours help them pass their time." She adds that they had to "adapt and modify some of [their] donations to comply with new hospital rules and precautions." (Recently, they assembled more than 170 individual "distraction bags" to be delivered to hospitalized children.)
A mother of three girls (ages 17, 14 and 12), Rubinstein-Litwak has also broadened the work of the foundation in response to Covid. "We felt there were other things we could do, so we donated over 3000 meals to hospitals workers and nursing home staff, as well as 10 iPads to the Jewish Home for the Aging, so residents could communicate with their families."
With her daughters learning remotely now and everyone home together, she tells us that it's given her an opportunity get them more involved in her work. "They have stepped up to the plate and helped me organize and deliver meals and put together the distraction bags that we donate to the hospitals," she says.
Get involved: The Oscar Litwak Foundation relies on volunteers for everything from preparing Mobile Playrooms to assisting with social media. Click here to learn more.
Here's a number that might shock you: The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothes every year, much of which ends up in landfills. What's more, textile mills generate a fifth of the world's industrial water pollution and use 20,000 chemicals, many of them carcinogenic, to make clothes, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Those statistics motivated Nicole Robertson to start Swap Society, an online clothing swap for women and kids. The mother of two wanted to offer an alternative to "fast fashion," and create a way to swap that was fun, easy, affordable and sustainable.
Since Swap Society launched, members of the online marketplace have swapped over 20 thousand garments. Robertson also practices what she preaches. The self-proclaimed sustainable fashion advocate stopped buying “new” clothes 10 years ago.
To help on a broader level, Robertson tells us that Swap Society has "partnered with the nonprofits Remake and Fashion Revolution, working toward an ethical and sustainable fashion industry."
Get involved: Clean out your closet (and your kiddo's closet) to get started swapping with Swap Society. Learn more here.
Samantha Barnes
Founder of Raddish Kids
Based in Redondo Beach, Samantha Barnes is the founder of Raddish Kids, a culinary subscription kit that teaches kids to cook (while reinforcing math, science and reading skills too!).
When Covid forced schools to close in March, Barnes and her Raddish team immediately set to work to support parents with immersive, learning activities. Under Barnes's leadership, the company gave away 50,000 free Raddish kits (equivalent to $1.2 million in sales) to families nationwide, as well as created a free online resource for new homeschooling parents.
While running her business and homeschooling her own children, she also made it a priority to host multiple virtual cook-alongs weekly for two months—with her children—to educate and engage kids, and created a fundraiser with 100 percent of the proceeds going to World Central Kitchen (WKC) to feed those in need, donating more than $10,000. "Through their relief efforts across the world, WCK has consistently demonstrated an ability to efficiently mobilize chefs, strengthen economies, and feed those in need at a local level, all while making global change," Barnes tells us.
Asked what motivates and inspires her work, Barnes tells us, "I'm motivated to provide a strong foundation for my own kids -- to model the ups and downs of running a business, to create a home filled with love and empathy, and to inspire them to be curious, independent thinkers and agents of change."
Get involved: Discover Raddish's Kitchen Classroom offerings, including easy recipes for kids, homeschool lesson plans and more. Click here for volunteering opportunities with World Central Kitchen.
You’ve spent most of this year teaching your kids. Time for a break, parents–let Osmo take over from here! This award-winning, innovative educational game system is pure magic and unlike anything they’ve played with before. A blend of technology and hands-on play, Osmo uses loveable interactive characters, engaging kids in the process of learning as they grow. This smart technology makes your life easier, your kid smarter and, bonus, keeps them entertained.
With this smart game system, set up is easy. Just pop your iPad or Amazon Fire Tablet into the compatible Osmo base. The red reflector over the camera allows Osmo to scan the table and bring your child’s creations to life as they play with physical game pieces to code, draw, spell, and more.
Big news: Osmo has enhanced its classic starter kits to help make this school year a success. Read on to choose which Osmo kit is right for your family!
Build a love of learning and get them kinder-ready with Osmo! Using innovative AI technology and design-based research for the developmental process, this kit is ideal for ages 3-5+. It includes Osmo’s four original award-winning games and two new early-math based games, making this all-in-one kindergarten prep. Spark your child’s creativity and develop their brainpower through hands-on imaginative play.
Nurture core developmental skills like shape recognition, early reading skills including letter formation and phonics, and other skills necessary for success like fine-motor skills, critical thinking, empathy, problem-solving, spatial reasoning and more.
And you can bet it will be a blast: the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit won the NAPPA Award for Fun & Learning! Little learners can fill a magic mansion with incredible things they create, explore shapes and color, create a town of buildings and friendly animals, create designs using Sticks and Rings (the tangible part of this kit), and watch them come alive, design an outfit for an interactive costume party, go on a storybook adventure, and more!
Coding is the superpower of the 21st century, and unlike flying or invisibility, this one is actually achievable. You’re not alone in wanting your kids to start early—the OnePoll-conducted survey of 2000 U.S. parents of school-aged children found 79% of parents want their child to start learning coding at a very young age! The Coding Starter Kit transforms your tablet into a hands-on coding adventure. Designed for ages 5–10+, Osmo’s real-time audio and visual feedback encourages learning through experimentation in a positive environment.
The Coding Starter Kit builds coding skills with three hands-on learning games. Your kids start the adventure by using physical blocks and coding commands to control the loveable character Awbie. They can also create music with Coding Jam, making their beats come alive while learning sequencing and loops, and even share their jams with friends and family, and other Osmo Coding community kids. With Coding Duo, your kids can team up with other kids to solve advanced coding puzzles and unlock new worlds.
