Learn about the different types of baby blankets, what to look for, and how long a baby blanket should be based on the size and needs of your little one.
As a new parent, you have so many questions - and sifting through the endless information online can get overwhelming. Even when you've watched a YouTube tutorial on how to wrap up your newborn like a baby burrito and received an avalanche of advice from every friend and family member, some subjects remain mystifying. If you're like me, you didn't know where to start when it came to baby blankets. How many do you need? What type of blanket is appropriate? What size should they be? What is the best baby blanket material? Does any of this really make that much of a difference?!
Well, the answer to the last question is yes. Having the right blankets for the job can make naps and bedtime just a little more blissful, but using the wrong blankets can be dangerous for newborn babies. Choosing a well-sized baby blanket is essential.
This article will explore different kinds of blankets, how to find the perfect size, and what to look for when you're on the hunt for a new baby blanket. If you're interested in learning more about blanket materials, like how to decide between organic cotton vs. organic muslin fabric and other questions, check out our article on the best organic materials for baby blankets.
What makes a blanket a baby blanket? In short, baby blankets are typically softer, thinner, and smaller than blankets made for adults. A baby’s skin is much more delicate and sensitive than an adult’s, making softer blankets essential! The different types of baby blankets you can find for your little one are all made with babies’ comfort and growth in mind, but each is crafted for a particular stage. Take a look at the most common types of baby blankets and when they come in handy for your little one.
Preemie blankets, also known as NICU blankets, are meant to cover and comfort the smallest of us. Infants born before a pregnancy’s 37th week are considered premature and can be as small as one pound! Having a blanket that can safely hold such a small newborn is incredibly important. Preemie blankets vary in size but are usually square or rectangular (ranging from 18 by 18 inches up to 30 by 30 inches) and must be very soft to the touch to care for their especially delicate skin. Preemies may spend most of their first days or even weeks away from their parents. A preemie blanket that mom or dad has held helps babies associate the comfort of the blanket with the smell of their parents, and can even lower baby’s stress levels and promote better sleep.
A receiving blanket is a thin blanket designed in a square or rectangular shape. You'll recognize these as the sturdy cotton blankets most hospitals use to swaddle your baby when they are first born. While still soft to the touch, receiving blankets are made for durability as they'll be used for everything from swaddling to burping. There's a reason these multi-use blankets are often sold in packs! They'll follow your baby from the bassinet to the stroller to the car seat. They’re also the perfect blanket to drape over your shoulder as you bounce and pat to work out those gas bubbles. As most experienced parents will attest, keeping several receiving blankets on hand at all times, from infancy all the way up until the toddling begins, makes life much easier!
A swaddle blanket is specially designed for swaddling your baby. Swaddling, or wrapping a newborn up securely so they are unable to wiggle out of the blanket, is a technique used for a few reasons. It provides comfort and security for new babies, but it also keeps them from scratching themselves in their sleep with tiny, surprisingly sharp fingernails. Swaddle blankets are traditionally smaller than receiving blankets. They typically have two winged sides, which do the wrapping part of a baby burrito, and a triangular, rectangular, or pocketed bottom to tuck up the baby’s feet. While you can use almost any type of blanket to swaddle your tot, having a blanket designed with that purpose in mind can be quite a help in the middle of a long, restless night.
Crib blankets, sometimes called toddler blankets, are larger blankets meant for covering older kiddos who are still sleeping in cribs. This type of blanket can be made in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and fabrics. The blanket dimensions of a crib blanket are often based on the typical sizes of crib mattresses, most commonly standard size and mini. Toddlers and older children sleeping in cribs still look for the same comfort as new babies, and a comfy, specially-chosen blanket can make bedtime a little bit less stressful.
A security blanket is a special type of blanket meant to be part blanket, part soft toy. They are usually made of fleece or plush material and may even have a stuffed animal attached. Security blankets should be durable as they will likely see a great deal of use, both from snuggling infants and from active toddlers who drag them along behind everywhere they go.
Similarly, the lovey is a very small blanket, usually 13 inches square, with a plush animal head attached to one end, as though the blanket was its body. While they make fun baby shower gifts and comforting soft toys, loveys do not provide much in the way of coverage and warmth.
When it comes to baby blankets, the size of the blanket makes a big difference for comfort and durability. You want one that is big enough to keep your baby warm, but not so big that the size overwhelms them. The standard baby blanket size is 45″ by 45″ to 60,” offering versatility and long-lasting use throughout the speedy development of little ones. A blanket of this average size can be used as bedding, a floor mat, a stroller blanket, or even as a wall hanging to decorate your baby’s nursery. You can also find blanket size charts online to reference when determining the size of baby blanket and type of blanket for whatever stage your little one is in.
As much as we'd like to build a cozy, squishy nest for baby, the extra floof can create a suffocation hazard, increasing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is unsafe to keep blankets, soft toys, or pillows in a newborn baby's crib until they are at least 12 months of age. Likewise, when using swaddle blankets in a crib, be sure to use safe sleep practices. This includes putting a child on their back every time you lay them down, as it’s important that babies sleep on their backs. In addition, when babies are swaddled, they should be monitored to ensure they don’t roll over in their sleep. If they start rolling over while sleeping, it may be a sign that swaddling isn’t appropriate for them.
The blanket pattern can also make a difference. A blanket with a lovely crochet pattern looks beautiful and inviting, but the loose weave of a crochet baby blanket or knitted baby blanket can tangle and trap little fingers. It's best to avoid crochet in the crib until at least 12 months of age.
fawn&forest's collection of organic cotton baby blankets and quilts are just the right size for your baby. Our swaddle blankets and sleep sacks soothe your little bundle of joy, keeping them comfortable and warm so you both can get a good night's rest.
Like all of our collections at fawn&forest, we've given particular care to find only the highest-quality materials, from organic cotton with an extra-soft feel to high-comfort merino wool. We choose our favorite organic baby and toddler blankets not only for their exceptional eco and organic fabrics but for durability and long-lasting comfort. Discover beautifully crafted blankets to swaddle your baby, keep them warm in their crib, and follow you on all your adventures.
]]>Preschool is a time of swift and significant development for children, from learning to toss a ball to using descriptive language to tell detailed stories, and reaching each milestone is a moment of joy and wonder for you as a parent. As your child grows into a preschooler and their curiosity grows with them, you’ll feel that same sense of awe each time they discover something new.
Play at this stage of your little one’s development seems simple enough, but it’s as essential as every other area of learning. Parents quickly discover that the cardboard box from the new dryer can entertain a kiddo for a day or longer, but what other ways are there to spark your child’s imagination and problem-solving while developing their fine motor skills? That’s where open-ended play steps in!
Open-ended play, also called free play or unstructured play, happens when your child participates in activities that don’t have a specific goal or end result. This includes the open-ended activities with the cardboard box, yes, but also creative play with toys, household items, art supplies, or even just their imagination!
The play activities in an open-ended play session can vary quite a bit, but the one thing they all have in common is that your child chooses for themselves how to spend their playtime. Without instructions or rules to follow and no predetermined way to end their activity, children use their curiosity and individuality to make their own decisions on what path to take.
Play time for young children can often be highly structured, especially in settings where the little ones greatly outnumber the caregivers! Activities with clear instructions that guide children to a specific conclusion or objective, like a school lesson or a science experiment, will play a large role in developing their ability to focus, follow instructions, and think ahead. Even games can take on a rigid structure with strict rules and a concrete end goal. While these close-ended activities are clearly important, unstructured learning activities are equally valuable.
Creative, open-ended play with parents or other peers helps children learn social-emotional skills like bonding, respecting others, communicating, and balancing personal emotions with the emotions of others. Imaginative play can also improve academic skills, decrease destructive behavior, improve concentration and focus, and even have a calming effect on children. This type of play time is particularly important during early childhood, with children around 2-5 years old gaining the most benefit.
Below are some examples of unstructured activities and play ideas to help you encourage open-ended play for your preschooler. The suggestions here range in complexity and can be modified for children of any age. As you read through, think about your own unique child and what might inspire or encourage them the most.
Imaginative play occurs when a child role-plays experiences that are of interest to them. There are a number of benefits imaginative play contributes to a child’s development, including growth in their creativity and thinking skills.
Support imaginative play by asking open-ended questions or offering prompts such as, “Tell me about the toy you’re using.” Open-ended prompts like this are an excellent tool for guiding a child to use their language in a situation where there is no right or wrong answer. Your child can be successful just by telling you what’s on their mind!
Beyond that, you can use pretend play toys as prompts. These toys show the simplicity of imaginative play. Only a few props are needed, like a doll buggy or field tent, to light that creative spark. Whether they like to cook and clean with a kitchen set, put on a show with a magic kit, or play dress up, there’s something for everyone. When you provide that spark, your child's imagination will burn all the brighter.
Most children’s toys you see are specifically designed plastic pieces with all the bells and whistles included. While these toys certainly play a role in your child’s creative play, more often, you spend a lot of money without receiving much educational value, as the concrete design inhibits children from expanding their play. Wooden toys, however, offer more benefits than the latest trendy toys.
While they aren’t always as flashy as plastic, battery-operated toys, one of the primary advantages of wooden toys is that they require your child to use their own imagination to play. Open-ended toys like wood building blocks, play silks, or magnetic tiles help them develop those essential fine motor skills. The possibilities contained within even a simple set of building toys are nearly limitless and allow your little one to stretch their imagination, conjuring entire worlds of their own.
Another thing to consider is that thoughtfully designed toys like those made from wood can withstand loads of use and still look brand new. Because natural toys are so durable, they can be used by multiple children in your family and still be handed down for generations after.
Children are creative, unhindered little beings and often need little more than basic art and music supplies to design endless masterpieces. Finger paints and pint-sized musical instruments might be the first things that come to mind, but there is a much wider range of open-ended materials that can inspire artistic thought in children. Playdough, crayons, printables to color in, pom-poms, stickers, and paint brushes are a great start.
