Childproofing. It may include outlet covers, but it certainly doesn't end there. And just as today's children's furniture pieces often include tech-friendly details like cord access and built-in charging stations, safety considerations for today's kids extends past the things that pose an immediate physical threat. But today we're going to focus on choosing a bed with fall prevention in view. The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for children ages …
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During the slow wave sleep, a child's brain is developing and growing. In order for that development to take place, children need more than a certain number of hours in bed; they need restful sleep. One factor that can interrupt their ability to get both the proper quantity of sleep and the proper quality of sleep is their being plugged into electronics. Both screen exposure and even the presence of gadgets in the bedroom can keep your child from getting the kind of sleep he or she nee …
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While your child's health and happiness isn't entirely tied to what's on his or her night stand, there may be a pretty major connection! Both what is and isn't on your child's night stand can greatly influence the kind of healthy sleep he or she gets — which in turn translates into happiness. We started exploring how electronics can influence sleep in Part 1. Now we'll make some specific recommendations about what should and shouldn't be on your child's night stand. Say No to Screen …
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One way to personalize your child's room is to use name art, but that's definitely not the only way! Monograms can help achieve that same effect, but with a slightly more upscale appeal. And it's not just for wall art! One-letter monograms for kids display the first letter of a first name, while 3-letter monograms usually include the first name initial in the middle, with smaller middle and last name initials on either side. You can certainly use the same formats as for name art to dis …
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There's just something about seeing or hearing one's own name that makes a person feel special. And of all people, of course we want our kids to feel special, especially as they retire into their personal sanctuary. Whether you want to special order something or get your DIY on, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate your child's name into his or her room décor. Natural Design Ideas If your child's room incorporates nature, then why not use some found objects from around y …
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If the idea of crafting with your kids makes you cringe, you're not alone! But crafting doesn't have to be messy. Or require a lot of prep work. If that's not your style, don't worry: you can still offer your child the satisfaction that comes with the sensory involvement and joy of creating! We'll start with a few string-based crafts, suitable for both boys and girls. Knot Practice for Kids As soon as your child has the fine motor skills to be able to tie a knot, you can teach t …
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If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say that they "can't sew," I'd, well, have a lot of dimes. Even if you don't have a sewing machine or the desire to start making your own clothing or window treatments, you can learn — and teach your child — basic hand stitching. Keep in mind that sewing isn't just for decorative art; it's a very practical skill that can be used to repair clothing, avoiding waste and needless spending. At once green and frugal, it's quite in line with toda …
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We might all wish we could have Alice's experience in Wonderland, where she enters a room only to find its size quite different than it appears. While we don't really have any magic tricks up our sleeves, we can benefit from some simple design principles to make small rooms avoid looking or feeling cramped. From color choice to textures and other décor choices, you can make even the smallest room appear more spacious than it really is. Rethinking Color Choices The first principl …
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Do you dread travelling with kids? Tsh Oxenreider and her husband spent a year travelling the globe with their three kids, 10 and under — and lived to tell about it! Here are some of her words of wisdom: "Travel happens differently when it's done with kids in tow. It has to. And that's okay. Going in with this attitude is more than half the battle, I've found." How is travelling with kids different, and how can you live to tell your own travel tales, and do so with a smile? Pr …
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Whether it's at a doctor's office, restaurant, or someplace else, we all know how waiting times can spell disaster for bored or "hangry" kids. You can curb the chances of a meltdown when you plan ahead by having a "bag of tricks" on hand for such waiting times. Since you can't always predict when such waiting times will present themselves, we recommend keeping your "waiting bag" in your vehicle. Printed Activities Whether you choose a ready-made activity book or a printed activi …
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