Do you know about ‘loose parts play’? This is an idea that was introduced to me a few years ago in the Kindergarten classroom. I have used loose parts with my own children pretty much every single day since then. The idea is so very simple, and the learning is so very powerful. The idea…
8 Ways to Play Puzzles!
Do you know what makes for a fabulously simple quiet time activity? Puzzles. For an activity that is excellent for strengthening little hands and fine motor skills? Puzzles. For increasing attention and concentration? Puzzles. For problem solving and spatial awareness? Puzzles. For sleepless nights and early mornings? Coffee (while little ones do puzzles.) I adore…
Our Daily Schedule Homeschooling Grade 3 and 1 (with a newborn)
A friend of mine reminded me how fun it is to see other Mama’s daily schedules. When I was first considering homeschooling I remember devouring ALL the information I could find on daily schedules. What does it look like to homeschool grade 1? How much time is spent homeschooling grade 3? Can you homeschool with…
How to Become a Mindful Mama
My early motherhood experience felt like a continuous quest for the next point of comfort. At first it was milestones, like “once the baby sleeps through the night” or “once she starts taking a bottle”. When I realized those dreams were illusive and perhaps unattainable, I started aiming for more short-term reprieves, like nap time…
5 Busy Bags with ANY Deck of Cards
Oh Busy bags! You just have to love them! Though I really don’t love the name, to be honest. Busy bags sound to me like they are about keeping kids busy. While that is all well and fine (and certainly can serve a purpose), I prefer to think of them as quiet time activities. Quiet…
Calming Activities for Preschoolers
If you have a preschooler I guarantee that you also have a need for these calming activities! Calming activities for preschoolers would definitely be in the parenting handbook (if only there was one). My boys tend to be on the busy side, so I am sure to include a few extra calming bins with our…
The Easiest Woven Baskets
It’s that time of year for all of those fresh, local berries and goodies! We have been visiting our local farmer’s market each week and each week I am so thankful that there are gardeners far better than I. This also means that we have been getting oodles of those green plastic baskets too. And oodles…
For the LOVE of my kids (The Quiet Time Mastery Series)
I absolutely LOVE spending time with my kids. But I haven’t always … I actually dread writing this next sentence but … I actually used to almost hate it. Doesn’t that sound awful? I have to write it though because I know some of you are right where I was. Some of you are as…
The Best Quiet Time Activities for Kids
You made it! You have made it to your crowning day. Today you will officially become a Quiet Time Queen. I bet you will love it — the coffee is warm, the kids are rested, and life is good. Today I will share the last part of our series on Quiet Time — the activities!…
Establishing Quiet Time – It IS possible!!
Welcome back my Quiet Time friends and happy Tuesday! I have polished up my Quiet Time Queen Crown and am so excited to answer the question that I get ask at least once a week: “How can I get my little ones to actually have a Quiet Time?” Allow me to be brutally honest, because…