The Infant Toddler Toolbox

Pretend play offers young children the opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through imitation and imagination they build a deeper vocabulary, hone motor skills, and develop problem solving strategies. Listen as Jen and Alaina talk about all the benefits of pretend play and share strategies for caregivers to create spaces that support and enhance this emerging skill.Resources:https://www.patagonia.com/stories/why-is-unstructured-play-crucial/story-33448.htmlhttps://www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-for-kids/arts-and-craft-ideas/importance-pretend-play.htmlhttps://www.pentagonplay.co.uk/news-and-info/why-pretend-play-is-important-to-child-developmenthttp://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/The-Land-of-Make-Believe.aspx​

Almost a year ago, Jen and Alaina recorded an episode about self-care. During a time of physical distancing and extra stress there is an increased need to focus on such an important topic. On this episode Jen and Alaina provide guidance on the importance of self care and a variety of ways to squeeze in things that good for caregivers at a time where the care of others is intensive. Resources:https://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/11/how-to-stop-entertaining-your-baby/?fbclid=IwAR3dS9bF6TJIbEBQa6lATxdCnryCy-CgiprXBxWtSyY-_A36EI7xrAmqtzchttps://www.janetlansbury.com/2019/07/how-to-create-a-yes-space-outdoors-when-you-dont-have-a-yard/https://www.howwerie.com/rie-yes-space-a-safe-play-space-for-your-independent-baby/https://avirtuouswoman.org/the-one-minute-rule-printable/?variant=12553824403517https://childmind.org/article/self-care-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/https://www.childcareexchange.com/surviving-to-thriving/?fbclid=IwAR3VHk4LAGmCNKzB4R2_ZgxMuWUgRHjUhzmGxDmx-xWwwZGmo7bWSbczi1c

The weather here is changing and families are able to spend more time outside. On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Jen and and Alaina share some of their favorite ways to bring nature and art together. With specific instructions and recipes this episode will add some variety to your outdoor adventures rain or shine.Resource for this Episode:Rhythms of Play https://rhythmsofplay.com/

On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Jen and Alaina talk about cooking with young children. Families are home together for all meals while we are social distancing. That means some sort of food prep is happening at home daily and there is no better way to involve children in the work of the family and build skills through play than by bringing them into the kitchen. Listen as Jen and Alaina discuss the benefits of cooking with children, where you can find inspiration for recipes, and some key tools to have on hand to make everyone's life a little easier in the process. Some of the helpful resources for this episode are: C is for Cooking Recipes from the Street by Susan McQuillan RDNAEYChttps://families.naeyc.org/WOYC/children-learn-so-much-cookingSimple Toddler Recipeshttp://simpletoddlerrecipes.com/blog/40/20-valuable-benefits-of-cooking-with-toddlersKids Eat in Color https://kidseatincolor.com/Look to our Facebook page The Infant-Toddler Toolbox Podcast​ for recipes and cooking projects to follow

There are few activities that are more soothing and beneficial to our senses than digging in dirt. On this episode of The Infant Toddler Toolbox, Alaina and Jen discuss the benefits of gardening with young children as well as offer tips and tricks to creating a garden that is family friendly. Resource: https://kidsgardening.org/

Over the last 4 weeks we have experienced a collective shift as a community, a nation, and a world. As parents and educators we have begun to adjust to life either working from home or working as an essential employee and caring for our children full time in the process. This shift has also left many adults and their children without the aide of typical support structures like grandparents, teachers/ schools and other special others. This podcast aims to answer some of the ways we can support our children in understanding and processing all of the big emotions that come along with these kinds of shifts.

As we settle into the new routines of the stay at home order parents are being asked to come up with a new "work life balance." This episode of The Infant Toddler Tool Box encourages parents to do less because in the end it does more for their children. In embracing boredom, children are provided the opportunity to discover themselves and gain new life skills.

Singing with children and engaging in simple rhymes and finger-plays build important social emotional, language and motor skills. Alaina and Jen share some of their favorites, come learn some new songs to add to your personal catalogue or sing along.Common Children’s Songs and Fingerplays:-Old McDonald-Wheels on the Bus-Itsy Bitsy Spider-Mary Had a Little Lamb-Row Your Boat (Alternate verses! Lion/roar, Tiger/scream)→ You can change up common songs by changing the words but keeping the same tune, singing the songs like animals might sing them (like a cat: “Meow” to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle or another song)-I’m a little tea potMore Obscure:-Jack’s House-Slippery Fish-Reach Up to the Sky-Ram Sam Sam/Family Song-Sing a Rainbow (colors and sign language song)-The Color Song -Matilda the Gorilla-The belly button song (not the one from the belly button book)-I had a little turtleCounting Songs:-FIve Little Ducks-Five Green and Speckled Frogs-Ten in the Bed-Let’s Go Riding in an Elevator-Ants Go MarchingSimple Games-This Little Piggy-Peek-a-Boo-This is the Way They Ride-Doggy, Doggy (Older children, works better with group)-Pat a cake

It's time for part 2 of the child-centered transitions episode. On this edition, we list ideas that both parents and teachers can implement to support children in their daily care setting and strengthening the parent, teacher, child relationship.

Jen and Alaina discuss some of the essential characteristics of successful drop off and pick up routines. This is part one of a two-part episode! Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion next week.