Wooden art and musical toys are amazing for a preschooler's development. Research shows that playing and learning environments featuring natural elements like wood can help a child concentrate, focus, and even calm down more effectively than ones with electronic toys. Musical toys have been shown to support everything from creativity and language development to memory and emotional intelligence.
Having an art or music area with lots of options gives your child the chance to make their own DIY art without the structure that often comes with learning a craft. It’s important that they know, you can’t mess up in art!
The sense of touch is a meaningful way your preschooler learns. While babies experience the world by putting as much of it as they can in their mouths, preschoolers use their hands to explore. Ensuring they have a safe environment to interact with is one of the challenges that every parent faces. You want your child to have the freedom to investigate while also preventing them from putting little fingers where they could get hurt.
Sensory play activities are an excellent way to achieve this. You can set up a sensory bin: a large container full of sand, uncooked rice, dried beans, or even water, to which you add household items like scoops, cups, funnels, kitchen utensils, or open-ended toys. Your kiddo can touch, pour, pinch, move and sort to their heart’s delight.
Water tables and sandboxes are also options if you have the space. This type of open-ended play gives your child the chance to learn through hands-on, tactile play, engaging their senses. Sensory bins can even have themes for different seasons and holidays!
As your child grows, they will naturally want to explore their surroundings. For preschoolers, it’s an adventure!
One option to encourage their sense of exploration and discovery is a push and ride toy. Ride-on toys have numerous benefits parents will love, from developing gross and fine motor skills to supporting critical thinking. Options with fully-functional components, like dashboards, give kiddos the chance to manipulate the materials and practice fine motor skills. And as they push themselves around, young children also get to build gross motor skills and critical thinking skills, experimenting with different surfaces while staying atop their toy. They’re the perfect explorative toys for naturally-curious preschoolers and 2-3 year-olds.
You can further feed their love of adventure with a nature walk and scavenger hunt. Take a walk with your child through a park or even your own backyard and encourage them to look for objects or creatures by using open-ended questions and prompts. You may be surprised by what they find!
As you design your child’s play area, focus on using the space to give them visual cues of what type of play is where. A table set-up suggests they should sit and play with small blocks, puzzles, and drawing tools. A cozy tent with soft throw pillows in one corner might suggest a place to read or play with a truck. Another corner may hold a workshop outfitted with pretend play tools or a pretend kitchen complete with the accessories needed for creative play. By setting up these separate play areas, you give boundaries while supporting their use of imagination and creativity.
Teaching your child that everything has its place will help you both maintain a safe and organized home. A good storage system in the form of shelves, cubbies, or toy boxes is essential in a child’s play area design. Find dual-purpose furniture in our collection like multi-size cubbies, perfect to let kids view play options and learn where to put their toys away, even in small spaces.
At fawn&forest, we’ve gathered our favorite modern toys for infants and kids to keep your child entertained and kick off their development through open play. You’ll also find all the furniture you need to design a safe, comfortable play space for everyone. Our focus on healthy growth and development is an essential part of what drives us, and our collection of playroom products was chosen with that same care.
]]>The perfect nursery chair does more than simply let you create a gentle rocking motion to soothe a tired little one. Whether you use it for cuddles, breastfeeding, or storytime with your new baby or toddler, your nursery chair should offer comfort and security to you both.
Rockers and gliders have withstood the test of time with parents around the world. Still, many new parents, and those redecorating their homes, struggle to decide between a glider or a rocker. If that sounds like you, consider the benefits of each outlined here - and how a new nursery chair will fit in your home.
Both rocking chairs and gliders can provide the swaying motion trusted to comfort a fussy baby and a worn-out new parent, but each offers a unique set of styles and benefits for your family and your home.
The arched legs of a rocker or rocking chair offer soft, limited movement from front to back, allowing you to rock your baby to sleep gently. Rocking chairs typically have a larger footprint in the room than a standard chair due to the length of the arc, as well as a more intense rocking motion.
Historically, rocking chairs were made of wood and wicker and unpadded or only lightly padded. Modern rockers, however, come in a range of well-crafted materials and unique styles to match the aesthetic of any living room or nursery with comfort and coziness.
A compact glider fits neatly in smaller spaces while offering the same comfort and aesthetic appeal as a rocker. Gliders also have a wide range of designs and styles but are most often padded for comfort. In contrast to the intense motion of the rocker, glider chairs operate on a fixed track, creating a level gliding motion.
The best nursery gliders have other features such as a recliner, a locking mechanism for the gliding track, or a functional ottoman. Additionally, modern options like swivel gliders can offer a larger range of motion when needed.
Regardless of the nursery chair you choose for your space, there are important features to look for before you make your decision. When deciding on a nursery chair, consider these factors to ensure you find a piece that best matches your needs.
The nursery chair you chose will be a place for you and your baby to relax, whether for breastfeeding, napping, or just sharing some quiet time. With that in mind, you should choose a chair that not only feels comfy, but gives you the room you need to move around, adjust a nursing pillow, or hold your baby in a position that helps them feel secure.
Look for cushioned arms, a back high enough to support your head, a seat cushioned with dense foam or springs, and that extra room to move around and get comfortable.
A proper nursery chair is built to last. You’ll want a piece of furniture that will stand up to decades of use. Look for fray-resistant upholstery that will endure months of spit-ups, spills, and squirmy infants, and easy-to-clean chairs with or without machine-washable covers. Your nursery chair should function in your home long after your babies become toddlers and the quiet of your baby’s room becomes a playroom filled with excitement and energy.
Speaking of the transition from nursery to playroom, you’ll also want a chair that will be safe for little fingers and toes once your new baby becomes a not-so-little one and wants to explore every nook and cranny of the nursery. Find gliders with a locking mechanism that halts the gliding motion when the chair isn’t in use. A lock can also keep you from struggling to stand up in the middle of the night while holding your sleeping child.
Every home is unique, thoughtfully filled with furniture and decor that fits your style and space - and your nursery is no exception. The amount of space available in the nursery or set aside in your living room will be important for your decision.
Rockers typically take up more space than gliders, which tend to be more compact. However, adding extra features, like a matching ottoman so your glider can function as a recliner, may require more space. Proper measurement of the room - with at least some idea of the placement of the rest of the nursery furniture - is essential.
Modern rocking chairs and gliders often offer additional features beyond a recliner function, swivel, or footrest. Some have built-in USB ports you can use for charging your phone or plugging in a pump or white noise machine. Others feature side tables or cup holders and have adjustable options to fit your growing family. For those who are tight on space, some nursery chairs even have storage for baby gear, toys, diapers, and nursing supplies.
Grandma's rocking chair is still fresh in our imaginations with all the precious memories wrapped up in it. Our collection of nursery chairs combines modern comfort, durability, and elegance with that classic design we remember. We want you to love whichever rocker or glider you choose - because it will become more than just a piece of furniture. It will be an heirloom that forever holds the memories of those special moments shared between you and your little one.
If you’re looking for the simple beauty and gentle but intense movement of a rocking chair, our selection of rockers offers balanced, visually appealing silhouettes. Discover adjustable rocking chairs to ease transitions as your child grows, with modular designs like convertible bassinet placements or double seat options.
If you feel that a glider chair's smooth movement, safety features, and compact nature are a better fit, consider the stylish statement pieces and comfort-friendly glider options in our collection. Explore recliners and modern wingbacks offering smooth swaying motions, 360-degree swivels, and ottomans that perfectly complement the pieces in style and comfort.
At fawn&forest, we value not just wholesome, simple living but also modern comfort and functionality. Your baby’s nursery deserves original, unique furniture designs made from the highest quality natural materials available, and we are dedicated to bringing you only the best-in-class nursery furniture. Find pieces that will help you design your baby’s nursery to be a place of beauty, comfort, and healthy, happy development.
-
If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy our tips for choosing the right baby blanket or how to make the best use of hand-me downs.
]]>Home is a sanctuary for you and your family, and your child's room should be a safe space for them. Designing your child's bedroom with unique and carefully crafted decor helps create a special space for your little one while giving you peace of mind. With thoughtfully chosen products, you can make a room everyone will feel excited to spend time in.
Children's rooms are used for more than sleeping, but your child will spend a great deal of time resting in their bed. Choosing a crib or bed that feels secure can give you both a good night's sleep.
For young children transitioning from a crib to their own bed, a convertible crib or a toddler bed with security rails is essential. Many of our toddler beds pair calming colors and sturdy builds that can ease the transition to a big kid bed. We’re particularly fond of Oeuf’s 2022 Classic Toddler Bed, offering a safe, sleek design.
Bunk beds are another great choice for siblings, giving them the chance to sleep near each other.
Like any other room in the house, a color scheme defines a kid's room. Painting with soothing shades, muted hues, or colors your child loves can make their bedroom design perfect for playtime and bedtime.
Pastel blues, light greens, muted purples and pinks, and soft whites all offer tranquility and safety. You can also go with a patterned wallpaper like this favorite safari print from Ferm Living:
A secret reading nook, hiding space, or pretend play toy gives your child a place they can use to take some quiet time or enjoy imaginative play, allowing them to feel protected in their bedroom. Play tents are one of the best and most space-saving options that offer your child an area to play and feel snug. You can read more ab
Little ones will take tumbles, and the best way to prevent more tears is to lay a soft, cushioned rug on the floor. Floor coverings are especially useful in nurseries with hardwood or tile to give children floor space to comfortably play with legos, explore their bookcase, or cuddle with a favorite stuffed animal. Try a colorful option like this Monstera leaf-shaped rug from Lorena Canals, perfect for your nature lover.
There are a million and one ways to incorporate calming lighting into your bedroom ideas. From nightlights that make your bedtime routine less stressful to overhead lighting that helps your little one wake up in the morning, adding extra light can make a room feel secure for you and your child.
Making your child's bedroom safe isn't just about baby proofing. It's also about developing an interior design that matches their personality. Including art like mobiles, wall art, and home décor that fits their interests is a thoughtful way to ensure your child feels safe and at home in their own room.
