What are they? Loose parts refer to open-ended materials that can be manipulated in different ways. Loose parts are interesting, unexpected, real objects that provide children with unlimited play possibilities. There is no specific way to use them which is why they are so appealing. Children are given the freedom to make their own rules, to imagine and to be creative.

Loose parts are mobile objects, they can be carried around, poured and dumped. They can be used for sorting, for counting, for role playing, for transient art. You can build with them, stack them, manipulate them in different ways, pull them apart, but them back together, line them up and mix them. Loose parts can be found in nature or found in your home. They are not fancy toys, have no flashing lights and do not require batteries. Loose parts are often inexpensive or even repurposed or recycled and can be played with indoors or outdoors. Here are some examples:

What I find so fascinating about loose parts is that every child uses them differently and in a way that is meaningful to them. One child may use buttons as play food or money in a pretend grocery store. Another child might use wooden blocks to build a boat or a rocket ship and use corks as people or astronauts. The next day, the boat may be turned into a tree house or a castle and fabric or wooden spools might be used as furniture and decoration. I have witnessed this play many times and each time it is truly magical. The possibilities for play are endless with loose parts and can be enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities.

Closed-ended toys refer to those toys that are often only used in one way and serve one purpose. A puzzle for example is closed-ended since it has one outcome. Once a child has mastered the puzzle and put all of the pieces together, the child often moves on. A car for example or a dinosaur, no matter how you look at them, are always going to be a car and a dinosaur. Children are often going to play with them with that in mind. 

So, what do I do with my closed-ended toys? Do I get rid of them? Absolutely not!There is nothing wrong with them and they serve a purpose, just like open-ended toys. What I do challenge you to do is consider a balance. Weave your closed-ended toys with your open-ended toys. For example, children love toys cars, farm animals, trains and so on. Instead of buying expensive plastic car ramps, barns and train tracks, encourage your child to build those more traditional toys from loose parts like wooden blocks, wooden boxes or Lego!

Safety and Loose Parts. When selecting loose parts, it’s important to make sure the materials are large enough, so they do not pose as a choking hazard. Careful adult supervision will prevent any accidents and it is the adult’s responsibility to make sure loose parts have no sharp edges or harmful chemicals. If you are unsure if an object is a choking hazard or not, use a toilet paper roll to measure. If the item fits in the toilet paper roll, it is too small for a baby, since they put everything in their mouths.

Before we get to the steps, let’s briefly discuss why sensory bins are so important. Sensory bins provide children with a very hands-on play experience that stimulates multiple senses at the same time. Children enjoy the repetitive nature of the play like the dumping, pouring, scooping while listening to the water splash or the buttons clink. Sensory bins allow children to explore, discover new things, understand cause and effect, problem solve and demonstrate science and math concepts. It is a calming and very soothing activity for many children and fairly simple and inexpensive to create. 

Follow These 4 Steps
1. Start with a bin
2. Add fillers
3. Add tools
4. Place in front of your child to explore

** Optional – add elements that encourage imaginary play

So, let me explain. Find a bin in your home. You can use a Tupperware, a bowl, a tin foil tray, a baking pan or baking tray. Next, add your fillers. Fillers are what the sensory bin consists of. It’s your base. So, water, buttons, pom poms, bottle caps, sand. Rice, oats and pasta are very popular fillers but I tend to stay away from using food. Working in a classroom with 15 toddlers, there would be rice, beans and lentils ALL over the floor that would get swept up at the end of the day and thrown right into the trash for obvious sanitary reasons. I did not want to teach my students that food should be so easily wasted. Instead, I like to use and recommend non-food items. 

Now, find your tools. Tools are what we add to our sensory bins that allow children to manipulate, to move and to explore these fillers. For example, tools can include bowls, measuring spoons, cups, strainers and water pitchers. It is key to include things to scoop with and things to fill in your sensory bins. Remember, there needs to be a purpose and something to do.

Children have a natural urge to explore materials and objects in certain ways to make sense of the world around them. They like to dump things, pour, scoop, connect and disconnect things, transform and transport things and hide things which is why sensory bins are so appealing to children. By providing sensory bins with appropriate fillers and tools, you are catering to this kind of play and repetitive behaviour.

Once your sensory bin is complete, place it in front of your child and simply let them do their thing and explore. Sensory bins do not need to be fancy or expensive. Keep it simple. You have plenty of amazing tools in your kitchen. Once you have your fillers and tools, you can then add ‘toys’ to encourage imaginary play like cars, animals, dinosaurs or whatever else your child is interested in. If your child likes washing dishes, fill a sensory bin with water, bubbles, sponges, spoons, cups and bowls. If your child loves the beach, fill a bin with sand, shovels, pails and seashells. Add some water and watch your child discover what happens when you mix water and sand!

The Benefits

When children are outside, they are using their whole bodies to run, build, jump and climb. They are connecting with nature and developing an appreciation for the environment. Children have the space to safely take risks and assess their own strength and abilities. Now more than ever, with so much going on in the world, children need the outdoors to regulate their emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. They need to feel the calm outdoors and breathe in the fresh air, soak in that Vitamin D and boost their immune systems.

But, it’s too cold outside!

A wise friend once said to me, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” We live in Canada and have the opportunity to explore the beauty of all four seasons. If we didn’t go outside when it was raining, cold or snowing, we would be indoors for almost half the year! We do not want “bad” weather prohibiting children from doing something that is so good for them. Bundle up, dress in layers, grab some snow pants and get outside.

I have compiled a list of fun and engaging outdoor activities to try with your children this winter:

Scavenger Hunts are a great way to get kids outside because who doesn’t like a good challenge? It also encourages children to really look and listen to nature. Here is a list of things to include in your winter scavenger hunt:

boot prints
animal tracks
snow shovel
Pine tree
bare tree
sled
icicles
snowflake
squirrel
twig
brown leaf
pine needle
frozen puddle
snow ball

You can either make a list on a piece of paper in writing or using pictures (depending on the age and reading levels of your children) and attach it to a clipboard for your child(ren) to hold while they complete the activity.

Have a ‘tea party’ or ‘cook a fancy meal’ in the backyard or the woods. Bring out some old pots and pans and some cooking utensils to spark imaginary play. Read The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi before heading outdoors to get your kids excited for the play! 

Build a snow fort or an igloo which encourages children to work together, to problem solve and use critical thinking skills to build a sturdy fort or igloo. 

Shovel the driveway which not only teaches children responsibility but also really works those muscles and gets kids moving.

Paint the snow. Just grab some spray bottles, add water and a few drops of food colouring.

Be a wildlife detective and discover which tracks came from what animals. Click here for more information.

Take those sensory bins outdoors. Grab a large Tupperware, add some snow, different tools to scoop, some bowls and a muffin tin and see what your children do with it. 

After a big snowfall, head outside and see who can roll the biggest snowball?

Bring out those sand toys! Sand toys make for excellent toys in the snow and encourage role playing and imaginary play.

Make nature ice wreaths using items found in nature, a cake pan and water. For full details, check out my friend Rachael’s instagram page. Her wreaths are beautiful and make for a really nice art activity outdoors. 

Make a bird feeder for winter birds. Click here for some examples.

Go on a hike. Find a trail and explore the beauty that winter has to offer. Maybe even bring some snowshoes!

With your older kids, you may want to try a Glow Stick Hunt! It gets dark so early in the winter months so why not take advantage of it. Wait for a snowy evening, crack some glow sticks and hide them in the snow. Your kids will love digging in the snow for glowing treasures! You can purchase 100 mini glow sticks here.

Additional Resources

The Forecast Calls for Play – Feel Confident Outdoors No Matter the Weather

OutsidePlay.ca

Child & Nature Alliance of Canada

Cold Toes, Runny Nose, Embracing the Elements Kind of Play

When it finally came time to set up a play space for my daughter, something I had been dreaming of doing since before she was born, I had a few important goals in mind. I wanted to create a space that was inviting, engaging and special. A space that would make her feel competent and capable and spark creativity and imagination. Below is a list of my “must-haves” that I have included in my daughter’s playroom. Items that I believe accomplish my goals for her.

