Monday, December 10, 2012
Protecting Your Kids' Hands Against Dry Skin
As I detailed in my last post, one of the first things that we do in our family when we come in from outside is coat our hands and any other dry patches in lotion. In our family we have a lot of issues with winter dry skin, and have had to use gallons upon gallons of lotions and creams in my day.
Why do kids hands get dry in the winter more than any other? It is the cycle of cold dampness outside and then warm and dry weather inside of our homes that can make the moisture in our hands evaporate quicker than usual. Kids' hands are particularly susceptible because of their size, the fact that they are touching everything with them both outside and in, as well as that they may not recognize or may not be willing to
Why do kids hands get dry in the winter more than any other? It is the cycle of cold dampness outside and then warm and dry weather inside of our homes that can make the moisture in our hands evaporate quicker than usual. Kids' hands are particularly susceptible because of their size, the fact that they are touching everything with them both outside and in, as well as that they may not recognize or may not be willing to
leave the outdoors when their hands feel cold and chapped as quickly as we might. It is just more fun to stay out and play than go inside to take care of your hands.
So what can we do to make sure that our and our kids' skin stays healthy and soft in this colder weather?
- Make sure that you are keeping the hands at a constant temperature similar to what they are normally in inside. This may seem counter-intuitive, but similar to the phenomenon of my dear Husband's head steaming in the garage after he has taken off his hat, it is the sudden change in temperature that causes evaporation of the moisture from the skin. Gloves and mittens that are made of wool and fleece or contain technology like Thinsulate are vastly better than those thin knit mittens that we all pick up for a dollar or two. I do have those lying around, but they are more of a backup or emergency mitten if one is lost.
- You may need to dry your and your kids' hands on a towel after coming inside if they are cold and damp, and gradually bring up their temperature while preventing further evaporation of moisture.
- Lotion before and after heading outside to form a protective barrier from the cold wind.
- Once, when I was advised by a doctor on the best lotions I was told, "The greasier the better." The time that your family's hands are in gloves and mittens are the perfect time to put this to practice since your hands won't be leaving fingerprints on anything else while in mittens. Lotions like Eucerin brand, Aveeno brand for babies and kids, Hydrocortizone and Neutrogenea Norweigan Formula are some of my favorites.
- When selecting a lotion, generally try to leave out fragrances and perfumes that may further irritate your kids' skin (even of normally you all can use lotions that are loaded with scents) Also, look at the ingredients-- a lotion with water listed farther down the list will lock in moisture more than one that is thin and mostly common water.
Like many issues in health, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of gain. By being aware of the coming winter skin issues experienced by adults and children alike we can better keep it at bay. By protecting our skin before we head outside, we are helping to insure that we won't have more painful, itchy frustrating issues to deal with later.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Getting Your Kids Ready to Play in the Snow- Avoiding Frustration
Rather than just referring to getting my own little son ready to play in the snow outside, I could have titled this post: Lessons Learned From Working in Childcare in the Winter. I worked my way through undergad schooling by working in a daycare center and was honored to be promoted to the role of assistant preschool teacher. I loved getting to work with kids in this way, and I feel like it has greatly influenced my parenting style to this day.
Whatever the actual role, my working with preschool and early elementary aged kids meant that about twice a day in the winter we would undergo the momentous task of 
taking around 20 kids to the playground, and first dressing them in 2 boots, 2 mittens, a hat, a coat and snowpants each. Suffice it to say, I have put a lot of mittens on a lot of hands before my own son ever came around. In my years at St. Michael Lutheran, my fellow teachers and I were able to come up with a pretty good system for efficiently getting everyone ready for playing in the snow, which I have now adapted for my own home. I know that a few of these ideas may be self- explanatory, but for those who may be venturing out with their kids in the snow for the first time, the process of getting ready can seem intimidating. It has been used for comedic purposes in countless shows and movies, typically with the child needing to pee the instant that they are fully dressed.
Whatever the actual role, my working with preschool and early elementary aged kids meant that about twice a day in the winter we would undergo the momentous task of
taking around 20 kids to the playground, and first dressing them in 2 boots, 2 mittens, a hat, a coat and snowpants each. Suffice it to say, I have put a lot of mittens on a lot of hands before my own son ever came around. In my years at St. Michael Lutheran, my fellow teachers and I were able to come up with a pretty good system for efficiently getting everyone ready for playing in the snow, which I have now adapted for my own home. I know that a few of these ideas may be self- explanatory, but for those who may be venturing out with their kids in the snow for the first time, the process of getting ready can seem intimidating. It has been used for comedic purposes in countless shows and movies, typically with the child needing to pee the instant that they are fully dressed.- First, and probably the most obvious is to send everyone to the bathroom. While this was going on we would have one person...
- Set all of the kids' clothes out around the room so that mittens and hats do not end up on the wrong hands. (An aside-- if you send your child to daycare PLEASE label everything clearly. It is nearly impossible for your child's teachers to tell one pair of black gloves from 10 others.) This is when I would typically put on my own snow-pants and boots, but nothing else since if I was fully dressed it was harder to move and I would end up sweaty before even entering the playground.
- Put on children's socks, snow-pants, boots and hats. Then I have would have most kids put on their mittens so that they would be inserting mittened hands into coat sleeves. This was a lot easier to do to get the mittens under the sleeve cuffs than putting them on later.