Adding a comfortable chair for you to use during read-alouds, cuddles before bed, or visits during playtime reminds your child that you're always nearby. Rockers like our Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Recliner let you spend time in your child's room without needing to crouch on the floor.
A relaxing chair also gives other family members a place to come play or read with your little one. As their love of reading develops, older children can even enjoy the chair as their own reading nook.
When your child's bedroom also doubles as a place for play, including opportunities for creativity is essential. Whether it's a chalkboard for drawing, a tub of clay for modeling, or a box of dress-ups, giving your child the chance to express themselves can make their room feel even safer.
Children go from crawling to walking to dancing, jumping, and building; and it all happens so quickly! They need a space where they can experience active play but also enjoy quiet play. A well-designed play area gives boundaries while providing space for independent and peer play.
An essential part of a play area is a place for kids to sit and play independently or with a friend. The P’kolino Little Modern Table and Chairs is perfect for this. With built-in storage, a chalkboard on one side, and moveable dividers, this set is the perfect addition to your playroom design.
A well-designed play area will give children visual cues of what type of play is where. A table set up suggests one should sit and play with small blocks, puzzles, and drawing tools. A cozy tent in a corner with throw pillows might suggest a place to read or play with a truck. Another corner may hold a workshop outfitted with pretend play tools or a pretend kitchen complete with the accessories needed for creative play. By setting up these separate areas of play, you help give boundaries while letting them using their imaginations.
Everything has a place and teaching that at a young age will help in the later years. A good storage system in the form of shelves, cubbies, or toy boxes is essential in a child’s play area design. The Oeuf Mini Library allows easy access and high function and is perfect for those looking for a larger piece of furniture with a duel purpose. The Oeuf Toy Store, on the other hand, is perfect for small spaces. With multiple sized cubbies, this is the perfect shelf for kids to learn to help to pick up since they can easily see where everything goes.
At fawn+forest, the growth and development of children is an essential part of what drives us and our collection of playroom essentials were chosen with that same care.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>Allow children to explore the world as a chef in their own pretend play kitchen. Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen is a great addition to a playroom. Expertly crafted by Amish artisans in the USA from sustainable Baltic birch and solid North American maple, this play kitchen is designed to last for generations to come and provide for endless hours of pretend play fun.
Create an entire environment for your budding chef with the matching Milton & Goose Refrigerator, pantry items, and kitchen accessories. These items allow kids to use their imagination and creativity as they cook up their (and your) favorite foods, organize their shelves, and stock their pantry. Creative pretend play at its best with a splash of sharing thrown in for good measure - a win-win!
Indoor pretend play is fun but sometimes you need to get outside and explore. The Baghera Tractor and Trailer allow for hours of fun and creative play outdoors. This metal pedal tractor pulls an open-air trailer, allowing toddlers and young children up to the age of six the ability to pretend play as far as their imagination will take them. From collecting sticks to build their hut on the homestead to farming the land for their lads, the possibilities are only as limited as their imagination.
At fawn+forest, we’re constantly looking for toys that spark the imagination and build on a child’s natural creative spirit. We invite you to browse our collection of personally selected toys here.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>Whether you're upgrading your toddler's car seat to a booster, moving to a double stroller, or trying bigger clothes, it seems like there's always a new necessity for your growing family. One of those necessities: your little one's bed.
Your child will spend so much time in their crib, making memories, dreaming, and getting much-needed rest. With such an important place in your child’s life, their bed needs to match the speedy growth they go through, not to mention your style.
Parents often have to decide between buying a new children's bed upon each transition or buying a single convertible bed that adapts to their child's growth. If you're wondering which choice will work for your family, learn about our favorite options and how you can find one to best fit your needs.
Some parents choose to buy new furniture as their baby grows rather than selecting adjustable options. Families with multiple kiddos might prefer to buy new because they can reuse furniture as the younger children grow into what the oldest sibling has outgrown. Not only is this practice economical, younger siblings often love "moving up" into their older brother's or sister's toddler bed or twin bed.
However, because there are so many phases your little ones will go through, buying new furniture for each transition can be expensive and time-consuming. Imagine doing the research to find a safe, affordable, and high-quality piece of furniture every few years! On top of juggling young children, it can be another hassle you don't need. Instead, choosing convertible beds can take the pressure off and make bedtime less stressful during those delicate transitional periods for your little one.
The features your child needs when they're young change almost as fast as their favorite foods. Infants and little ones need changing tables, bassinets, and bed rails, but your older child only needs a toddler bed or a twin bed and some cozy sheets.
Making sure you have the right furniture on hand helps ease transitions and save on baby expenses. But with that, there are tons of options for you to choose from. Explore some of the modern and customizable children's furniture you can find to fit your family's needs.
Making sure your child feels safe is one of the most critical parts of bedtime. Sleeping with a favorite stuffed animal or drifting off to starry night lights or ocean sounds can make bedtime a little easier, but the right frame can also help. Removable features like guardrails, toddler rails, or a pillowy headboard or footboard can make a standard toddler or twin bed feel secure like a crib. If your child is transitioning from a crib to a big-kid bed, adding items like these can make it more comfortable until they feel safe in their new digs.
Convertible cribs come in different sizes and shapes to meet your family's needs. With adjustable mattress positions, you can get years of use out of a durable crib made to last.
Whatever model you decide on, read up on whether you'll need to buy additional tools or mattresses. Some kids' beds come with toddler bed conversion kits or differently-sized crib mattresses included, while others require you to to buy those items separately.
Whatever you decide - standard crib or convertible - you'll need to look at the other features, style, quality, and safety of your future crib.
Safety is your first priority when it comes to your little one. When deciding on a new crib for the sweetest slumber, make sure you investigate its safety certifications. All cribs must be made according to standards from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). You'll also find Greenguard Gold Certified cribs that identify them as safe from specific chemical emissions.
Finding a crib that matches your family's needs means looking for one that will help you in the tricky transition periods your child will go through. From mini cribs that can be quickly stored when your child outgrows them to cribs with adjustable mattress heights, your choice should make life easier. Along with that, the functionality of your crib doesn't only include its ability to grow with your little sprout. You can also find cribs that offer additional features, like add-on changers, removable slats, side drawers, and hidden storage.
If you select a convertible crib, the piece will rest in your child's room for years. That means the style you pick should be timeless. Explore which colors best fit your home, from dark espressos to bright pine woods. Decide between clean-lined mid-century styles and intricate traditional designs, acrylics, and metals. At fawn&forest, you'll discover a collection of unique convertible crib styles to fit the peace of your child's room. Find cribs from brands like Babyletto, DaVinci Baby, Oeuf, and more, each made with high-quality materials like New Zealand pine, non-toxic finishes, and offering clean lines to match your personal style.
Your child's bed is an important space for cuddles, stories, and special moments. The right nursery furniture can make your baby’s room a sanctuary they'll feel comfortable and safe in well past their infancy. Whether you're interested in convertible or non-convertible options, at fawn&forest, you’ll find a selection of sleek, sustainable, and durable beds to pass down from generation to generation.
]]>Animals, nature, sea life, and the alphabet are just a handful of themes that people consider when they are choosing decor for babies’ nursery. Starting with a color scheme or theme will make it easier for you to narrow down favorites when looking for art for a nursery wall or rugs for the nursery floor.
Color schemes can be happy and bright, calming pastels, an eccentric mix, or contrasting colors for brain development. The colors and theme that you choose should be pleasing to the eye, create a sense of peace for you and baby, and make you smile. If you achieve those essentials, you’re off to a great start in decorating your baby’s nursery.
Baby Nursery Art and Decor
The space that you create for a baby is a space that they will spend time in, exploring the world around them. For babies, it starts with their eyes so choose eye-catching decor and art that inspires creativity. At fawn+forest, our art and decor are sustainability sourced so you can rest in the knowledge that you truly are providing the best for your baby. From what you choose to hang on the walls to the mobile above their crib, the decor in the baby room is an integral part of babies’ development. Choose items that add to the style and don’t appear to clutter a space. You also want to choose items that can grow with baby. Take this Ferm Living ABC Wallhanging Art as an example. A perfect decor item for a nursery, but also great for a toddler learning the alphabet a couple of years down the road.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup locally sourced honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
Preparation Instructions
Refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to a week, or if you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to several months.
You could use whole grain oats, but pulse them in a food processor a few times first. If not you may need to add a little extra peanut butter or honey to the mixture to help them stick together.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>Learn what to do when picking a baby stroller for your little one’s first year and beyond. Our buying guide goes over common stroller types and add-ons.
A baby stroller is perhaps the most substantial piece of baby gear that will be purchased for your child. There are many considerations to take into account when choosing the perfect stroller. First, you need to consider where you live and what types of daily activities you will be participating in. For instance, do you like to go on mini-weekend adventures and travel? Do you need something that is easy to open and close during your endless daily errands? Your activities play a big part in determining the type of stroller you should choose for your little one.
If you are a new parent, it is easy to underestimate the value of a light weight, easy to fold baby stroller. If this is your first time buying a stroller, don’t be afraid to pick one that exceeds your basic expectations of what a stroller should do. Simping on features will, inevitably, lead to regret. Here are a few features we recommend you look for.
An adjustable handlebar that can lengthen for your comfort or one-hand fold functionality that allows you to break the stroller down while holding a diaper bag and/or a squirming baby will help you adapt to the inevitable unforseen situations you will find yourself in.
A stroller with a storage basket can be a lifesaver, especially for long outings like spending the day at an event or a theme park. You’ll be surprised at how handy storage can be. We use our stroller to pack blankets, food, toys, and dozens of other things. Most of the time, it’s much easier to let the stroller do the heavy lifting than to add a backpack or shoulder bag.
Not every feature will be useful to you as a parent. Then again, if you’re a first-time parent, it can be tough to know which add-ons you’ll need. Cup holders are fairly universal. Freeing up a hand is always helpful when caring for little ones. Another fairly common feature is a canopy that acts as a sunshade in the heat or a rain cover in the event of inclement weather.