Low Shelving & Shallow Baskets

I always like to say, start with an Ikea book case! They are affordable and very child friendly. Low shelving is important so children can actually reach their toys and can choose what to pull off the shelves independently. We are giving children autonomy over their play, we are giving them a voice and we are telling them that we believe in their capabilities. Low shelving, where children have easy access to toys, may seem scary at first and you might be thinking, “But my child is going to make a huge mess and there will be toys everywhere!” Believe it or not, when we show children that we believe in them, that we trust them, they gain a sense a responsibility. They become proud of their space and learn to treat the space with respect. It’s also important to have those meaning conversation with your child about the importance of putting away their toys at the end of the day and what it means to take good care of their space.

Something to keep in mind – less is often more. Children do not need an abundance of toys to keep them busy and engaged. It is quite the opposite. Keep the shelves simple. Children get overwhelmed and overstimulated which will actually cause your child to become less engaged. Children need time and space to explore their toys. This is important because it builds concentration and increases attention span. Instead of putting all your child’s toys out at once, consider toy rotations every week or so. Take direction from your child and focus on toys that are of interest to them. 

Shallow baskets are a great way to store and display toys. I always recommend storage that is open, shallow or clear so children can actually see what’s inside. I am a very organized person and clutter makes me feel uneasy so it is very tempting to want to place toys in fabric storage bins because they look “neat.” Unfortunately, it may look cleaner or more organized, but when children can’t see their toys, you will find they will not get played with or your child may dump or throw toys more often. When we keep toys hidden away like that, we are actually eliminating that sense of wonder and imagination. The space isn’t inviting, it’s not playful and not easily accessible for creative and imaginary play.

Books

Early exposure to literacy often leads to a love for reading later in life, so I often tell parents the sooner you start reading to your baby, the better! Reading is a special bonding experience and allows babies to recognize and listen to your soothing and calming voice. Books also improve language skills, so the more words babies hear, the more words they will learn. Click here to read my blog post with baby book recommendations to enjoy with your little ones.

Musical Instruments

Babies are stimulated by music and enjoy listening to the sound of the voices of people they love, as well as find ways to make their own music. This is why I always like to have musical instruments on my play shelves. My daughter absolutely loves making sound right now by clapping her hands, banging cups together and using her shakers. Musical instruments can be expensive. You can make your own shakers by using different materials you already have in your own home. Recently, I used my leftover storage bottles for milk and added loose parts to them like beads, gems and buttons. They are a huge hit in our home and we play with them daily.

Loose Parts

Loose parts are open-ended, mobile objects that can be carried around, poured and dumped. They can be used for sorting, counting and role-playing. You can build with them, stack them, manipulate them in different ways, pull them apart, put them back together, line them up and mix them. Loose parts can be found in nature or in your own home. They provide children with unlimited play possibilities since there is no specific way to use them, which is why they are so appealing. Some examples include buttons, ribbons, scarves, pinecones, leaves, rocks, gems, fabric, boxes, corks and my favourite, blocks.

If you are to invest in anything for your playroom, invest in a really good set of wooden blocks. Blocks are timeless, they are durable and the opportunities for play are endless. Block play allows children to be creative, to express themselves and to explore different math and science skills. Block play develops language skills, social skills and reasoning skills. I will write an entire blog post about the benefits of playing with blocks because there is so much to be said!

Mirrors

Simple, inexpensive but so important! Babies love looking at faces so when they are given a mirror, they are able to see their own reflection as well as others around them. Mirrors are excellent for tummy time since they encourage babies to keep their heads up. Babies are also able to understand their body, learn different emotions, track objects and learn new words. It took me some time to find the perfect mirror that was inexpensive and shatter proof. You can purchase one here from Ikea. My daughter loves watching herself play in the mirror and when we point and name our different body parts. 

I really do not like the be the bearer of bad news but it might be time to reconsider some of your bath toys — the cute rubber duckies, the whale that squirts out water from its blow hole. Unfortunately those bath toys are infamous for collecting, you guessed it, mold!

Toys that have a hole in them collect water inside, which eventually turns into a slimy, moldy film. Not only do they collect bacteria, but traditional bath toys can be quite expensive and are inherently very closed-ended. They do not spark creativity or imagination. Now, you could start cleaning out your bath toys with bleach to kill the bacteria, but I have an easier solution for you.  

