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Friday, August 21, 2015
Tinkering Tots! 7 Ways That Play Helps Kids Grow into Thinkers and Inventors
When you consider the great thinkers and inventors of all time, who comes to mind? I think of philosophers like Plato and Ayn Rand and inventors like Marie Curie and Thomas Edison, but plenty of kid inventors also come to mind. Maybe one day, my own girls and your kids, too, will join the list of greats. There's no better time than childhood to hone their thinking and innovating skills, thanks to these fun play ideas.
Building Blocks
Blocks are a basic toy most kids enjoy. I know my girls like building houses, garages, and towers with large blocks and Legos. I've also noticed that in addition to having fun, my girls learn persistence, physics, how to break large tasks into manageable pieces, and patience when they play with blocks. Those lessons are all traits that thinkers and inventors have in common.
Playgrounds
On the playground, my curious kids are always looking for new and fun ways to use the equipment. The jungle gym helps them escape from zombies, and the slides transform into enemy castles they can conquer. Even playing with other kids helps my girls become more flexible in their thinking, and those creative, imaginative, and problem-solving skills shape their ability to think and invent.
Art
If you think art is useful to express creativity, you're right! I've watched my girls spend hours drawing pictures and choosing colors that move the image in their mind onto paper. By persevering until the project is complete, mixing colors to make new shades, and trying different media, art also becomes a wonderful way for kids to practice creativity and express themselves.
Role-Playing
I get so excited when my girls and their friends decide to put on a play. They write the script, set up the props, and dress their parts. Watching them work through the process reminds me of how role-playing builds thinkers and inventors. After all, it takes creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, and imagination to put on a play, invent new technology, or cure cancer!
Sports
Do you think of teamwork when you think of inventors? Orville and Wilbur Wright worked together to build the first in-flight airplane, and every great thinker needs a teacher. Our kids also need to learn teamwork and collaboration, which they can do when they play sports. Sports also teach kids to make decisions, be confident, and persevere as they train to become thinkers and inventors.
Modeling Clay
It's hard to imagine that one tiny ball of modeling clay can teach our kids so many valuable lessons, but I've watched it in action. In addition to helping my girls express themselves, clay play helps them hone their mechanical skills and learn to cooperate as a team. Even the acts of concentrating while following a pattern, restarting a project that didn't work right the first time, or waiting for clay to dry prepares our kids for their future.
Obstacle Course- and Fort-Building
Have you ever watched your kids try to build an obstacle course or fort? I know my girls spend more time building it than actually playing in it because they have to come up with just the right design and then figure out how to get all of the parts to fit together. Those engineering, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills all help our kids succeed in life.
Maybe our kids will grow up to become the great thinkers and inventors of their generation. Or maybe they'll become influential teachers, architects, politicians, or parents. No matter what the future holds, out kids need to play. It teaches them important skills that prepare them for their future. How will you encourage your tinkering tots today?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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9 Fun Ways for Kids to Keep Learning Over the Summer
Summer break may be your kids' favorite time of year, but typical students lose two months of math skills over the summer, according to the National Summer Learning Association. This season is also the time of the year when parents struggle the most to find productive and entertaining activities for kids. I think summer can be filled with learning opportunities, and they don't have to be boring or dry. Here are my favorite nine ways to help my girls actively learn as we have fun together.
Play Outside
Learning can happen in a structured classroom with a desk, paper, and pencil, but my girls won't learn that way this summer! They'll explore nature, engage in pretend play, and meet new friends at the park as they stay active mentally and physically.
Teach Your Kids to Cook
Yogurt-covered blueberries, garden salads with homemade croutons, and zucchini pizza are just three tasty recipes my kids will learn how to cook this summer. We'll also search our local farmers' market for other fresh and in-season fruits and vegetables. While the end result of our cooking sessions tastes yummy, my girls also exercise their brains as they read recipes, follow directions, and use safe cooking practices.
Go Stargazing
Armed with library books on astronomy and a small telescope, my girls and I will spend hours on clear summer nights searching the stars for constellations. Not only can we sit in our backyard for this fun activity, but I also appreciate that they're learning about astronomy, reading, and having fun.