There are several different stroller types out there, and it’s unlikely you’ll have the opportunity to borrow a niece or nephew and test drive them all before day one. However, if you take a close look at your current lifestyle, you may have an idea of what your stroller needs might be for your first year and beyond!
A full-size stroller covers all the basics. They will typically have a stronger frame, swivel wheels for maneuverability, a footrest for you, and a reclining seat for the baby. These strollers tend to have larger wheels to handle rough terrain like dirt trails or sandy playgrounds and may even feature shock-absorbing for uneven terrain. This can help to reduce the chance of waking a sleeping baby when going over a curb.
Even if this is not the kind of stroller you want to use as your primary stroller, having an extra lightweight travel stroller or umbrella stroller, is usually a good idea. These lightweight strollers, not much more than a stroller frame and canvas seat, fold down to a manageable size, ideal for public transportation or an overpacked car. The tradeoff for these strollers is that they have minimal features, can only be used on hard smooth surfaces, and have a lower weight limit.
Do you want to take your baby on regular runs around your neighborhood? If so, a jogging stroller might be a good choice. A jogger usually has a single front wheel, hand brake, air-filled tires, safety harness, and a suspension system to ensure a smooth ride for you and your baby.
A travel system is more than just a single stroller. Rather, as the name suggests, it’s a combo system that not only grows with your baby’s rolling needs but also their car seat needs. A high-quality travel system will include an infant car seat, complete with a five-point harness, that functions as a bassinet style car seat carrier. The bassinet can be clipped into a car seat adapter or attached to the stroller frame.
When you think about double strollers, you may be picturing side-by-side stroller seats holding twins. While this may be true of basic models, the best double strollers have the seating in tandem (one in front and the other behind), and can accommodate both your new baby and an older child. Many of them are convertible strollers with a range of options like having an infant carrier on the front and a seat with a platform that a toddler can climb in and out of as the mood strikes them.
Whether you are looking for something lightweight, something that can withstand high-intensity activity, or extra room for your growing family, we’ve taken every need into consideration in order to offer you the broadest range of safe, quality strollers to meet your needs.
We have carefully chosen our collection of strollers to meet your needs, provide ultimate versatility and take precedence in overall safety with a collection of accessories to make life easier.
If you are in search of the perfect baby stroller but aren’t sure where to begin, contact us anytime. Our team of dedicated customer service representatives is here to answer all your questions, helping you make the decision that best suits your needs and ensuring your purchase will exceed all your needs and expectations.
]]>Even with extra government regulation and child safety standards, the regulations that do exist lack the level of protection that ensure all toys are safe for all children. So how do you find a great children’s gift the child will love, while at the same time ensuring that they are made of natural materials, safe for them to use and something their parents won’t be concerned about them playing with? Look at our line of Heritage Holiday Gifts.
Our curated line of holiday gifts has something for everyone. Whether you are shopping for an infant or a toddler that is mobile, curious and actively exploring everything the world has to offer, we have something for everyone’s life stage and interest that is sure to be a memorable gift they’ll love.
These gifts promote the healthy development of children, stoke the fires of imagination and make-believe and give peace of mind to the discerning parent as each item is crafted, with love, from the most responsible and safest materials on the market.
Fawn&Forest believes in the value of family, the beauty of nature, and the wholesome joy that can be found in simple living. This list of holiday gifts is another example of our commitment to these values. If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift but aren’t sure where to begin your search, contact us anytime. Our team of dedicated customer service representatives is here to help you with anything you need.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>What to look for when choosing the best organic baby blanket including what materials are the strongest, softest, and healthiest for you and your new baby.
As they transition from the safety of your belly to the outside world, babies love the feeling of being wrapped up snuggly in a cozy swaddle blanket. There is a reason the first three months of a baby’s life are often referred to as the “fourth trimester.”
The best baby blankets offer, not just comfort, but also security and peace of mind for those early months and beyond. With the amount of time your infant spends sleeping, choosing the right blanket becomes an important choice for you as a parent.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a baby blanket before, you’ve likely come across blankets labeled as “organic.” Wondering why organic fabrics make all the difference? Read on to find out everything you need to know about organic baby blankets and how to find the perfect option for your little one.
Synthetic fabrics are often less expensive to produce, and non-organic materials will always be cheaper. But if it's soft, what difference does it make? Well, a baby's delicate skin is thinner, more porous, and more sensitive than an adult's, putting them at greater risk of absorbing residual pesticides, insecticides, growth hormones, or whatever else has been used during the manufacturing process.
When talking about baby food, an organic label indicates the food was produced without using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. The same is true of natural fabric materials, like cotton, wool, and bamboo.
Organic blankets are made from fabric free from any of these dangers. The organic label means that a blanket does not contain any genetically engineered substances or synthetics - and the material it's made from has been grown without pesticides. Beyond that, it's more likely to come from a source where sustainability is a priority.
A baby blanket should be made of gentle, breathable, and certified-safe materials to make sleep more comfortable on your baby’s sensitive skin - and give you peace of mind. With that in mind, as you look for a baby blanket for your little one, pay special attention to labels stating that the blanket is GOTS certified, which means that the fabric meets the Global Organic Textile Standard. Below are some of the gentlest and safest organic fabrics that parents love.
With a soft weave, organic cotton is lightweight enough for the summer months and warm enough to work as a layer in the winter for multi-season use. Its range of options and gentle touch for baby's sensitive skin makes it the perfect choice for infants and toddlers alike. And, if you choose a dye-free fabric, the natural ivory cotton of a knit baby blanket makes a lovely background in photos and is just the right size to use in the stroller.
Organic cotton muslin blankets are excellent receiving blankets and organic swaddle blankets for little ones. Due to the loose weave used to make the muslin fabric, muslin swaddle blankets are uniquely breathable and offer a safer option than thick quilted blankets. Muslin is one of the softest fabrics available for organic cotton swaddles, so it’s an excellent choice for baby clothes, burp cloths, and many other baby products.
Merino is a breed of domestic sheep characterized by very fine, soft wool. It’s a gentle, breathable fabric that can help maintain temperature, making it a great choice for a blanket to use during cuddle time or solo sleep. Additionally, merino wool is 100% biodegradable, and its fibers have a protective outer layer that resists dirt and prevents stains from absorbing, making it much easier to machine wash.
Not only is “bamboo baby blanket” fun to say, but bamboo fibers tend to be even lighter and more breathable than cotton, perfect for your baby’s delicate skin. Bamboo fabric is also quite durable, hypoallergenic, and machine washable, and because bamboo is a sustainable material, bamboo blankets are also one of the most eco-friendly options. That said, some bamboo is processed in a way that introduces toxic chemicals to the material, so be sure to pick brands with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification.
Safety is essential when choosing a baby blanket. In addition to the obvious things to avoid, like blankets with loose tassels, fringes, or ribbons that can become choking hazards, safety also extends to buying an appropriate blanket for the season.
Infants are not yet able to regulate their body temperatures, so choose a heavier blanket for winter and a lighter one for summer to prevent overheating. When purchasing a winter blanket, do not get a quilt or anything soft and heavy. Even when made from a breathable fabric, the dense design can contribute to SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Instead, a knitted pattern offers ventilation and breathability.
As babies get bigger, they transition from a swaddle blanket to a sleep sack. The wearable blanket allows your little one to kick, wiggle, and move around without the risk of suffocation. Baby sleep sacks are also convenient for you as a parent, letting you slip one right over their baby clothes and pajamas, so you can keep it on as you feed and soothe them at night.
The number-one concern when shopping for a soft baby blanket is, of course, making sure your baby is warm and comfortable. However, a few other factors can help narrow your choices down a little more.
If you're going to spend the time, effort, and resources to find the absolute best, high-quality blanket for your baby, you expect it to last. A good, well-made blanket can stand the transition from shower gift to nursing cover to stroller blanket, all the way to play mat for tummy time! The blanket they snuggle with as a baby eventually becomes their security blanket for naps during their toddler years and beyond. Take a close look at the blanket’s stitching to ensure it won't unravel within a year, and choose something machine washable. A good blanket will travel from the crib sheets to the car seats and back, withstanding any everyday mess.
If you're like me, you like to hold onto treasures from your baby's earliest days. Baby blankets become heirlooms that will forever remind us of when our children were tiny, and when you choose a blanket based on durability, there's a good chance it will have a life beyond your first baby's infancy. Picking a unisex or gender-neutral pattern is not as important as choosing a color and pattern that can go with any decor. A blanket with a gaudy design that's fun for a baby shower, in my experience, will not see as much use as a blanket with a softer color palette.
We all want to make sure that the world we leave for our children is better than we found it. One of the many small actions we can take is to choose eco-friendly baby products whenever possible. Choosing organic material is a good start, but you should also favor sustainable materials, like cotton or bamboo.
An OEKO-TEX label can be helpful for choosing the most eco-friendly options. If the blanket you're looking at is labeled STANDARD 100, every thread, weave, and button has been tested for harmful substances. Their STeP certification label shows that the manufacturing process included environmentally friendly production, sustainability, and socially responsible working conditions.
fawn&forest's collection of organic cotton baby blankets and quilts has the perfect options for your little one's comfort. Find muslin baby blankets to keep your tot warm in their crib, cover their little face while running errands or taking a walk, or swaddle them for the comfiest sleep. Our baby swaddle blankets and sleep sacks offer that same comfort, with just the right amount of warmth to soothe your baby.
We picked our favorite baby and toddler blankets crafted with exceptional eco-friendly and organic cotton fabrics, durability, and beautiful patterns and colors. Explore our collection of blankets made with the highest quality materials, from organic cotton to fine merino wool with an extra-soft feel, all chosen to help your sweet pea drift off to sleep in comfort.
-
If you enjoyed this you may also be interesting in why you should get an organic mattress for your baby crib. You may also enjoy reading how to make your child's room feel safe and more.
