Heading out on a “hike” to North Park Nature Village, Botanical Garden, or Morton Arb (our favorite is to drive around and find all the trolls by parking and walking to them) Follow the leader outside or inside, stationary or on a path walking Touch a spot (touch 3 spots in your play area/ house and time each child to see if they can beat their own time) Mirror (stand facing another person and do everything they’re doing but as if you’re looking in a mirror) Take a Skip & Scoot class!! (Shameless plug!) =) Wheelbarrow (the younger the child, hold closer to the hips), bear cra ..read more

Fidget, potty, wiggle, snack, repeat. Why DO kids get so restless sometimes? Does it drive you absolutely bonkers, too, when your kids won’t sit still?! Lol. I can’t tell you how many parents have said to me, “Your classes would be SO great for my child. They really need to “get their wiggles out”! The good news is kids are usually not trying to drive us nuts-o with their squirming, and… …the truth behind the wiggling can be explained by science! Just like a lot of other things that kids do, the reason for all the wiggles and giggles can be traced back to science. My hope is that with more und ..read more

What happens to human bodies (esp kids) in the cold?  When we're out in the cold, our brain sends a message to the rest of our body to gather blood in our core/torso area. This happens in order to protect and keep our vital organs warm. While this is a great response (called thermoregulation if you find this stuff interesting like me), it also means that our extremities get less blood and oxygen. Our muscles will tire more easily and may feel more "stiff", and this is pronounced in children since they have less body fat and muscle mass, both insulators and heat producers. Additionally, wh ..read more

Our main goal at Skip & Scoot is to exercise kids' brains as well as bodies! We believe very strongly in the brain-body connection and are simply fascinated by the occurring relationship. Sequencing. Patterning. Repetition. As educators, parents, and caregivers, we hear these words often in relation to our children’s development. But, what do they actually mean and why should we care??? In short, young children need oodles of repetition (practice) in order to master a skill, whether it be physical, cognitive, or emotional. We may wonder sometimes, "why isn't my child grasping this concept ..read more

My mission with Skip & Scoot is to give my tiny participants the best classes/sessions possible by moving and exercising their bodies and minds. As they move, they are building neural pathways, and truly learning through play. When all the adults in the room support this mission, classes run more smoothly and are more effective and fun for everyone! But, sometimes it can feel awkward to physically assist a child if you haven’t been taught how to do it. Don’t worry! I’ve got you! Here are some tips for how best to facilitate physical learning for your babies, toddlers, and young children ..read more

I was at a crossroads in my life, living in San Diego, working at a non-profit called San Diego Center for Children, knowing I needed my next steps in life to materialize. I wasn’t entirely happy with life at present, and I knew I needed to make some big changes. But, what exactly? It was 2am, I couldn’t sleep, and I was digging deep, sitting with the silence, waiting impatiently for a bigger purpose to make itself known. And, it did. That night. I needed to work directly with children. At the time, Spring 2007, my title was Development Coordinator at the SDCC and I worked primarily to secure ..read more