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Gift Wrapping Pretend Play and Fine Motor Practice with Recyclables

Gift Wrapping Pretend Play and Fine Motor Practice with Recyclables

November 26, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Gift wrapping pretend play is such a fun activity to do with kids around the holidays, and perfect for building fine motor skills. Cutting, measuring, taping and decorating all incorporate math, art, and motor practice through PLAY. We have been collecting recyclables such as cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls and milk

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Filed Under: Christmas, Elementary, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, gift wrap, invitation to create, preschool, pretend play, toddlers

12 Days of Blogmas! 12 Days, 12 Blogs, and a HUGE Giveaway!

12 Days of Blogmas! 12 Days, 12 Blogs, and a HUGE Giveaway!

November 23, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

The Christmas season is upon us, and we have a lot of fun in store for you! The 12 Days of Blogmas is a really fun way to get excited about the upcoming holiday season, read some awesome articles (discover new blogs) and enter to WIN an amazing prize! Spoiler

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: blogger, blogmas, christmas, Giveaway, Holidays, Mommy Blogger, prize, writing prompts

DIY Christmas Sensory Sticks for Kids

DIY Christmas Sensory Sticks for Kids

November 23, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

These Christmas sensory sticks allow for exploration through the senses of smell, touch, hearing and sight, and, they are incredibly simple to put together!    Engaging all the senses is a really fantastic way to promote learning through play. Hands-on play and the ability to really explore materials creates lasting

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: bells, christmas, craft sticks, diy, homemade toy, sensory play

Quiet Toys for Babies: A Parent-Approved Gift Guide

Quiet Toys for Babies: A Parent-Approved Gift Guide

October 13, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

If you walk down a toy aisle for babies, the sight and sounds can be quite overwhelming. Many of the toys require more batteries than all of the remotes in your house combined. While babies love a toy that talks or sings to them while they play, there is great

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Filed Under: Christmas, Gift Guides, Holidays, Parenting, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: babies, christmas, gift guide, gift guides, gifts, kids, kids activities, moms, Preschool Homeschool, toddlers

Christmas Tree Brownies: Kid-Made Holiday Treats

Christmas Tree Brownies: Kid-Made Holiday Treats

December 22, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a super quick Christmas dessert that you can make with your kids? Look no further! These Christmas tree brownies are SUCH an easy treat and can be made completely homemade, or from a box (in our case). We were inspired by these from One Little Project. My

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: baking, brownies, christmas, christmas tree, goodies, kids activities, party food, treats

Christmas Printable Packet

Christmas Printable Packet

December 12, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter and receive all of our Christmas Printables in one easy to print packet! As a subscriber, you will receive some of our fun kids activities delivered straight to your inbox, and don’t worry, I promise not to flood your account with spam. As

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, optin, printable, stay at home mom

Kindness Candy: Spread Cheer this Holiday Season and Teach Kindness

Kindness Candy: Spread Cheer this Holiday Season and Teach Kindness

December 8, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

Too often this time of year we hear stories about how poorly people can treat each other. It always amazes me that people have the audacity to say or do rude things to one another. I don’t want this post to be negative, and I do see good in people

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Filed Under: Christmas, Gentle Parenting, Holidays, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: acts of kindness, christmas, kids, kindness, preschool, stay at home moms

7 Sweet Treats for a Kids Holiday Party!

7 Sweet Treats for a Kids Holiday Party!

December 4, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

One of my favorite parts of any holiday is the opportunity for a super fun kid’s party. My son loves to get together with a few of his friends and celebrate. I always enjoy planning some activities, like renting a minion jumping castle melbourne for extra excitement, but I especially love

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: christmas, desserts, Holidays, kids parties, kids treats, party, treats

Gift Guide for the Active Mind: Ages 3-8

Gift Guide for the Active Mind: Ages 3-8

December 3, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

Does your child have a mind with wheels that never seem to stop turning? I’m sure it is one of those qualities that you absolutely adore, however, you are probably constantly trying to find ways to engage them and keep them occupied in a constructive way. My little guy falls in this

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Filed Under: Christmas, Gift Guides, Holidays, Parenting, Preschool, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: critical thinking, gift guide, gifts, Holidays, imagination, preschool, present, Toys

Gift Guide for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Dramatic Play Toys

Gift Guide for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Dramatic Play Toys

December 2, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 15 Comments

Do your kids love to play pretend?  Quickly outgrowing the baby toys, yet not quite big enough for smaller-piece toys, it can be a challenge to find developmentally appropriate and safe toys for the 2-3 year old age range. Notice that some of my favorite brands included are Melissa & Doug,

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Filed Under: Christmas, Gift Guides, Holidays, Parenting, Sponsored Work Tagged With: Dramatic Play, gift guide, gifts, Holidays, learn through play, presents, reviews, shopping, toddlers, Toys

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Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

Welcome to Views From a Step Stool!

I am a mom to three little ones and love to create and explore every day with them! We have open minds and messy hands, come join in our adventures!

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What’s New

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts

What’s New:

  • 12 Snowman Crafts for Kids
  • 10 Elf on the Shelf Printables to Download
  • 12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  • Candy Corn Sensory Bin
  • Emotions Sensory Bag
  • 10 Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts
  • Build a Jack-o-Lantern Sensory Craft
  • Breakfast Smoothies for Kids with BlendJet Portable Blender
  • 12 Outdoor Painting Ideas for Kids
  • Educational Sensory Bin Ideas
  • 12 Animal Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids
  • 10 Insect Themed Sensory Bins
  • 12 Bee Crafts for Kids
  • 15 Easter Chick Crafts for Kids
  • 15+ Earth Day Crafts for Kids
  • St. Patrick’s Day Emotion Cut and Paste Printable Activity
  • Valentine’s Day Charades Words
  • Printable Color by Number Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids
  • Valentine’s Day Kindness Countdown Calendar: Free Printable
  • Valentine’s Day Pixel Art Color by Number: Free Printables

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