Alaina and Jen dig into the topic of bodily autonomy. We discuss the reasons why children's ownership over their body is important and the ways we as caregivers work to build this valuable aspect of sense of self. Resource article: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/2987-high-five-or-hug-teaching-toddlers-about-consentFollow our Facebook page for the latest news and updates, at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/.Reach out to us via email with questions and thoughts about early childhood education at iandt.toolbox (at) gmail (dot) com.

Jen and Alaina are excited to answer two listener questions! The first question is about supporting emergent language development. The second question is about our top toys/materials for one year olds.Follow our Facebook page for the latest news and updates, at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/.Reach out to us via email with questions and thoughts about early childhood education at iandt.toolbox (at) gmail (dot) com.

On this episode Alaina is joined by special guest Kelsey to talk about Loose Parts. What are they? How do you use them? What kind of learning is happening and how can you incorporate them into your daily practice with young children? We discuss some of the unexpected places where you can find loose parts, and why they are important in the development of play practice and organizational skills.Follow our Facebook page for the latest news and updates, at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/.Reach out to us via email with questions and thoughts about early childhood education at iandt.toolbox (at) gmail (dot) com.

Families travel all the time. On this episode Alaina and Jen talk about the different things to consider before you travel and a few ways to keep young children busy without the use of screens. Last they cover what teachers can do to support families as they prepare or return from travel. The Infant Toddler Toolbox is on Facebook! Follow our show page at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/

On this episode of the Infant Toddler Toolbox, the holiday season can be both rewarding and challenging for families with young children. Fortunately, you get to set the tone of what holidays look like for your family. Jen and Alaina offer some tips and tricks for surviving the holidays with your young child.The Infant-Toddler Toolbox has a home on Facebook! Find us at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/

The Infant Toddler Toolbox is back! On this episode, Jen and Alaina break down why sharing is an inappropriate expectation for infants and toddlers and provide skills and strategies to support this emerging social skill.Check out the Infant Toddler Toolbox Facebook page! Connect with Jen and Alaina as well as people interested in early childhood education. You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/infanttoddlertoolbox/

Rainy day? Relaxing weekend at home? Jen and Alaina talk about all the wonderful enrichment opportunities available to families at home and within the community. Simple and fun activities are provided.

Jen and Alaina take a look at the importance of creative opportunities for young children. The concept of process art is defined. We discuss all that children can gain during this uninterrupted creative time and the benefits for parents as well. Some examples are given for art at home.

In Part 2 of the Language Development topic, Alaina and Jen focus on multi-language learners as well as as get some advice from a former early intervention specialist, special guest Stephanie Sare. Finally, we share some fun recommendations for activities to do at home that support children's development. Useful resources for this episode:Language Development in Children: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/development/language-development/language-development-0-8Conversation Boosts Brains: https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/27/conversation-not-word-dump-boosts-childrens-brains.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0irRXWw49T22Td7oFHz5Npe0_4vVB2vDrYoPpM9SXUpfXLF_CNYnEZTH8Bilingualism: https://neurosciencenews.com/bilingualism-independent-language-6453/?fbclid=IwAR0jyzCRvAoS4iqpyyrWq6oShKBssbmXK4HhooXBahVG3ISfvMPUEFWNBuc

Part One of a two-part episode! Today, Alaina and Jen introduce the topic of language development. We explore its critical role in the overall development of communication, problem solving skills, relationships and literacy. Jen and Alaina talk about what caregivers can expect from their infant and toddler's receptive and expressive language skills at each stage.Useful resources for this episode:Language Development in Children: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/development/language-development/language-development-0-8Conversation Boosts Brains: https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/27/conversation-not-word-dump-boosts-childrens-brains.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0irRXWw49T22Td7oFHz5Npe0_4vVB2vDrYoPpM9SXUpfXLF_CNYnEZTH8Bilingualism: https://neurosciencenews.com/bilingualism-independent-language-6453/?fbclid=IwAR0jyzCRvAoS4iqpyyrWq6oShKBssbmXK4HhooXBahVG3ISfvMPUEFWNBuc

On this episode Jen and Alaina talk about reading with infants and toddlers. We touch on the skills that are built as you develop read aloud routines, how to make reading enjoyable for you and your child and what kinds of books are appropriate for each age. Resources for this topic include: https://www.readbrightly.com/why-reading-the-same-book-repeatedly-is-good-for-kids/and Reading Magic by Mem Fox

On this episode Jen and Alaina discuss all things related to Transitions. We talk about orienting new students and families into the program as well as supporting families and children as they progress through continuity within the program. We also talk about the process of transitions onto preschool. Additionally a special guest talks about supporting the preschool transition and the move beyond to kindergarten.

Alaina and Jennifer talk about self-care. Yes, believe it or not, self-case is IMPORTANT when you are regularly dealing with young children, whether you are a parent, an educator, or a caregiver. What does it mean to carve out space just for yourself? What are the benefits to your skills as a caregiver?

In this episode Jen and Alaina discuss the topic of positive discipline. They discuss what discipline is, why it is important and offer up strategies and suggestions for implementing guidance techniques. The Infant Toddler Toolbox has an email address! Send your questions and comments on the podcast to ITT.toolbox [at] gmail (dot) com. Books mentioned at the end of the podcast: Unconditional Parenting by Alfie KohnDear Parent: Caring for Infants with Respect by Magda Gerber

On this inaugural episode of the Infant Toddler Toolbox, Alaina and Jen get things started by talking about the foundational elements of early childhood development --- respect and meaningful interactions. They talk about the development process that children go through, and the way that adults can effectively help children navigate a tricky but important landscape.