*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

​​      A new, simple, hands-on toy. Curiosity piqued. Imagination ignited.
     You can either seize the opportunity and extend the learning or let it pass by. I chose to grab hold of the curiosity and ran with it and boy did we have fun!

     My daughter loves to build with PicassoTiles Magnet Building Tiles, so when my mother found a PicassoTiles Magnetic Drawing Board, she decided to get it as a special surprise. I thought, sure, sit and create a few pictures and the fun will wane, but to my surprise she absolutely loved it and it fueled such a curiosity about magnets that she went and gathered up all the magnets we have in the house, including some magnetic hematite stones. She proceeded to test and compare the power and strength of each magnet, discovered which magnets could bring up more balls from the drawing board at once and what other objects she could pick up using the magnets. She learned about the magnetic poles and that the magnets didn’t need to actually touch to attract. She then went around the house to see what the magnets would stick to (under strict orders not to go near any electronics) and if she could use her magnets to attract and move paperclips through paper and other materials. 

     Since she spent hours completely engrossed with this activity, and was so excited to show her grandfather what she had learned about magnets, I got onto our local library's website and found books on magnets, some informative and some just fun like The Shivers in the Fridge by Fran Manushkin. Remember that if you’re here in Michigan, you can request books through MeLCat, giving you access to a larger number of titles from across the state.

Click on the cover image to learn more about each title.

​     This fascination with magnetism actually lasted for several days and I have actively encouraged it for as long as it would last, offering to sit and read one of the books about magnets to her as she explores and so on. Thinking about it, I realized that my daughter was actually using the scientific method without even realizing it. By experimenting with magnets, she: 

• Questioned and observed 
• Researched her topic area
• Came up with a hypothesis or explanation
• Tested through experimentation
• Evaluated her data
• Reported her conclusions

​     Conclusion: learning doesn’t need to be formal, sit-down, or a boring lecture. Learning can be child directed, spontaneous, fun and active, so look for those moments when your child takes an interest and then expand the learning through hands-on experimentation and books.  

     ​Added bonus, more magnet news! While taking a walk in Dexter along their boardwalk, we saw three boys “magnet fishing.” They were dropping in various sized magnets attached to ropes into the river to see what treasures they could come up with. “A lot of railroad spikes” one boy informed us, “a piece of rebar and an assortment of other small metal pieces” another said. Another learning experience for my daughter and a great way to clean up the river! 

Happy exploring and reading!

​-Kate @ BTBL

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

     As the mad holiday shopping rush begins, we like to think that parents will choose gifts wisely, but that’s not often the case. Today’s media has a grip on our children, showing them an endless array of useless, mind-numbing gadgets that seem to serve no purpose but to make someone money and when our children see these, they feel they “need” them. “But mom, I need that” is the phrase I often hear from my four-year-old. How quickly they learn. But children need to play, and not only on a digital device.

     Play is essential to the developing child because it contributes to cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being. Play is also essential for healthy brain development and is the best way for children to explore the world around them. The simplest way to encourage play is by providing plenty of toys. So, understanding that play is the work of children, it is essential that we as parents provide them with toys that stimulate the imagination, build creativity and promote problem solving skills. The nonprofit, National Association for the Education of Young Children, asked two researchersabout what their work tells us about toys, children and play. Jeffrey Trawick-Smith (Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University) states that one trend that emerged from the studies is that “basic is better,” meaning toys that are open-ended and can be used in multiple ways, such as building blocks, vehicles and construction toys. He also found that the highest scoring toys were those that “prompted problem solving, social interaction, and creative expression in both boys and girls. Interestingly, toys that have traditionally been viewed as male oriented—construction toys and toy vehicles, for example—elicited the highest quality play among girls.” So be sure to set aside any preconceived notions you have about toys and gender and sometimes even about the recommend age (though remember to keep safety at the forefront) and choose toys that force children to think outside the box and utilize their imagination and creative energies. Perhaps even let them play with the box, which always seems to be the most fun.

