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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

STEM Education at Home with the StikBot: Review

STEM Education at Home with the StikBot: Review

October 23, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

I’ve said it before in previous articles, but I’m going to say it again…I’m obsessed with STEM education. I don’t know if it’s because I’m SO left-brained or if it’s my admittedly nerdy fascination with math OR my disdain for writing (wait, what?!), but I just think it makes sense.

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Sponsored Work Tagged With: animation, Blogging, creativity, imagination, review, sharing, social media, Toys, video

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

Fall Sensory Bin With The Schleich Chicken Coop

Fall Sensory Bin With The Schleich Chicken Coop

September 30, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 6 Comments

I like to keep a sensory bin handy each month for the kids to explore, usually corresponding to a theme or a holiday. It provides us with a wonderful opportunity to begin the dialogue for what kinds of activities we will be focusing on. We had the opportunity to review

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Filed Under: Elementary, Fall, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Sponsored Work, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: chickens, creativity, Dramatic Play, fall, imagination, play, review

Learning Colors with Magic Moves® Rainbow Jam by Educational Insights: Review

Learning Colors with Magic Moves® Rainbow Jam by Educational Insights: Review

September 20, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Does she know her colors yet? I’m sure as a parent you have heard this question a thousand times….at the park by inquiring moms, at your child’s 2 year checkup, or from your need-to-know-everything mother-in-law family members. Comparing children is something we all do, intentionally or not. As we know, each

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colors, Dramatic Play, Learning Toys, Preschool Homeschool

Play Therapy at Home with Puppets on a Stick Rainbow Prancers: Review

Play Therapy at Home with Puppets on a Stick Rainbow Prancers: Review

September 15, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

    While getting my Masters at NYU in Educational Psychology, I took a course on Play Therapy. In hindsight, it was one of the best classes that I attended and has come in VERY handy with my oldest son (4 years old). He is very cautious and analytical, always

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Blogging, Communication, Dramatic Play, play therapy, Puppets on a Stick, Self-Expression

Design & Drill Review: STEM Education Through Play

September 9, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

  As a stay-at-home mom of three little ones, I’m constantly on the lookout for activities to engage and entertain them while I manage household chores. While I appreciate and encourage their help with tasks like laundry, dishes, and cooking, there are times when I simply need to focus on

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bloggers, fine motor, math, Mommy Blogger, patterns, Preschool Homeschool, pretend play, STEM, tools, Toys

At-Home Science Experiments to do Every Day

At-Home Science Experiments to do Every Day

September 1, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

It’s no secret we LOVE science experiments in our house and I try to do as much STEM education at home as possible. We typically do a lot of experimenting with household objects using bowls, spoons and old medicine droppers as our materials. Having ‘real’ science tools for creating at-home

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Preschool Science, Preschoolers, science, Sponsored Work, Toddler Science Tagged With: Family Fun, Games, Preschool Homeschool, STEM

Zing Zeon Firetek Bow Review: Indoor and Outdoor Fun (and learning!)

Zing Zeon Firetek Bow Review: Indoor and Outdoor Fun (and learning!)

August 4, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

    The Firetek Zeon Bow by Zing is such a fun toy for kids! We were given the opportunity to review the product after meeting them at Sweet Suite this year. First off, we are huge fans of pretty much anything that lights up and ‘glows’. Watching these shoot across

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Filed Under: Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschoolers, Sponsored Work, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: Blogging, Family Fun, Games, Giveaway. Bloggers, Preschool Homeschool

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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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