WHAT??!! The decline of picture books?

Check out this New York Times article that was referred to in the Cherry Preschool newsletter this month. 

It discusses how parents have decided to push their preschool and Kindergarten-age children into reading chapter books and e-books instead of sticking with the tried and true picture book.  Come on, folks!  Don't deny your  children the pleasure of the art and language of a picture book.  If your five year old can read chapter books, fantastic!  But, picture books still have a place and are just plain part of being a kid.

Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/us/08picture.html

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

I can remember when both my grandmothers had standing, weekly appointments at the beauty shop.  They'd go in, get coifed and be ready for the weekend.  My Grandma Rose even wrapped her hair in toilet paper before bed so it wouldn't get smooshed. 

Times have certainly changed.  We moms barely have time to put on mascara, let alone make sure all our hairs are in place.  But, this doesn't mean that your kids won't love playing beauty shop.  And, yes, I said kids - meaning girls AND boys.  I have witnessed many a boy getting pretty intense about shampoo and scissors.

A great way to start is by asking your child to think about all the things a beauty shop might need.  Make a list together (if your child can't read, write the word and draw a picture).  Some ideas might be: comb, brush, bows, rubber bands, hair dryer, scissors, curling iron, nail polish, toe separators, towel, hand mirror, squirt bottle, shampoo, dress-up wigs etc.  Next, either use a mirror that can be set on a table top or put a step stool for your child in front of the bathroom mirror. 

 Talk to your child about what happens at a beauty shop, such as hair washing, haircuts, styling, manicures, pedicures, making appointments and payments, etc.  Let your child decide what role they will try first, and try to help them stick to that role until the play is completed.  This will help with their sequencing skills in play by asking them to figure out what happens first, next and last at the beauty shop.  For example, your hair gets washed before the haircut and the styling comes last.

Have fun!  It's okay to ask for silly things like putting on all the bows or even some lovely, blue streaks in your hair.  As long as your child is being safe, let them experiment with your hair.  Don't let vanity get in the way!  However, I do need to give you this warning:

Unless you want an eye-popping, stranger-staring-at-you-in-the-street look, do not trust your child with actual scissors.  Even the best listeners can get carried away in the play when they have scissors in their hands.  Play scissors (you can find them with most play-doh sets) are a must for this play.

Some great vocabulary to use in this play: "Do you have an appointment?"  "Do you want it cut short or just a trim?"  "Is the water too hot?"  "Can I interest you in a beverage before we begin?"  "This is exactly what I wanted!"

Some books to read before or after you play "Beauty Shop:"

Now, go get pretty.

The Power of Empathy

Empathy is a pretty powerful thing and is essential for us to function responsibly in today's society.   Empathy is directly related to "theory of mind" which is the capacity to take on another person's perspective.  Without this theory of mind, we could never truly be empathic to another's plight.  Children don't have theory of mind until about 4 years of age, so we can't expect them to understand or relate to another child's or person's feelings until then.  Yet, we can definitely be empathic to our own children's experiences and feelings and also model empathy for them.  In fact, the ability of children to embody different characters in play is one of the first steps in developing theory of mind and empathy.

Just as I am pondering this concept and getting ready to give a presentation on empathy to some fellow teachers at UIC in January, I come across this article in the Chicago Tribune.  It discusses how today's teens are generally more tolerant of others, but less empathic.  Take a read and let me know your thoughts.  If this is true, we have some work to do as teachers and parents.

Most tolerant, but desensitized? Today's teens present a thorny contradiction.

It's not even Thanksgiving!

I know, I know... it's not even Thanksgiving.  But, I know that there are a ton of moms out there already freaking out about what to get their kids this holiday season.  And, if the moms aren't freaking out, they have already received a phone call from at least one relative freaking out and wanting some tips. 

So, I thought that I would do one post a week for the next month of so with some suggestions.  I play for a living and have very strong opinions about what toys are best.  Frankly, I get the best toys at garage sales, but since kids typically like to open new presents, here are some ideas. 

Just please, BEWARE: These toys do not have buttons or speakers and don't make noise.  I know, it's odd in these technologically advanced times to expect our children to use their imaginations to make their own sound effects and move their toys with their own volition.  But, I feel they are up for the challenge.

These toys are all best for kids ages 3 and up and are for symbolic and representational play... you know - it's what the kids call "pretending."

I love Melissa and Doug .  Their toys are fantastic simply because they are simple.  They are also organized into fantastic themes - like "birthday party" or "mailman."  The quality is exceptional and almost everything is either wooden or plush.   Here are some of my favorites:

Awesome castle, complete with a dragon. Plus, it folds up for travel and storage.

I love this barn. It looks great in any playroom and comes with just the right amount of farm animals. The only thing missing is the farmer.

Love this mailbox. It's sturdy and big enough to hold lots of letters and packages.

Here are my favorite play food sets. The cupcakes are especially cool because the set comes with dry erase markers to use like icing to decorate the cupcakes.

Have a child who loves aggressive play? I know quite a few. Helping channel that tenacity through play is a surefire way to keep your child emotionally healthy and regulated in his/her relationships. I have found that dinosaur and pirate play are excellent mediums for this.

Check out these dinosaurs. They are big so that when your child makes them stomp, it really feels like a dinosaur. I also like the additional volcano.

When it comes to pirates, Fisher Price has them covered with this fantastic set.

I also like this pirate set from Matchbox. You can use it in the bathtub and it comes with a hammerhead shark that actually swallows the pirates! You just pull them out of the shark's stomach to get them out. ARRRR!!

