Children need a way to know their day is coming to an end (especially during Alaska summer months), and bedtime routines do just that. Research proves again and again that routines are helpful for getting longer, more peaceful sleep as well as the ability to self-soothe. The best bedtime routines include a story! Bedtime stories Read More
Ways to Develop Gross Motor Skills
It’s time to motor with your little one! For INFANTS Tummy Time VIDEO | 0-6 months Placing babies on the floor offers opportunities to stretch, look around, and practice movements such as rolling, reaching, wiggling, and scooting. Pull Up | 6-12 months Infants repeatedly practice trying to stand. At first, they will “drag” themselves to Read More
Books to Develop Gross Motor Skills
Play This Book by Jessica E. Young (Toddler, Preschool) This interactive book, great for fans of Press Here by Hervé Tullet, invites the readers to create music using only their hands. Your child can strum the guitar, slide the trombone, crash the cymbals, and more! No instruments required – just their imagination. Find it at the Library Read More
Tips to Develop Gross Motor Skills
Play + Coordinated whole body movements = Gross motor development (and fun) Classic games Jump rope, tag, hopscotch, four square, Simon Says, Mother May I, hide & seek, etc. Visit a playground Climbing ladders, going down slides, and pumping legs on the swings are all great ways to use large muscles Play ball Toss, Read More
Let’s Motor!
Gross motor sounds like a term that would be used by a mechanic, but it’s another part of your child’s developmental journey. Gross motor skills are linked to the coordination of large muscles like arms, legs, and torso. Learning to coordinate body movements is a struggle for young kids. Games and open play that encourage Read More
Ways to Explore Colors
*Make sure to check out our rainbow-themed Pinterest board for I Am a Rainbow by Dolly Parton. > Classic Games with a Colorful Twist (Source: The OT Toolbox) I Spy: Call out a color and kids can run to touch something that is that color. Add variations of movement by asking kids to skip, hop, Read More
Books to Explore Colors
Here are some fun titles to celebrate all the colors in your child’s life: The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson (Preschool) All the colors of the rainbow are hidden in the garden, but can the little bee find them with your help? Fans of Tap the Magic Tree will really enjoy this interactive book that Read More
Tips to Explore Colors
There are so many colorful ways to help your child recognize the colors all around them. Talk about colors over and over and over again! Never miss a chance to point out the colors around your child. Ask everyone about their favorite colors. Create new Alaska variations of colors that you see around you. Introduce Read More
Exploring Colors
Summer in Alaska is the perfect time to explore the unique colors all around us! After months of winter colors, it’s exciting to see vibrant flowers, bright kuspuks, new greens of growing plants, and all the blues of moving water. Generally, children begin to learn colors by about 18 months to 2 years. It may Read More
Songs to Add to Daily Routines
At last, it’s time to share some songs! But remember, you can always tap into your inner songwriter and make up your own too. 10 Songs that Add Rhyme to your Routine (Source: Reading Mama) Need the words to songs that are specifically about routines? This collection of 10 (not 20) starts with “Waking Up” Read More