It’s super exciting to watch your kid learn a skill that they will probably have to teach you one day! Your smarty pants will be working on logic, programming, creative problem solving, music creation and more.
Combining tangible blocks with three interactive games, Osmo Coding Starter Kit makes learning to code fun and accessible for all kids. Now it’s easy and fun to access this essential skill and help kids succeed in our ever-expanding digital world!
Build confidence in STEAM learning through collaborative play! For ages 6-10+, the critically acclaimed Genius Starter Kit has won awards including Autism Live Top Toy Award, Seriously STEM Math Award, Business Insider Pick for Best App-Based Education Toy. Now, it has an added Family Game Night! Like the other Osmo kits, the games use physical action to keep kids engaged and entertained as Osmo sees and reacts to each live moment.
The Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night includes seven smart games that transform your kid’s tablet into a hands-on learning tool. Games like Number and Math Buzz will make learning a cinch, and spelling with games Words and Lettertopia fresh and fun. They also help kids hone essential skills like visual thinking though puzzle game Tangram, creative problem-solving with Newton, and self-expression, drawing and creating with Masterpiece.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork: two new multi-player family games have just been added! Build words and collect creatures as a team in over 40 levels of Lettertopia! Solve equations to get past bugs and collect all the honey in the garden, buzzing past 20 levels of Math Buzz.
Don’t miss the opportunity to make this their best year yet. Level up your tablet with Osmo for smart screen time. Now enjoy your time off, moms and dads!
Kids love to explore the world around them. They’re endlessly curious, and every experience is an opportunity for discovery and learning. Will it be easier to walk if I hold onto this couch? What will happen if I pull the cat’s tail? (Ouch!) Each new activity can teach kids something about their world, and that’s why learning and play go so well together—with a little imagination, almost everything is a chance to learn, and almost anything is an excuse to play.
At my company, Yoto, we’ve been inspired by the principals of Maria Montessori which are based largely on learning through independent decision-making, through tactile play, and by building relationships with our environments. In that spirit, here are some fun activities for your kids that they may not realize are also educational.
1. Sorting Activities: Sorting play is as simple as it sounds: it encourages kids to see or feel the differences in objects, and group them together based on similarities. This helps children engage critically with the world around them, and can be a fun way to introduce new concepts by hiding them within familiar activities. Try teaching younger kids about shapes and colors by having them sort similar objects into piles, baskets or buckets. Start with two categories, for example, a mix of yellow objects and blue objects, and have your little ones sort them based on color. Using some of their favorite toys can make this even more fun!
For older kids, sorting activities are a terrific gateway to math. Begin with the simple addition or subtraction of objects, and then increase the complexity by exploring division and multiplication: if 4 friends have 12 green marbles and 8 red marbles, how will we divide these equally so that each child has the same collection of marbles?
Sorting activities take many forms and are only limited by your imagination. You might explore objects that are hot and cold, big and small, solid and see-through, or rough and smooth. Your kids will enjoy the tactile nature of sorting play, particularly if they (like many kids these days) are spending a lot of time using screens.
2. Phonics Games: Phonics is the foundation for written and spoken language. They are primarily concerned with connecting written language with spoken sounds, but can also include rhythm, rhyme and identifying environmental sounds. This is crucial for developing reading skills, as well as giving kids more confidence in their own voice. With a little imagination, there’s tons of fun to be had with phonics!
Try playing “I Spy” using phonics instead of letters! For example, if your chosen subject is the family dog, you might say “I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with ‘Duh’. This is an easy game to play at home or in the car.
Why not adapt a classic game of hopscotch for some phonics fun? Draw out a hopscotch grid in chalk and label each square with a phonic syllable, for example: “Duh”, “Cuh”, “Buh”, “Mm”. Roll a die and have your kids hop that many squares, naming a word for each syllable as they go: “Dog”, “Cat”, “Boat”, “Mouse”. Alternatively, have them hop their way to one square and name as many words as they can for that square: “Cuh… Cat, cow, can, couch, call, cost.”
Phonics is a fun way to make reading fun for kids. You’ll be amazed at how much confidence kids will gain when they start sounding out the words in their favorite books.
3. Scavenger & Treasure Hunts: Everyone loves a good scavenger or treasure hunt, and many kids request these as fun activities on birthdays or at Easter. That makes them the perfect vehicle for teaching kids new things.
Older kids might be curious about science or nature—animals, dinosaurs or outer space make great subjects for a scavenger hunt! Hide a series of interesting facts around your house, backyard or local park, and have the kids follow a clue sheet to find them. Reward correct answers with a treat, a gold star, or with the next clue—maybe there’s a themed prize at the end of the hunt!
For younger kids, an alphabet scavenger hunt can help them relate letters to the objects in their daily lives. Give them an alphabet sheet and help them to find objects around your house and garden which begin with each letter: apple, bear, car, dress, etc. If they’re old enough, try having them write each of the words out at the end to practice their spelling. Scavenger hunts are a lot of fun, and can be structured however you like. Plus, they’re a great way to encourage kids to work together as a team.
4. Float or Sink: This is the perfect excuse to splash about in the backyard on a hot day! Fill a clear container with water—a bucket or jug is great, or a kiddie pool if you have one—and collect an assortment of different objects from around your home. Label two additional buckets “Float” and “Sink” respectively, and then the fun begins. Have your kids drop each item into the water to see if it floats or sinks, and then place each item into its respective bucket. Using tongs or tweezers can help develop your children’s fine motor skills. This is a great self-directed play, and your kids will love rushing about the house finding new objects to test. This summer, Float or Sink can get you and the little ones out of the house and into the backyard, or bring some educational fun to your bath time routine.