Whimsical Ways

Friday, June 12, 2015

Toddlers & Language Development

Roo is almost 2 years old and her language is flourishing right now. It's amazing.

Yesterday, we sat on the front porch swing with a toy catalog. She pointed to and named all the animals that she could. If she didn't know it, I would volunteer the word. She repeated it.

This simply act is building her vocabulary and strengthening her language skills.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

New Project Part 1

I have felt...lead. Lead is the best word I can think of to describe it. I have felt lead for some time now to make some playscapes for our local children's hospital.

I Have been blessed to never have to have my children be a patient there, but I have a dear friend whose son has been in and out of the hospital since he was born - even received a new heart.

If you have read this blog much, you know that I am a nanny and was a preschool teacher before that. I have taught Sunday school and VBS since I was 12 years old. I am a mom to two now 17 and 20 year old beautiful, funny, kind daughters. And I am Auntie Mel to my 3 nephews and 3 nieces.

Children are a BIG part of my life.

My friend Brooke said, I think your playscapes would be perfect for children's hospital. If the child can't get out of bed, they can still play with the play mats on their table tray.

I am not sure if it is God leading me or something else. But I was recently in church and the preacher said, take care of the orphans and widows. And I thought, he is talking to ME.

So, I am starting my project. I am making playscape minis and mapping out how to get the most out of the fabric by strategically laying out patterns to maximize my value.

My vision is fun, whimsical, colorful Playscape minis with little animals - maybe 3 or 4 - for the kiddos to play and imagine. Recently, Joann had Safari Ltd toobs on clearance, so I scooped up a few. (and by a few, I mean a lot!) I will keep you posted.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

How Do You Play?

I love watching children play. Their imaginations are almost tangible. They give different voices and storylines to each character. I have found that kiddos don't care if it's animals, people, Carebears all mixed together. They just play. G recently made up a story about a dragon and family of hedgehogs - two things that typically aren't associated together. But in her imagination it worked. And, when I heard her story, I was like...of course a dragon would live with a hedgehog family! I love that about children's imaginations.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Week in Pictures

Yes, we did in fact paint sticks this week. G has a huge collection of sticks. We decided to paint a couple then turn them into musical instruments.

Last week, puffy painting was a big hit. So we had to pick up new colors!

The pet shop is right beside Joann, so of course we HAD to stop in and see the mice!

Too hot to go outside, so we brought the bubble table inside for lots of clean fun.

Have a fun and playful day
mel

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Passing your Childhood Memories on to your Children

When I was a kid, I had a small collection of unicorns. I had a very vivid imagination and thought that unicorns and Smurfs live in the woods behind my house. I would go exploring, hoping to catch a glimpse of these magical creatures.
Now, I have passed on my love of unicorns quite accidently to my nanny girls. I picked up several what I thought was random books. Each one had a unicorn in them! I totally didn't mean to. Honest.
Now, the girls play with small Safari Ltd or Schleich unicorns, draw pictures of unicorns, and make up stories about helping unicorns.
A dear friend of mine, Dani is a young mother. She has passed on her love of Barbies to her daughter. I love that she posts pictures of the two of them playing with Barbies - some new Barbies right beside Dani's old ones from her childhood.
My daughter became obsessed with Smurfs after she found a box of my Smurfs in the basement of my parents' house. They were a little scuffed up, but she loved them. Then, she used her birthday money to buy new ones.
What toys from your Childhood did you introduce to your child?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel