Ages 6-9

reading books for empathy

3 Empathy Inspiring Books You’ll Want

Great kids books are a superb way for kids to learn about kindness and empathy. I love them especially for the conversations they can start. These three books for ages 8 and up are our favorites for putting social emotional learning at the foreground. They are the perfect holiday gift to spark even more compassion in your kids.

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car games make a happy family

Car games that will make you laugh and get to know your kids

Transform the backseat into a giggle-fest with these silly – and meaningful – car games. When you play these games, there is no need for screens or headphones. Instead, kids will be bonding with you and making lasting memories – even before their vacation begins!

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Boy molds girl playing theater game and creating sculpture

Sculpture Will Make Your Kids’ Imaginations Soar

Sculpture is the best theater game to spark imagination and literacy. Kids love molding each other (and you!) into creative tableaus. Get creative with the titles to boost literacy. Expand EQ by riffing on themes that matter to their development. Above all, have fun in a screen-free, physical and bonding way!

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boy and girl laughing on floor

Make Listening Fun When You Play This Mindfulness Game

With this theater game, kids develop their listening skills through play – and they don’t even realize all the benefits because it is so silly! Play one-on-one or as a birthday party or playdate game. It is a saving grace on car trips or waiting rooms when you need to focus squirmy bodies! Check out the ways to boost mindfulness through relaxing variations that help with bedtime too.

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child guessing 20 questions

20 Questions Will Boost Your Kid’s Mental Stamina and Focus

20 Questions can help your kid with impulse control (hello, spring break car trips!), flexible thinking and growth mindset. Kids love it because they can get their “sleuth” on! Parents love it because it is a fun way to get kids focusing in tight spaces!

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children sitting in a circle playing outside

The Kind of Scores You Can Really Love

Need a rainy day game? Turn to musical scores to elevate your child’s playtime. With instrumental music from their favorite films and shows, kids can go deep into characters they already love. Orchestrations will help boost their mood, inspire gross-motor play and provide a great backdrop for imaginative indoor time.

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Girl smiling and guessing what's in a bowl with her hands while blindfolded - game

How To Be Silly And Boost Mindfulness At The Same Time!

Here’s a game I love to enhance mindfulness, brain power and at the same time get some great laughs out of your kids! The good news it requires very little “stuff” to make this game fun. Like most of the dramatic play tools I can offer you, this game can spark your child’s creativity using things you already have on hand. I call it “Test Your Touch!”

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Jocelyn with a group of kids jumping and laughing

Tips On Getting Cozy With Your Kids

It is a rainy-snowy weekend for us in New York and I have just learned a new word:  Hygee It’s Danish, but I’d like to start working it into my English.  Pronounced “hoo-ga” – it is more a feeling than a word and is purportedly impossible to translate.  But let’s say it roughly means: “a feeling

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Jocelyn sitting on floor holding microphone for small boy dressed as a dinosaur roaring into the mic

Freeing The Voice Through Play

To free the voice is to free the person – Kristin Linklater, Master  Freeing Voice Teacher Since my casts of Jungle Book Kids and The Witches, have their shows this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about Baloo’s advice to Mowgli. “Go ahead, give me a big bear growl…Right from your toes. GRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.” (there are

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