Tummy Time

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep and their tummies to play as part of a daily routine. This helps develop the muscles in their back, neck and core on their way to meeting all their infant development milestones." 
Yes, ladies and gentleman, this girl is down for the count!  Five minutes of exhaustive "tummy time" and it's time for a snooze. Feisty little Katie will be back on her tummy for Round Two just after she wakes up, eats, has her diaper changed and takes the dog for a walk.  Ain't life grand!
Working hard at play,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
Share your "tummy time" experiences with your little ones!
Related Articles:
Five Essential Tummy Time Moves/Great Video To Watch!
Going With His Gut
Tummy Time Tools
Tummy Time Research

Playing Dress-Up

"Believe it or not, dress-up play is vital to a child’s development. According to licensed child psychologist Dr. Laurie Zelinger, “It fosters the imaginative processes, and allows for play without rules or script. Dress up allows for experimentation, role play and fantasy. "
...With hats on and Jude's imagination in full gear, Jude and his pal Woody,  just spent the last half hour running, jumping and zooming 'to infinity and beyond!' I must say that the dog and I were a little sad we weren't invited in on the fun, but then again, we did forget our hats!
P.S. What types of things do you offer your grandkids to encourage pretend play?
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
Related Articles:
How Playing Dress-Up Shapes Your Child
Why Kids Love To Play Dress-Up

Problem Solving

Going through a dog door is no easy task, as I learned watching Jude deal with the problem.  His first decision was to assess the height and width of the opening from the outside.  Once he convinced himself that he could fit, he proceeded to push his way in, with no hands, of course.  Looking back at his accomplishment gave him great satisfaction, and that I believe is why he had to try it ten more times!  Poor dog, had to wait his turn!
"Nothing can take the place of persistence." (Calvin Coolidge)
"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with my problems longer." (Albert Einstein)
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do your grandchildren deal with their problems?
Related Article:
Problem Solving In Action 

Toddlers Learn How To Wash Their Hands

Hands dirty?  Too busy playing to wash up?  Do like Jude does!  Locate a dog near you, hold out your hands, and let the cleansing begin!  This takes but a minute, especially if the residue on your fingers and palms are made up of cheesy poof crumbs. The tastier your mess, the faster the clean-up.  Take it from Jude, it's a time saver!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  What shortcuts have your grandchildren taught you?
Related Article and Video:
Is A Dog's Tongue Cleaner Than A Humans?
How Do Toddlers Learn To Wash Their Hands (video)

Understanding Baby Talk

Jude and his friends were snacking at the park on this fine day, when along came a hungry passer-by. The grown-ups tried to figure out the gibberish that was spoken between them.  We think it went something like this: 

Boy:  Bgdiili! Blii! Hebb diididi gre!
(Translation: Quick!  Sit!  The girls are watching!)

Dog: Bark, bark bark! (Translation: I'll be sitting, as long as you keep the treats coming!)

1st Girl: Hak ligl! Hmm! (Translation:  Big deal! I could do that!)

2nd Girl: Bla! Pdi ke! (Translation: No you couldn't!  You hate dogs!)

1st Girl: Dile Fe fen dd? (Translation: Do you think he's cute?)

2nd Girl: Woh de boga do! (Translation: I don't like dogs either!)

1st Girl: Nol kel, arklk! (Translation: Not the dog, the boy!)

Until somebody comes up with a book for Dummies on baby language,  we'll continue to be entertained by playing, "What the heck did they just say!"

Still having fun,

Bubbie
P.S.  At what ages did your grandchildren become somewhat understandable? 
Related Articles:
Reading And Language 
Talkative Baby Girl (Too funny!) 

Opening and Closing Doors

What can be more fun than opening and closing a door? For a toddler, this activity means making loud noises and playing peek-a-boo!  For me, it means catching fingers and toes, accompanied by loud cries!  Trying to discourage Jude from this game, I place my foot in the door opening without Jude noticing, and tell him the door is broken.  He doesn't buy it, so I toss a plush toy over his head and into the next room shouting, "Go get it!"  The dog thinks it's for him, pushes past us, and fetches!  I then turn on a Raffi CD, sweep Jude off his feet, and we dance and sing our way through three songs.  Who knew opening and closing a door could be so exhausting!
Bye for now,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What do your grandkids enjoy opening and closing?
Related Article and YouTube Video
Why Kids Love Opening And Closing Doors 
Raffi In Concert/YouTube