A KINETIC COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS!

Getting kids up and moving is a great idea any time of the year. But with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there’s often less time for the active play kids need. And with the long days of waiting for that big day to come, it can leave kids anxious, antsy and, of course, sugar-rushed!

Through the month of December, we’re hosting A Kinetic Christmas… a move-to-learn countdown for little ones, from birth to 7 years. So let’s get moving…

ABOUT GILL:  Gill is the author of A Moving Child Is a Learning Child: How the Body Teaches the Brain to Think (Birth to Age 7). She is a globally recognized presenter and child development authority, specializing in the foundations of learning through movement and play. She provides developmental expertise to parents, preschools, schools, and companies such as Hasbro, Inc., based on her 30+ years in preschool and primary education. She is the national director and founder of Moving Smart, Ltd., based in Christchurch, New Zealand, offering resources, tools, trainings, and workshops (moving smart.co.nz)

Follow Gill on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |Google+ | Instagram | LinkedIn

CONTINUE READING IN THE PLAYROOM

The post A Kinetic Christmas with Moving Smart first appeared on BonBon Break.

What Cardboard Boxes Can Teach Kids

~:: Moving Smart ::~

ABOUT GILL: Founder of MOVING SMART Ltd, co-author of MOVING TO LEARN, and a teacher of teachers, parents, and young children, Gill is a child development expert with a unique focus on the role of movement and play in the natural process of children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. For more insights into why kids do what they do and what you can do about it, please read Gill’s Moving Smart Blog.

Follow Moving Smart on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest.

CONTINUE READING IN THE PLAYROOM

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The post What Cardboard Boxes Can Teach Kids by Moving Smart first appeared on BonBon Break.

When the Score Doesn’t  Matter

~:: Moving Smart ::~

Giving children a feel for sports at a young age can be a lot of fun and a great way to get them outside and moving their bodies. But there are drawbacks for preschoolers if the focus is on the sport and not the fun. Here are three simple things to watch out for when choosing a sports program for young children…

ABOUT GILL: Founder of MOVING SMART Ltd, co-author of MOVING TO LEARN, and a teacher of teachers, parents, and young children, Gill is a child development expert with a unique focus on the role of movement and play in the natural process of children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. For more insights into why kids do what they do and what you can do about it, please read Gill’s Moving Smart Blog.

Follow Moving Smart on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest.

CONTINUE READING IN THE FAMILY ROOM

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The post When the Score Doesn’t Matter by Moving Smart first appeared on BonBon Break.

The other day, a proud, loving, enthusiastic mom told me, “I like to let my child run around and burn off energy.”

Sigh.

You might be surprised to hear that this statement, well-intended though it may be, is a pet peeve of mine. In fact, I’m so peevish about it, I’ve decided to share a few thoughts on the matter.

To “burn off” means to “exhaust, deplete, waste, get rid of.” And, of course, when it comes to little ones, that usually means getting those ants out of their pants. Now, in my line of work I certainly understand antsy kids, and appreciate any parent wise enough to spot the signals and let their kids loose. But it’s the adult logic that bugs me…

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About Gill: Founder of MOVING SMART Ltd, co-author of MOVING TO LEARN, and a teacher of teachers, parents, and young children, Gill is a child development expert with a unique focus on the role of movement and play in the natural process of children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. For more insights into why kids do what they do and what you can do about it, please read Gill’s Moving Smart Blog.

Follow Moving Smart on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

HOW TO WORK WITH CARDBOARD ::: ikatbag

Cardboard is one of the most versatile crafting materials – it’s strong, it’s flexible, it doesn’t require fancy tools, it’s often free and when it falls apart, you can toss it back into the recycling bin! Start with a cardboard box or a flat sheet, a little imagination and some inspiration from the kids to create a toy that will give your little ones hours of open-ended play.

Read LiEr’s tips to working with cardboard and see more than 50 cardboard projects she’s made with and for her children.

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About LiEr: LiEr is a retired Physics teacher who now stays home with her three daughters, age 4, 5 and 7. She enjoys sewing and making things out of corrugated cardboard. She is married to a software engineer, whose sense of reality has saved her from attempting, and failing at, some very daft crafts. She learnt to sew from her mother, aunts, and grandmother, who was a tailor. She can’t remember where she’d learnt cardboard stuff.

Find her regularly on her blog ikatbag, sporadically on Twitter and far too often on Pinterest.

HOW TO VISIT ART MUSEUMS WITH KIDS ::: Mama Scout

Contrary to popular belief, having children does not mean you can not enjoy cultural activities anymore. This article offers five tips for visiting art museums with children that will make visits engaging and fun. With just a little forethought, parents can spend an afternoon taking in an art exhibit with their kids without fear of being kicked out of the museum!

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About Amy: Amy Bowers blogs at Mama Scout about big, creative family living. Featuring open ended projects, inspirational essays and resources, she aspires to give families the courage to create the life and adventures they want with their children. She is offering her first month long e-course, Mama Scout Lab in September.

You can connect with Amy on Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy, and Twitter.

The post Playroom August 27 2012 first appeared on BonBon Break.

He didn’t mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real, shabbiness doesn’t matter.”  ~The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams

My youngest daughter and I both share the same favourite storybook. The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams. I’ve loved it since I was a wee girl, and Coco feels the same. In fact, she cries every time it’s read to her. Seriously. Every time. When she asked me if she could have a Velveteen Rabbit party for her 7th birthday, I was over the moon! Oh, the possibilities!

Where do I even start? How about with the invitations?

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About Arlee: Arlee is an Early Childhood Educator, earning her degree at BYU Idaho. She run a government accredited care center in her home in Red Deer, AB. She studied with the New York Institute of Photography and she owns her own photography studio. Arlee is a mother of 6, an aspiring yogi, a lover of books, travel, good food and wine. She’s a blogger in her “spare time” and she will never say no to chocolate.

Follow Arlee on Facebook and Twitter.

SAFETY SAFARI ::: Moving Smart

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About Gill: Founder of MOVING SMART Ltd, co-author of MOVING TO LEARN, and a teacher of teachers, parents, and young children, Gill is a child development expert with a unique focus on the role of movement and play in the natural process of children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. For more insights into why kids do what they do and what you can do about it, please read Gill’s Moving Smart Blog.

Follow Moving Smart on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The post Playroom July 23 2012 first appeared on BonBon Break.