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Recent Posts:

Toys from Nature
Rethinking Toys
Use Fun Words and Exciting Sounds
What Should You Say When Talking To Your Child?
Reading with Babies: Tip #1
Discover new toys in your kitchen
Find new toys without paying for them
Create a Rich Language Environment for Your Child
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
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Welcome

Serving Children | Coaching Parents | Training Professionals

At SpeakJoy Center for Development, we have a vision of a world where all parents confidently and joyfully connect with their children.

We’re glad you’re here!

Recent Posts

INSTAGRAM @speakjoycenter

Have you ever had this experience? You have spent

Have you ever had this experience? You have spent months researching the BEST toys for your child for her birthday.
.
You have chosen a super cool, developmentally supportive gift that lights up and sings and spins around and says all the letters of the alphabet.
.
At her birthday party, your child unwraps your CAREFULLY chosen gift and she plays with it for a total of 11.2 seconds before moving on the play with the box it came in for the next three hours.
.
Super frustrating! 😖
.
Why does this happen? 🤔
.
Most toys that require batteries have a limited number of things that they can do. There are only a few ways your child can play with that toy so the novelty wears off quickly.
.
A box, on the other hand, is an amazing toy! There are so many ways a child can play with a box. Depending on it’s size, she can push it, sit in it, or build with it. It can become a table, a rocket ship, or a bed. The possibilities are endless.📦
.
A simple rule to keep in mind . . .
.
Avoid toys with batteries!
.
Your child and your future self will thank me!
.
SHARE THIS with a friend who might be toy shopping as we speak! ✨

This weekend, I did something that I don’t usual

This weekend, I did something that I don’t usually do. I sat. Outside. For a long time. Not. Doing. Anything.

I listened to the wind. I watch the trees. I looked at the sky.

It was glorious!

There is something about nature and natural things that our minds and bodies crave.

And the natural world is a TREASURE TROVE of amazing {free} toys for children.

Think about all the ways these “toys” can be used in play.
✨sticks
✨shells
✨pinecones
✨driftwood
✨rocks

Here are some ideas to get you started!

MOVEMENT
☑️build a building
☑️create a face

LANGUAGE
☑️sort by size or length or color
☑️talk about similarities and differences
☑️describe the texture or color of the objects

PLAY
☑️pinecones make great figurines and sticks can delineate rooms in a pretend house or store
☑️shells become great plates and cups in a pretend tea party

READING
☑️take pictures of your child’s creations and make a “book” on PowerPoint to read together to revisit her creations

The possibilities are endless! Which is the GREAT thing about loose parts.

Free, fun, and it supports development better than most traditional toys (Trawick-Smith et al., 2014).🙌🏼

How has your child used natural “toys” in play?

Research Source:
Trawick-Smith, J., Wolff, J., Koschel, M., & Vallarelli, J. (2014). Preschool: Which Toys Promote High-Quality Play? Reflections on the Five-Year Anniversary of the TIMPANI Study. YC Young Children, 69(2), 40-46. https://tinyurl.com/vw9xfrkc

Let's talk about toys! **** When we think of toys

Let's talk about toys!
****
When we think of toys for our kids, we often think of traditional toys.
****
Traditional toys purchased at a store like Target or from an online store like Amazon are frequently created for a single purpose. Think of a horn than makes noise when you push the buttons.
*****
The purpose of toys that are marketed to us (or to our children) is to entertain. Sometimes they are billed as "educational" but still typically have flashy lights or make sounds, which is essentially for entertainment.
****
And it only takes a quick walk down the toy aisle at Target to know that the majority of toys on the market are made of plastic.
****
Now let's look at loose part play toys . . .
****
Toys that are loose parts are objects that are open ended.
****
They don't have a single purpose but can be repurposed over and over for many things. Think of a colander. It can be used to carry objects, worn as a hat, used as a base for a building structure, or used in water play.
*****
Toys that are loose parts help children solve problems.
*****
A marketer or a child development expert has not figured it all out ahead of time. Nothing is pre-scripted. As children play with loose parts, they encounter problems (like a block tower falling down when placed on a wobbly base) and keep play until they find a solution.
****
Toys that are loose parts are often found in nature or made of natural materials.
****
Things from nature that could serve as toys are pinecones, sticks, flowers, and water. Other materials made from natural materials are metal mason jar rings, felt balls, woven baskets, and metal spoons.
****
What is your child's favorite toy?

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#loosepartsplay
#openendedplay
#playingislearning
#childledplay
#imaginaryplay
#learningthroughplay
#playtolearn
#toddlerplayideas
#playdatefun
#funplay
#playschool
#playschoolactivities
#babyplayideas
#playideasfortoddlers
#playideasforbabies
#quickeasyplay
#finemotorplay
#simpleplayideas
#learningthroughplaying
#earlyyearsplay
#playlearngrow
#sensoryplayideas
#shareyourplaywithme
#everydayplay
#smallworldplay
#littlelearner
#littlelearners
#heuristicplay

"There’s an energy that comes from happiness and

"There’s an energy that comes from happiness and optimism that doesn’t just bless us – it builds everyone around us."
Sharon Eubank

Happiness and optimism are in short supply right now. But the good news is they can both be generated, created, and crafted! By each of us!

