Playdoh is a versatile, fun, and educational tool that can be used to help little ones explore and learn! It encourages creativity, develops fine motor skills, and helps children understand concepts like shape, color, and texture. Plus, it’s a great sensory activity that can help little ones explore and express their emotions. With a little […]
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When children play with blocks
One of the best toys for open-ended play and exploration, simple blocks provide many opportunities for children to learn through play. Playing with blocks is an excellent way for children to explore early math and science concepts as well as learn the names of shapes. They naturally work through problems as they build and […]
Play Is Learning
This month in Playscape we are sharing many of the ways that children learn through play. As caregivers, we can support their play by allowing the time and safe spaces for them to follow their curiosity. * Images & content created by South Playscape Facilitator Couloir Jensen DRAWING, PAINTING, & COLORING When young children […]
South Parent Pantry Impact Jan – Sept 2022
By Tasha Miller During our second year of offering the Parent Pantry, we are so grateful for all of the ways that we have been able to come together with the community to support local families in getting some of the items they need to care for their young children. In the first 9 months […]
Parent Pantry: All for you, from all of us!
By Tasha Miller Mother Mentors Parent Pantry is a volunteer run, completely FREE offering to our beloved Whidbey Island families. Started in response to rising need amongst families with young children in the midst of Covid lockdowns, we aim to give our shoppers a delightful, supportive experience while giving gently used children’s items a second life in […]
Curiosity Picture Book Round Up
By Tasha Miller 📚Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite picture books to inspire inquiry and celebrate curiosity! Come by Playscape and see a specially curate selection of books all about wonder and meet other families while we play & learn! Press Here by Herve Tullet Harness the power of imagination and interactivity: […]
Modeling Inquiry for Children
By Tasha Miller Young children are our most naturally curious community members. They try to understand the world around them by exploring through their senses, seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling. They love to take things apart and repeat the same experiment over and over to explore how and why things work. As caregivers, we […]
Social Support is a Fundamental Need
By Tasha Miller Social support is a fundamental need for parents and caregivers as they are raising our littlest community members. At its core, social support is based upon a network of personal relationships in which people feel valued and cared for. The positive effects of feeling upheld and supported by a community builds mutual […]
Let’s Talk About Matrescence
Let’s talk about Matrescence by Tasha Miller While in our culture there is much focus and preparation dedicated to pregnancy and welcoming a new baby, there is often little support provided to women as they give birth to themselves – as a mother. Matrescense, a term coined by Dana Raphael, Ph.D. (1973), refers to the […]
What the Japanese Art of Kintsugi Can Teach Us
by Tasha Miller Prior to arriving here on Whidbey Island, I lived in Japan with my family. There I was introduced to Kintsugi (translated to “golden joinery”) – the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics using lacquer dusted with powdered gold. Instead of being hidden, the broken parts of the pottery are made visible, symbolizing […]