Visit National Parks
With 59 national parks in the U.S., you're probably within driving distance of at least one. I know we are, so I'll turn the trip into an education for my kids by having them use library or online resources to plan the trip itinerary, learn more about a park's history, and find local wildlife and plants. My girls will also create a travel guide, journal, or scrapbook with their findings so that we can remember this fun and educational trip for a long time.
Start a Rock Collection
Your kids don't have to be geologists to enjoy collecting rocks. I know my girls simply gather pretty, textured, and unusual specimens while hiking, and they've found some cool ones at our local park or while walking around town. Then, they use books and online resources to identify their new collectibles. Your kids might enjoy this fun and educational summer activity, too.
Read
Whether your kids are avid or reluctant readers, get them to read this summer with a few literacy resources and tricks.
- Join the local library's reading challenge and earn prizes or other rewards.
- Race each other to see who can read the most books.
- Start a book club or book exchange with neighborhood kids.
- Blog book reviews.
- Read books together.
No matter which tricks you try, reading this summer is one of the best ways to engage your children's minds and keep them learning.
Make Homemade Bubbles
Of course, you could buy bubble solution at the store, but what fun is that? I prefer a homemade bubble solution my girls can mix themselves. Then, we use strings, empty milk cartons, cans, and other unique tools to blow bubbles all around the neighborhood.
Build Your Own Musical Instruments
Repurpose tissue boxes, paper towel tubes, and string into musical instruments as you ignite your kids' imaginations. I store different materials like these in a craft box and let my girls make guitars, maracas, and trumpets. Then, we turn on the music, dance, and play our instruments on rainy days or any day!
Plan a Family Activity Day
Instead of being the activity director every day, I give my kids a chance to plan a fun family day. With a budget, they can decide where we go and what we do. In addition to the trip, they practice budgeting, planning, and time management.
This summer, your kids can keep learning even though they're not in school. I personally like these nine activities and enjoy doing them with my girls. Which activity will your kids try first?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Smiles in Bloom: 7 Ways to Introduce Gardening to Your Kids
Are you a novice or experienced gardener? Gardening provides numerous physical and emotional benefits for your entire family. From grandparents to toddlers, everyone in your family can experience smiles in bloom while gardening, and here are my top seven ways to introduce your children to this fun and beneficial hobby.
1. Visit Community Gardens or Farms to Spark Ideas
During a field trip to a local community garden or farm, your kids can learn more about which plants grow in your area, how to lay out a typical garden, and which jobs must be done to keep a garden healthy. These lessons spark creativity and help your kids think about what your family garden might look like.
2. Start Small Window Sill Containers
Whether you live in an apartment or wish to start small, consider growing a few herb containers on your kitchen window sill. Your kids can pick out herbs like mint and basil that they enjoy eating or ones like lemon balm and lavender that feature an appealing aroma. As your kids choose, plant, and water your small and manageable container garden, they see plant growth in action on a manageable scale.
3. Assign Individual Plots
Instead of one big garden that everyone works on together, section off your plot into individual areas. Smaller plots are more manageable and fun for your entire family, since each person can choose what to plant and the take responsibility for nurturing their section.
4. Provide the Right Tools
Any task is easier with the right tools, don't you agree? Your kids can safely dig in the dirt, pull weeds, and water plants with tools that are easy for them to handle. I suggest you pile in the car and drive to the gardening center where your kids can hold and carry different-sized tools. Once you're home, teach your children how to use those tools properly to ensure safety and fun.
5. Grow Interesting Plants
Think about all the plants you could choose to grow in your garden. Which ones would appeal the most to your children? Would they like to touch wooly lamb's ears, taste juicy tomatoes, or hear corn rustle in the wind? Maybe bright sunflowers or a fun green bean trellis would capture their attention. By choosing fun plants, you set up your family's garden for success.
6. Assign Chores to Everyone
Most likely, you have one or two kids who aren't very interested in the garden. Get them involved in your new adventure by assigning gardening chores to everyone. Take turns each week watering, weeding and checking for new growth. With age-appropriate chores, all your kids can discover the joy and rewards that come with nurturing the family garden.
7. Start a Small Compost Container
My girls love adding our kitchen scraps, yard waste, and newspaper to our compost bin because they know those items become garden vitamins. Your kids might enjoy composting, too, especially when they see that nutrient-rich material improve plant growth and quality. Use guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency to teach your kids how to start a home compost container and what to put into it.