]]>Nursery furniture, by definition, is temporary furniture. Your baby will outgrow it (rather quickly in the grand scheme of things), and you’ll be upgrading your child’s room in a short span of time. But just because your little one only spends a few years in their nursery doesn’t mean you should sacrifice quality with their furniture.
Finding brands that avoid short-lived trending styles and instead focus on craftsmanship and classic designs is essential. The right piece can help you make your child’s nursery into a haven they feel safe and comfortable in, no matter their age.
At fawn&forest, we collect the highest-quality pieces from brands that care. Learn which essentials your nursery needs and discover brands that can deliver on them.
Decorating your baby’s room with durable, beautiful, and luxurious furniture is more than just interior design. It’s giving care and attention to the space your child will spend most of their time in for the first few years of life. You might have been gifted most of the supplies you need during your baby shower, but deciding on the right nursery furniture can be more of a lift.
So what essentials should you include in your baby’s room? Here are our suggestions for how to build a place of comfort:
Your little one will go from bassinet to toddler bed or daybed in the blink of an eye, and ensuring they’re cradled in a safe, soft space makes bedtime easy at any stage. Deciding which luxury baby bed to buy will depend on whether you want a piece that transitions with your baby or one that fits them only during a specific age. Convertible cribs, such as 4-in-1 convertible cribs or cribs that use conversion kits, let you stick with one piece throughout their childhood, changing only their crib mattress and crib bedding.
Your baby’s nursery isn’t just a place for sleep. It’s a space for you to make memories together, develop their love of reading, and more. Classic rocking chairs and rockers, modern gliders and swivel chairs, and recliners can help you create that haven of comfort for you and your little one. Go for seating that fits your decor but also offers a durable design, exceptional luxury, and convenience.
Along with all the essentials you need for outside the nursery, like strollers, car seats, and baby clothes, a few additions to the room can bring it together. Practical supplies like changing tables or changers and storage can be just as luxe and high-end as your crib. A mid-century modern bookcase can offer an aesthetic place to store books for your future reader. Adding a well-placed table can give you all the space you need to display art, set up an area for creative activities, or add a little extra storage. Whatever you choose for your design, make sure you find pieces that will contribute to your aesthetic and deliver functionality for years to come.
At fawn&forest, we strive to find modern brands offering sustainable styles and beautiful designs to give you a collection of the best nursery furniture.
Brands like Nursery Works aim to bring high design into the nursery for the ultra-chic parent. The designers at Nursery Works collaborate with highly skilled American craftspeople to build each piece. By making their products in low production runs, they can use methods and materials that would be unavailable in typical mass production. For instance, many of their solid wood cribs are bench-made in small local shops in the United States.
You’ll also find nursery furniture from brands like Oeuf, Babyletto, and Million Dollar Baby, each chosen for their dedication to quality craftsmanship. These brands offer only the best-in-class nursery furniture that will make your baby’s room look one of a kind and ensure their healthy, happy growth.
Are you looking to decorate your child’s nursery with style, safety, and sustainability in mind? When choosing furniture for your baby’s nursery, you deserve original, unique furniture designs made from the highest quality, natural materials available on the market. Explore our catalog of best sellers, sustainably-sourced items, and thoughtfully-designed pieces built to last. You’ll find Greenguard Gold-certified cribs and crib essentials, hits from your favorite brands, and unique aesthetics you won’t see elsewhere, all chosen to support and encourage your child’s safe sleep and healthy development.
]]>You would think that since crib mattresses are regulated and certified by a giant safety seal they would be safe. That's not entirely true.
The University of Texas did a study and found that
Part of the cause of the problem is the manufacturers. Manufactures want to make as much profit as possible, manufacturing as much product as possible, so as long as it passes government regulations, they feel they’ve done their jobs. The real problem though is that the regulations are not very strict.
So why should you buy an organic crib mattress? Is a healthy crib mattress necessary for your baby's health? In short, yes.
Here are just a few of the unhealthy components found in a standard crib mattress.
These fire-retardant materials are cause for concern wherever children may come in contact with them. This applies to sofas and any other soft furniture where they may be present, as well.
Countries in Europe have banned harmful chemicals like flame retardants entirely. These retardants get stored in the human body with every exposure, making them bioaccumulative (the gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other chemicals in your body).
In experiments with mice, PBDE's lead to problems with the thyroid, developmental problems with learning and motor skills, and cancer.
PDBE's are in numerous places such as televisions, computers, carpets, and couches, so it is worthy of taking note of this and whenever possible trying to limit your exposure.
Why do you want to avoid cheap glue? Simply put, cheap glues contain a number of harmful chemicals that are toxic to children, and standard crib mattresses contain a disproportionate amount of these glues to keep it firm and rigid.
Fabrics and batting in crib mattresses are often made with polyester. Polyester can cause respiratory tract irritation and severe skin rashes.
It's not hype, buying an organic crib mattress could be one of the most important purchases you'll ever make for your baby or child to ensure their safety while they sleep.
An organic crib mattress helps increase blood flow and relieve pressure so your baby can get a good night’s sleep. Organic baby crib mattresses are made with non-toxic materials so your baby will avoid sleep interruptions due to exposure to chemically treated fabrics.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>For pre-school-age children, a bedroom is a good spot for reading before bed and playing with toys after a nap. As children start school, their bedroom will become a more socially-oriented space as they begin to use their rooms as a place to play when they have playdates with their classmates.
The ideal kids’ room offers a safe environment with sturdy furniture and non-toxic materials. Laid out correctly, it will also cultivate play and learning experiences. Apart from furniture, your kid’s room should include plenty of educational items like books and games, as well as movable objects that a child can feel, stack, and manipulate. Items for creating art and music or playing pretend are also very enriching. All these things are valuable pieces in your child’s overall educational program.
With this in mind, today we want to share with you a few creative kids’ room ideas you can use to morph your kid’s room to help inspire their imagination and development.
Installing a chalkboard or using a can of chalkboard wall paint is a quick and easy room upgrade that will be something your kid will use for many years. Any time the mood strikes, they can grab a piece of chalk and draw out whatever they are imagining on a blank canvas that is always there for them.
One of the greatest things about being a kid is learning about (and becoming obsessed) with so many new things. One great way to inspire your kid’s imagination and give them a stage to make-believe and really enjoy playing in their room is by designing their room in the theme of their current favorite thing.
One of the most amazing opportunities to inspire imagination in your kid is by giving them a fort in their room they can use to play in. Forts offer endless opportunities for playtime, allowing them to take ownership of the space and design it exactly the way they want. They will have countless opportunities to make-believe and imagine great play scenarios that will keep them engaged and entertained for hours on end.
x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x
]]>There are many fantastic decorations you can make to give your home a festive holiday look that utilize things in our natural `surroundings. Here are some of our favorites.
Bring a little bit of the outdoors to your front door. Start by laying out the pinecones in around a wreath frame. Then, hot glue all of the pinecones to the frame, starting with the main circle. Continue to glue the pinecones around the entire frame. You may need to use a little wire and extra hot glue to secure a few pinecone tips that are hard to line up.
You and your kids can custom-make your own ornaments by painting them with chalk paint, then writing on them with chalk. You can doodle on a holiday design, or personalize them with your names and special dates (birthdays, anniversaries, and so on).
Cut some wood from your backyard into circles and then paint it with chalk paint. Once it dries, let your kids get to work on a holiday masterpiece. Hot glue a ribbon to it for a holder and you will be able to display your beautiful ornaments on your Christmas tree.
This one is a super fun one to do with kids: Use twigs, glue, and embroidery thread or twine to make custom ornaments that are inspired by nature. The best part of this project is that even if you live in a city, you still have access to tons of great twigs you can use to make your decorations.
Nothing is more festive than pinecones during the holidays. What better way to make your Christmas tree look more natural than with an owl that is sitting in the tree keeping watch? With a little felt and a pinecone, your kids can whip one a creative, festive-looking owl that will make your tree look fantastic.
While most people recycle their milk cartons that they accumulate at home, why not upcycle them? Use your empty milk cartons to create the cutest gingerbread village ever. Once built, you can store it and re-use it year after year. Even better, you can expand it year after year, building an exciting, ever-growing Christmas village.
Get outside & enjoy the final days of Summer!
We're having an end of the Summer sale.
Use code GETOUTSIDE at checkout for 12% off.
Sale ends Monday, Sept 3rd at midnight PST.
*Restricted: Bumbleride, Monte, Stokke, Babyletto, Nursery Works, Naturepedic & Oeuf.
When I was little, I would leave a note for my grandma to find right before I left her house, and she would secretly hide one for me to find, usually tucked in my books or toys. We would write to each other often in between visits — real letters! I loved reading her cursive and was recently thinking how significant it is to "secretly" connect with our children.
So much goes into our communication. Kids have to learn everything from vocabulary skills to semantics and tone of voice - and caregivers hold the most critical roles in that development. While your young children will learn so much in early child care and grade school, their time learning with you at home is just as important.
Childhood is filled with opportunities for you to support their language skills, nonverbal communication, receptive communication, and more. Here, we've gathered tips from language professionals and a few of our favorite suggestions for building communication connections as a family.
A note on communication development: Every child develops at a different pace, and that includes their understanding of language. Your child may not follow their peers' paths, and if you have multiple kiddos, you might notice different stages met at varying ages.
It's helpful to have an understanding of developmental milestones and get the support of your trusted pediatric professional. Certain communication disorders and other disorders that affect development, such as hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or pragmatic language impairment, may present in early childhood. Speech-language pathologists and other communication experts are familiar with signs of communication deficits and the extensive information in the CCC-2 (Children's Communication Checklist) to help determine whether your child needs additional support.
With that, you know your child best, so observing their growth and leaning on the support of professionals is the best way to ensure they develop the proper communication skills. In addition, here are a few strategies for language-building with little ones.
As you watch them learn and grow, you see each stage of your child’s life bring new skills, interests, and habits. Your toddler has vastly different communication needs than your five-year-old. Understanding the communication level of every era of your child’s life helps you build on age-appropriate skills - and understand developmental milestones.