- Put on your coat and head outside.
A few extra tips-- we always leave a towel by the door we are re-entering from to wipe up the floor, and now that I am at home, I throw our snow stuff right into the dryer so that if we need to run to the store or on another trip outside nothing is soggy. I wish that I could have done this because it was so sad to send kids back outside with slightly damp mittens.
We also try to remember a small pack of tissues when we head out since snot and preschoolers in the winter often go hand in hand. Ew. I just realized how grossly true that last sentence was, although unintentionally.
When we return inside I immediately turn on the stove for the required cup of cocoa. Yum!
After being out in the wind and cold, your kids hands and cheeks will probably be in need of warming, but also be in need of some lotion to prevent drying and cracking. Unfortunately, dry skin is something that my family has to deal with even when not outside, so in the next few days I will be sharing a post with some of my favorite tips to keep your skin soft and comfortable even when you are exploring outside in the winter.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Quick Connections with Creation: Kids Caring for a Pet
The evidence in the medical community of the positive results of caring for an animal back up the anecdotal evidence in my own home and from friends.
It is fairly easy to make the connection of caring for a pet to our belief of God caring for us, as well as the concept of our command to be caretakers of the world and all of its creatures found in the first chapter of Genesis, as well as the story of Adam naming all of the creatures of the earth in Genesis 2:19.
A few important things to remember:
 |
| Children learn through caring for a pet. |
This has prompted many conversations about what is good for a rabbit to eat-- Timothy Hay, and what is not-- my son's cereal bar. This, in turn, prompted discussion of how many different animals were created to eat different things, and that we are responsible to make sure that he has these good things that are designed for him to eat.
Monday, December 3, 2012
How cold is too frigid to head outside with your kids?
Let's face it, there are sometimes when the weather is too yucky out to head outside with your kids. But how cold is that? This can be especially an issue if your children are to the age where they can be outside in the back yard or neighborhood without you being outdoors as well.
I have heard parents attest that anything under 50 degrees is too cold for them to head out with their toddlers and little kids, and this makes me so sad for the world of cold weather adventures that these families are missing out on exploring. Here in the Minneapolis area we would NEVER get outside from December and into April if this were the case.
When I used to work in childcare we had other, more specific requirements. When I began working with kids, the temperature, combined with the wind chill was required to be 20 degrees or above in order for us to head outside. However, this policy was changed because it was found that the number of days that meant we were confined to the indoors would be too great and the lack of outdoor play too great a loss. It was then decided that for children of preschool age there was no temperature where they could not play outside for a short while, as long as they were properly dressed.
A teacher friend of mine lives in Alaska and the children there spend their winter recesses playing outside even in weather of -20 degrees. I know that when our temps reach that level here, I simply do not want to head out much because of the sheer pain in my face, but other than that, we typically bundle up and head out for a few minutes.
There are a few considerations when heading out in frigid temperatures of course. Children are smaller and need to be dressed in at least one more layer than we are dressed in; this rule is especially true if your outdoor activity is something where you are active, but kids are riding along more passively, such as taking a walk where they are sitting in a stroller and you are pushing. It is much easier for them to become overly chilled in this sort of activity. However, it is also a wonderful way to see the winter sights when their little legs would normally get bogged down under snowpants and the depth of the snow.
One further issue is that of the sun. It may seem like a strange idea, but even in the coldest weather your children may need some form of sun protection. While babies under 6 months old should not wear sunscreen, older babies and kids can wear sunscreen to protect against sunlight reflected from the snow and a hat or sunglasses that protect their eyes from the bright light.
I know that this has not totally answered the question that this blog post opened with, and the answer is simply as varied as the weather. It is up to you as parent or guardian to gauge the components of the weather-- the temperature, the wetness, the wind and the light and to decide if it is appropriate to explore outside. And the great thing about getting chilly is that it means that when you return inside that it is time for cocoa and snuggles under a blanket. What could be better?
I have heard parents attest that anything under 50 degrees is too cold for them to head out with their toddlers and little kids, and this makes me so sad for the world of cold weather adventures that these families are missing out on exploring. Here in the Minneapolis area we would NEVER get outside from December and into April if this were the case.
When I used to work in childcare we had other, more specific requirements. When I began working with kids, the temperature, combined with the wind chill was required to be 20 degrees or above in order for us to head outside. However, this policy was changed because it was found that the number of days that meant we were confined to the indoors would be too great and the lack of outdoor play too great a loss. It was then decided that for children of preschool age there was no temperature where they could not play outside for a short while, as long as they were properly dressed.
A teacher friend of mine lives in Alaska and the children there spend their winter recesses playing outside even in weather of -20 degrees. I know that when our temps reach that level here, I simply do not want to head out much because of the sheer pain in my face, but other than that, we typically bundle up and head out for a few minutes.
There are a few considerations when heading out in frigid temperatures of course. Children are smaller and need to be dressed in at least one more layer than we are dressed in; this rule is especially true if your outdoor activity is something where you are active, but kids are riding along more passively, such as taking a walk where they are sitting in a stroller and you are pushing. It is much easier for them to become overly chilled in this sort of activity. However, it is also a wonderful way to see the winter sights when their little legs would normally get bogged down under snowpants and the depth of the snow.
