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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

Is the Moms Meet WOW Summit for You?

Is the Moms Meet WOW Summit for You?

September 1, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Are you a blogger looking to grow your brand and connect with other influencers and mom-friendly companies? Are you a mom looking for more healthy and natural alternatives for your family? Then the WOW Summit 16‘ is for you! This year, it will be held in National Harbor, MD (8

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Filed Under: Gentle Parenting, Parenting, Sponsored Work Tagged With: blogger, Conference, crunchy, green, healthy, mom, natural

How to Help Kids Manage Stress

How to Help Kids Manage Stress

August 20, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

When we hear ‘back to school,’ we often think about school shopping, packing lunches, and homework. But what about the social and emotional well-being of the child? Addressing these aspects is just as important for ensuring a successful school year. In today’s evolving world, even adults are seeking ways to

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Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized

Pocket Fidgets for Kids Who Can’t Sit Still

Pocket Fidgets for Kids Who Can’t Sit Still

August 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

If you are a parent of a child who can’t sit still, one of your biggest concerns is most likely how they will fare in school. How will they sit for hours at a time without getting in trouble? Better yet, how will they do this and still be able

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Filed Under: Gentle Parenting, Parenting, Preschool, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: ADHD, fidget, fun, kids, moms, play, school, spirited

Ways to Announce the Birth of a Child

Ways to Announce the Birth of a Child

July 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

When it comes to the birth of a child, there isn’t a whole lot that trumps that, especially if it’s the first baby. After nine (it’s really 10) months of miserably carrying a child, all you want to do when it’s born is scream from the rooftops announcing the birth

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Filed Under: Parenting, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

July 5, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

It’s the month of dads! There are so many ways you can get outside as a family to celebrate. From homemade gifts, to tools, ties and socks, there are plenty of things to give dad. Here are some ways you can celebrate and spend time with him, making memories that last a lifetime, all while

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Filed Under: Outdoors, Parenting, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: dads, fathers day, gifts, outside, parenting, play, travel

5 Things You Understand When You Become a Mom

5 Things You Understand When You Become a Mom

May 3, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 4 Comments

When you become a mom. Childhood memories are often filled with moments spent with our loved ones. As a child of a stay at home mom, many of mine are of my mom. I remember often wondering why she did some of the things she did, though never doubting that

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Filed Under: #TakeTime Linkup, Parenting, Uncategorized

5 Tips for Flying with Kids

5 Tips for Flying with Kids

April 29, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Tips for Flying with Kids Let’s face it…flying with children can be daunting at worst, and exhausting at best. It requires much preparation and attention, but can provide you with many opportunities for lasting memories and fun! A little bit of organization and confidence can make the whole process a

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Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: airplanes, anxiety, Busy Bags, family travel, flying, kids, moms, travel

Nebula Calm Down Jar: Sensory & Science 

Nebula Calm Down Jar: Sensory & Science 

April 18, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 7 Comments

This nebula calm down jar is a perfect mix of calming sensory play and science, all wrapped up into a fun project! With only a few ingredients, you will have captured a little but of outer space in a jar, with a mesmerizing calming effect. We made this calm down

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Parenting, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: calm down jar, emotions, Homeschool, moms, preschoolers, psychology, sensory play, spirited kids, toddlers

How to Help an Angry Child Calm Down: 5 Tips

How to Help an Angry Child Calm Down: 5 Tips

April 10, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 19 Comments

Here are some tips on how to help an angry child calm down gently. Plus, 8 tools they can use to calm down anywhere. Grab a printable reminder.   Regulating emotions can be difficult for any child, those with more of a natural inclination to anger can have an especially

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Filed Under: Gentle Parenting, Parenting Tagged With: aggression, attachment parenting, calm down, dads gentle parenting, kids, mad, moms, parenting

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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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