new ideas for schooling
Khan Academy, forest schools, microschools, homeschooling - some new ideas for schooling children this fall have come out of the pandemic lockdown. Read more
kids’ social skills
Are you worried about your kids’ social skills post-pandemic? Try not to fret. There’s much to be gained from time with family, or even on their own. Read more
first critical period of brain development
The first critical period of brain development is between 2-7 years of age. Encouraging a love of learning, focusing on breadth instead of depth, paying attention to emotional intelligence, and not treating young children’s education as merely a precursor to “real” learning maximizes development. Read more
‘Nature Deficit Disorder’
‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ is really a thing. Children’s behavior may suffer from lack of access to outdoor space, a problem heightened by the pandemic. Read more
Fisher-Price is celebrating
Fisher-Price is celebrating its 90th anniversary. With it comes a rare opportunity for uncomplicated nostalgia for a company that over the decades has produced around 5,000 types of toys under the logo: “Our Work is Child’s Play”. Read more
Loose Parts
Loose parts are objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play. With endless possibilities of play, they provide a high level of creativity and choice and develop children's imagination. Children often prefer playing with boxes, sticks, rocks, water, sand, and ropes that can be manipulated in whatever way they choose over traditional toys that have limited flexibility and play value.
first prescription video game
Games just became medicine. The FDA recently approved the first prescription video game — it’s for kids with ADHD. Read more
Great American Outdoors Act
The Senate has voted to pass the Great American Outdoors Act, which will finally fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the most important source of federal funding to create and develop local parks, trails, boat launches, sports fields and other recreation areas that enrich our communities. Read more
three play centers
Keep kids engaged all summer long with these three play centers—mud kitchen, water playground and art center. Turn an ordinary corner of your home or yard into a unique space designed to inspire and make open-ended play possible. Read more
Why do people love games
Why do people love games? It has been suggested that a game is a series of interesting choices, and navigating those choices shapes the course of play, revealing who we are and how we think. Read more
