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Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

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Color Mixing Sensory Bags for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Color Mixing Sensory Bags for Toddlers and Preschoolers

June 11, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sensory bags are great ways for kids to explore textures, colors and different objects, all while being mess-free and baby-safe. We love making themed bags for holidays or to discuss different learning objectives such as shapes and colors. (Check out how we made these 4 different baby-safe sensory bags!) These color

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Filed Under: Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddler Science, Toddlers Tagged With: Preschool Homeschool

Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin

Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin

May 28, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Find out which types of pasta to use to make this fun and educational butterfly life cycle sensory bin. Dyed pasta with food coloring that kids love.  Sensory bins are one of our favorite ways to explore a topic. This butterfly life cycle sensory bin was super easy (and fun) to

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, Sensory, Spring, Toddler Science, Toddlers Tagged With: kids, moms, Preschool Homeschool, preschoolers, sensory play, toddlers

2 Ingredient Fake Snow with Shaving Cream

2 Ingredient Fake Snow with Shaving Cream

January 22, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

This 2 ingredient fake snow combines shaving cream and baking soda to make a squishy, snowy sensory base for Winter play. Winter themed play just begs to incorporate snow. If you live in a warm weather area, make this 2 ingredient fake snow to play with indoors. Or, if you

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Filed Under: Sensory

Arctic Small World Play

January 14, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

    Continuing our ice and snow exploration for January, we put together an arctic small world complete with a block of ice, water, ocean animals and ice skaters. A small world is simply a miniature play scape intended to evoke imaginative play.   We used the freezing temperatures outside

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Filed Under: Babies, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: Preschool Homeschool

Peppermint Rice Sensory Bin

Peppermint Rice Sensory Bin

December 9, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sensory bins are a great way to open conversation about holidays or special events, all while providing opportunities for learning through play. This peppermint rice sensory bin is one that we use around Christmas. It has a wonderful scent and color, and is perfect for the holidays. *This post contains

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers

Christmas Sensory Bath with Homemade Bath Paint

Christmas Sensory Bath with Homemade Bath Paint

December 6, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Sensory play is not only important for kids, but it is also a fantastic way to keep them occupied, especially on cold days spent indoors! One of our favorite seasonal activities to do is a sensory bath. I love to keep foam sheets on hand (from the dollar store) to

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Filed Under: Babies, Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Mess-Free Sensory Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: bath, boredom buster, cheap, christmas, easy, kids activities, sensory play, stay at home mom

Gluten-Free Spiced Holiday Playdough: Pretend Cookie Shop

Gluten-Free Spiced Holiday Playdough: Pretend Cookie Shop

December 3, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

           I can’t believe I actually attempted another gluten-free playdough after our very wet pumpkin playdough experiment…but I did and actually succeeded! I wanted to set up a pretend gingerbread cookie making station for the kiddos today. We had some cold, wet weather and I was

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Filed Under: Christmas, Edible Sensory Play, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Recipes, Sensory, Thanksgiving, Toddlers Tagged With: christmas, cinnamon, cookies, playdough, Preschool Homeschool, pretend play, Sensory, sensory play, spiced

Gluten Free Edible Pumpkin Sensory Play

Gluten Free Edible Pumpkin Sensory Play

November 16, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This project was a bit of a failure considering what we had intended to create, but evolved into some great pumpkin sensory play instead! My daughter has recently been placed on a gluten free diet so our whole house has been cleaned out of all things gluten. I hadn’t even considered

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Filed Under: Babies, Edible Sensory Play, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Thanksgiving, Toddlers

Pie Crust Playdough

September 16, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin   This week is Apple Week in our house! I am using this theme to work on some fun activities that both of my kids can enjoy, teach the letter ‘A’, and as a fun beginning to Tot School with Ava as her big brother

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Filed Under: Edible Sensory Play, Sensory Tagged With: cooking

Back to School Sensory Bath

August 23, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

        Continuing our preschool readiness series! My main concern, as you might know by now, is emotional readiness rather than skill-based. I want my son to be comfortable away from me and in a new environment for 2 hours. I’m sure this sounds terrible but I want

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Filed Under: Mess-Free Sensory Play, Sensory Tagged With: back to school, play therapy

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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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