Introducing your kids to gardening opens up a world of wonder for them, not to mention the delicious produce and beautiful flowers a garden produces. You'll enjoy seeing smiles in bloom when you introduce your kids to gardening with seven easy steps.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Get Out and Play! 9 Ways to Celebrate National Park and Recreation Month
Do you know what month it is? It's National Park and Recreation Month! Whether you head to the park down the street or drive to a park across the country, now's the perfect time to get out and play. I'm excited to celebrate, and here are some fun ways you can celebrate this special month, too.
Promote the Event
National Park and Recreation Month is too important to keep to yourself! From posters to Pinterest, engage your community with promotional tools from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). I know I'll be hanging posters in my neighborhood and sharing activity suggestions on social media.
Try Geocaching
Have you always wanted to go on a real scavenger hunt? Now you can when you go geocaching! Register online, grab your GPS, and find treasures hidden around the park.
Go for a Hike
There's no better way to enjoy National Park and Recreation Month than by simply going to a park and hiking with your family, friends, and pets! Whether you enjoy a familiar trail or find a new one like my girls and I will do, get out there and appreciate nature.
Plan a Picnic at the Park
Pack a lunch and picnic essentials, invite your family, and enjoy a picnic in the nearest park. My girls and I will sit on a blanket in the grass near the play area, but you could challenge your family by hiking to a scenic picnic location before eating your yummy lunch.
Organize a Giant Capture the Flag Game
Remember playing Capture the Flag during elementary-school gym class? This month, dust off your skills, invite everyone you know, and gather in your local park to play this lively game. It can span the entire park and keep you entertained all day.
Participate in the NRPA Throwback Thursday Instagram Video Challenge
What were you doing in 1985? Get ready to bring back your big hairdo and aerobic dance moves as you celebrate the 30th anniversary of National Park and Recreation Month. Join the Throwback Thursday Instagram Video Challenge with your family and friends and have a fun time raising awareness for your local parks!
Clean Up a Park
Litter harms critters and groundwater. It's ugly, too. My girls and I will spend time this month picking up litter and making our neighborhood park a cleaner place for everyone to enjoy. Will you join us by cleaning up your local park?
Go on a Natural Scavenger Hunt
How many local birds, plants, stones, trees, animals, and other natural items can you find in 30 minutes? Find out when you go on a natural scavenger hunt in your local park. Create a list of items and divide into teams or challenge individuals as you explore the park and have fun in nature.
Check Out Local Events
I love celebrating special occasions with my community, and this month is no exception. I'll use the NRPA's website and search my local community's websites, social media, and other resources to find celebratory events in my neighborhood. Join your neighbors, too, as you check out local events.
In case you've missed it, I'm excited to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. I invite you to join me and invite your family and friends to get out and play in our local parks and recreational areas. How will you have fun and play outdoors this month?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Sing and Swing: 10 Benefits of Music and Movement for Kids
May 23rd is International Jazz Day! Jazz is playful and spontaneous, fueled by emotions and freedom of self-expression. Come to think of it, playtime is a lot like jazz! During play, kids are exploring thoughts and feelings. They learn to improvise and work with the resources at hand. Music as a whole offers a vibrant score of benefits for children. Let's have a listen:
1. Improve Memory
Music stimulates the brain, prepping it to absorb learning and memories. LifeSounds Educational Services founder Chris Brewer states that "students of all ages - that includes adults - generally find that music helps them focus more clearly on the task at hand and puts them in a better mood for learning." Not only that, children can build stronger, more retentive minds by learning instrument notes and dance steps.
2. Higher Academic Achievement
Research shows that music lessons boost children's academic performance. Some of the world's most creative, thriving individuals are trained in an instrument. There are multiple layers to the connection between achievement and music. Learning scales, rhythms, and beats provide building blocks for understanding mathematics. Plucking guitar strings, playing drums, pounding piano keys, and twirling joyously all help refine motor skills. Music also hones listening skills and the ability to connect abstract ideas. Just hearing music enriches the learning environment and improves neural function.
3. Fun and Natural Socialization
My girls love to dance! They swing dance together, they dance with me, and they dance with friends. It's a natural and exciting form of expression that gains momentum in groups. Music or movement classes encourage kids to communicate freely and learn together. Not only does it create a common interest, kids can enjoy a sense of progress as a team as they master a dance sequence or blend music together harmoniously. It's just plain fun - and fun invites friendship!
