Category Archives: Play, Growth & Development

Get Outside for Goodness’ Sake

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

I was supposed to write a blog promoting the idea of getting outside to play. So, here goes: Go outside and play. Blog’s done. 🙂 Yeah, but when have I ever stopped at just four words? (LOL!) That and it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged bring back play, get out and play, Mental Health, outdoor play, Physical Health, play outside, play with your kids, school, special needs, the benefits of playing outdoors | 2 Comments

Get it done: Focus on Executive Function

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

Ever notice that, when we hurry, things actually take longer and we’re not so nice to be around? Think about it for a second. We tend to drop stuff, get easily annoyed or even forget to do things altogether? And … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Children & Tweens with Special Needs, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Toddlers & Preschoolers, Toddlers & Preschoolers with Special Needs | Tagged brain development, child behaviour, child development, Executive function, hurried child, hurried parent, Mental Health, school, special needs, working memory | Leave a comment

Will play-based Kindergarten really prepare my child for grade 1?

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

Let’s face it – parents tend to worry when their kid is starting Kindergarten. They stew about how Junior will fasten his jacket, manage his backpack, open his lunch and snack containers and get along with his classmates. They worry … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Play, Growth & Development, Preparing for Kindergarten, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged Emergent learning, Full day kindergarten, JK/SK, learning through play, play and early learning, play builds brains, play is learning, Play-based learning, Preparing for Kindergarten, school | 8 Comments

Celebrate the Longest Day of Play!

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

You know that frightening (yet strangely comforting) moment when you hear yourself channel your own parents when you utter a random phrase to your kids? That moment came for me last Sunday when I heard myself (i.e. my mother, circa … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged bring back play, Celebrate the Longest Day of Play!, grandparents, June 21st, longest day of play, longest day of the year, participaction longest day of play, physical activity, Physical Health, play, play outside, school, special needs, summer solstice | Leave a comment

Childproofing – keeping my expectations realistic

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Pumpkin is two years old, and has become so independent lately. She’s no longer falling and bumping her head all over the place (well, for the most part), … Continue reading →