kindergarten readiness Archives - Child's Play In Action

Treasure Hunt Tricks That Will Blow Your Mind

1 Comment / Ages 6-9, For Parents, Games, Games for Families and Siblings, Most Recent, Reading, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Make a Treasure Hunt with your kids for awesome rainy-day play. Beyond just a game, this boosts essential executive function skills and is a fabulous way to work on reading.

outdoor portrait of a cute young girl reading a book

6 Essential Books for Kids that Make Social-Emotional Learning Fun

Ages 3-5, Books and Toys, For Parents, Games, Mindfulness and Meditation, Most Recent, Reading, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

What a parenting relief to find great kids lit that helps kids identify and process emotion! These 6 books, recommended by a librarian and a theater teacher, can boost kids’ emotional intelligence and help them manage complex feelings.

happy family can get places faster through play

15 Ways to Play and Laugh More

Ages 3-5, For Parents, Games, Most Recent, Playful Parenting Hacks, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

It’s hard just to get through the requirements of parenting, let alone find time on top of that to play. However, here is the tip: inject stories into the mundane parenting tasks and you’ll get what you need to get done quicker, and bond with your kid in the process.

3 Empathy Inspiring Books You’ll Want

Ages 6-9, Books, Books and Toys, For Parents, Games, Most Recent, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

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.

kids playing doctor, pretend play, imagination games for kids

The pretend play game that will make your kids brave at the doctor

Ages 3-5, For Parents, Games, Games for Families and Siblings, Most Recent, Playful Parenting Hacks, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Use pretend play to elevate your child’s imagination and help them conquer fears. Watch this game of Animal Doctor and then use it to help prepare for a visit to the pediatrician. The game is great also as a way to inspire purposeful play and storytelling. Learn about scaffolding play and making meaningful connections with your kid.

reading boosting kindness and compassion

4 Astounding Books That Will Make Your Kids Love Kindness

Ages 3-5, Books, Books and Toys, For Parents, For Teachers, Games, Most Recent, Reading, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Kindness blossoms in kids when you have the right tools. Use these 4 books, recommended by a school librarian, to spark empathy in your child. Watch the video to see the books and learn why they strengthen our kids’ compassion.

18 Brain Breaks That Will Make Your Kids’ Minds Happy

Featured for Teachers, For Parents, For Teachers, Games, Games for the Classroom, Mindfulness and Meditation, Most Recent, Playful Parenting Hacks, Reading, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Brain Breaks are brilliant ways to energize your kids in the classroom or at home. These short movement activities invigorate kids so that they can learn with calm bodies and focused minds. They tap into imagination and word play too!

boy reading picture books outdoors under tree

11 Picture Books That Will Make Your Kid Read Like Crazy

2 Comments / Ages 3-5, Books, Books and Toys, For Parents, Games, Most Recent, Reading, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Use wordless picture books to inspire imagination and a love of reading. These suggestions from my Child’s Play NY theater classrooms will deepen the conversation and the bonding time between you and your children. Watch the video to see adorable toddlers using picture books as a springboard for storytelling, and get tips from a school librarian about the usefulness of wordless books.

Make Listening Fun When You Play This Mindfulness Game

Ages 6-9, For Parents, Games, Games for Families and Siblings, Mindfulness, Mindfulness and Meditation, Most Recent, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

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.

Spring Cleaning is Hilarious When You Play This Game

Ages 3-5, For Parents, Games, Games for Families and Siblings, Mindfulness, Most Recent, Playful Parenting Hacks, Videos / By Jocelyn Greene

Spring cleaning gets a playful make-over with these hilarious games. Inspire your kid into tidiness through their dramatic imagination. Kickstart your mindful giving and chore delegating too.