We are very happy to have this beautiful German rocking horse. We have finally found one that ships flat which makes it possible for us to import it. That does mean some assembly is required. This post is to guide you through assembly and we hope it helps make the experience easier.
naturalist- an expert in or student of natural history.
Synonyms- life scientist, wildlife expert, biologist, zoologist, ecologist, environmentalist…
Children, given the opportunity, are often intensely interested in nature, how it works, who lives there with them, and how all the pieces interrelate. For many, they only need a little support to spend hours watching ants or birds, to follow tracks through the snow or mud, or to monitor the growth of a garden plant. They like to learn the names … Read More...
Children are born explorers. From newborns with wide-eyed absorption to babies tasting and testing, mastering their hands and developing mobility to toddlers building, destroying, climbing, and mimicking. This curiosity is their early education and as parents and caregivers, we can bolster their confidence and support their explorations through the experiences, environments, and playthings we provide.
Reduce Stimulation
For newborns and small babies, parents can resist the cultural trend toward increased stimulation. When we foster situations that help a baby settle … Read More...
Bedtime can be a last bright spot in the day you and your children share. It can also be the final hurdle between parenting time and personal time for adults and a difficult goodbye for little ones. Figuring out a routine that honors everyone’s needs at the end of the day can help make this an anticipated moment in the day and can ease the the way to dreamland.
Earth Day is all about caring for the environment. It started with a desire to protect air, water, and endangered species for generations to come. It has grown to include a focus on the dangers of global warming and the need for clean energy. All of these can feel like a tall order, and our first job as parents is to bring awareness to our children in an age-appropriate way.
One way to do this is to first inspire a … Read More...
When our second child was born, our son was given a lovely first doll with a soft, cotton, velour body, wool stuffing, and knit cotton face and hands. It was a dear little doll and we encouraged our son to cuddle and tend this doll; he was two and definitely enjoyed doing some of the things for his doll that we were doing with his sister. However, he never really “bonded” with it, preferring plush animals and wheeled items to … Read More...
I once said to a friend that I could not know whether our parenting choices were “right”; I just had to do the thing that felt okay at day’s end. Now, we’re looking at much larger transitions than beditme— two children head to college this fall and the third heads into high school. All around us the little ones we watched climb trees and wield wooden swords through mythic quests are driving cars and turning to face the world outside. … Read More...
“London has none of those nice things that children may play with without hurting the things or themselves – such as trees and sand and woods and waters… Trees are all different, as you know, and I am sure some tiresome person must have told you that no two blades of grass exactly alike. But in streets, where the blades of grass don’t grow, everything is like everything else.”
from The Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
While I … Read More...
Not so long ago, we packed books of mazes, small games, or other diversions when we needed our children to quietly while away some time in a doctor’s office, at a restaurant table, or during a sibling’s violin lesson. The ubiquity of smartphones and tablets has brought ease to creating diversions and with it some peaceful
Spring is seemingly defined by rain. Add some wind to the mix, and it can be hard to want to spend time outside. Here are a few ideas to get you and your child out in the weather, even if only for a few minutes to experience all that nature has to give.
