Outdoor Learning Activities For Kids With the arrival of spring and summer, outdoor learning activities for kids are a great way to teach the basics in an informal setting. From the alphabet and numbers to shapes and colors, the outdoors provides the perfect space for natural learning! Alphabet Our favorite outside activity to teach the alphabet comes from mom blogger, Fantastic Fun and Learning. In her Garden ABC Letter Hunt,  she places foam alphabet letters (available in the Teach My Toddler Learning Kit) throughout the garden. For extra value, try to place the correct letter next to a ..read more

Activities To Prepare For Kindergarten With kindergarten registration open across the country, parents often wonder how to chose activities to prepare for kindergarten. Kindergarten is an exciting time for kids but it is important to prepare them, so they can put their best foot forward. From social and emotional to academic skills, the list can be daunting. Although Pre-K learning standards vary from state to state, there are some common themes for the academic skills required in kindergarten. Pre-K standards can be broken down in two ways. As a parent, you can prepare your child with the bas ..read more

Indoor Learning Activities For Kids Encourage indoor learning activities for kids by creating little stations or circuits around the home or playroom. Maybe pack a lunch box with snacks to pretend you and your preschooler are ‘playing school’! Most of all, this indoor fun for kids can  prepare your preschooler for going to school. 5 Suggestions For Indoor Learning Activities For Kids: Books Create a separate space at your child’s level for picture books in your home. A mini library is a great station to encourage early reading and listening skills. Music Music is a super way to expand pre ..read more

The Importance of Parent and Child Play All work and no play! Not the best recipe for life. Busy schedules make it tricky when your little one says ‘Will you play with me?” Here are some key reasons to say yes to parent and child play. By taking the time for parent and child play, you are nurturing healthy development, a strong sense of self-esteem and confidence. Studies have shown that parent and child play can boost brain development and increase the parent-child bond. A recent MIT study found that back and forth exchanges during parent and child play boosts a child’s brain response to lang ..read more

Restaurant Games For Toddlers Waiting for your meal to arrive and trying to think up restaurant games for toddlers? Look no further! Here is a quick list of simple restaurant games for toddlers to keep them busy and distracted, while you wait for your food. Alphabet I Spy: One of the easiest and most educational restaurant games for toddlers! Turn the adult or kid’s menu into a game of I Spy. Try to pick out and find alphabet letters and numbers. Table Hide & Seek: Have your toddler shut their eyes. Using a napkin, hide an object on the table. Encourage your toddler to guess the object. T ..read more

How To Improve Vocabulary Are you wondering how to improve vocabulary in your kindergartener? A Michigan State University study says vocabulary in kindergarten classrooms is not challenging enough, therefore students are not prepared for long-term success. First of all, the MSU study looked at kindergarten classrooms across the USA  and as a result, found that Kindergarten teachers do not teach enough vocabulary words. Tanya Wright, MSU assistant professor of teacher education said “Vocabulary instruction does not seem to have an important enough place, given how substantial it ..read more

Different Learning Styles Children have different learning styles. It is useful to determine your child’s learning style, so you can meet their specific needs and address any issues. Studies have shown that accommodating different learning styles can significantly increase a child’s performance at school. Also, as a parent, you can play on your child’s strengths and help to improve the other learning styles. There are currently 7 different learning styles however, these 3 are most important for preschoolers: Physical: A physical learner may need to use blocks, an abacus, or other counting mat ..read more

Infant Activities Infant activities boost brain power and encourage social skills. Imitation is a simple way to interact with your baby and encourage brain development. For adults, imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery. For babies, it is a learning tool. First of all, according to Andrew Meltzoff, from the University of Washington Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. “Babies are exquisitely careful people-watchers, and they’re primed to learn from others.” Consequently, babies observe others and copy their body movements. This is how babies learn to hold a phone to their ..read more

Best Educational Toys You are here because you are looking for the best educational toys for your toddler. That’s a challenging thing to do, given the fact that babies and toddlers have certain needs that you should pay close attention to. As a parent, you need to be very careful when picking any item for little kids who have crucial needs. GUEST POST: Bestforthekids.com 1. ALEX Jr. My Busy Town Wooden Activity Cube My Busy Town This activity cube features five types of game that can stimulate your child’s mind: animal matching, ABC tiles, curvy bead mazes, racing car rollers, and peak-a-boo ..read more

Yoga Poses For Kids Yoga poses for kids are trendy however, also an important way to improve active learning. Physical education classes in schools has made yoga popular among children. It is a great way to encourage a healthy mind and body. Yoga poses for kids can enhance a healthy mind-body connection. By exercising the body and calming the mental spirit, kids can prepare for the fast-paced world we live in today. Studies have shown yoga can be an effective way to help children reduce stress, improve concentration, and manage emotions. According to Dr. Gurjeet Birdee of the Osher Center ..read more