One further issue is that of the sun. It may seem like a strange idea, but even in the coldest weather your children may need some form of sun protection. While babies under 6 months old should not wear sunscreen, older babies and kids can wear sunscreen to protect against sunlight reflected from the snow and a hat or sunglasses that protect their eyes from the bright light.
I know that this has not totally answered the question that this blog post opened with, and the answer is simply as varied as the weather. It is up to you as parent or guardian to gauge the components of the weather-- the temperature, the wetness, the wind and the light and to decide if it is appropriate to explore outside. And the great thing about getting chilly is that it means that when you return inside that it is time for cocoa and snuggles under a blanket. What could be better?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Some families HAVE to be Outdoors Families: Charitable giving for children in Africa
On this blog we talk about gear, activities and ways to motivate children and families in outdoor exploration. However, I would be remiss if I didn't talk about a different kind of Outdoor Family-- those with no choice and no freedom to escape exposure to the elements.
For our children if the weather outside gets bad, or if there are mosquitoes in the evening we have abundant choices available to us-- to either go inside and totally be free (except for that one annoying bug that follows us inside) or to stay in a screened porch or tent, or to use abundant and cheap bug repellents and candles.
In Africa, there is a different story. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, a totally preventable disease. We talk about ways to increase children's enjoyment of their time in the outdoors, but in your purchasing of crafts, backpacks, shoes, tents and many of the other pieces of equipment, I would love to encourage you to take a few minutes and visit UNICEF USA's site and look at their initiative to provide badly needed mosquito nets that children and their mothers can sleep under to repel mosquitoes and other pests.
These tents are inexpensive and can really make a difference for a child or multiple children. According to UNICEF, in some countries, the usage of mosquito nets is as low as 5%. Imagine the difference if every time a person bought a tent for their family to use in their outdoor adventures they bought a tent so that another family could be safe and sound.
To donate a mosquito tent to a child in need, visit UNICEF USA's site at http://www.unicefusa.org/ for the general page of by clicking on the direct link to the donation page to give a tent.
For our children if the weather outside gets bad, or if there are mosquitoes in the evening we have abundant choices available to us-- to either go inside and totally be free (except for that one annoying bug that follows us inside) or to stay in a screened porch or tent, or to use abundant and cheap bug repellents and candles.
These tents are inexpensive and can really make a difference for a child or multiple children. According to UNICEF, in some countries, the usage of mosquito nets is as low as 5%. Imagine the difference if every time a person bought a tent for their family to use in their outdoor adventures they bought a tent so that another family could be safe and sound.
To donate a mosquito tent to a child in need, visit UNICEF USA's site at http://www.unicefusa.org/ for the general page of by clicking on the direct link to the donation page to give a tent.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Nature Journaling with Your Kids
Nature journaling? Why am I writing about nature journaling when my son cannot yet do the traditional form of journaling? Or maybe you are simply asking-- what is nature journaling? It is simply the act of writing and sketching observations from the natural world around you. It can be an action to stave off writer's block, or a way to practice your artistic talents on new subjects. Recently it has become more popular as a way to encourage scientific observation and insight in children.
Although my child cannot yet write in words what he sees, he can still observe the natural world around him and put these thoughts to paper. Typically on a hike we take along a small backpack that Noah can carry on his own, which has things like snacks, diapers/ underpants and more fun things like his binoculars (an old pair that are broken, but he doesn't care) and an old Babar pencil case and a small notebook. After a walk or a visit to the nature center Noah will grab this and color his versions of what we have just seen and done.
A few of my favorite articles on nature journaling:
Simple Homemade's recent article.
The Sierra Club has a template for a nature journal, but it is not necessary to print something-- any notebook or paper that you have on hand is perfectly fine. Their article that accompanies this pdf is worth a read, however, and compares the practice to the historical figure John Muir's practice of observing the natural world.
The Handbook of Nature Study has many wonderful resources for parents looking to introduce the natural world to their kids, and nature journaling is a big part of this.
Although my child cannot yet write in words what he sees, he can still observe the natural world around him and put these thoughts to paper. Typically on a hike we take along a small backpack that Noah can carry on his own, which has things like snacks, diapers/ underpants and more fun things like his binoculars (an old pair that are broken, but he doesn't care) and an old Babar pencil case and a small notebook. After a walk or a visit to the nature center Noah will grab this and color his versions of what we have just seen and done.
A few of my favorite articles on nature journaling:
Simple Homemade's recent article.
The Sierra Club has a template for a nature journal, but it is not necessary to print something-- any notebook or paper that you have on hand is perfectly fine. Their article that accompanies this pdf is worth a read, however, and compares the practice to the historical figure John Muir's practice of observing the natural world.
The Handbook of Nature Study has many wonderful resources for parents looking to introduce the natural world to their kids, and nature journaling is a big part of this.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Our Nature Adventures: Duluth in Winter
I have been writing to you with my thoughts on the importance of outdoor play for children of all ages, but maybe I have left something out. You could read my posts here and wonder if I am spending all of my time online writing about being outside while I sit inside in my comfortable office chair not practicing what I preach.