So, what’s the alternative?

Kitchen Utensils! Take a trip to your kitchen or head straight to the kitchen aisle at your local dollar store. There you will find things like funnels, strainers, measuring cups, measuring spoons and sponges. They are inexpensive and can easily be cleaned and dried. No water build up, no bacteria and you are also giving your child the opportunity to be imaginative, even in the tub! Kitchen utensils are open-ended so the possibilities for play are endless. A spatula is never just a spatula to a 2 year old. It may be a fairy wand, a microphone or even a guitar. Children are also able to practice their play schemas and a variety of different math and science concepts. They are able to dump and pour, explore density and volume, discover what sinks and what floats. “But my baby loves to squirt bath toys!” you say? Try a turkey baster instead! I promise your children will LOVE it.

* As always, kitchen utensils are not intended to be toys so adult supervision is required especially if your child still tends to put things in their mouths.

Babies are constantly exploring objects and trying to figure out how things work. They notice small details, different textures, shapes, smells, tastes. Once your baby can sit independently, they are at the perfect age to be introduced to treasure baskets. A treasure basket is a shallow basket with a variety of different natural, household items that can be taken in and out. It is an opportunity to explore everyday items while feeding that urge to grasp things, move things and figure them out. The beautiful thing about treasure baskets is you probably already have many interesting items in your home. You’ll see that babies prefer these real life items over actual toys.

Here are some examples of items to add to your treasure basket:

Pegs, wooden spoons, shells, scoops, bangles, blocks, spatula, curtain rings, hair brushes, makeup brushes, scarves, fabric, whisk, pinecones, measuring cups, napkin rings, sponges, loofah, small boxes, ribbons, balls, kitchen timer, shakers, big rocks, gems, non-breakable mirror, CDs.

You can also take a quick trip to the dollar store (there are great items to choose from in the kitchen aisle!) or go for a walk and collect some items from nature. There is no need to spend a lot of money. Just start with a basket and a few neat things in your house.

When collecting materials look for items with a wide range of different textures, smells, sounds, colours, shapes and sizes. Look for items that are shiny, smooth, rough, heavy, light, hollow, round. I suggest including 10-20 items in your basket. As babies get older and stop putting things in their mouths, you’ll want to use items that are more age appropriate and of interest to them.

Important: Since everyday household items are not designed to be toys, they require adult supervision. It is your responsibility to make sure items are non-toxic, have no harmful chemicals and are not a choking hazard.

Okay, so you have your treasure basket and your items, now what?

Place the treasure basket in front of your sitting baby. Make sure there are no other distractions around. Let your baby explore independently without intervening, unless you feel they are doing something that is not safe. Limit your interactions and try not to make any suggestions. Have a cup of tea or a coffee and simply watch the magic unfold. My daughter loves treasure baskets and I can already tell she is showing her likes and dislikes for certain items and textures by what she decides to touch and play with and what she leaves in the basket or pushes to the side. Her favourite things to explore right now are metal spoons and cups! 

The Benefits

Playing with a treasure basket allows your baby to make decisions, to experiment with real objects, to have a choice and to stimulate their natural curiosity about the world around them. Treasure baskets build fine motor skills, early language development, concentration, coordination and independent play skills.  

Want to buy a treasure basket? Just send me an e-mail and I can make one for you to purchase!

Anyone else love gifting books during the holidays? Here are some of the books we have been reading and loving that all have the Naps & Novels seal of approval. 

When choosing books for your baby look for ones that are short and have inviting illustrations or photos. Babies also really enjoy books with rhymes and repetition. Why Board Books? Board books are made out of a sturdy cardboard making them much more durable for babies. They are easier to grip and you don’t need to worry about your baby tearing the pages. 

You are My Happy by Hoda Kotb

A bear and cub reflect on all the things that make them happy in the world. A story about gratitude and appreciation. The illustrations by Suzie Mason are beautiful. It is such a heartwarming book that really pulls at the heartstrings.

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

Following a similar theme, this book reminds us to cherish the simple pleasures in life – the sun dancing on your face, the smell of warm bannock baking in the oven, listening to stories. The illustrations from Julie Flett are exquisite and portray Indigenous culture. A very simple but powerful book that asks the question, what fills your heart with happiness?

