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Views From a Step Stool

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Monster Sensory Bin: Fun by Day, Spooky by Night

Monster Sensory Bin: Fun by Day, Spooky by Night

September 29, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

This monster sensory bin is the perfect way to engage in pretend, Halloween play without being too spooky or scary for little ones. During the day, the eyeballs are fun to squish and look for, and then at night, they glow, which has quite a different effect! What a fun Halloween

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Filed Under: Elementary, Fall, Halloween, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized

Fall Tree Button Practice Busy Bag

Fall Tree Button Practice Busy Bag

September 21, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Busy bags are fantastic to have on hand for quiet time, waiting rooms, church, etc. I like to have fun themed ones to take out for different seasons. This button practice busy bag practices and encourages fine motor skills, while allowing for some creativity and imagination when decorating the scene. To

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Fall, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Thanksgiving, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: fall

Fine Motor Sharing Game for Toddlers

Fine Motor Sharing Game for Toddlers

September 19, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sharing is a difficult concept for young kids to grasp. This social skill is a fundament to early friendships and engaging in play with peers. One of my favorite ways to discuss (and practice) sharing with kids, is through play and taking turns. This activity based on the book, Should

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: book club, elephant, friendship, ice cream, piggie, sharing

How to STEM at Home the Simple Way

How to STEM at Home the Simple Way

September 15, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) is all the rage, and it’s no wonder. So many incredible skills can be learned by exploring these topics starting at a young age. And, it’s FUN! Check out how you can STEM at home by getting a box full of fun delivered right

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sponsored Work, Toddler Science, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Homeschool, kids, moms, preschool, science, STEM, subscription

Ultimate List of Fall Printables for Kids

Ultimate List of Fall Printables for Kids

September 11, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Get your printers ready! Here is our list of some of the best fall printables for kids around. From toddlerhood to early elementary education, and from reading to math to games and fun, we’ve got ya covered. Fall Printables for Kids for Extension Learning and Fun I write primarily about

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Filed Under: Elementary, Fall, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: fall

Yarn Rubbing Process Art

Yarn Rubbing Process Art

September 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

By sandwiching yarn in some aluminum foil, kids can create a rubbing template to create artwork! This yarn rubbing process encourages imagination, trial and error, and some fine motor work. As with all process art, this projects really focuses much more on the process of creating the art, rather than

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Learn Through Play, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers

Red, White & Blue Colored Salt Army Sensory Bin

Red, White & Blue Colored Salt Army Sensory Bin

August 27, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This army sensory bin celebrates all of our brave men and women. Check out how we make our colored sensory salts for the base of this bin!   Three cheers for the red, white and blue! This army sensory bin celebrates the United States and all of the brave men

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Filed Under: Elementary, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Memorial Day/4th of July, Preschoolers, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: fourth of july, Holidays, kids, kids activities, memorial day, play, Sensory, veteran's day

Counting Money Busy Bag for Big Kids

Counting Money Busy Bag for Big Kids

August 17, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 5 Comments

Counting money is an activity that kids can easily take an interest in, and is something that we want to encourage. Doing this in a visual, hands-on way is best for learning. However, we don’t always want to give our kids access to tons of real money to practice this. Here is

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers Tagged With: Busy Bags, fun stuff, Homeschool, kindergarten, learning, moms, preschool

Spin Art Wall Art for Kids

Spin Art Wall Art for Kids

July 25, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

My kids LOVE to make spin art. The process is super fun, they are making amazing art, and it can keep them occupied for quite some time. However, when they are finished, I am left with gobs…and gobs…of beautiful little squares that are just way too gorgeous to toss. We’ve

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: artwork, diy, fun, Homemade, Homeschool, kids, kids art, moms, preschool

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

July 21, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Have you seen the new Ghostbusters movie yet? My oldest son loves the old movies and anything Ghostbuster related. So, we decided to finger paint some ghosts! This homemade finger paint was the perfect recipe for some fun, outdoor summer sensory play and art. And, easy to make and gentle

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Recipes, Sensory, Summer, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, diy, gentle, Homemade, kids, paint, play, preschoolers, Sensory, toddler

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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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