Yes, it is something that I have to consciously decide when it is 8 degrees like today (it will soon be much colder here in MN) and when I am working to finish a project for a client or for grad school it is pretty hard to take a break and take a walk, but I deeply believe that taking those pauses to get outside and simply breathe will help me to be a better mom, student, worker as well as for the health of my child.
Recently, my family and I got the chance to take part in a wonderful example of how wonderful time spent in the outdoors can be, even in the winter months and after dark. My husband and I for our 5th wedding anniversary decided to take a weekend away up in Duluth, MN which is one of our favorite getaways. Since both of us grew up in SW Michigan, we are used to having the Great Lakes easily accessible, and although it is farther away, Duluth is our most convenient access to one of the Big Lakes.
Because Noah is a pretty important result of our marriage, and because he would love the event that we were heading to, we made it a family anniversary weekend. The beauty of the waves, and the way that the city is perched almost ludicrously on the steep hills heading down to the frigid lake, these are all reasons why we love the city. Another reason is because it is a place that seems to get it. It would be pretty hard not to understand the importance of nature with it impacting such a large amount of your economy.
While we were there we took the opportunity to enjoy one of the quirky events that makes this town so wonderful-- The Bentlyville Tour of Lights. While not strictly an activity geared toward nature (in fact, some animals were probably frightened away by the 157 foot LED laden Christmas Tree) but as one tours the lights it quickly becomes apparent that the event is working hard to make sure that people enjoy their time outdoors in the night air.
There are numerous free snacks, from popcorn to cookies and cocoa, but as one walks to the farthest point of the tour, they are met with warm fires blazing and complimentary marshmallows and sticks to roast your own treat. This detail may seem small, but the act of adding in the extra sensory experiences of the smell of the fire and taste of the lightly browned sugary treat in the midst of the cold and light of the fire and decorations adds something wonderful to the experience. The strategic placement of fires as well as the warming house nearby show a care and thought for the experience of families looking to spend time outside in the winter months that I really love.
Yes, it is something that I have to consciously decide when it is 8 degrees like today (it will soon be much colder here in MN) and when I am working to finish a project for a client or for grad school it is pretty hard to take a break and take a walk, but I deeply believe that taking those pauses to get outside and simply breathe will help me to be a better mom, student, worker as well as for the health of my child.
Recently, my family and I got the chance to take part in a wonderful example of how wonderful time spent in the outdoors can be, even in the winter months and after dark. My husband and I for our 5th wedding anniversary decided to take a weekend away up in Duluth, MN which is one of our favorite getaways. Since both of us grew up in SW Michigan, we are used to having the Great Lakes easily accessible, and although it is farther away, Duluth is our most convenient access to one of the Big Lakes.
Because Noah is a pretty important result of our marriage, and because he would love the event that we were heading to, we made it a family anniversary weekend. The beauty of the waves, and the way that the city is perched almost ludicrously on the steep hills heading down to the frigid lake, these are all reasons why we love the city. Another reason is because it is a place that seems to get it. It would be pretty hard not to understand the importance of nature with it impacting such a large amount of your economy.
While we were there we took the opportunity to enjoy one of the quirky events that makes this town so wonderful-- The Bentlyville Tour of Lights. While not strictly an activity geared toward nature (in fact, some animals were probably frightened away by the 157 foot LED laden Christmas Tree) but as one tours the lights it quickly becomes apparent that the event is working hard to make sure that people enjoy their time outdoors in the night air.
There are numerous free snacks, from popcorn to cookies and cocoa, but as one walks to the farthest point of the tour, they are met with warm fires blazing and complimentary marshmallows and sticks to roast your own treat. This detail may seem small, but the act of adding in the extra sensory experiences of the smell of the fire and taste of the lightly browned sugary treat in the midst of the cold and light of the fire and decorations adds something wonderful to the experience. The strategic placement of fires as well as the warming house nearby show a care and thought for the experience of families looking to spend time outside in the winter months that I really love.
Cyber Monday for the Outdoor Family
Did you head back to work this week and take advantage of your break (shhh- we won't tell) to hunt online for a few fun outdoor items for the little kids, grown kids or grand-kids in your life? Cyber Monday is the growing tradition of using time during the work day to look for items from your Christmas and holiday lists.
However, for those of us who are looking for outdoors items the idea of finding items quickly is an intimidating task. Maybe you know that your daughter needs new hiking shoes
, but are reluctant to give this item as a present because you are worried that it will be met with an eye roll, there are many quality options that will no doubt elicit a much more enthusiastic response. I thought that I would share with you a few of the things that we are excited to get our son this year. At 3 1/2 I feel like he is finally at an age where so many of these things will make sense to him conceptually, and where his muscle development will allow these to be used.
One item that has been high on our wish list for this year is some kids snowshoes
for my son. My husband and I got some a few winters before Noah came along, and we feel like he is finally old enough to have a pair of his own. We're planning on also getting him a pair of gaiters
to go with them, which will also hopefully ease the bane of my winter Mommie-life of every pair of pants soaking up the muddy winter slush up to mid-calf every day. I am so excited to take him out on the trails and watch him stumble around with us. We have also tried to pull him in a sled behind us, but this has met with mixed results as he wants to get out of it all of the time.
