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Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

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Moana-Inspired Printable Board Game

Moana-Inspired Printable Board Game

June 12, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

It’s a Moana craze over in my house right now! Ever since making our DIY kids’ Moana necklaces (they’re SUPER easy), my daughter wants to play, craft and create with a Moana theme every day. This fun Moana-inspired printable board game is just perfect to whip out at any time.

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Preschool Tagged With: board game, game, Homeschool, moana, preschool, printable

Learning with Trains: Simple Pre-Spelling Activity for Kids

Learning with Trains: Simple Pre-Spelling Activity for Kids

December 20, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

Kids love to learn by engaging all of their senses (which is also why I have a slight obsession with sensory play), by touching objects and using gross motor skills while acquiring information, their little brains are just firing like crazy. This is a really fun, hands-on activity that uses learning with

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Preschoolers Tagged With: blogger, Homeschool, learning, literacy, mommy, preschool, reading, sight words, stay at home mom

34 Fine Motor Activities to Improve Pincer Grasp

34 Fine Motor Activities to Improve Pincer Grasp

August 11, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

Did you know that you can improve pincer grasp without a pencil? It’s true. There are plenty of fine motor activities that build the muscles in small fingers to help with future handwriting skills. Here are quite a few awesome ones to give little fingers a workout! Fine Motor Activities for

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, fun, Homeschool, kids activities, moms, play, preschool, toddler

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

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

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

Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child

Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child

October 20, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 10 Comments

I am so excited to bring this post to you, courtesy of Anna Crowe Bates of Noodle, about choosing the right preschool for your child. Noodle is the leading website helping parents and students make better education decisions. Using our interactive search tools, families can find the right kindergarten, liberal arts

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Filed Under: Parenting, Preschool, Sponsored Work, Uncategorized Tagged With: finding a preschool, noodle, preparing for preschool. adjusting, preschool, search engine

Simple Sight Word Game with Locks and Keys

Simple Sight Word Game with Locks and Keys

June 15, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

While I firmly believe kids should really be focusing on play and fun at a young age, my son has definitely taken an interest in letter sounds and spelling, and I am trying to encourage it in a fun way. This idea came from a lock and key busy bag that I

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Preschoolers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Busy Bags, Games, Homeschool, keys, literacy, locks, preschool, reading, sight words

Erupting Easter Eggs: Simple Science for Kids

Erupting Easter Eggs: Simple Science for Kids

April 4, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 12 Comments

Remember that baking soda and vinegar volcano you made as a science project in elementary school?  What kid doesn’t love the fizzy reaction you get when you mix the two together?! We do so many baking soda and vinegar projects around here. It’s one of my favorite ‘witching hour’ activities…I’ve

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Filed Under: Easter, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschool, Preschoolers, science, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Easter, easter eggs, eggs, kids activities, science

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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

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Printable Favor Toppers
  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
  • Printable Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Jokes

What’s New:

  • Summer Olympics Bingo Game Printable
  • Constellations for Kids: Constellation Coloring Pages, Flashcards and Science Experiment Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt Printable
  • St. Patrick’s Day Printable Favor Toppers
  • Drawing Garden Game to Print for Kids: Roll and Draw!
  • Printable Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Jokes
  • Valentine’s Day Color by Number Printables
  • Pin the Carrot on the Snowman Printable Game
  • Printable Christmas Puzzles for Toddlers
  • Christmas Tic Tac Toe Printable Game
  • Christmas Charades Printable Game
  • Printable Coffee Gift Card Holder for Christmas
  • The Gift of Christmas Printable Board Game
  • Christmas Countdown Printable
  • Santa Says Printable Christmas Game
  • Christmas Tree I Spy Printable for Kids
  • Thanksgiving Picture Charades Printable Game for Young Kids
  • Christmas Countdown Dollar Store Craft
  • Roll a Gingerbread Man Christmas Board Game
  • Winter Color by Number Printables

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