I know that parents are always on the lookout for healthy snacks that kids love. I serve these Oat Bars at my outdoor parent-child Play Garden classes, and parents always ask for the recipe. Well, here it is! They are super simple, with healthy ingredients, and the children love them. Healthy Oat Bars Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, mix: 2 cups of unsweetened … [Read more...]
Posts about Childcare Groups
The Benefits of Risky Play
A few days ago I heard an interview on NPR asking the question, "Is It Time to Bring Risk Back Into Our Kids' Playgrounds?" (didn't hear it? You can read about it here.) Spoiler alert: the answer is YES! They talked about how exposure to controlled risk through play is an important part of learning and establishing a person's risk tolerance in other areas of life even into … [Read more...]
My Toddler Hits!
Dear Miss Faith, I care for a little boy of 24 months. His parents are having big relationship problems, and this sweet little boy has suddenly become very aggressive, hitting me and the other kids I care for many times each day. I have tried telling him "Gentle hands!" and I help him touch gently, but it is not working at all. I'm losing my patience and the other children … [Read more...]
Quick Tip: Throwing Sand
If your child is a little too exuberant in the sandbox, what to do? Saying "Don't throw sand" seems to have little effect, as does the ubiquitous "Be careful!" Instead, look at what's going on and try one of these things: Is your child a young toddler and just flinging sand around for the joy of it? Try saying, "You can put your sand into a bucket!" If that has little … [Read more...]
The Summer Play Garden
Last year I shared my efforts to transform my my large-but-boring back yard into a wonderful space that children and adults would both enjoy. This spring I opened my yard to families when I started my outdoor parent-child Play Garden classes. And what fun it's been! I'd love to share some photos and things I've learned about what makes a space truly inviting. My first … [Read more...]
Make Your Yard Fantastic
When I haven't been working on my book this past spring and summer, I've been working with my landscaper friend Tim Francis (http://www.nettle.co/) to transform our yard into a wonderful play space for children and a beautiful and relaxing place for adults. He did all of the earth-moving and construction, and I did the planting and accessorizing. It has been a labor of love … [Read more...]
An Outdoor Summer (Miss Faith Guest Post)
Hi Everyone, Check out my guest post on the LifeWays North America blog. It's called An Outdoor Summer, and I share some of my tips for making it possible to spend long stretches of time outdoors with your little ones during these lazy summer months. … [Read more...]