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Views From a Step Stool

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5 Ways to Encourage Unstructured Play in Kids

5 Ways to Encourage Unstructured Play in Kids

October 31, 2015 By Katie Chiavarone 8 Comments

Play is SO important. We often appreciate how much enjoyment kids receive from playing with their peers or their favorite toy, however, we often overlook the power of play. While kids are playing, there is so much social, emotional and mental growth occurring. These ways to encourage unstructured play in kids

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Filed Under: Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Parenting, Preschoolers, Toddlers Tagged With: kids, play, preschool, sponsored, unstructured play

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

Marbled Milk Paper: Science + Art for Kids

Marbled Milk Paper: Science + Art for Kids

May 21, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

This is one of the most fun science experiments for toddlers and preschoolers! Combining science and art, not only is the process really awesome, but you can use the finished product to make some marbled milk prints! It’s so simple, all you need is milk, food coloring, Q-tips and dish

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschool Science, science, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddler Science, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, kids, kids activities, moms, preschool, Preschool Homeschool, science, toddler

Garden Sensory Bin for Outdoor or Indoor Play

Garden Sensory Bin for Outdoor or Indoor Play

May 7, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 1 Comment

This garden sensory bin is perfect for discussing the importance of gardening and fresh fruits and veggies with kids. What a way to celebrate Spring! One of my favorite activities to do with my kids are monthly, themed sensory bins. I think the value of sensory play is highly underrated,

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Filed Under: Sensory, Spring, Uncategorized Tagged With: garden, kids, moms, outdoors, Sensory, spring

Homemade Earth Day Cookies

Homemade Earth Day Cookies

April 21, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 5 Comments

Earth Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate with the kiddos. I love anything that has to do with the outdoors and celebrating our great, green earth. We start conversations about trees, soil, recycling and endangered species…and what better way to introduce the topic that with some hands-on,

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Filed Under: Preschool Science, Recipes, science, Spring, Toddler Science Tagged With: baking, celebration, cookies, cooking, earth day, Homemade, kids, kids cooking, treats

Edible Bird’s Nest: Kid-Made Easter Party Treats

Edible Bird’s Nest: Kid-Made Easter Party Treats

April 17, 2014 By Katie Chiavarone 3 Comments

This edible bird’s nest treat is the perfect recipe for a kids’ Easter party! Bonus, kids can make and decorate them all by themselves! This is such an adorable treat for a kids’ Easter party! We got our edible bird’s nest inspiration from Unsophisticook and they were incredibly easy and kid-friendly to make.

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Filed Under: Easter, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: birds, cooking, Easter, easter party, Homemade, kids, nests, treats

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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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