4. Build Confidence
Kids feel proud when they nail a routine or a tricky song, and that pride fuels their excitement to keep learning, keep practicing, and keep playing. Additionally, I appreciate how music and movement teaches kids to accept feedback, respond to constructive criticism, and let go of perfectionism. The special talent becomes a valued part of their identity that will evolve with them.
5. Enjoy Joyful Exercise!
Dancing is a workout, no doubt about it! Since physical activity is essential for happy, healthy kids, dancing is just perfect! It unites joy and movement, creating a positive correlation that will hopefully last throughout life. Dancing improves flexibility, motor skills, and cardiovascular strength. Plus, the variety of styles and steps can help create balanced growth for kids.
6. Express Yourself
Music is both an empowering and comforting way for children to express themselves. There is endless freeedom in movement and song. Kids can channel their creative whims through the musical skills they develop. Children love to make noise and be heard; music is a fantastic conduit for that spontaneous energy!
7. Release Pent-up Emotions
As adults, we are aware of how toxic supressed emotions can be. Through playing an instrument or dancing, children can discover safe, healthy ways to work through feelings and relieve stress. They can transform confusing thoughts into something audible and tangible. In fact, when infants are exposed to the singsong voice of their parents, it helps develop innate knowledge of emotions early on. Hans Christian Andersen once said "where words fail, music speaks."
8. Foster Creativity
Creativity is the very essence of music and dancing! Activities that invite free expression within a mentally stimulating framework sparks children's creativity. As they commit songs to memory, kids will build up the courage to try improvisation and spinning their own tunes. Billy Holiday once said, "I never sing a song the same way twice."
9. Acquire Work Ethic, Discipline, and Patience
Musical training of any kind requires discipline and commitment. Combine that with passion and joy, and your kids will be playing the tune of success! Consider the exquisite artistry of ballet, the intense rhythms of drumming, and the delicate precision of playing the violin. Even if your kids are just having fun and trying new things, they are still tapping into the wonderful, enriching world of music.
10. Learn About Other Cultures
"Music is the universal language of mankind." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Every culture across the word shares a strong, dazzling thread - music! Children can explore the culturally lush landscape by listening to music of all kinds. Through participation, they will gain appreciation and respect for the global variety of self-expression. This can help your children become open-minded, adaptable individuals.
I hope this post has inspired you to introduce your kids to the brain-building, expressive world of music! Do your children participate in music? We would absolutely love to hear about it!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Monday, July 13, 2015
10 Ways to Nourish Healthy Eating Habits in Your Kids
Do your kids eat enough fruits and vegetables? Studies show that up to 40 percent of the calories kids consume each day come from sugars and solid fats like those found in soda, desserts, and pizza. Our kids need a healthier diet to support their growing brains and bodies, and these tips can help you nurture healthy eating habits in your kids.
Stop Storing Junk Food in the House
When your kids are hungry, they'll look around and eat the first thing they see. That's why I stockpile fruits on the kitchen counter and veggies in the fridge. By eliminating all junk foods from our home, my kids only have healthy snack and meal options.
Make One Dinner for Everyone
I know plenty of parents who serve as short-order cooks because they're tired of hearing their kids whine about dinner. Pennsylvania State University nutrition scientists report, though, that kids need to be exposed to a new food 10 to 15 times before they are willing to eat it. I suggest you prepare and serve one nutritious meal for the whole family. By exposing your kids to healthy foods, you give them the nutrition they need.
Hide Veggies in Foods
Pumping veggies into your kids' daily diet is easy when you use a few sneaky tricks. My favorites are stuffing meatloaf with carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers, and pureeing cauliflower into my mashed potatoes and pasta sauce. You, too, can look for unique ways to sneak veggies into the foods your kids love.
Use Natural Sweetener
A sprinkle of a natural sweetener like honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup makes everything from carrots to apples more appealing. Since natural sweeteners can also contribute to tooth decay and other health problems, use this sweet trick sparingly.
Use Fruit as Dessert
Who says cake and cookies are the only dessert options? Serve chilled fruit salad or frozen berries as sweet endings to your meals.
Take Your Kids to the Farmers' Market
Every week, my kids and I trek to our local farmers' market, where we've found everything from mangoes and avocados to passion fruit and rhubarb. The kids are usually more likely to eat healthy foods when they pick them out themselves.
