Kids Helping Kids

Jude enjoyed being helped, as much as his friend enjoyed helping! The grown-ups all applauded and whooped it up, which caused the children to look for more ways to help one another. Modeling and encouraging kindness certainly pays off for everyone!
Respectfully yours,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What methods have you used to teach your grandkids and/or kids kindness and caring?
Related Article:
It's Always Cool To Be Kind

Seesaws and other Playground Fun

Not only is this playground seesaw a four-seater, but it's spring won't allow anyone to be dropped to the ground, like when I was a kidlet! What a great improvement!  It took us several tries as kids to figure out that you always wanted your turn with someone lighter than yourself.  I can still feel the "thud" when I would hit the ground unexpectedly, and my "supposed" friend would take off to play on something else...like the swings.  Well, that was Jude's next stop after the seesaw and then the slides, and then the climbing toy...and then, and then, this bubbie was ready for the sleeping toy!
Happy playing,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  What's your grandchild's favorite playground toy?

Ordinary Household Items for Learning and Discovery

As long as there's a house full of stuff, you can never run out of fun for the kids! 
A few slightly damp sponges were all it took to keep this toddler amused and busy for quite some time.  Jude started out cleaning the surface of the table, and soon discovered the joy of wiping over and around walls, chairs and toys.  Good thing the dog wasn't around, or he would have gotten the "once over," too!  
Keeping it interesting,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any play suggestions using ordinary household items?
Related Article:
Ordinary Materials to Support Discovery and Learning

Dining Out With The Kids

Want some exercise in portion control and pushing the old heartbeat up a notch or two?  Just go out to eat with a toddler! In no time at all you'll be racing out of your favorite restaurant having finished only half your meal. This works every time! You might even get a little extra jogging in if your munchkin is slick enough to Houdini it out of the high chair, and go for their "meet and greet the diners" run.  So put on your sneakers, come semi-hungry and let the games begin!
Laughing all the way,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any great "eating out" restaurant tips with the little ones?
Related Article:
How To Get Kids To Behave In A Restaurant

Toddler Playgroups

Jude and I began going to the park months ago as a way of stretching our legs and enjoying the clean, fresh air.  We never expected to end up with a great playgroup!  On any given day we can have as few as 4 children and as many as 20!  Socializing consists of sharing healthy treats for snack time,  gathering the kids for circle games, and if time allows breaking out the bubbles and wands, blankets for coloring or big brushes for water painting. The kids play hard and are ready for lunch and a nap by the time we get them home, which makes for a very happy grown-up!

Keep 'em laughing,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. Please share your (grandkids or kids) playgroup experiences!

Related Articles:

Benefits of Playgroups for Toddlers



Laughter Does a Body Good!

What's so funny?  All I said was, "Peek-a-boo!" while popping out from under a mound of pillows.  This game elicited squealing, giggling and some hardy laughs for more than 20 minutes!  
"Experts say a well-developed sense of humor can boost a person's immune system, contribute to a more optimistic outlook on life, and increase self-esteem."
Jude and I are finding lots of times to laugh, whether it's pushing him in his cardboard box around his room, playing with Jude's Jack-in-the box or giving him surprised looks when my hat falls off of my head.  
"What's more, research shows that a sense of humor is learned, not inherited. "
Well, we are having a great time learning how to have a sense of humor. Fortunately, his parents love to laugh and have always shared this with Jude, so I have no doubt that this little honey will end up with a considerably boosted immune system!
Keep 'em smiling,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What makes your grandkids laugh?
Related Article:
What's funny to a toddler? 

Learning The Alphabet

"Most children begin recognizing some letters between the ages of 2 and 3 and can identify most letters between 4 and 5. This means that you can start teaching your child the alphabet when he's around 2 — but don't expect full mastery for some time."

Jude's playing with magnetic letters has become a learning experience for me, too!  First he figured out they can stick, followed by the discovery that some letters match, and I believe he's now trying to figure out how to line them up to make patterns.  Learning the letters will come, there's just so many other things that this toddler needs to explore first!   

