A few of my favorite things...

Daneille Grimes, a fellow Kindermusik Educator shared:
"Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens!"
Have you noticed how much pleasure your toddler can find in touching a pansy petal to his cheek? ...or the fascination in the eyes of a threeyear old who has discovered a spider crawling on its web? Everyone whohas a one-on-one relationship with a child can get "back to basics" in ablink of an eye. Even fuzz-balls under the fridge can capture a littleone's interest. Think about the toys you or your child loved most.....probably a cuddly bear, a houseful of "little round people", woodenbuilding blocks, Colorforms shape sets, or play pots and pans, dishesand some play dough "food". A two year old can still spend hoursplaying with soapy suds or digging in the sand. Remember the basicswhen choosing toys and there will be less frustration for you AND yourchildren. No batteries, raucous electronic voices or beeps, softwarethat disappoints, violent games, or lost pieces in the bottom of the toybox. A gift of a big plastic tub with snap-on lid filled with ageappropriate art supplies and blank paper, a plastic drop cloth, and acollection of "stuff" such as tissue tubes, stickers, rubber bands,feathers, scraps of fabric and construction paper might be one of thebest gifts you could give. But don't just set it down in front of yourchild.... "Let's see what we can make!" could be the magic words. Don'tinsist on conformity or beauty. Just the experience of construction canbring great satisfaction. There are some good books on home-madeinstruments for parents and children to make together, combining musicand craft/art. Let me hear of your successes and/or disasters. We canall learn from each other.