Meet and Greet

"Gentleness is a learned behavior. You can help teach your child to be gentle by modeling the behavior yourself, by having your child role play with a doll or stuffed animal, and by helping your child to be aware that her movements and tone of voice are just as important as gentle touch."
Grayson begins his animal toy playdates with a meet and greet. After lining up all of his animals in a neat row, Grayson gives each a gentle hug, followed by a kiss and a little conversation. He usually calls them by their animal names and uses their animal sounds for communication. Grayson is well versed in a multitude of animal languages. He's corrected me many times :)))))
Gentle hugs from,
Bubbie and her Grandkids
Below please find a few links I found helpful:
Play Gently Instead of Roughly
Teaching Your Toddler to be Gentle

Puppy Love During Covid and Beyond

True love can be expressed in many different ways, especially towards that special someone in your life who just got fixed, is really sleepy and is stuck with a plastic cone over his head!
Here we find Grayson, our compassionate toddler, stepping right up to the plate in order to bring comfort to his puppy, George. I'm not sure if George is fully aware of his new roomate but Grayson took it upon himself to crawl into the crate and snuggle next to George to show he cares.
Our Covid-19 lockdown has created an uptick in sales and adoptions for cats and dogs. For many, bringing in a new member for the family has brought much joy. For this family, George has been a welcome addition. Oh, except for the cat. Yep! The cat's not so happy. Actually she breaks out the wine each time he's out for a walk thinking he's not coming back,...but that's a story for another day :)
Take care, and stay safe.
Virtual hugs,
Bubbie and her grandbabies, and grand doggies, and grand kitties
Covid-19 Answers from Humane Society
Introducing Kids To A New Puppy Cesars Way

First Friends

Two really cool guys pulled over by the side of the road, with their hot set of wheels, trying to figure out which way to go?  Well, not exactly! You are looking at two cool guys, and they are proud of their cars, but the only place these two toddlers are going is down for a nap, right after Jude shares his stickers with AJ!
All Our Best,
Bubbie and Jude
Questions: At what age did your children/grandchildren begin to play with others? How did you help it along?
Related Articles:
First Friends/Toddlers 1-3
Learning to Share

Cooperative Play

"It takes a village," or in "Jude's World" it takes five toddlers and a water fountain to fill a bucket. 
It's great fun to watch these cuties' work together towards a common goal.  Remy held the bucket, Jude kept the water flowing, Ella carried the bucket back to their play spot while Arden and Allisa cheered them all on! Of course, the process of filling the bucket was the fun part.  Once the bucket was filled and placed back where they wanted it, one of the sweeties conveniently knocked the bucket down and they had to start all over again!  Ain't life grand?

Fun in the sun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have you any solutions for keeping our kids learning and playing together?
Related Articles:
Tips On Helping Children Learn To Cooperate
Teaching Your Child To Play With Others

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cleaning Up Can Be Fun For Kids

Toy storage bins seem to have taken the place of the big, old toy chests.  When I first saw this, I thought it was a fantastic idea.  Categorizing toys into their own bins!  What could be better, or simpler?  Stuffed dolls in one, balls in another, etc., etc. Twelve opportunities for separation!  Wow!  And this probably would work out swell, as long as there are no toddlers within arms reach of the unit!  Once in contact, there must be this little voice in their heads that say, "Tear that sucker apart!  Dump it all!  Leave no bins unturned!" When all is said and done, there lies the opportunity to sing my favorite song, "It's Clean Up Time Again!"   
Ah kids, 'ya gotta' love 'em!
I know I do,
Bubbie
P.S.  How do you encourage your grandchildren to clean up after themselves?

Related Articles:
Making Clean-Up Fun For Kids
Clean-Up Songs

Learning Through Imitation

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery!"  Quoted from Charles Caleb Colton , and being practiced by Jude, the 20-month- old copycat .  This is where parenting really gets to be fun !  Not only do toddlers want to imitate you, but in turn, they want you to imitate them.  Good thing I'm only the grand mom, because at this point that boy can out bend me, out spin me, and yes, out dance me!  
Simon Says, "bye for now,"
Bubbie
P.S.  Share some fun copycat moments you've had with your grandchildren.
Related Articles:
Video/Games To Encourage Imitation 
Children Learn By Imitating Behavior Of Parents 
Quotes From Charles Caleb Colton 

Say "Yes" To Play

Discovering what your hands can do can be pretty funny, especially when you blow raspberries into your palms and feel the tickle!  Jude came up with this new game in the middle of "Open Shut Them !"  We were on "creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them, right up to your chin," when all of a sudden Jude thought I needed some comic relief.  He was so right!  Oh, and if you're tempted to try this yourself, the wetter the better!  (Just a little coaching tip from a toddler who knows!)
 :O)
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What fantastic discoveries  have you watched your grandchildren come up with?
Related Articles:
What Young Children Learn Through Play 
Words to Open Shut Them 

Helping Toddlers Figure It Out

Whoever came up with the sliding board, sure knew how to have fun!  Jude has discovered that there is more than one way to slide down, and more ways than one to go up! 
It's adorable to watch the surprised look on Jude's face each time his slide is complete.  He can't quite figure out what's making him stop.  The ride is over, but "why?"
Best,
Bubbie
P.S.  How do you manage to help your grandkids figure things out?
Related Article:
Letting Toddler "Figure It Out" Helps In The Longrun

Encouraging Resourcefulness

re·source·ful

   

[ri-sawrs-fuhl, -sohrs-, -zawrs-, -zohrs-] 

–adjective-
able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc.