Another item that we can't wait to play with both inside and as we explore outside is a good pair of walkie talkies
. I adored these things when I was growing up (my dad was a firefighter so once in a while we got to use the really high quality ones and listen in to police chatter as well). And yes, I know that soon enough he will be using cell phones, but there is something so fun about playing a game of "Come Find Me" in the woods with a radio to describe where you are hiding. I'm not sure if these are exactly what we will be buying, but I have already pinpointed that we want ones that are strong, waterproof and that can be recharged easily. There are already too many used AAs in my house that I need to take to be recycled.
For some reason my son is obsessed with learning to tell time (while pooping in the potty today was an entirely different story) and wants a watch
of his own. And, he insists that it be green. He also wants a yellow belt, and I think that the combination will be quite a dapper sight. :) I, meanwhile have been looking for a green watch that is water resistant, which has ended up a surprisingly difficult task. I was so happy to find a couple
that look like they will hold up to the wear and tear of a little boy.
He is a funny little guy, my son. He asked us recently for a snow plow for the front of his tricycle due to his fascination with trains with snowplows on the front of them, and after the recent first real snow falling. It is also funny that we are realizing that this could be the first stretch of time that he remembers into his adult years and we are doing our best to make this foundation one of health and fun and love.
However, for those of us who are looking for outdoors items the idea of finding items quickly is an intimidating task. Maybe you know that your daughter needs new hiking shoes
, but are reluctant to give this item as a present because you are worried that it will be met with an eye roll, there are many quality options that will no doubt elicit a much more enthusiastic response. I thought that I would share with you a few of the things that we are excited to get our son this year. At 3 1/2 I feel like he is finally at an age where so many of these things will make sense to him conceptually, and where his muscle development will allow these to be used. One item that has been high on our wish list for this year is some kids snowshoes
for my son. My husband and I got some a few winters before Noah came along, and we feel like he is finally old enough to have a pair of his own. We're planning on also getting him a pair of gaiters to go with them, which will also hopefully ease the bane of my winter Mommie-life of every pair of pants soaking up the muddy winter slush up to mid-calf every day. I am so excited to take him out on the trails and watch him stumble around with us. We have also tried to pull him in a sled behind us, but this has met with mixed results as he wants to get out of it all of the time. Another item that we can't wait to play with both inside and as we explore outside is a good pair of walkie talkies
. I adored these things when I was growing up (my dad was a firefighter so once in a while we got to use the really high quality ones and listen in to police chatter as well). And yes, I know that soon enough he will be using cell phones, but there is something so fun about playing a game of "Come Find Me" in the woods with a radio to describe where you are hiding. I'm not sure if these are exactly what we will be buying, but I have already pinpointed that we want ones that are strong, waterproof and that can be recharged easily. There are already too many used AAs in my house that I need to take to be recycled.For some reason my son is obsessed with learning to tell time (while pooping in the potty today was an entirely different story) and wants a watch of his own. And, he insists that it be green. He also wants a yellow belt, and I think that the combination will be quite a dapper sight. :) I, meanwhile have been looking for a green watch that is water resistant, which has ended up a surprisingly difficult task. I was so happy to find a couple that look like they will hold up to the wear and tear of a little boy. He is a funny little guy, my son. He asked us recently for a snow plow for the front of his tricycle due to his fascination with trains with snowplows on the front of them, and after the recent first real snow falling. It is also funny that we are realizing that this could be the first stretch of time that he remembers into his adult years and we are doing our best to make this foundation one of health and fun and love.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Black Friday and Outdoor Gifts
Black Friday morning, and in some cases Thanksgiving night will find many people fighting off their Turkey coma and heading out to the stores in search of a holiday deal that their kids will love. Typically Black Friday sales take the shape of an electronic gadget or a plastic toy that will be oohed and ahhed over for a few minutes, mainly while seated or laying down, and then forgotten in a drawer. Or even worse, the item requires additional purchases to make it work in the way that it is portrayed in a commercial, or to store the 1,000s of little pieces that come with it. Only very rarely are these items a toy that will involve large motor play, or that will get kids outside and into the open air.
I admit, we do have a house full of toys-- with my son being the only grandchild on my folks side and a portion of my husband's position in sales comprised with selling toys we do tend to accumulate more clutter than I would like. However, we have made a conscious choice to limit Noah's toy consumption and to select toys that leave options for open ended play available for him. Mommie and Dada also try to restrict purchasing items labelled with cartoon characters (a rule which we ourselves and many grandparents have broken.)
How do we as parents fight this? It seems like every year the sale creeps earlier and earlier, and even now people are lined up to get I know not what at stores around my neighborhood. As this holiday season begins I don't have an answer for you on how to handle your child's gift giving, but over the next few days I will be offering a few of the insights I have learned, as well as a few picks of my personal favorite possible Christmas presents for your kids that will encourage their imagination, as well as encourage them to participate in active play.
I admit, we do have a house full of toys-- with my son being the only grandchild on my folks side and a portion of my husband's position in sales comprised with selling toys we do tend to accumulate more clutter than I would like. However, we have made a conscious choice to limit Noah's toy consumption and to select toys that leave options for open ended play available for him. Mommie and Dada also try to restrict purchasing items labelled with cartoon characters (a rule which we ourselves and many grandparents have broken.)