Also fun is this treasure chest complete with pirate booty.



I'll post some more ideas next week, but hopefully this will get you started on shopping and keep you out of the stores! I own or have personally played with each of these items, so if you have any questions or comments, let me know!

Don't be afraid of the mess

As parents, many of us tend to shy away from messy play.  I know I've had many moments of dread with my son when he's asked to get out the play-doh and moon sand or the worst of the worst... when I've heard the question, "Mommy, can we paint a picture?"

But, frankly, we just need to take a deep breath, get out some newspaper and dive in!

Messy play, or what many therapists and teachers out there call "sensory play" is an extremely important thing to explore when it comes to development.  It allows for another modality for your children to discover and find ways to express themselves.  It also isn't uncommon for children to be hesitant with messy play because they don't like to get dirty or the texture of the substance may turn them off.  It is for these children that messy play is most important.  You'll just handle their anxiety and/or aversion with sensitivity - introducing materials slowly, letting them start by just touching it with a spoon or even giving them some rubber gloves to wear while exploring.

So, today's activity is.... making "Goop."  I know.  It sounds disgusting, but don't be scared.  I have found and tried out a ton of recipes, and this is the easiest to clean-up.  All you need is some cornstarch and water.   You can add some food coloring, if you like.

Begin by putting a good amount of cornstarch in a bowl.  Let your child touch the cornstarch on its own - talk about what it feels like and predict how adding water will change how it feels.  Then, slowly add some water little by little.  At the right consistency, the "goop" will be drippy, but not watery.  Your child will be able to pick up a little ball of "goop" and watch it melt before her eyes.   If you don't mind the dye-factor, include your child's choice of color.

                                       

                                       

Encourage your child to become symbolic with the "goop."  In this play, Buzz Lightyear jumped in the pea soup.

Now, I know this looks like it will be a pain to clean up.  It really isn't.  When the mixture dries, it turns to powder that is easily wiped off clothing and swept up.  To get the toys and materials clean, just rinse and wash.  I would suggest not wearing black, only because, like all white powder on black, it doesn't entirely wipe off without a trace - you'll need to wash it out.

Enjoy your "goop!"

You always wanted to be a veterinarian when you grew up.

Whether those were your aspirations or not, you can't deny that most kids love pretending to help their poor, little pets get better.

My job as a developmental therapist often requires me to visits to preschools in the Chicagoland area.  One such preschool at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest, had a fantastic set-up to play what they called, "Pet Vet."  Many of their ideas can be readily reproduced in your home.  The teachers started by setting up the veterinary office first - before the children arrived - so that the kids could jump right into play with some structures already in place.  The office consisted of a dress-up corner complete with doctor smocks,  a table that held all the doctor tools, a table with an old Mac laptop, telephone and pads of paper, and a bin of animal puppets.  In my opinion, the best part of all of this was two clipboards that had pictures of a dog eye, ear, tail, etc. that the children could use to circle the part of their pet that was hurt, and then they could hand this to the "doctor" when it was their turn.  I made a reproduction here:

This sheet did wonders for the kids in the room.  Many children often love to play doctor, but don't yet have the skills or vocabulary to lengthen and expand the play beyond "my dog is hurt - listen to its heart - give it a shot - it's better."  A sheet likes this gives those children more ideas, more vocabulary and helped them organize these ideas and come up with a plan before entering the rigors of play.  I could go on and on about how it assisted children with language and learning difficulties, but more than anything, it helped those children stay engaged with their peers in symbolic play for longer periods of time. 

If you want to create something in your house similiar to First Presbyterian, don't feel like you have to set up every aspect of the vet office like they did.  You might just have one or two animals, some doctor tools, a phone and that handy dandy sheet.  I personally enjoy these doctor toys, but any will do...



I found some other ideas for props to include in Preschoolers at Play: Building language and literacy through dramatic play a book that is, of course, out of print by Alice Wiggins.  If you can make these happen, add them into your "Pet Vet" repertoire.  Your kids may like going on the hunt for some of these items in your bathroom.  Before you go, help your child think about what else you might need at a vet's office. Here is what Wiggins suggests:

Band-aids, cotton, dry pet food, q-tips, gloves, popsicle sticks for splints, blankets, overturned laundry baskets for cages, dog bones, leashes, money/credit cards, small flashlight, surgical mask

She also suggests modeling phrases for your child that will help with vocabulary acquisition.

"I will look into your dog's ears"  "He may need a vaccine."  "He sure is furry."  "I will take him out of his cage."  "Can you help me with my sick kitten?  She isn't feeling well."  "I am brushing her fur."

All right!  So, go play - right now!

If you would like me to email you my "Pet Vet" sheet please let me know.

For more information on the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Preschool, click here:

http://www.firstchurchlf.org/preschool/index.html          

The Post-Halloween Hangup

Any mom will tell you that the worst part of Halloween is all the left over candy just hanging around in your house. It not only calls to your children, but it also calls to us... "M&Ms are over here" "Almond Joy, anyone?" "Excuse me, but have you met Mike and Ike?"

If you are like me, you can't wait for the day when you can just toss it in the garbage and no one will notice. Actually, on second thought, that is a bit wasteful... so why not do what the mom in this article did and do some candy experiments with your kids? You not only can encourage their curiosity, but also get rid of the evil temptation of Halloween candy.

The experiments she discusses are primarily for older kids (like testing for acid in sour candy and doing chromatography), but younger children will love her ideas for mixing colors and melting candy in the microwave.

Click on the link below for the article.

http://mothering.com/parenting/candy-experiments