Cook Together
Cooking together is one of my favorite ways to get my kids to eat healthier. After washing, chopping, and cooking a veggie or fruit dish, my kids are more likely to try their creation, and we've had fun, which means we all win.
Experiment With Healthy Dips
My girls love eating veggies with dips like hummus, salsa, and ranch dressing. Your kids might, too, especially when they get to choose the dips they eat. Enlist your kids' help in finding and making dip recipes for your next snack or meal time.
Carry Veggies to the Car
My kids are always hungry as we run errands, so I've started packing grapes, carrots, and apples. As soon as I get home from the grocery store, I package fruits and veggies into smaller plastic bags or storage containers that are easy to grab as I run out the door.
Be a Good Role Model
Just like with everything else, kids will imitate bad eating habits. They'll also imitate good habits, so we parents should do our best to model the healthy eating habits we want our kids to adapt.
If you're concerned like I am about the foods our kids eat, take action today. Implement one or all of these 10 tips into your daily routine as you nourish healthy eating habits in your kids. Bon appétit!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Thursday, June 18, 2015
Papa Play Awards: 5 Twitter Dads Who Are Awesome Advocates for Play!
What is your father like? My dad is compassionate, hilarious, and playful! I owe a lot of my enthusiasm for life to him. With Father's Day approaching, I wanted to take the time to honor fathers who deliver joy to children across the globe through the power of play. I actively follow these Twitter dads who each offer a unique perspective on fatherhood, parenting, and play. I learn so much from them, and I am certain you will too!
1. James Siegal
While he advocates for everything from bike-friendly lanes to equal access playgrounds, James Siegal also serves as the president of KaBOOM!, a non-profit play advocacy group. He's also a dad. No matter how busy he is, he is devoted to his mission of creating communities that are bursting with playability. With KaBOOM!, he builds playgrounds and "integrates play into routine spaces like sidewalks and bus stops".
2. Mike Johnson
In 2008, Mike Johnson established a fun and functional website to help dads find a happy, healthy work-life balance. His goal is to help fellow fathers work smarter so that they can dedicate as much wholesome time to their children as possible. Such a wonderful idea! Playground Dad provides tech, events, stories, advice, and inspiration so that fathers can live by the motto, "make sure we're not just showing up, but we're spending better time." Browse the website and follow Mike's twitter feed for motivation, laughs, and heartwarming tales of family time well-spent!
Daycare is far more than just a "mom" thing. At Dad Adventure Day Care, play is the foundation for success. This fun, adventurous father understands just how vital play is to a child's growth and wellbeing. Through his empowering and knowledgeable tweets about childhood, Mike serves as an active role model for children. Plus, he shares tons of joyful, smile-sparking pictures of kids at play!
4. Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a champion advocate for providing more play opportunities in public spaces. He is spearheading the civic movement known as "PlayGroundology". On his blog, he explores many compelling topics, such as the value of healthy risk during play, the need for freedom to roam outdoors, and playgrounds around the world. I love spending time there; it is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration! His tweeter feed is also bursting with creative ideas and insightful articles. If you want to be delighted and inspired, check out his vast collection of playground pictures from all over!
In 1995, Darrell Hammond read a story in The Washington Post about two children who suffocated while playing in an abandoned car because there was nowhere else to play. This tragedy compelled him to create KaBOOM! with his friend Dawn Hutchinson. His mission was to address the need for safe, accessible playgrounds for children everywhere. KaBOOM! has informed me that they have "built, opened, or improved nearly 16,300 playgrounds" and announced 241 playful cities for 2015! This is so outstanding. Their efforts have enhanced the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of countless kids. Please consider donating!
As we celebrate Father's Day this month, let's honor the dads and father figures who help make the world a more vibrant, enriching, and playful place! What fun memories do you have with your dad?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Moms, Assemble! 9 Ways That Moms Are Just Like The Avengers
As a mom, do you ever feel like you're being threatened into extinction by evil forces like "What's for dinner?" or a dozen after school activities? Don't worry, you got this! I've got some fantastic news: You are more mighty than the Avengers! While you may not be superhuman, you are fueled by the most supreme power source in the universe: LOVE! Here is how you match up to each Avenger:
Captain America
Just like Captain America, you have leadership and tactical skills that help you plan, juggle, and navigate a million different things and get everybody where they need to go. And don't forget: you're like a protective and impenetrable shield. Nothing harmful, including germs, cyberbullies, or the bogeyman, can get close to your kids. Plus, your motherly love is capable of rallying your family's spirit no matter the obstacle!