How do we as parents fight this? It seems like every year the sale creeps earlier and earlier, and even now people are lined up to get I know not what at stores around my neighborhood. As this holiday season begins I don't have an answer for you on how to handle your child's gift giving, but over the next few days I will be offering a few of the insights I have learned, as well as a few picks of my personal favorite possible Christmas presents for your kids that will encourage their imagination, as well as encourage them to participate in active play.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Top 5: Forgotten Supplies for a Hike with Your Kids
1. Food and Water: Even if you think this hike will take only an hour or so and they just ate, kids can be as unpredictable as the weather. You do not want to be stuck hunkered down waiting out a rainstorm or re-tracing the path toward the trail you missed and have a hungry or "so firsty" little guy or girl on your hands who is also exhausted from hiking, and consequently a bit more emotional than usual.
2. Plastic baggies: Perfect for carrying new collections of pebbles from the ground or for carrying the wet clothes of a potty training oops (going potty on the toilet and going potty in a bush are two different things and sometimes that can make my own little one a bit nervous).
3. First Aid Kit: This one is pretty self explanatory. From blisters to splinters, all sorts of small boo-boos need regular attention on a hike with your kids. Hurt feet from blisters or other maladies can quickly turn a fun day into a painful experience, which brings me to:
4. A Good Pair of Shoes: Because our grown-up feet are on our own body, we know the importance of good footwear, but it can be easy to forget that your little one's tootsies need pampering too.
5. Baby Wipes: Even with older kids there is always a job to be done for these handy little wipes. Cleaning shoes or hands covered in mud, or simply wiping away sweat after a long day are just a couple of the uses of these little babies.
Stay tuned for other top 5 lists. Did I forget anything on this one?
2. Plastic baggies: Perfect for carrying new collections of pebbles from the ground or for carrying the wet clothes of a potty training oops (going potty on the toilet and going potty in a bush are two different things and sometimes that can make my own little one a bit nervous).
3. First Aid Kit: This one is pretty self explanatory. From blisters to splinters, all sorts of small boo-boos need regular attention on a hike with your kids. Hurt feet from blisters or other maladies can quickly turn a fun day into a painful experience, which brings me to:
4. A Good Pair of Shoes: Because our grown-up feet are on our own body, we know the importance of good footwear, but it can be easy to forget that your little one's tootsies need pampering too.
5. Baby Wipes: Even with older kids there is always a job to be done for these handy little wipes. Cleaning shoes or hands covered in mud, or simply wiping away sweat after a long day are just a couple of the uses of these little babies.
Stay tuned for other top 5 lists. Did I forget anything on this one?
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Nature Talks with your Kids: Seasonal Change
So, what season is it exactly now? Here in MN if you went by the weather, you could guess spring during a week of mid-50s and even 60 degree weather where kids are biking when they would usually be able to throw rocks into the early morning ice that has formed on ponds. Chronologically it is fall, but an iced tea sounds better to drink than hot cocoa.
Officially winter starts on December 21 and the Winter Solstice,but for much of the US the season has already seemed winter for far longer than that. Snow will blanket the ground and with plans of Christmas a few days later, most kids would have a hard time calling December 20th Autumn.
This change of season is a wonderful opportunity to speak to your kids about the concept of seasonal change and the process of the earth turning from summer to autumn to winter and what they can notice in the natural world around them.
If you are talking a walk with your children there are certain obvious changes that you can see-- the leaves changing color and dropping to the ground and the air feeling cooler. If you are playing in the park you can look at the flower beds that were once full of colorful blooms, but now are empty or full of withered stems. Another interesting change is the absence of bugs that your little ones were earlier able to catch
and study. To where have they disappeared? One of my favorite finds has been the wonderful "My Weather Station" freebie from Mr. Printables. This wonderful little weather station allows kids to track the daily weather in their area and is free to download, as is the site's other digital freebies, like their collection of Earth flashcards, that feature some weather and climate elements.
With older children, or for those smaller ones that love to talk (this might be all little ones) this idea can be taken a bit farther. As parents and caregivers we can guide our children into further looking around to notice other differences. Are the birds and other animals in your area behaving the same, and are these even the same animals that were here in the warmer months? The concept of migration is just one of many ideas that these talks can prompt.
So, when does Winter begin to you? Is it a date, an event like the first snowfall? Or is it tied to some personal life event?
Officially winter starts on December 21 and the Winter Solstice,but for much of the US the season has already seemed winter for far longer than that. Snow will blanket the ground and with plans of Christmas a few days later, most kids would have a hard time calling December 20th Autumn.
This change of season is a wonderful opportunity to speak to your kids about the concept of seasonal change and the process of the earth turning from summer to autumn to winter and what they can notice in the natural world around them.
If you are talking a walk with your children there are certain obvious changes that you can see-- the leaves changing color and dropping to the ground and the air feeling cooler. If you are playing in the park you can look at the flower beds that were once full of colorful blooms, but now are empty or full of withered stems. Another interesting change is the absence of bugs that your little ones were earlier able to catch
and study. To where have they disappeared? One of my favorite finds has been the wonderful "My Weather Station" freebie from Mr. Printables. This wonderful little weather station allows kids to track the daily weather in their area and is free to download, as is the site's other digital freebies, like their collection of Earth flashcards, that feature some weather and climate elements.With older children, or for those smaller ones that love to talk (this might be all little ones) this idea can be taken a bit farther. As parents and caregivers we can guide our children into further looking around to notice other differences. Are the birds and other animals in your area behaving the same, and are these even the same animals that were here in the warmer months? The concept of migration is just one of many ideas that these talks can prompt.