     An observation and thought I would like to share with you is the dismay I feel when I see kids who live in a totally digital world because I don’t know what it will be that will generate their memories in the future. I’m one of those pack rats that saved all my toys and today I love sharing my Fisher Price Briarberry Bears and accessories, Polly Pockets, Barbies, Beanie Babies, Puzzle Place set and others with my four-year-old. She loves to see what I played with as a child. Even though some of those toys still exist, they generally are not in the form that I had. When I get them out for her they bring back my own memories and show her what the world I grew up in was like. With the Christmas Wish Book and toy stores a thing of the past, I see children with less actual physical toys and instead games that are downloaded. What will they have to look back on and what will they share with their children? Just keep in mind that what is happening in their life today will be the memories that they will look back upon. What memory would you like your children to have in the future and what memories and toys will they be able to share with their own children?

Happy play and memory making!

-Kate @ BTBL

​     Lights, beeps, dings, buzzes. That’s what the toy aisle seems to abound with these days though to be honest, that’s what grabs a child’s attention, isn’t it? But how long until the novelty wears off? Do these toys actually support child development or are they just a temporary diversion? Parents can go broke during this time of gift giving what with all of these electronic gadgets and gizmos, but for an inexpensive, time-honored gift that aids in development, consider the classic jigsaw puzzle. Puzzles are great for all ages and com in a variety of sizes and shapes, from floor puzzles with large pieces that are easy for little hands to manipulate to 18,000 piece goliaths with teeny tiny pieces that will take days to complete.
For little ones puzzles:

• assist with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as children pick up pieces and turn them to fit into place
• assist in building cognitive and problem solving skills through piecing together the picture by matching colors and shapes
• assist in focus and patience
• assist in building confidence and independence

     Puzzles also reward one with a sense of accomplishment when that last piece is finally put into place to reveal the completed picture. Let children then take them apart and start all over again for repetition aids in memory and the little ones will love that they can tackle more difficult puzzles on their own after working them with an adult several times over. Also, turn puzzle time into a family activity. Getting the whole family involved will foster strong bonds and relationships, encourage older children to assist their younger siblings and make memories that will last. I can still remember winter nights from my childhood with a fire warming the house, tasty hot chocolate in hand and the whole family gathered around the coffee table working on a 1,000 piece American folk art puzzle (such as those by Jane Wooster Scott and Art Poulin). Those were always such calm, relaxing evenings.

​My two year old daughter loves building puzzles together and even on her own. “I can do it all by myself,” is one of her favorite phrases when working on a puzzle that we have tackled together several times already and upon completion of one puzzle she is immediately onto the next, “How about my tower puzzle next?” Floor puzzles are always a winner with her and I consider the size, design and shape when choosing new puzzles, not the age on the box. Simple puzzles can be fun for her to accomplish on her own and puzzles with more or smaller pieces are a wonderful bonding time when we work on them together. Our favorite brand of floor puzzles has been Crocodile Creek. The pieces are thick, fit together smoothly and many of their puzzles come in unique shapes, like my daughter's favorite princess tower puzzle that is 48" tall! So gift your child this holiday with a captivating puzzle, open it up, cop a squat and exercise your brain with your little one!

Happy puzzling!

-Kate from BTBL

8 nights of family and friends
8 nights of prayers
8 nights of remembering
8 nights of candlelight
8 nights of songs and games
8 nights of delicious foods (mmm latkes!)
8 nights of gifts
8 nights of stories!

     Celebrated annually around the world, Hanukkah, also known as Chag Ha’or (the holiday of light), is a Jewish holiday encompassing eight nights of special prayers, songs, games, gifts and food. The word Hanukkah means “dedication” and so, the holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt some 2,000 years ago. This year Hanukkah will begin on Tuesday, December 12th and end on Wednesday, December 20th.
      To help you celebrate and/or learn more about this holiday, we have put together a list of eight of our favorite Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) stories. Consider sharing one of these books each night with your family as part a new holiday tradition.

The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing
     Natasha Wing’s The Night Before… series is always our go to when getting ready for a holiday. Following the same tone and rhythm as Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, this book details one family’s preparations and traditions during the eight nights of Hanukkah.

The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
     Through accessible, dramatic text and striking illustrations, Adler recounts the tale of the Maccabean Revolt and the miracle of the oil lamp that burned for eight nights, reminding young and old alike of the reason for Hanukkah. At the end of the book a recipe for latkes and directions for playing dreidel are included.

Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm by Linda Glaser
     In Chelm, “the village of fools,” Faigel makes the very best Hanukkah latkes around, but this year she cannot remember her special recipe! Her husband, Shmuel, goes to the wise and very hungry Rabbi for advice and while he does have the answers, they just might lead to some rather unexpected results. This is a hilarious story with bright and lively illustrations that will have the whole family in stitches!

Hanukkah Around the World by Tami Lehman-Wilzig
In this book, take your family on a trip across the globe to explore the various ways that Hanukkah is celebrated. After reading, gather everyone in the kitchen to make one of the special and unique recipes that are included.

The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket
Believe it or not, regardless of what the titles says, this is actually a Hanukkah story. In the witty style we have all come to expect of Lemony Snicket, this book highlights the differences between Hanukkah and Christmas as a runaway latke encounters some famous symbols of Christmas. Both extremely fun and quite educational!

Chanukah Bugs: A Pop-Up Celebration by David A. Carter
     "Who's in the box on the first night of Chanukah?" Lift the flaps, pull the tabs and keep turning the pages to find out which bugs are hiding inside the box on each night of Chanukah. A fun and engaging story for little bookworms!

Is It Hanukkah Yet? by Chris Barash
     As winter arrives and and the snow starts to fall and all of the animals hide, it is almost time for Hanukkah. Lyrical text and charming illustrations depict what happens at Hanukkah time each year, from the weather changing to decorating and preparing food and finally lighting the candles on the Menorah.

Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story by Naomi Howland
     It is the first night of Chanukah and Sadie is taking care of her four brothers  while their mother is away. Sadie goes out to collect firewood and performs an act of kindness for which she is given a magic frying pan that cooks up delicious latkes when you say the magic words. Such good fortune, but will Sadie's brothers heed her warning to never use the frying pan? This humorous and beautiful story that the whole family will enjoy. A recipe for latkes is included at the end.

For more Hanukkah stories, take a look at our Holiday Books list and share some of your favorites with us in the comments!

Also, if you are looking for a an adorable toy to go along with these Hanukkah stories that will help get for your little bookworm excited about the holiday and be a wonderful way to teach them more about the traditions of the season, take a look at this Hanukkah Wooden Play Set from KidKraft!

Happy reading and Happy Hanukkah!

-Kate from BTBL

     As we all know, entertaining a toddler can sometimes seem like a Herculean task. I mean, how do you keep a pint-sized whirlwind fully engaged for more than five minutes?! Well, today inspiration hit and I remembered my Fisher-Price Briarberry Collection tucked safely away in a bin in the basement. The Briarberry Collection is a discontinued toy from Fisher-Price of plush bears and different playsets, such as a kitchen, a dining set and wardrobe.

My little one was perfectly thrilled when I opened up the bin and she caught sight of the bears, Sarahberry and Berrylynn (their names are on the bottom of their left foot). We sat down together and took out all of the furniture pieces and then began to go through the smaller containers that held all of the little pieces (place settings, clothing, pot, cookie sheet, bedding, story book etc). I helped her set everything up, explaining what all of the pieces were and chatting with her about what the bears could do. After a while, she began manipulating the toys herself, pouring the tea and giving the bears a drink, cooking up a pot of soup on the stove and then tucking the bears into bed for a nap. She even read the bears a story!

 These toys are positively adorable and the best part...??? They do not have any electronics! That's right!  No noises, no lights, no moving parts! Just basic toys that encourage a child's own creativity and imagination. I noticed that my little one began utilizing different voices when using each bear. She would sing and just talk, talk, talk as she had the bears going about their various activities.

Also, the bears each came with their own storybook. We were able to sit down and read about the very bears she was playing with, occasionally acting out what was happening in the story. If only there were more toys like these on the market today!

I am so glad I saved these toys and finally remembered I had them! They have offered an afternoon of genuine play, a chance to connect play with reading, and an opportunity for my little one to exercise her creative skills and imagination.

Moral of the story? Some toys should be saved and shared generation after generation!

Happy playing and reading!