Iron Man
Whether you're dressed sharp in a tailored pantsuit or easygoing in yoga pants, you're equipped to make things happen. Instead of an Arc Reactor palladium core, you are sustained by the most fearsome and everlasting source: a mother's heart! Your dedication and resourcefulness help you neutralize hungry tummies, sleepless nights, and last minute science fair projects. Plus, it takes a brilliant scientist like yourself to concoct the perfect formula of foods to suit your child's picky taste!
Thor
The mighty Asgardian god Thor has his trusty hammer Mjolnir to wreak havoc on wrongdoers. In our corner, we've got willpower. This willpower pushes us through the trenches of exhaustion and the perils of the school pick-up line. We may sometimes feel powerless against the coffee-jolted whirlwind that is parenthood, and that's okay. We know that despite the dizzy fatigue and gross substances, raising a child is more dazzling than Bifröst.
Hulk
I know you don't like to admit it, but parents sometimes have to get loud like Hulk to be heard, especially when it comes to providing for your kids, protecting your darlings, or righting an injustice. Remember this superhero the next time you have to disagree with a childcare provider, address an unbalanced policy at school, or convince your kids to clean up their toys. While you'll never turn green, you sometimes need to call on your inner Hulk when you face a problem that requires a hard fix, and that's okay!
Hawkeye
"Clint" Barton was raised in a circus, and as parents, we can almost imagine what that was like. What Hawkeye lacks in superhuman strength, he makes up in sharp thinking and inventiveness. Whatever the situation, you are on target. You dip and duck through appointments, deadlines, and dinner plans. With items from your quiver (AKA purse), you can fix any boo-boo, conquer evil spills, and repair broken toys.
Black Widow
Black Widow is the epitome of athleticism, craftiness, and subterfuge. Moms exhibit these traits as they deftly navigate minefields of toys and deliver clutter to its rightful place. With sharp tactical prowess, moms manage to serve dinner, crunch numbers, write theses, juggle deadlines, and tuck kiddos into bed all in the same night. Just like Black Widow reacts flawlessly to exploding environments, you respond to split-second schedule changes with ease thanks to your gifted intellect.
Which Avenger do you most identify with? As a mom, you're a little bit like all of them. So take a minute today, breathe deeply, and remember you've got this! Of course, nobody expects moms to be able to do it all. We're only human, after all! But we have kiddos that we love, and that is the mightiest superpower of all.
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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The ABCs of Why Play Matters!
Play offers far more than just fun and games. It is an essential ingredient to a child's physical, emotional, and social development! When kids play, they are exploring natural sources of self-expression, creativity, and learning. So, let's celebrate play using the basic building blocks of education - our ABCs!
A - "Almost all creativity involves purposeful play." - Abraham Maslow
B - Bouncing, jumping, swinging, dancing, sliding, hopping, running! Play is fundamental to gross motor development in children. The more kids move, the more they will understand their bodies.
C - "Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn." - O. Fred Donaldson
D - "Deep meaning lies often in childish play." - Johann Friedrich von Schille
E - "Each of us is of infinite value. Focusing one's whole life on responsibilities, without taking time for self-renewal and play, abandons the joy and the true value of life." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie
F - "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." - Khalil Gibran
G - "Go and play. Run around. Build something. Break something. Climb a tree. Get dirty. Get in some trouble. Have some fun." - Gerald Brom
H - "Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant…. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success." - Louisa May Alcott
I - "It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self." - D.W. Winnicott
J - "Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game." - Michael Jordan
K - Kids need at least one hour of physical exercise each day to fortify their physical health, jump-start their creative problem-solving skills, and prep their brains for absorbing educational material. Playgrounds and sports are a fun way for kids to partake in motion.
L - "Life is more fun if you play games." - Roald Dahl
M - "My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is." - Ron Olson
N - "Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father." - Roger von Oech
O - Open-mindedness begins on the playground. Play creates a safe, natural environment where kids can engage with others, share ideas, explore a variety of cultures, and find their own voice.