Your little one will learn more from you than anyone, which means that your modeling will be essential to their communication development. Modeling thoughtful communication can include describing your activities together, labeling objects, using proper syntax, singing aloud, playing language games, and more. Remember to model nonverbal communication through your facial expressions and eye contact as well.
Literacy development goes hand-in-hand with your child's communication development. You can promote your child's love of reading and communication skills by including read-alouds, independent reading, and scheduled literacy time. Modeling a love of reading is essential in showing your child the wonders of books! Read together, fill your house with their favorite books, and support their love of reading whenever you can find the time.
Children are naturally curious, inquisitive creatures. During preschool, kiddos seem to ask questions non-stop (around 100 per day)! But even before and after this stage, you can promote their communication by asking them questions too. Ask simple, observational questions like, "What color is that?" along with open-ended ones like, "Why do you think your friend is upset?" or "How did you build that structure?"
Play is crucial to your child's development. Pretend play, in particular, gives them a chance to build language with real-life and imagined situations. They use language the way they see it modeled, create imaginary roles, and practice aspects of communication they don't ordinarily explore. Support pretend play with open-ended toys, dedicated time, and asking questions when appropriate.
Valuing communication as a developmental need is important - but communication is also a vital part of your relationship with your child. Giving them a pathway to connecting with you and their loved ones is immensely precious, from infancy to adolescence.
It often seems like we don't have enough hours in the week to spend that precious quality time alone with each of our children. But little moments of connection - like the notes my grandma and I left for one another - offer a way to find the time, even on busy days. These little written admirations passed back & forth connect & satisfy us in much the same, quiet way.
To offer my own kiddos the same connection, I started a journal between each of my children and me to write and draw our love for each other. I make sure to write clearly and always end my note with a question, so my children have an inspired start in their notes back to me. I also include cute drawings and plenty of inside jokes. If your children are younger and not yet able to write, simply create drawings for each other.
Writing back & forth with children has an element of wonder & curiosity. Isn't it exciting to get a letter? Sometimes my children & I forget to reply and tend to gently remind each other with a new note in the journal or a nudge, but it is never a forced activity with expectations. If you have a hesitant writer (a child that is just learning or otherwise struggles with it), extend understanding & gentleness. This journal between your child & you is a place that nurtures trust and encouragement.
Supporting communication is important - and you can find creative, loving ways to build your child's skills and navigate communication problems as they arise. As you explore your child's communication, learning as much from them as they do you, you'll find new ways to connect with each other.
Looking for more fun, educational activities to explore as a family? Check out our blog for exciting ideas and inspiration to share with your little one each day.
]]>Discover the benefits of reading aloud for your little one’s language development along with tips on what kinds of children's books encourage early literacy.
One thing I am not minimal about is books! From the start, I have filled my children's lives with as many books as our budget would allow. From an early age, your little one can benefit from an adult taking the time to sit down and read aloud to them. But how early should you start reading to your baby, and what should you read to them? Read on to see what the experts say and for a few books we recommend for you and your baby.
There's a special connection that happens with our young children when we read out loud together. I have found it unnecessary to teach my children rote-style memorization of colors, numbers, or the alphabet. These basic elements come alive and become real in a tangible way when we read together, which inspires conversations and future adventures together.
Those aren't the only upsides, though. According to Nationwide Children's Hospital pediatricians, early literacy is integral to child development, encouraging language skills and helping your baby learn new words. Reading together is crucial for your child's language development, allowing them to go from baby babble to complete words and beyond to further milestones. In addition, the effort spent on story time gives them the reading skills they need for a headstart on kindergarten.
Even though your baby cannot grasp a book or sound out the letters of the alphabet, it is never too soon to introduce your little one to the magic of books. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "reading, talking, and singing regularly with young children from birth stimulates brain development." So you should start reading to your baby right away in their first year! It's a great idea to make reading aloud together part of your daily routine. I've found that reading together can be the perfect way to wind down after playtime. Once the wiggles have been worked out, cuddle up in your nursery chair with your kiddo and snuggle together while you explore a new literary landscape.
Reading strengthens bonding time since reading a book together can signal safety, love, and an emotional connection. It can also help establish a regular bedtime routine. That benefits everyone!
Are you worried that reading aloud is one more thing you must do as a sleep-deprived parent? Getting into a routine doesn't have to be time-consuming or complicated. Taking a moment to read has a host of benefits for you and your baby that we've already discussed, but it can also help your child increase their concentration and attention span. I can't imagine a caregiver out there who wouldn't appreciate that!
You might be wondering what kind of books are best for your baby and can last into toddlerhood. Babies respond more to bright, high-contrast colors and different textures when they get older. You'll also want sturdier books, like cloth books or board books, since older babies will love touching the book themselves (and probably chew on it, too). While there isn't much to read in these books, talking your baby through them is essential. For example, prompt them to feel the difference between a flap of denim and another of burlap or moo when they see a cow and oink when they see a pig.
As their literacy skills grow, you can share a greater variety of books, including nursery rhymes, simple poems, fairy tales, and more! So follow your child's interests and read them the stories they love.
Educator Charlotte Mason refers to reading books that beautifully express the world around us as living books, and I couldn't agree more! We now have a handful of favorite books in the shop from beloved authors such as Gerda Muller & Elsa Beskow. You can shop all of the BOOKS HERE. fawn&forest features infant baby books that will last from their first day to their first birthday and for years to come.
]]>Use this simple DIY recipe to make snow dough, a type of play dough perfect for fun sensory play for your child as they make snowballs, snowmen, and much more!
Sensory play is a helpful tool for building children’s cognitive and scientific thinking, literacy, motor skills, and creativity. Doing fun sensory play activities together can take a snow day from a boring time stuck inside to a day full of creative inspirations, exciting opportunities for cognitive growth, and special time together.
I like to keep a few winter-y project stations and sensory play activities around our home, both inside and out. Having different stations for my children to work on as they please can make real snow days much more exciting.
Today’s project: snow dough.
It's a gluten-free play dough with peppermint essential oil added in. The play dough recipe is simple, as with all homemade play dough, but this one uses rice flour which makes the dough extra white and snow-like —
5 Ingredient Snow Dough Recipe
1 cup white rice flour
Heaping 1/2 cup tapioca or arrowroot starch
Shy 1/2 cup fine sea salt
Small splash of vegetable oil or other oil
15+ drops of peppermint essential oil
Mix ingredients together in a large bowl with 1 cup near-boiling water.
After years of experience making snow dough with my little ones, I’ve picked up a few tips:
It might take some time to get the recipe just right for your kiddo’s little hands. In my experience, if it's sticky, I add a bit more starch. Likewise, if the dough is too crumbly or dry, add more water or oil.
While the process of making snow dough can be an exciting winter activity on its own, you can also store the snow dough so it’s ready to use. Next time you have a snow day or your kiddo needs another activity, you can avoid the extra prep time and just pop out the dough for independent play. To make sure your sensory dough lasts until then, store it in an airtight container.
I also like to keep any additional toys and instruments, like cookie cutters & a small rolling pin, nearby in a basket for easy access. Similarly, if you use little toy animals or sensory items like those listed below, store them near your dough.
One of the great parts about sensory dough is that there are so many kids activities you can choose from, all open-ended and supportive to your child’s emotional, communicative, and social development (read more about that here).
Depending on your child’s age, interests, and the materials you have to work with, there are tons of activities to choose from. Here are some of my favorites:
Making the play dough is a scientific activity all on its own! Depending on the sensory dough recipe, your child can experiment with ingredients like baking soda, flour, oil, and cornstarch. Working to find the perfect mix of ingredients and using measuring utensils and kitchenware lets your child build their scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
You can also explore other science-based activities, like hiding mini animals in the dough for kiddos to find, or building structures with the dough and other materials.
Support your child’s creative thinking by suggesting they build with their sensory dough. You’ll be surprised to see what they come up with in their small world of snow, whether it’s snowballs, snowmen, snowflakes, a tiger, or an alien!
Building a sensory bin is another great way to inspire creativity in younger children. The tactile play that a sensory bin offers supports that creative spark, letting young children explore different materials with all their senses. Along with the snow dough, you can add objects like mini plastic creatures, dry rice or beans, feathers, multi-color beads, or even some silver glitter if you can manage the mess!
Plastic animals aren’t the only objects you can add: incorporating mini letters and numbers into your DIY snow dough is the perfect way to practice early literacy skills. If you have a preschooler or even a 2-year-old with beginning literacy skills, adding some letters for them to explore is a fun way to engage those skills early on.
Exposing little ones to numbers and letters is so important for their future appreciation of and growth in literacy and mathematics. By adding a few plastic numbers and letters to your ingredient list, your child can see, touch, and explore the parts of the alphabet they’ll soon start to know by name.
One final tip: roll any extra dough into an oval and smush your child's handprint into it. I seem to do this every year, and as imperfect as they are, I'm so thankful to have these little moments captured all these years later!
We also love to keep snow dough around for little ones to use with pretend play items like play kitchens, art projects, and other creative activities. Tour our collection of hand-selected children’s toys, all chosen to support your child’s imagination and cognitive growth.
Play dough can indeed be messy at times but worth the joy. Supporting healthy development, making memories together, and allowing children to explore their creative side is why homemade snow dough is one of our favorite family activities.
]]>
What are 3 of your simple joys?
We always try to make a point to verbally express our gratitude for the simple joys in our lives. So, thinking about the simple things we most often we give thanks for, these kind of words can often be heard from our children-
“Mmmm, mommy this is SO yummy” - I cook A LOT. My sister writes a food blog over at Gather&Dine, so I’m often inspired to cook wholesome and fresh meals we can all gather around and enjoy together. Thankfully, both of our kids enjoy a variety of food, and sharing a meal has become one of our cherished parts of our every day.
