Please help spread the word. Here are the early 2013 dates for you, your family and friends!
OAKLAND:
January 10, 17, 24, 31
March 7, 14, 21, 28
May 2, 9, 16, 30
BERKELEY:
Feb. 7,14, 21, 28
April 4, 11, 18, 25
SAN FRANCISCO:
Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1 & 8
Are family and friends asking what your little one wants for the holidays or birthday? If so, why not offer some of these simple ideas. Three reminders would be: watch for choking hazards, think ahead, invest in items that will grow with your baby and make sure they are open ended toys (toys with more than one purpose) to fuel creativity.
1. Balls: Try making your own, find “how to’s” on-line for working with felt or fabric. If you’d prefer to support a local Oakland artist, these felt balls should be in every body’s list. Balls grow with your little one and these are works of art!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dirtgirldesigns?ref=pr_shop_more
Interested in playground balls? Be sure to look for pure rubber balls no PVC, BPA or vinyl please.
2. Kitchen props: Stainless steel or wooden bowl, wooden spoons, measuring cups
3. Fabric: scarves, napkins, bandanas
4. Wooden blocks: a variety of sizes and shapes. Or you can make your own (tape up cardboard boxes.)
5. Dramatic play items: hats, fabric doll babies (plus bibs, diapers, clothes), shoes, belts, capes, larger clothing, kitchen, pots and pans, utensils, wooden eggs, fabric vegetables, strollers, baskets to carry.
6. Find items on walks that you can enjoy and play with together. Leaves, rocks, pine cones, sticks, flowers.
7. Baskets: You want to store items in an open basket where baby can access. Think about sturdy, low lying baskets for non-sitters and deeper baskets with handles for sitters and walkers, or larger floor baskets for walkers.
Ah, gift giving season is upon us. Every company wants your baby to be entertained, ahead of the curve, stimulated, educated….the number one question should be is Do I need this? Remember, simple is best. Here are a few more questions to think about thought…
1. Is it Made of Safe Materials? Free from BPA, phthalates, and PVC? For the safest toys, check out HealthyStuff.org/Toys
2. Is the toy age appropriate?
3. Will the baby actively engage with the toy or sit passively and watch the toy do something?
4. Does the toy encourage creativity and imagination?
5. Can the toy be used in many ways?
6. Will the toy interest your baby for more than just a few weeks?
7. Some of the best toys are the simplest- wooden spoons, pots and pans, measuring cups, and the boxes special toys arrive in!
8. Search for items of different weights, materials, textures, flexibility, sizes, shapes, colors, and smells. Your baby thrives on variety!
9. Is the toy durable and is it easy to clean?
10. Is the toy simple? Avoid complicated toys that may frustrate your baby. Remember, It isn’t what a toy does, it is what your baby can do with the toy that matters!
~~This is re-posted from the Day One Center~~
(This photo is taken from their website.)
THANK YOU to K. who emailed me to tell me about a greener playground ball!
The company is Crocodile Creek and this is what they state:
“Playground Balls
Our playground balls are made of natural and synthetic rubber and contain no PVC, BPA or vinyl.”
Check out the array of colors they come in! Note that not all their balls have the same ingredients though…
You’ve heard me recommend this class before..here is a new time!