No Naps, Less Novels, More Play

If you have been following along, you know that Naps and Novels used to be a feed of lazy Sundays in bed, reading on the beach and hot coffee on the couch in cozy sweats. While I still live in my cozy apparel, my coffee is lukewarm at best and my Sundays aren’t lazy. I have not curled up in bed with a book in a long time. Instead, I have been busy playing. Playing with my curious, adorable, fun and bright 7-month-old daughter and loving every minute of it. What you may not know about me is that I am a teacher and I have my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I fell in love working with the early years when I was given the opportunity to design and implement programming at various pre-schools in Toronto. I have seen first hand the importance and benefits of play. I have witnessed that when children are given the time and space to be imaginative, to take risks and to create using engaging and open-ended materials, they develop language skills, social skills, problem solving skills, self-regulation, self-help skills and confidence. They role play, explore, question and empathize while becoming princesses, chefs, doctors, veterinarians, scientists, builders and astronauts.

I have provided play opportunities for many children over the years, set up classrooms, researched materials and documented learning. Now, I spend my days watching my own daughter explore and play in a space that I created for her. Naps and Novels was originally inspired by my friends who asked for book recommendations. Since gaining experience as an educator, my friends are now reaching out and asking me to recommend materials, toys and ways to play with their children. That ignites something in me – the desire to advocate for play. I want to provide parents, caregivers and educators the tools, advice and confidence to explore the world of play with the children in their lives. I want to share my views, experiences, knowledge and experience. I’ve always wanted to write a blog so here I am. My very first blog post. Naps and Novels is transitioning and evolving and I hope you continue on this journey with me.

But, what about Bookstagram? I will always share my book recommendations with you and I hope you continue to reach out when you are looking for your next great read. I have connected with so many people because of a mutual love for books and I will continue to do so. I just want to share more of my passions with you not only as a book lover but as an educator, play advocate and new mom. So, what can you look forward to? I will be sharing my experiences playing with my daughter, how I set up her place space, my favourite children’s books and toys and so much more. I hope you find this blog helpful, relatable and most importantly, it is my hope that I can inspire you to get messy, to explore, to imagine and to PLAY.

Love always,

Erica