“Can you believe nature is so beautiful?” - On Saturday mornings, we try and get out together and explore the beauty of the outdoors. Whether it’s a nature walk, bike ride, or picnic, it is always awe inspiring to soak in the beauty of Colorado. Our kids often personify what they see on our Saturday morning explorations — a large, relatively flat boulder perfect for climbing is their “Mother Rock,” a shallow cave at Red Rocks is “Mother Cave,” and so on. In only the way a child can, they’re forming nurturing connections to their environments :)
“Ohhh I feel so cozy” - Whether it’s sipping some hot cocoa or tea, snuggling under a blanket to read, or taking a warm bath, we all love to feel cozy. I guess that’s why we love merino so much!
Walk us through an average day in the life of you family.
My day starts sandwiched between our two children :). While we never planned on having a family bed, here we are! Our children fall asleep in their own beds, but 95% of the time will wake some time in the middle of the night and kick Daddy to the basement and have sleep time with Mama. I have a “remain in bed until 7 am” rule, so we usually start our day then with free play for the kids while I make breakfast and then off to getting ready for school.
Four mornings a week, our children attend the local Waldorf school. We love the Waldorf philosophy, especially its reverence for the magic of childhood and also its fostering of an appreciation of nature. The first time JP and I walked into a Waldorf classroom, it just felt right for us, and we’re grateful for the community. It is also the only time during the week that JP and I can really work together on things for Chasing Windmills. After school, we enjoy lunch together as a family. It is definitely one of the biggest perks of being work-at- home parents!
In the afternoon, JP returns to work, while I spend time with the kids. I will have them do 30 minutes of quiet time or so while I clean up from lunch. Then, we will spend some time reading together or doing a simple craft activity. Afterwards, they often will get lost in their own play between the two of them, which allows me a short bit to do some of my own reading or preparing for dinner. An hour or so before dinner, JP usually wraps up work and often takes the kids outside to play while I have the quiet kitchen to myself to cook. Some times the kids will also help me cook depending on the meal. I always have little hands ready to help chop, stir, and of course, taste test!
By 7 pm, we are starting our bed time routine, which consists of bath time every other night, and reading 3 stories. On week nights, JP reads to them while I head to work for the night, and on weekends, I enjoy the reading. They equate school days with “Daddy reading nights” :).
I will usually work until about 11 pm. The challenge of two work-at- home parents is that there isn’t a lot of mommy and daddy hang out time in the evenings! I suppose this is the trade-off for having some flexibility in our day time schedules and shared meals every day. But now that school is in session, we do get to enjoy some time to ourselves while working together, and will indulge ourselves in a date walk around the block or to the neighborhood croissant shop :). Then I’m in bed and asleep by 11:15, until the kids wake me for snuggle time ;)!
What 3 resource would you recommend for living an intentional life?
To be honest, we did not even really think about this concept until we had children. We were definitely flowing through life before then, enjoying many things, but never took the time to really think about the kind of life we wanted to lead. That all changed the day our twins were born! Having children definitely awoke something within us. We started asking ourselves what values we wanted to share with our little ones, what kind of example we wanted to be in the life that we lived, and how to empower ourselves and each other to be the creators of our lives together. But besides our children being natural inspirations for living deliberately, our three resources would be:
Being part of a supportive community. Many of my friends locally are creatives, and there is nothing better than being able to share the journey with like-minded mamas. Our Waldorf school community is also an invaluable resource for us with parents and teachers that are all striving to live intentionally.
Books! JP is the avid reader in our family and loves reading excerpts to me, but every now and then we’ll read a book together too. Some of our favorites include Simplicity Parenting and Free to Learn — books that inspired us to make conscious choices as parents and embrace the beauty of childhood.
Instagram has also proven to connect me to so many mamas that are huge inspirations. Summer, you are one of them! Your words and way of living always give me something to think about in my own life. Some other favorites that often blog about having a purposeful approach to achieving a simple life are @readtealeaves, @mama_2thelittleones, @mamawatters, @twentyventi, @magnesium_blue, @hippieindisguise, and I’m sure I’m forgetting many other favorite bloggers!
How do your beautiful twins influence Chasing Windmills?
Chasing Windmills came about as part of our journey to live deliberately once we had our twins. So, they have influenced us in every step of the way! As we thought about what we needed in our lives to be happy, what inspires our hearts, minds, and souls, we were ultimately led to this vision for Chasing Windmills: We wanted to share our respect and appreciation of what Mother Nature provides with our children. One way that we do this is by the clothes we wear and the goods we consume. We love the adventurous spirit that embodies merino, and as a natural fiber, clothing our children in merino is consistent with many of the values we have in regards to caring for the world around us.
Our children also love the outdoors, and at school they play outside every day throughout the winter too. So, practically, we sought to make clothing that would be comfortable yet technical, beautiful yet simple, and just as ready for a good snuggle as play in the outdoors. In the winter they absolutely love rolling out of bed in their long johns, all ready to put on their snow pants and off to school!
What is your connection to Merino Wool? Did the material itself inspire you to start
Chasing Windmills or do you have a background in textiles/apparel?
We do not have any background in textiles, apparel, or retail for that matter! We stumbled upon merino wool almost by accident. At a time when we both held corporate gigs, I brushed my hand across an orange merino wool t-shirt at a store and loved how it felt, so I gave it to JP as a gift.
On weekdays, JP wore a suit and tie to work. On weekends, he wore his orange t-shirt. He felt at home, at ease, and at peace in merino. Whether hiking in the mountains or running errands around town, JP just felt better wearing the natural merino fiber. Merino soon became a representation for the kind of life that he wanted to lead- one filled with adventure, simplicity, and a connection to the natural world.
And so, when our children were born, we sought to clothe our own children in this wondrous natural material — not just for its many amazing properties, but for the journey and lifestyle that it embodies.
What challenges you, personally? In business?
My answer is…a lot!
We’ll start with challenges on the business side. In general…I tend to lack patience. It’s something I’m practicing, but it can be challenging with our business because everything we do takes a significant amount of time. With merino wool, all of our fabric is custom printed and dyed, with large minimum ordering requirements which is a challenge for a small growing business! My wish list is long for things we could make. But with merino children’s clothes being a fairly young industry, we have to take each style slowly to see how the market will react before we can work on develop something else. In a way though, it is consistent with our values to take things slowly. We never want to be in fast fashion; instead, we want to honor timeless goods that will be treasured.
For challenges personally, they are all kind of wrapped up with our business too. It’s what happens when you run a business from home! It can be difficult for me to keep my business life and home life separate, so I tend to always have some business thought in the back of my mind. I need to remind myself often to be present, pause and enjoy this beautiful life. It can be hard for me and JP to not always focus on work when we are together without the children- we need to force ourselves some times to talk about something else besides Chasing Windmills!
You are a husband & wife team -- tell us more about that! Do you both work fulltime for Chasing Windmills or do you have other adventures as well? [My husband and I work together as well, I am always so intrigued!]
We like to think we’re a pretty good team ;). As a two person company, we literally do a bit of everything! Over time though, we’ve fallen into our distinct roles with Chasing Windmills. JP handles all the order fulfilling, accounting, inventory- management, responding to emails, customer service, and other “boring” jobs that I know are important but I’m glad I don’t have to do them ;). JP is also a natural writer, and so he usually writes the first drafts of our blogs and a lot of our website copy.
I’ve become the voice and face of Chasing Windmills, however, because JP never quite figured out how to log onto our Instagram account…ha! So, I manage our social media and maintain relationships with our customers. In a lot of ways, I am building our brand on a day-to- day basis. I’m also the primary driver for our creative direction, including obsessing about colors and prints from year to year (JP is colorblind, so I’m on my own there!). We have a lot of great people helping us too, from our fabric supplier in New Zealand, to our pattern maker and factory in North Carolina, and I work with all of them to make our vision come to life. In addition to Chasing Windmills, I’m also a photographer (oh, and that’s another one of my Chasing Windmills’ jobs too!). I used to shoot weddings, but these days I’ve been focusing more on family sessions.
Meanwhile, JP will soon be a published author! His book, “The Millennial Lawyer,” will be out this December. Before starting Chasing Windmills, JP practiced law. This past year, he’s launched a consulting practice advising law firms how to connect with and motivate Millennial attorneys. In his book, he weaves his personal experiences as a talented but unfulfilled young attorney with social sciences and research into the Millennial generation. It’s pretty much the only non-parenting or non-business book I’ve read in the last few years! And I’ve gotta say it’s really good :)
Name your family's favorite children's book.
It seems to change from season to season or month to month. They tend to get fixated on one book and want to read it repeatedly for a good stretch of time. Some long time favorites are “One Morning in Maine” (JP and I both graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine, so it’s a special place to us), many Elsa Beskow and Jan Brett books, and currently my childhood Berenstain Bear books!
SHOP CHASING WINDMILLS For a limited time (November 8, 2017 - November 12, 2017) save 10% on all Chasing Windmill with code WOOL at checkout.]]>
My favorite cups for small children — essentials for a clutter free cupboard!
I prefer open cups and not a single sippy cup unless we're out & about. Given the chance, small children (as young as 9 months) are quite capable of drinking out of a cup without spilling, given a bit of practice & starting with a small amount of water. There's a lot of Montessori thought behind this that I appreciate but even more, not being afraid as a mother to allow my children the space to learn something for themselves — it opens up a lot of respect & trust between mother & child.
Small glasses & even shot glasses work well for small children (which ensued much laughter with my first son 11 years ago!) but I've found having a "cup of one's own" reiterates that respect.
Heirloom Pewter Cup
Currently my daughter Lucy, age 2 uses the small pewter cup — it's a bit pricy but if you add up the cost on all the plastic sippys one would use over the course of time, it ends up being a good chunk of change and a lot of ugly clutter. The Pewter Duck Cup is Lucy's only everyday cup & worth the heirloom price point.
Ceramic Animal Cup
For tea & such the ceramic cup is indispensable. It can break of course but has been another opportunity for learning & respect.
Klean Kanteen
For outside & away from home, Klean Kanteen is my favorite, it's a workhorse & made of stainless steel with replaceable tops (no yucky straws). We will be adding Klean Kanteen to the shop soon along with french Duralex, a shatter resistant favorite!
