Separate Play Space or Playroom Setup for Little Ones

A child’s play space or playroom becomes the comfortable, therapeutic, and imaginative place where dreams are born when they can relax in their own space. Ideally, a play space would be a separate room by itself created specifically for play time. Here are some pictures and points for you to think about when setting up a child’s play space:

Social Skills With an Infant in the Mix

What about teaching social skills while mixing toddler age (1 year old to under 3 years old) with an eight to twelve month infant that is more mobile and crawling? This requires a different approach compared to two or more toddlers playing together. Toddlers could be high energy at times. How can they play together in the same play space when an infant wants to crawl around and grab everything? The toddlers are not quiet old enough to fully understand that an infant is only curious and doesn’t know how to share yet. The toddlers typically don’t pay attention when they are pushing toys like trucks super-fast with the potential of hurting a little one by running over fingers or toppling over. How do we keep it calm and safe?

“Self-Directed” or "Independent" Play . . . Important?

Why is “self-directed” play important? Or what I like to call free play? 

This gives your little one the opportunity to explore the world around him. The more opportunities to exercise the imagination the more creative children become. As your little one gets older, this imagination will serve as a

Let’s get to know each other better

Do you have a strong desire to connect with others who care for little ones? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, aunt, uncle or a close friend helping out, I would love to hear your stories and what you are currently dealing with.

• Maybe I haven’t touched on your specific situation in my book Precious Years Leaps & Bounds. I’d like to listen to your particular situation.
• Maybe you have an idea or topic to suggest for my blog. Let’s share.
•  Maybe you don’t agree on a topic that I have written about, either in my book or in this blog. I’d like to hear about it.

Parenting can be overwhelming at times especially when you feel stuck. I know how it is to be a parent of little ones. I rarely had time for me when my own kids were little. I had to literally schedule time for “me time” or I felt like I was going to explode. Let’s connect and share what you are currently dealing with. Help me learn more about current issues for this age group while in turn, you may learn something new through our connection. In doing so we (collectively) could rest easier and enjoy our time with the children in our home. 

You can connect with me via e-mail, iva@preciousyearscc.com and I promise it will be kept confidential. If you feel you will need more time, we could schedule a consult. Want to comment on one of my posts, but not comfortable in posting your name or signing up? You can comment as “anonymous”. If you see my post on Facebook, you are welcome to comment there as well.

Lookin’ forward to connecting,

Iva

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

~unknown author

I have referred to this poetic saying several times when raising our own children. I find it to be a good reminder before I reacted to situations or issues that came up that I felt I wasn't prepared for. Love your children where they're at and embrace them for who they are.

Happy holidays to you and your family,

~Iva

You Don’t Have to be Perfect to be a Perfect Parent

I’ve been reading a lot of articles, blog comments and Facebook messages from parents that seem to be struggling when caring for little ones. It seems there is more pressure placed on parents these days. Parents get messages from various sources like; go green . . . eat organic . . . no TV or screen time . . . eat healthy . . . no fast foods . . . sign them up for sports . . . stranger danger . . .is your house childproofed enough . . . protect from germs . . . is your child getting bullied . . . save money for college . . . place them in the best schools. The list is endless. No wonder parents are stressed. They can easily be overwhelmed with trying to be perfect.

Listen, you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. Don’t get so stressed over the fear of not doing enough for your child. Take a breath, relax and embrace time spent with your child.

If there was a recipe to follow that will assure your child will grow up as a beautiful confident individual, it would look something like this:

An equal amount for all below . . .

Patience

Encouragement

Good advice

Praise

Fairness

Security with boundaries

Approval

Acceptance and respect

Opportunities to create and express

Humor mixed with laughter

Lots of hugs

Setting a good example by words and actions

Community for a sense of belonging

Oh, hold on . . . don’t be overwhelmed. I’m sure that naturally you are already attracting this in your child’s life.

By the time your child becomes an adult, it does not matter what your house looked like, how much money you had, or how much stuff they got. They will look back and value the love and patience it took to raise them. Sometimes this takes several years into adulthood before they even admit it to us parents. Sigh . . . So do trust that doing your best is enough. Go by your Motherly or Fatherly instincts when making choices for your child’s individual needs. No one knows your child best as well as you.

I am an author and recently published a book under the name of “Precious Years Leaps & Bounds” (click on link). This book’s sole purpose is to help ease parent’s daily routine when caring for little ones while teaching them the love of learning. I am a parent of two young adults and a child care provider for little ones with 18+ years of experience. I know and truly understand the struggles of raising kids. I realize there is a strong craving and desire from parents and caregivers that need encouragement in raising little ones at home. I’m here as your advocate to help minimize those frustrations.

I know I’m not perfect either. Even with the experience I have with caring for little ones. I have those days that nothing seems to go right. I’ve learned to be flexible in finding what works best for each child as each individual needs are different.

Compassionately,

*Iva

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