Best,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. Have any good tips on teaching the ABC's?

Related Articles:
10 Ways To teach the Alphabet 
Suggestions for Learning the Alphabet 
Should I Teach the Alphabet before Kindergarden 

Educational Toys

The advertisement read, "This ingenious, fun-to-use phone lets children hear themselves talk…so kids can really focus on every sound they say! Perfect for exploring letter sounds, phoneme blending, sound manipulation and more, the molded plastic phone is sized just for kids, with a lightweight, easy-grip handle." Obviously I had to buy this right away for my grandson.  I couldn't wait to watch the surprised expression on his face as he'd hear himself talk.  What the copy on the package should have added was, "...and just in case your children prefer puzzles, expect them to try to fit every toy they have into the fun-to-use phone's openings and build from there!"  I must admit, I spent a lot of time listening to myself talk into this ingenious invention while Jude slept.  It will be fun and educational once he's ready!
Happy learning,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  I'd love to hear about some educational toys you've found worthwhile buying for the kids!  Thanks!
Related article:
Unique and Creative Toys for Kids 

Cardboard Boxes Stir The Imagination

It all started with an empty Pampers box.  Darn that last diaper!  I simply couldn't resist introducing Jude to "the empty box."  I knew it would be love at first site.  The first thing Jude did was to climb in for a ride.  As the designated driver, I had the honor of pulling this precious cargo from room to room while he repeatedly asked for more!  After I pooped out, Jude filled it with balls, and drove it around himself for a while.  We've got lots more to do with this great toy as we break her in!  Old favorites never die!
Here's to fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  How about sharing some of your great ideas for box play?
Related Article:
Fun With Cardboard Boxes 

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 

Music Does A Body Good

"Research shows that kids who are actively involved in music (who play it or sing it regularly):

• do better in reading and math when they start school
• are better able to focus and control their bodies
• play better with others and have higher self-esteem"

So glad to learn the stats because it makes Jude's playing a lot easier to listen to.  When he gets into his musical interludes now, it's  music to my ears!  (Although, I think the cats and dog would strongly disagree with me!)



Music does a body good,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have you any experiences to share regarding children and music?

Related Article:
Introducing Toddlers to Music 
Benefits of Music 

Easter Egg Hunt

When I was a teen we used to play, "How many kids can squish into a Volkswagon Beetle at one time?"  Today as a grandmom the game of the day was, "How many toddlers can we get to sit still long enough, to snap one picture?"  I'm proud to announce that it only took six adults, and many clicks on two cameras to come up with this miraculous shot! Not bad though, if you consider the amount of treats these sweeties just finished off during and after their Egg Hunt.  
Nap time for all!
Happy Easter,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Have any cute pics of your cuties?  Send them in. Happy to show them off! (Send jpg's to shnoozleland@aol.com)
P.S.S. Any tips on picture taking (toddlers)?
Related Articles:
Plastic Easter Eggs and Ideas For Toddlers
Toddlers Easter Egg Party
15 Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers

Good Times With Toddlers

I've enjoyed watching Jude play with his maze for months, but he's now taken it to an exciting new level. Ladies and Gentleman, we now have sound!  (This must be what audiences felt like when "talkies" were introduced.)  He's stepped into the world of make-believe. As he moves the threaded, wooden pieces along the loop-d-loop wired paths, he changes his sounds as his adventures unfold in his imagination.
Can't wait to see and hear what tomorrow will bring!
Toddlers are too cute,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  How do you, or have you had fun with your toddler?
Related Article:
Good Times With Toddlers

Birthday Parties!

There's not a whole lot that can top a "bounce house" for a two year old's birthday party. (Not in Jude's mind, anyway.)  As long as you have a big enough back yard, or a park to set them up in...you are good to go!  These outdoor playgyms are incredibly fun for the kids, as well as the few brave adults pulled in by their apprehensive toddlers. Closest thing to this that I got to do as a kid was to bounce on the sofa or bed.  And we didn't have the encouragement of our parents standing by, cheering us on.  It was more like, "if I catch you jumping on that sofa one more time.........!"(you know the rest).  Ahh, the good "new" days!

