How puppets can help with social skills

Puppets are a common device for playtime, and it's easy to see how children love to play together with puppets.  Puppets are also a great example of learning through play.  But what you might not realize is how helpful puppets can be in helping to teach children social skills, such as conflict resolution.

The use of puppets can also help with modeling good classroom behaviors, like asking a teacher for help.  This great article explains how these concepts are achieved, and how teachers prepare an effective and fun puppet show for your child.  Who knew puppets could be so beneficial?


Source: "Circle Time Puppets - Teaching Social Skills" Play and Children's Learning in the Classroom, NAEYC.org. Julia Luckenbill. Web.

The importance of play-based learning

A play-based learning environment may just be the best thing for your child's skills and academic success.  The creating, questioning, imitating, dreaming, and sharing are a child's first connections to the world that transcends book-learning and encourages the child to actively engage with people and ideas.  

This article explains so many of the key points of play-based learning and why it's beneficial for children, and it's definitely worth a read!

Source: "Want to get your kids into college?  Let them Play." CNN Opinion. Erika Christakis, Nicholas Christakis. Web. 29 Dec. 2009.

On-the-go conversation games

Since my kids were small, we've played a handful of games in the car on the way to work, school, and on errands.  It's amazing how fun they still are after several years!  These games are often a great way to get my children to converse with me, and for me to connect with them, so I don't feel like just a chauffeur!  Our favorites are "guess this character" and reading half of a road sign so they can guess the other half.  Here's another idea that's great for on-the-go fun that will have you and your child talking!  Thanks to Family Fun magazine for this idea.

Celebrate the first day of Summer!

What better time than now to have a summer picnic?  Imaging laying out in beautiful weather, relaxing with your loved ones, listening to music, and enjoying some delicious treats...now it's time to plan that picnic!

Here are some excellent ideas from food and drink recipes to storage, supplies, and travel blankets, courtesy of Parents.com.  Enjoy, and have a happy Summer!

  

  

Bathtime fun with cork boats!

We found this great craft idea that will have your child feeling like an admiral of the ocean sea!  These cork boats are easy to create and will be so much fun to play with.  Thanks to Kate's Creative Space for this fun craft.

Alison Gopnik: What do babies think?

We stumbled across a great discussion from Alison Gopnik about how babies think.  Alison Gopnik is a professor of psychology and affiliate professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkley.

Such a great presentation that every parent should see. Check it out!

Special thanks to TED for allowing our blog to share and get great discussion and thought going!

Music for Kids Summer Line-up

This is too good to pass up and who doesn't love free music! 

The Music Division and Austin Public Library have partnered to host Music for Kids. Music for Kids is a six-week summer concert series featuring local, live musical performances suited for kids and teen youth at library locations throughout Austin.

Performances are free and appropriate for the whole family. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Music for Kids Summer Line-up

Date	Musician	Time	Location
6/24/13	Lucas Miller	4 pm	Howson Branch
6/27/13	Neal Kassanoff	2 pm	Pleasant Hill Branch
6/28/13	Lucas Miller	2 pm	Terrazas Branch
6/28/13	Neal Kassanoff	2 pm	Faulk Central Branch
7/2/13	Lucas Miller	2 pm	Cepeda Branch
7/3/13	Gina Chavez	2 pm	Ruiz Branch
7/8/13	Gina Chavez	2 pm	Spicewood Springs Branch
7/9/13	Gina Chavez	4 pm	Twin Oaks Branch
7/10/13	Neal Kassanoff	2 pm	Windsor Park Branch
7/11/13	Neal Kassanoff	2 pm	Carver Branch
7/15/13	Neal Kassanoff	4 pm	Old Quarry Branch
7/16/13	Gina Chavez	2 pm	Southeast Austin Branch
7/17/13	Gina Chavez	2 pm	Little Walnut Branch
7/18/13	Neal Kassanoff	2 pm	University Hills Branch
7/24/13	Lucas Miller	2 pm	Hampton Branch at Oak Hill
7/24/13	Neal Kassanoff	4 pm	Manchaca Road Branch
7/25/13	Lucas Miller	4 pm	Milwood Branch