P - "Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste good." - Lucia Capocchione
Q - Quality time spent playing with family and friends creates memories and builds bonds that last a lifetime. As Plato once said, "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation."
R - Recognize that "humans are social animals, designed to move, built to live and love nature, to grow and mature by doing." - Dr. Matthew Edlund
S - Sensory play invites children to discover the world through their five senses. Both children and adults retain the most information when the senses are engaged. They are direct pathways to the brain, creating more vivid and easily summoned memories. What does the smell of fresh grass remind you of?
T - "The debt we owe to the play of the imagination is incalculable." - Carl Jung
U - Understand the cognitive, social, and academic benefits of play, as you add one or more fun activities into your daily routine.
V - Variety is the spice of life! Kids can play alone or in groups, outdoors or indoors, on the playground or deep in the woods. There are endless kinds of toys and crafts to investigate. Each one of these play opportunities has unique benefits.
W - "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
X - Xylophones are awesome! Playing music "ignites all areas of child development: intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy". Music and dancing create fluid connections between the body and mind. They also provide a means of self-expression for kids!
Y - You should play too! Adults need to play too; it keeps the mind supple, the heart open, and the imagination thriving. What are your hobbies and playful activities of choice?
Z - Zest! Play adds spontaneity and zest to life. Many mundane daily activities such laundry, cleaning, and cooking can be energized when you turn them into games.
We hope you enjoy this playful alphabet of reasons why play matters! What reasons for each letter can you think of? How about the first letter of your name? Sounds like a fun game!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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Friday, May 29, 2015
9 Small Ways to Build Big Health for the Whole Family
How much money would you have in a year if you saved all of your coins? Maybe you could afford a family getaway, your child's braces, or new home carpeting. That's because small changes can yield big results over time. The same principle holds true for your family's health. I found nine small changes that help my entire family achieve big health results, and they can help your family grow healthier, too.
Cut Out Soda
One can of soda can contain as many as 189 calories and eight to 10 teaspoons of sugar. You'll see a difference in your waistline, energy, and mood when you switch to seltzer, 100 percent juice, and flavored water.
Join a Family Fitness Program
Almost half of exercise program participants quit in the first six months, reports University of Illinois professor Edward McAuley. Stick with regular exercise as a family when you join a family fitness program at the YMCA, train for a local 5K race, or play in a co-ed sports league.
Bike or Walk Instead of Drive
Weekly errands are an essential part of life. However, have you ever left your car at home and biked or walked to at least one errand a week? This one substitution is good for your body, and the environment will thank you, too.
Eat More Veggies and Fruits
Can I tell you a secret? I add shredded carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms to meatloaf, tacos, and spaghetti. My kids don't notice the extra veggies, but I know they're getting the vitamins and minerals they need. You, too, can add veggies to your meals, offer fruit for dessert, and serve salad every night as you boost your family's health.
Prioritize Breakfast
My kids and I used to rush out the door without eating breakfast and then wonder why we were struggling mentally, physically, and emotionally all morning. Once I resolved to eat a fiber-rich and protein-packed breakfast like whole-grain cereal topped with Greek yogurt or scrambled egg burritos with a side of fresh fruit, we noticed improved concentration, less mid-morning snacking, and more energy all day.
Find Local Parks and Trails
If your kids are like mine, they'll have so much fun playing at a local park or hiking a local trail that they won't realize that they're also exercising. You'll have fun, too, as you enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and time together.
Engage in Active TV Watching
Watching TV shows together is a treat for our family, but research shows that a sedentary lifestyle could increase heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and depression. Stand up and dance, dust, vacuum, or run laps around the house during commercial breaks or set a timer and stretch every 15 minutes as your family engages in active TV watching.
Start a Family Garden
My kids love digging in the dirt, which is partially why we started a family garden. Don't tell them, but our garden is also a source of hard labor. Together, we're building strong bodies as we nurture fresh, healthy, and delicious produce.
Sleep More
Adequate sleep improves alertness, memory, and moods. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, teens need nine hours of nightly sleep, and adults need seven to eight hours. Going to bed 15 minutes earlier every night, planning a relaxing bedtime routine, and maintaining the same bedtime even on weekends can help your family receive adequate rest.
Making big health changes is challenging, so try nine small changes instead. They revolutionize your health in a big way and are easy and fun to do. Which one will you start today?
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
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