Happy Birthday, Jude!

Love,

Bubbie

P.S. What have your grandkids most enjoyed doing for their birthday parties?

Related Articles:

Bounce House Party Games

7 Special Birthday Celebrations for Grandchildren

Wooden Puzzles

I think I love wooden puzzles as much as Jude does!  He can sit quietly with them for at least ten minutes now.  Not only do they help develop cognitive learning and fine motor skills, but they don't require batteries.  No batteries!  I can actually hear us talk during this play.  There's no repetitive noises!  I'm not running around trying to pull batteries out of another toy, just to replace it in the "no longer able to play" toy. Wooden puzzles are the best!  
Quiet play rules,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Any suggestions for your favorite wooden puzzles for our little ones?


Related Article:
Guide On Choosing Toddler Puzzle 

Toddler Pretend Play Activities

I guess babies just wake up one day and decide they're into Pretend Play.  At least that's how it seemed to happen with Jude.  He now talks to his plush, drives his toy cars all over town on his carpeted bedroom floor, and feeds pieces of play dough to his plastic farm animals with slurping sound effects for my listening pleasure!  It's adorable!  Right now I'm in the watch and just-go-along with it stage. I'm sometimes allowed to sneak in a suggestion, but mostly I get to sit back and enjoy his imagination expanding and exploring the possibilities!
Loving every minute of it, 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Any suggestions on Pretend Play?
Related Article:
Toddler Pretend Play Activities

Safety Gates

They say, "practice makes perfect," and I believe Jude is practicing very hard to make his climbing skills perfect!
Watching him try to execute a clean gate-break makes me wonder how in the world my parents managed to get five kids through toddlerhood without the luxury of safety gates, cabinet locks, and socket plugs?  I'm guessing it was the family playpen!  The family playpen was a well-worn, wooden, hand-me-down, with a set of built-in counting beads. We'd spend hours in the "pen" snacking, playing and sleeping.  When neighbors came by for visits, they simply piled their kids in there too! 
Thank goodness for new inventions,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Share with us the best baby, safety-featured gadget you've tried and liked, or anything else that strikes your fancy?

Related Articles:
Toddler Climbing/What To Expect
Baby Gates/Do's and Dont's

Flash Cards for Toddlers

Last time I played with Flashcards, we held them in our hands, then flipped them over for the answer.  Jude of course has a new and improved way!  Just stick them on your head one at a time for the information to slowly absorb through your skull and into your brain.  I think he's got something there.  Hey, I'm up to trying anything that makes life a little easier and a lot more fun!
Gotta love these kids,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  At what ages did you find flash cards to be most helpful for the kids?
Related Article:
Early Education Flashcards

Toddlers and Chores

Just the other day Jude and I were reaching into the garage for the sand toys, when Jude spotted the swifter leaning against the wall and insisted it come with us.  Here I am thinking we're about to embark on another fun day at the park, and Jude's thinking "wouldn't it be more fun to mop the floor!"  Since toddlers love to play with brooms, mops and dust pans, we negotiated a time out for tidying-up before we sunned-up!  
Always room for one more chore,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How have your grandkids/kids helped out around the house?


Related Article:
How To Let Your Child Help With Chores 

Children Working At Play

Maria Montessori, a doctor and pioneer educator, believes that "children have a drive for positive interactions with their environment." She states that, "Play meets a basic human instinct for exploration. It is a basic instinct of human beings to master their environments in order to feel safe and secure."  This hits home for me as I help Jude explore every inch of his environment.  He needs to turn everything upside down and backwards to understand all of it's capabilities, and then some!  Who would have thought toy bins can turn into stepping stones, jump-off blocks, stacking toys and lounging chairs.  And I'm sure he's got a few more tricks up his sleeves!
Keeping it fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How hard do your kids/grandkids work at play?

Related Article:
Creating Indoor Spaces for Toddlers