So, when does Winter begin to you? Is it a date, an event like the first snowfall? Or is it tied to some personal life event?
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Pinterest and the Outdoors Family
I know-- Pinterest has the reputation for being one of the things that keeps us from the outdoors-- and it is a temptation and a time waste that can result in too many lost hours looking at clothes, home decor and recipes that we will never cook, but when used properly, it can be helpful for planning activities with our kids that are much less wired in than sitting at a computer.
One of the greatest ways that I have used Pinterest has been through the discovery of nature journaling. While this activity is one that I would do alone because my son is too young to do this much, although he will draw while we are outside. It is a peaceful way to sit and absorb the natural world around as we take a break from hiking or merely sit in our backyard, and in my former far off life as a preschool teacher I was always amazed at what kids would notice and select to chronicle through their pictures, even at a young age.
Another great way to use Pinterest is to use specific search terms when you are looking for information on a topic or for a specific product. For me, there is something about seeing the photos associated with each of the Pins and the comments of other readers about the pins. I love that the variety of topics being pinned is expanding in such a wonderful way. I recently created an Outside board which is filled with ideas for experiencing the outdoors with your kids, and all of the pins contained in it have been found through simply searching for "outdoors kids" or other similar search terms. One of my favorite items that is popping up is books that Noah can use to enhance his experience in nature. I have also noticed a change in that if I am looking for an idea for my son or for a family project that I now turn to that site to look first, rather than wading through the countless results on Google.
Do you use Pinterest? Be sure to look me up, and share your own ideas for engaging your kids outside. It is only by sharing more ideas and then actually taking them from screen to the yard or trail that we can create a future healthier and happier generation of our kids.
One of the greatest ways that I have used Pinterest has been through the discovery of nature journaling. While this activity is one that I would do alone because my son is too young to do this much, although he will draw while we are outside. It is a peaceful way to sit and absorb the natural world around as we take a break from hiking or merely sit in our backyard, and in my former far off life as a preschool teacher I was always amazed at what kids would notice and select to chronicle through their pictures, even at a young age.
Another great way to use Pinterest is to use specific search terms when you are looking for information on a topic or for a specific product. For me, there is something about seeing the photos associated with each of the Pins and the comments of other readers about the pins. I love that the variety of topics being pinned is expanding in such a wonderful way. I recently created an Outside board which is filled with ideas for experiencing the outdoors with your kids, and all of the pins contained in it have been found through simply searching for "outdoors kids" or other similar search terms. One of my favorite items that is popping up is books that Noah can use to enhance his experience in nature. I have also noticed a change in that if I am looking for an idea for my son or for a family project that I now turn to that site to look first, rather than wading through the countless results on Google.Do you use Pinterest? Be sure to look me up, and share your own ideas for engaging your kids outside. It is only by sharing more ideas and then actually taking them from screen to the yard or trail that we can create a future healthier and happier generation of our kids.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Loose Parts in the Small Back Yard
In communities like mine the housing trend of a larger home with a small back yard makes sense-- this is MN after all. It doesn't make much sense to have a pool in every yard and sacrifice square footage, but I have sometimes found myself at a loss for yard ideas that incorporate natural, outside play into our fun in our tiny yard space.
As in many townhome and condo communities, there are strict rules governing what may and may not be in the back yards, and things such as play sets and other kids toys are high on the list of prohibited items. Also under scrutiny more than homes with high privacy fences are
One of the easiest ways to use natural materials in small backyard play is by integrating items that are already in use, such as landscape materials. Some woodchips and wood products may have splinters, so it is best to stick with materials such as rocks and soft bedding materials. Rocks are great for counting, sorting, color differentiation, building and sharing.
If your back yard is smaller, it may also be difficult to spare the space for a sandbox or other play storage. One wonderful idea that I recently found was Prudent Baby's use of a holiday wreath plastic storage box as a small sandbox. I love the thrifty price-- just $10, and the ability to move and store the box out of sight. I have seen a similar thing done with an underbed storage box for the storage of toys and collections of natural materials on a deck or patio. The wheeled version can be easily slid under a table or even into a garage and taken out for quick natural play.
Even if you do not have trees aplenty or a large play structure in your yard, there are still ways that you can integrate balance and large muscle activities in free play. In our back yard, the previous occupants had left several small boards, but this activity can be easily done using short sticks or even a line drawn on a patio with a soft chalky rock. These small pieces of wood can be used for stacking, crossing a "moat," or simply practicing balancing. Since these pieces are so much smaller and more mobile than a large playset, they offer more opportunities for creative play than playgrounds where play is scripted and less is left for your little ones fertile minds.
As in many townhome and condo communities, there are strict rules governing what may and may not be in the back yards, and things such as play sets and other kids toys are high on the list of prohibited items. Also under scrutiny more than homes with high privacy fences are
One of the easiest ways to use natural materials in small backyard play is by integrating items that are already in use, such as landscape materials. Some woodchips and wood products may have splinters, so it is best to stick with materials such as rocks and soft bedding materials. Rocks are great for counting, sorting, color differentiation, building and sharing.