Use in a very long sentence:
Toddlers are very resourceful, especially when they want to do something, like sitting, and are not willing to wait for just a few seconds while Bubbie brings over a nice, cushy chair!
P.S. No cup was harmed during the taking of this picture.
Best regards,
Bubbie
P.S.S. In what ways have you observed your little one's resourcefulness?
Related Articles:
Encouraging Resourcefulness
Parenting and Resourceful Children 

Friendship Between Toddlers

The start of a friendship between toddlers is sweet to watch.  Sitting side-by-side studying one another with frequent glances and exchange of vocal sounds...being careful not to move too close to one another.  As their comfort level grows they ease into "mine," and "no!"...as in "don't touch anything that I want, and if you do you're taking your life in your hands, because if a grown-up's not looking, I won't hesitate to give you such a push!

Here's to friends,

Bubbie

P.S. At what ages did your  grandkids begin their friendships?

Related Article:

How Children Build Friendships 

Fun Things To Do With Grandchildren

Oh, yes!  Toddlers love to fill empty spaces.  If it is empty, they will find it!  Size or shape of empty space, doesn't matter.  Just as long as it's empty!  And if it doesn't have the possibility of filling up, ever, (like a cat door with a garage on the other side), all the better for a toddler.  Think of the amount of stuff they can gather from around the house, pushing it through the hole, while someone (me) spends her time retrieving, because child wants his stuff back!
I'm here to serve,
Bubbie
P.S. What kind of great fun do you have with your grandkids?
Related Articles:
100 Free Things To Do With Your Grandchild (free download) 
Grandest Time/Fisher Price-Lots to do with Grandchildren 

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 

Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, rattle, crash, beep, beep!

How cute is this?  Forget the boring strollers I used when I took my kids for walks!  The new generation of parents get to push their toddlers in toy cars, and covered wagons with built-in seats! These fun push or pull strollers feature seat belts, cup holders, storage bins, and guarantee a safe, smooth ride! Best of all, the little ones seem to love it!  Jude kicks back and relaxes in his seat, honking the horn in between sipping his  juice, and munching on his raisins while I do all the work! I've come up with some additional suggestions: a motorized, air-conditioned seat, and overhead umbrella for the driver...just a thought!

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. Please share some of your favorite walks with your grandkids.  Would love to hear about them!

Related Articles, Videos, and Products

Walking Games For Kids 

Push Around Buggy 

Voyager Canopy Wagon 

Lady Singing, "Honk, Honk" 

Reasoning With A Toddler

There is one rocking horse at the neighborhood playground, where I take Jude in the afternoons.  One horse which often has a line of toddlers waiting for a turn...and toddlers are not the best "waiters!"  I've tried to point out to the kids that there are nine, (count them..."nine"), healthy, hearty, rocking cows in the same pen anxious to give them the ride of their lives! But nooooo! Nobody wants a cow ride!  Only a horsie ride!  I'm sure these cows are perfectly capable of giving a smooth, even rock. But for whatever reason, and it's a challenge to reason with a toddler, the horse remains the playground favorite, every time. 

Happy trails to you,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S.  How do you reason with your grandchildren?

Related Articles:

How To Reason With A Toddler 

Choosing Rocking Horse For Toddler 

Toddlers and Naps

Can't say that nap time is a highlight in Jude's day, like most toddlers, he'd rather not take the break.  Think of all he might miss!  There's climbing, running, jumping, throwing, falling, eating, drinking, chasing...and that's in between laughing, dancing and clapping! I've tried explaining to Jude the health benefits, both emotionally and physically to a good afternoon nap, but he's never interested in listening to what I have to say, even when I try to sing it to him in rhyme. Our routine always remains the same: Watch Raffi sing, "Baby Beluga" while drinking warm milk from a sippy cup,,, then listen to Jude give his 30 second protest while grabbing for his "luvies" just before he drifts off to sleep. 
Sweet dreams,
"Sleeping Beauty's" Bubbie
P.S. Any tricks for getting the kids or grandbabies down for their nap?
Related Articles:
How To Help Your Toddler Nap 
Andrea Bocelli Sings Elmo To Sleep/YouTube Video 

Precious Moments With The Kids

How's this for fun?  First you take 2 or 3 handfuls of wood chips and throw them into a bucket .  You then dump the wood chips that you tossed into the bucket, onto the ground, which is covered in wood chips, which you used in the first place to put into your bucket .  Easy!  Relaxing!  No math skills required!  I've tried it, and would highly recommend it!  As a matter of fact, when Jude discovered it for himself today, he was so fascinated by it's simplicity that he spent 10 minutes repeating the process, until boredom set in, and he moved onto bigger and better things...like finding stuff on the ground (moving or not) which you're not supposed to eat, let alone pick-up!
Another eventful day at the park!
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Share with us your precious moments with your grandkids, and/or kids while playing at the park!
P.S.S. Thanks!
Related Products For Sale:
Store For Knowledge (Sand Toys)
Really Cute Tin Pails and Beach Buckets For Sale