Peek-A-Who? by Nina Laden

It comes to no surprise that this is my daughter’s favourite book — Peek-a-boo in book form! It’s bright, it rhymes, it’s interactive and it’s fun. Her favourite page? The mirror! This book makes her smile from ear to ear so we read it almost every day.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin & Eric Carle

My daughter is captivated by this book. She loves the repetition and sing-song nature of the story. Eric Carle is in a league of his own and his illustrations, like always, are bright and bold. A true classic. 

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton

If you haven’t been introduced to Chris Haughton yet, I highly suggest you check him out. Little Owl has fallen from his nest and can’t find his mommy. With help from his animal friends and a description of what his mom looks like, they are reunited at the end. This story makes ME smile and I genuinely love reading it to my daughter. I also think Shh! We Have a Plan by Haughton is hysterical and I highly recommend that one as well. 

There are so many benefits to reading to your baby starting at a very young age. Reading exposes your baby to the soothing sound of your voice and allows for a special bonding experience. Babies begin to learn about the world around them, are introduced to vocabulary, visuals and math concepts and preps them to read on their own. It is never too early to begin fostering a love for reading with your baby. HAPPY READING! 

Wake windows are getting longer, it’s getting dark at 4:30 pm, the days are tiring and your baby is getting more active.

What can I do with my baby? What toys do I need? What activities can I try? I get these questions all the time so I have put together a list of simple and fun ways to play with your baby. 

Age Appropriate Toys

Babies explore the world around them mostly with their mouths, which is why everything seems to go straight into them. I like to give my daughter a variety of different toys that she can easily hold and put in her mouth. Here are some of our favourites:

I recently stumbled upon Little Cheeks, a Canadian mom-run company. My little girl is definitely teething and LOVES her bear right now. The teething toys are free from harmful chemicals, silicone and very easy to clean.

Does your baby go straight for the tags? Mary Meyer is great and designs toys with tons of TAGS that are safe to chew and suck on. We have a bunch! I also really like the ones with the little silicone “handle” so my daughter can easily grasp and chew on them.

I love exploring Etsy and supporting Canadian shop-owners. I found this amazing crinkle tag blanket and it has easily become a favourite in our house. 

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Play scarves, in my opinion, are a must have. They are open-ended, meaning there isn’t just one way to use them. The play possibilities are endless. Play scarves are great for peek-a-boo and for encouraging your baby to reach and grab. As your child grows up they are wonderful for imaginary play and dress up. 

Try this! I like to put my daughter’s toys out around her in a circle. This allows her to reach for whatever she is in the mood for at that moment. I like to let her choose and give her some autonomy. Lots of floor time is also very important at this age.

Books

I always say, children are never too young to start reading and exploring literacy. Board books are great because babies can touch the books and grip them without ripping any pages. Here are the ones we read on my Amazon storefront. Whenever my daughter seems to be getting fussy, we go straight for a book.  

Music

You don’t have to have a good voice for your baby to enjoy your singing. Babies are stimulated by music and like repetition. It’s very calming and soothing. Add some shakers to make the experience even more memorable. You can make your own shakers using different recycled materials you may have in your home. Just add some dry food or beads. Pinterest has lots of examples.

Sensory Bags 

No-mess sensory play is quick and easy. Stick a ziplock bag to the floor, the wall or to the highchair. The beauty is that you can essentially put anything into the bag. Water and sequins, paint (use two primary colours!), gel and pompoms. Click here for some examples.

Tissue Paper Kicking 

My daughter loves to kick her legs so I like to provide her with plenty of opportunities to strengthen those leg muscles! Try placing tissue paper on the side of your couch. Tuck it under the seat cushion, lie your baby on their backs and let them kick the tissue paper. My daughter loves it! The tissue paper makes a great sound and encourages your little one to keep kicking! I also place bells around my daughters ankles for the same effect and she enjoys that too.

Water Play

Water play is my favourite form of sensory play and you have lots of things around your kitchen that you can use. Fill a shallow tupperware or baking tray with water and let your baby splash around with his/her hands. Add things like measuring spoons, sponges, funnels and cups. Let them explore and try to dump and pour. Water play allows babies to learn about ‘cause and effect.’ You can also let your baby play with ice as it melts and slides around on a cookie sheet. We tried this recently and it was a hit! 