Even if you do not have trees aplenty or a large play structure in your yard, there are still ways that you can integrate balance and large muscle activities in free play. In our back yard, the previous occupants had left several small boards, but this activity can be easily done using short sticks or even a line drawn on a patio with a soft chalky rock. These small pieces of wood can be used for stacking, crossing a "moat," or simply practicing balancing. Since these pieces are so much smaller and more mobile than a large playset, they offer more opportunities for creative play than playgrounds where play is scripted and less is left for your little ones fertile minds.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Nature Exploration-- Playing with Sticks
In my previous post, which discussed Richard Louv's
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
I addressed the issue of finding ways to bring my son in contact with nature in a way that allows him to explore despite us currently living in a townhome community with a small backyard. This week we visited a place that is a perfect illustration of the way that even for families who do not have a large backyard can enjoy time in the natural world with some freedom. |
| Inside the nature center with Noah. |
However, the nearby 4,900 acre Elm Creek Park Reserve excels at providing plenty of outdoor room where there is no one in sight. The land is parkland though, and the concept of "take only photos, leave only footprints" is in effect, and so the nature center has taken advantage of their available land to create a nature exploration area for kids, and kids at heart.
Just down the trail from the nature center, and near enough for potty breaks and a snack from the new snack bar, "Kids can dig, climb, make a fort or dam, and engage their imaginations, while adults play along or observe nearby." A relatively new trend in nature centers and exploration, many nature centers are offering areas where "Leave No Trace" is not in effect. At our local spot, kids are encouraged to use sticks and leaves to build natural shelters, practice damming the nearby water runoff creek and to pretend through all sorts of nature play.
This area puts to use the concepts described by Louv, as well as Loose Parts Theory, as described here in one of my favorite child play blogs. According to Jenny, the author, loose parts are "materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. They are materials with no specific set of directions that can be used alone or combined with other materials." Loose parts can include things like sticks, leaves or rocks, as well as any other number of natural and manufactured materials. In following posts I will describe a few ways in which we can put to use playing with loose parts in suburban communities like my own where freedom to fill up our yard with miscellaneous sticks and other natural play materials is lacking.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Books You Will Love: Last Child in the Woods
Well, hopefully. I know that not everyone will love every book equally, but I am fairly certain that the first installment of this feature will be a winner.
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
,Richard Louv's new classic is the perfect introduction to the many reasons why children need to be exposed to nature on a regular basis, and why there is no substitute for hours spent in free play with natural materials. More and more of our playspaces in the United States are being paved over, fenced in, and overly organized, which while often done under the name of safety has eliminated many of the safe risks that we grew up with, and the chance to learn our own boundaries and abilities.
Louv's book explores this issue, and does so without guilting parents and caregivers into action, rather he reminds them of their own childhood spent exploring and enjoying the world around them and the simple beauty of this, that for many of our children has been taken away in the name of safety. 
This issue is of particular interest to me as a mom because we currently live in a townhome community that, while it has numerous trails, a nice sized back yard and parks nearby, it does not provide the free space that I long for for my son, and any time spent outside needs to be closely watched over as we can't fence in our yard.
This books reminds me of the continued need to look for ways to let my son explore and have independent play, whether that is in our small back yard, or if it is in the space of the woods in one of our local park reserves. This issue is one that is central to my mothering and determines many of the events and activities that I encourage Noah to participate in, as well as those activities that I hold off on because they over-schedule his time and will not allow this badly needed freedom.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Exploring the Outdoors with Your Kids
I grew up in an idyllic outdoor situation. I spent the
large part of my childhood years living on a lake in Michigan. Our family
home was on what had once been an island, but has now been joined to the
mainland via a land bridge. I spent my summers exploring, swimming,
biking, tubing and climbing through the woods behind our house. The sun and the water were perfect, until…
The horrible, aching cold of the snow of winter hit. For me winters consisted of getting stuck
trying to drive away from our home across the land bridge, falling through the
ice into the frigid cold of the lake water and shoveling the snow from our
rural driveway. I dreamed of moving to a warmer locale where I could swim year round and hike with ease in January.
Fast forward to approximately 5 years ago, as I anxiously
await a text from my husband regarding the news about his promotion that we
knew was imminent after a meeting with his boss. Where would we be moved to? I prayed it was someplace warm, perhaps his
company offices in Atlanta, or Virginia Beach, or Florida. Then it comes—Minneapolis. We were moving to a city with roughly the
same climate as Moscow. Perfect.
We arrived around the first snowfall and I assumed that we
would be hunkered down inside until the spring thaw, but then, we began to
notice something amazing. These crazy
Minnesotans actually seemed to enjoy themselves outside, despite the sub-zero
temps. With tentative feet we began to
make our way outside and also began to explore and eventually enjoy being
outside, even on the coldest of days.
Outdoors Family will explore these unique challenges as well
as the joys of sharing experiences year round with your children in the great
outdoors, and way to bring the outdoors inside for those times that you cannot
go outside for safety reasons. Follow us
on our grand adventure and please share with us your own tips and tricks for
safe and fun times outside.
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