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Views From a Step Stool

Open Minds & Messy Hands

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Easter Sensory Bin with Colored Rice

Easter Sensory Bin with Colored Rice

February 22, 2019 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This Easter sensory bin is made with colored rice, plastic eggs, little chicks and fine motor tools. Bright and colorful, this rice bin is fun for all ages.   One of our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays is by making a themed sensory bin! This Easter sensory bin is

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Filed Under: Easter, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Sensory, Toddlers Tagged With: Easter, moms, play, play based learning, preschool, sensory bin, toddlers

Basic Preschool Math with Fall Leaves

Basic Preschool Math with Fall Leaves

September 19, 2017 By Katie Chiavarone 2 Comments

There are so many basic math skills that young kids can learn through play. From numbers and counting, to spatial relations and geometry, much of early play like building towers or creating patterns with toy cars practices basic preschool math. This basic math with fall leaves activity is the perfect way to

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Filed Under: Fall, Learn Through Play, Preschoolers Tagged With: early learning, fall leaves, learn through play, math, play, preschool

3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

3 Gift Guides for Every Kid on Your List

November 30, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone

I write often about the power of play on my site. It is how kids learn best, by engaging their senses and exploring open-ended, creative and dramatic play. There are many ways in which kids can play without toys, however, we all know how much kids love to play with toys,

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Parenting, Preschoolers Tagged With: christmas, gifts, Holidays, kids, moms, play, Toys

DIY No-Sew Elsa Cape for Pretend Play

DIY No-Sew Elsa Cape for Pretend Play

September 15, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Kids love to dress-up and engage in pretend play. This type of play is integral to development and is a great way for kids to practice imaginative and creative play. My daughter has recently asked for an Elsa cape for a “show” that she has been meticulously planning for a

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: cape, costume, diy, dress up, elsa, frozen, Halloween, kids, no sew, play, pretend play

Red, White & Blue Colored Salt Army Sensory Bin

Red, White & Blue Colored Salt Army Sensory Bin

August 27, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

This army sensory bin celebrates all of our brave men and women. Check out how we make our colored sensory salts for the base of this bin!   Three cheers for the red, white and blue! This army sensory bin celebrates the United States and all of the brave men

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Filed Under: Elementary, Holidays, Learn Through Play, Memorial Day/4th of July, Preschoolers, Sensory, Uncategorized Tagged With: fourth of july, Holidays, kids, kids activities, memorial day, play, Sensory, veteran's day

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

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

Homemade Finger Paint Recipe: Gentle on the Skin

July 21, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

Have you seen the new Ghostbusters movie yet? My oldest son loves the old movies and anything Ghostbuster related. So, we decided to finger paint some ghosts! This homemade finger paint was the perfect recipe for some fun, outdoor summer sensory play and art. And, easy to make and gentle

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Filed Under: Arts & Crafts, Babies, Elementary, Learn Through Play, Outdoors, Preschool Arts& Crafts, Preschoolers, Recipes, Sensory, Summer, Toddler Arts & Crafts, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, diy, gentle, Homemade, kids, paint, play, preschoolers, Sensory, toddler

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

10 Fun Ways to Celebrate (Outside) with Dad on Father’s Day

July 5, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

It’s the month of dads! There are so many ways you can get outside as a family to celebrate. From homemade gifts, to tools, ties and socks, there are plenty of things to give dad. Here are some ways you can celebrate and spend time with him, making memories that last a lifetime, all while

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Filed Under: Outdoors, Parenting, Spring, Summer, Uncategorized Tagged With: dads, fathers day, gifts, outside, parenting, play, travel

Butterfly File Folder Games: Free Printable!

Butterfly File Folder Games: Free Printable!

March 31, 2016 By Katie Chiavarone 4 Comments

File folder games are right up there with busy bags for me. I love these types of educational activities that are more about fun than learning. My kids adore them and use them often in places like waiting rooms, restaurants, and even airplanes. They butterfly file folder games are super

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Filed Under: Learn Through Play, Preschoolers, Spring, Toddlers, Uncategorized Tagged With: butterfly, kids, learn through play, play, preschoolers, printable, spring, toddlers

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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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