Nature Walks

One of my favourite activities! I am very passionate about outdoor play and the benefits of connecting with nature and breathing in the fresh air. Each season offers so much beauty, especially fall. Recently I took my daughter on a nature walk and I let her touch and smell the leaves. I pointed out the beautiful colours, the animals and the crunching noise the leaves made when we walked through them. Nature is everywhere and ignites all of the senses. If you are looking for something to do, get outside and explore!

Home Tours

I recently read about Home Tours on Lovevery and have been doing them ever since with my little one. We like to turn the lights on together, roll up the blinds and look at the trees in the backyard, we look in the mirrors and turn on and off the faucets. Home Tours require no flashy toys and instead expose your baby to real life things and experiences.

Tip – when choosing toys for your baby, think about the textures and different sounds that are possible. Engage the senses! Provide play experiences that expand on what your little one is already doing. If you notice your baby is stacking toys, provide plenty of opportunities to do that. Loves bath time? Spend a few extra minutes in the tub splashing around. If your baby likes tummy time, get on the floor and play on your tummies! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for some of our favourite toys.  

Reminder – many of these activities can be done at any age. Children of all ages can benefit from nature walks and outdoor play. Sensory play is extremely important for toddlers and fostering a love for reading at a young age will hopefully inspire a love for literacy later on in life.

HAPPY PLAYING!

When I think back to when I first started teaching, classrooms all looked the same. Lots of primary colours, colourful carpets for circle time, bright boarders and bulletin boards, plastic toys tucked away in colourful bins. I had the authority in the classroom, kept the classroom orderly and quiet, ensured all students were listening and sitting nicely. I remember spending hours cutting pieces of construction paper to make animals, flowers and rainbows. Play was restricted to certain areas of the room, toys couldn’t be brought from one place to another, only a certain amount of kids were allowed at each centre at a time. Indoor voices, no big messes.

It wasn’t until years later, in my Masters course where I was asked to describe my image of the child – something I had never even thought to consider before. Now, when I think of my very first years teaching in the typical classroom, I see the image of the child as one who is obedient, compliant, one who needs to be quiet, a sponge that needs to soak up all of the knowledge. 

Today, my image of the child closely aligns with the ideas and beliefs expressed in How Does Learning Happen (2014), a curriculum document used widely in early childhood centres across Ontario. I view the child as competent, curious and full of potential. I now firmly believe that when we release our control and our need for constant order and allow children to participate in play that might be out of our comfort zones or play that is messy or loud, we are igniting all of their senses. We are creating rich play experiences for children where they have control and can direct their own play, at their own pace and in a way that is meaningful to them. It might be unpredictable and it may feel uncomfortable but it’s magical. We are telling children that we believe in them and that we trust in their capabilities. We are empowering children.

So, why am I sharing this with you? Because when I play with my daughter, I constantly think of my image of the child – the confident, resilient, competent child. My image of the child is connected to how I set up her play space and how and why I provide certain play experiences for her. Open, low shelving will allow my daughter when she is a little older to easily access toys and materials that are of interest to her. I am telling her that her interests matter, that I hear her. I am giving her a voice. When toys are stored away in storage bins or containers with lids, children can’t see them and therefore won’t be inspired to play with them or be able to let their imagination fly. I like to take direction from my daughter because even at 7 months she is showing me what she likes and dislikes. I like to put out a variety of her play toys and let her reach and grab for what she wants to play with. It’s my small way of giving her some autonomy even at such young age. When she is older I will expose her to lots of open ended materials so she can decide how she wants to use and play with the materials in a way that is important and exciting to her. Sensory play might be messy but the way her eyes light up and the way she smiles makes it all so worth it. 

I look at my daughter and watch her play and I am fascinated by her curiosity and capabilities even at 7 months old. I hope to always provide her with experiences that make her feel confident, inspired, capable and resilient because that is exactly how I see her in my eyes. I’m grateful that my image of the child matured from obedient and compliant to competent, curious and full of potential.

So, what is your image of the child? 

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.

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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