These essentials are available in the shop, HERE!
]]>
I think one of the most challenging aspects of having a thoughtfully simple (limited) wardrobe for our family is caring for stains — right? After investing into (or making) such essentials the most dreadful thing to happen is a messy stain to ruin it all.
After much failure, I've landed on a homemade solution that has worked well for us — hydrogen peroxide mixed with a big squeeze of natural dish soap stored in a amber bottle (as hydrogen peroxide loses its properties when exposed.) A quick spray on any stains & muck marks right as it goes into the laundry basket quickly addresses any issues while still being gentle enough on fabric such as merino wool. I am still stumped by set in banana stains and chocolate on wool but this simple, inexpensive solution has worked well to keep most every other stain from setting in.
It's sort of old fashion to put value in taking care of my family's wardrobe, but it's a skill I have enjoyed learning. #fewerbetterthings
For variations on this simple homemade stain remover, be sure to read all the comments on my instagram post.
My favorite merino wool tees by Chasing Windmills, pointelle tank by Goat-Milk & Wayda Scarf (more in stock soon!)
]]>Switchel is fun to say & fun to drink and has been one of our unexpected hits this summer that I am excited to share with you!
It's an old-timey drink to stay hydrated in the summer heat that's super nourishing, inexpensive & simple to make — and my children love it!
Shake together —
2 cups. water
2 tablespoons organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon raw honey*
A heaping 1/4 tps. cinnamon
This makes roughly 1 serving that i make in the glass milk bottles shown above. However, take the simple ratio of water / acv / honey and adjust as needed.
* Heating Raw honey kills all the nutritional elements. The honey will eventually dissolve in the switchel. However, to speed this up, simply add a bit of room temp water to the honey and stir with a fork to make it more fluid before adding it to the switchel.
Switchel is best ice cold but my children love it room temp as well. It is somewhat tart, slightly sweet and not at all overpowering. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is incredibly nourishing to our bodies — balances PH levels in the body, is great for digestion and aids in detoxifying the body.
You can add smashed berries, ginger, turmeric etc., but really the honey/cinnamon combo is so refreshing & simple.
Click HERE to see a few of my favorite cups & such for children.
]]>
I've gotten back into the habit of making yogurt for the family. We end up eating a lot of it and instead of making 1 big batch (which doesn't go very far in a big family like ours) I started making 1 glass bottle for each of us at a time.
Homemade yogurt is incredibly nourishing and I am loving the heirloom variety starter that I use which doesn't require heat for it to do its thing — I simply add a bit of yogurt starter to the milk (I use non-homogenized whole milk from a local dairy) and shake, then leave the yogurt to culture on the counter for up to 24 hours, refrigerate & then sweeten with raw honey. It ends up a bit thinner like kefir and is drinkable which we all love.
It's as simple as that!
You can make yogurt in any glass jar, but we love these glass milk bottles (available in the shop soooon!) and this yogurt starter by Cultures For Health.
Cultures for Health is an amazing resource for homemade yogurt making and sell fantastic yogurt starters as well.
]]>
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash
Every child can benefit from dress-up and role-play. Read on for tips and suggestions for setting up a dress-up clothes storage trunk for your little one.
Whoever saw a child tired of seeing, of examining in his own way, unfamiliar things? This is the sort of mental nourishment for which he has an unbounded appetite, because it is that food of the mind on which, for the present, he is meant to grow — Charlotte Mason
There’s something so magical about watching a child develop, seeing them try things on their own for the first time. That sort of imagination and independence is worth encouraging. Before she was even two years old, my daughter loved to play dress up. Anything that was remotely wearable became a costume for her. As she grew, the costumes and worlds she built around them became more elaborate.
We’ve talked a great deal about the importance of pretend play and the benefits of many other kinds of open-ended activities. But, for this post, I wanted to focus on the significance of dress-up and how you don’t always need pre-packaged trunk sets to set your child’s imagination soaring!
There’s a lot to consider when setting up a playroom for your toddler. First, of course, you want to ensure you have plenty of toy storage and that your growing tot will have the accessibility they need to get things for themselves. However, you also want to give yourself the peace of mind that the playroom is safe enough that you don’t need to monitor every second.
The days after a well-attended birthday party aside, everything should have its place—toys in the toy box and dress-up items in their storage trunk. Depending on the extent of your young one’s collection, this could be quite a task! We recommend setting up general areas for each item: jewelry goes in the jewelry box, hats and headbands go in the big wicker basket, props go in the plastic tub, complete outfits go on the hangers, etc. Children tend to be more general organizers, especially tiny ones, and giving them a few clearly defined places they can sort into may save you a few headaches. It will also make it easier for you to clean an area quickly in the event of unexpected company!
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with an expensive, brand-new Disney Princess costume set or a deluxe Melissa & Doug Princess Costume, your little princess can often get as much out of a sibling’s hand-me-downs as they can from an Amazon Best Selling play set.
A child’s imagination is truly a wonderful thing. I’ve seen children turn a necklace and t-shirt into a Cinderella costume. Anything that is vaguely hoop-shaped can become a tiara for Tiana. If they haven’t been outgrown, little girl dresses can become a ballgown for Belle. If they HAVE been outgrown, they now become Aurora’s peasant dress. Headbands, purses, tutus, dress-up shoes, or even make-up with adult supervision, can turn your child into their version of Elsa, Ariel, Rapunzel, Moana, or even a princess of their own creation. However, it shouldn’t stop there.
Playing dress-up is a form of imaginative role-play for all children that can help them work on their language skills, boost their problem-solving, and help develop fine motor skills as they figure out all the buttons, belts, and ties to wear their favorite Halloween costume from last year or create something new.
During dress-up play, children often imitate the world around them, trying to replicate it. Whether that’s something out of a fairy tale they’ve been listening to or an adult in their life they’ve been watching, it can be helpful to have a wide variety of items for them to work with.
Organizing a nursery can be daunting, but fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your things organized without sacrificing style. Do not settle for a plain cardboard box or plastic storage bin when you need a storage solution for your little one’s collection of dress-up items. Instead, impart personality into your toddler’s room with modern nursery storage and organization baskets.
fawn&forest has a beautiful collection of nursery storage and organization baskets. We offer cute bins that match your nursery’s theme and neutral color options that can grow with your child.
]]>On your next nature walk, learn how to set up a nature tray. Learn the benefits of outdoor learning and hands-on sensory activities with natural objects.
"In the meantime, relax. Take a break. Look at the clouds. Listen to the wind. Let the birds do the heavy lifting." ― Richard Louv
Most parents would agree that their children being able to explore the natural world around them is generally good. When they are outdoors, they are feeling the wind blowing, the grass beneath their feet, the earthy smells of fallen leaves, and the sounds of the critters going about their business. As a little one's caretaker, sharing these kinds of experiences is the stuff that makes lasting memories.
With that in mind, let's take a look and see how putting together a nature tray is a great way to bond with your child and nurture within them a love for the great outdoors.
A nature tray is a hands-on sensory activity that gives young children a chance to explore the world around them with all of their senses. The basic idea of this DIY nature study is to take your child on a nature walk, gather a variety of natural objects, and then arrange them in a compartmentalized container, like a wood tray. At this point, you encourage them to experience the items' shapes, smells, colors, and textures. You may want a pair of safety scissors or an adult-run cutting tool if they have collected any plant materials that can be cut open for further examination and exploration.
We love leaving the classroom to go tromping around the woods with our children, exploring fields, and climbing trees. Along the way, children naturally gather things. Leaves are picked up, rocks and acorns find their way into pockets, and pinecones are carried in tiny hands. I can't recall a single nature walk I've ever taken with my kids where we didn't find at least one thing that must be taken home.
The advantage of having a classroom can come in eliminating distractions so that a student can focus on learning complicated arithmetic or memorizing the baffling spellings that have made their way into modern English. However, it's just as valuable to balance structured learning with a less-guided version of outdoor learning, where distraction is the main attraction!
Under normal circumstances, running ahead to pick a flower that caught their attention or collecting dead insects or animal casings might be discouraged. However, when a child has the freedom to truly explore, you never know what they can find. Oftentimes, they’ll even find something you never would have on your own. For example, I now know that it’s possible to find salamanders in my backyard!
It should be pointed out that materials for a DIY nature tray can be found in your yard, the park, the beach, the woods, or almost anywhere. However, if you truly don’t have easy access to somewhere natural (too cold and snowy to go outside, for example) there are plenty of ways to supplement your tray online through various teaching resources. While this can be a great way for anyone to get harder-to-find natural materials (not every yard will yield a snake’s shed skin), being outdoors and searching is still an important part of the experience for both you and your child.
While collecting for a nature tray can be largely unstructured, your child may also benefit from guidance or a challenge. Arranging a nature activity like a scavenger hunt can be an excellent tool, especially if your tray is being prepared in a group setting. Specific goals can help guide the activity into nature and back to the home base, where all the gathered items can be sorted, compared, and examined.
When you reach this stage in the activity, it's often wise to have some form of magnification on hand. If your child or group is old enough (and the environment allows), a Jr. Microscope or even a hand-held microscope/light combination can show incredible details. However, if those items are unavailable or impractical given the age of the children, a simple magnifying glass can still offer a window into a different world.
Whether you homeschool your kids, are looking for a new educational way to play with them on the weekends, or are looking for a gift idea for a grandchild, items to help them set up a nature table, sensory tray, or nature cutting tray can be a great option. Beyond the mindfulness of exploring their environment, the health benefits of running, walking, climbing, digging, fording streams, chasing dragonflies, and a million other discoveries are incalculable.
Outdoor learning, in general, has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, boost concentration and increase a child's engagement. In addition, having the opportunity to interact in a hands-on way with their environment gives children the chance to work on many practical life skills, such as developing a sense of direction, being present, categorizing--the list goes on.
So get out there, bring your kids, and see what you can discover together!
]]>