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Why Is Play In Childhood SO Important? An Interview with The Genius of Play

Why Is Play In Childhood SO Important? An Interview with The Genius of Play

March 8, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

Play in childhood really is SO important in childhood. An IBM survey says CEOs value employees with creativity, which is fostered via childhood play. Additionally, researchers say free play can significantly improve kids’ problem-solving skills and is one of the best ways to stimulate children’s brain development, while make-believe play

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Dramatic Play, Learning Toys, play, pretend play, toddlers, 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

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

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

  • Halloween Party Snacks for Kids
  • 3 Egg Carton Halloween Crafts
  • Egg Carton Witch Craft for Kids
  • Halloween Jokes for Kids + Free Printable
  • 20+ Halloween Activities for 1 Year Olds
  • 3 Fun Apple Sensory Activities for Toddlers

What’s New:

  • Halloween Party Snacks for Kids
  • 3 Egg Carton Halloween Crafts
  • Egg Carton Witch Craft for Kids
  • Halloween Jokes for Kids + Free Printable
  • 20+ Halloween Activities for 1 Year Olds
  • 3 Fun Apple Sensory Activities for Toddlers
  • Printable Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
  • Printable Dinosaur Game for Toddlers: The Dino Says
  • Planets Trace and Write Printable for Kids
  • Crafts to Make with Egg Cartons
  • Egg Carton Bats Halloween Craft
  • 10 Thankful Crafts for Kids
  • 16 Fall Crafts for 3 Year Olds
  • Egg Carton Spiders Halloween Craft
  • 14 Spider Crafts for Toddlers
  • Fall Photo Challenge for Teens Printable
  • Pumpkin Bingo Free Printable Game
  • Charades Ideas for Families + Printable Word List
  • 10+ Parts of a Pumpkin Activities
  • Printable Pumpkin Life Cycle Story Wheel

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