What's one thing that has happened today made you happy?

So, you want your baby or toddler to start using w

So, you want your baby or toddler to start using words. You are already talking to your child all the time. What else can you do?

✨Model FUN WORDS or words that have EXCITING SOUNDS!✨

This is a category of words that we sometimes don't think about but these are frequently among the first words that children use.

Find opportunities to use these words when you are playing with your child or in your daily routines:
✨Uh oh!
✨Wheee!
✨Vroom!
✨Wow!

Are you looking for more simple ideas that can help you to support your child's language development? Download our {FREE} e-book! #linkinbio

What are your favorite FUN or EXCITING words you model for your child?

Loose parts play TRIAD for children 3 and older: W

Loose parts play TRIAD for children 3 and older: WOODEN TRAY, TOY ANIMALS, BLOCKS.

A loose parts play triad is a group of three simple things that can be set out as a play invitation.

Let's talk for a minute about the benefits of a wooden tray in play.
✨A wooden tray can contain a child's play. It can help keep loose parts gathered together during play.
✨A wooden tray can help define a space for play. It can help a child set up a play scene.
✨A wooden tray can become part of a child's play. The walls of the tray can become walls of a fort in one play scene or the base of the tray can become lava in another play scene.
✨A wooden tray can help support individual creativity in play if you have more than one child playing side by side.

Where can you find wooden trays? Here are a few ideas for minimal to no cost.
✨Thrift stores
✨Garage sales
✨The back of a forgotten closet in your parents'/aunt's/friend's house 😉

For a little more money, we have also seen some great ones at
✨HomeGoods
✨Target
✨Etsy

Have you found a wooden tray that you love? Please share!

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Play Matters
The Book Nook
Together We Talk

@speakjoycenter

Have you ever had this experience? You have spent

Have you ever had this experience? You have spent months researching the BEST toys for your child for her birthday.
.
You have chosen a super cool, developmentally supportive gift that lights up and sings and spins around and says all the letters of the alphabet.
.
At her birthday party, your child unwraps your CAREFULLY chosen gift and she plays with it for a total of 11.2 seconds before moving on the play with the box it came in for the next three hours.
.
Super frustrating! 😖
.
Why does this happen? 🤔
.
Most toys that require batteries have a limited number of things that they can do. There are only a few ways your child can play with that toy so the novelty wears off quickly.
.
A box, on the other hand, is an amazing toy! There are so many ways a child can play with a box. Depending on it’s size, she can push it, sit in it, or build with it. It can become a table, a rocket ship, or a bed. The possibilities are endless.📦
.
A simple rule to keep in mind . . .
.
Avoid toys with batteries!
.
Your child and your future self will thank me!
.
SHARE THIS with a friend who might be toy shopping as we speak! ✨

This weekend, I did something that I don’t usual

This weekend, I did something that I don’t usually do. I sat. Outside. For a long time. Not. Doing. Anything.

I listened to the wind. I watch the trees. I looked at the sky.

It was glorious!

There is something about nature and natural things that our minds and bodies crave.

And the natural world is a TREASURE TROVE of amazing {free} toys for children.

Think about all the ways these “toys” can be used in play.
✨sticks
✨shells
✨pinecones
✨driftwood
✨rocks

Here are some ideas to get you started!

MOVEMENT
☑️build a building
☑️create a face

LANGUAGE
☑️sort by size or length or color
☑️talk about similarities and differences
☑️describe the texture or color of the objects

PLAY
☑️pinecones make great figurines and sticks can delineate rooms in a pretend house or store
☑️shells become great plates and cups in a pretend tea party

READING
☑️take pictures of your child’s creations and make a “book” on PowerPoint to read together to revisit her creations

The possibilities are endless! Which is the GREAT thing about loose parts.

Free, fun, and it supports development better than most traditional toys (Trawick-Smith et al., 2014).🙌🏼

How has your child used natural “toys” in play?

Research Source:
Trawick-Smith, J., Wolff, J., Koschel, M., & Vallarelli, J. (2014). Preschool: Which Toys Promote High-Quality Play? Reflections on the Five-Year Anniversary of the TIMPANI Study. YC Young Children, 69(2), 40-46. https://tinyurl.com/vw9xfrkc

Let's talk about toys! **** When we think of toys

Let's talk about toys!
****
When we think of toys for our kids, we often think of traditional toys.
****
Traditional toys purchased at a store like Target or from an online store like Amazon are frequently created for a single purpose. Think of a horn than makes noise when you push the buttons.
*****
The purpose of toys that are marketed to us (or to our children) is to entertain. Sometimes they are billed as "educational" but still typically have flashy lights or make sounds, which is essentially for entertainment.
****
And it only takes a quick walk down the toy aisle at Target to know that the majority of toys on the market are made of plastic.
****
Now let's look at loose part play toys . . .
****
Toys that are loose parts are objects that are open ended.
****
They don't have a single purpose but can be repurposed over and over for many things. Think of a colander. It can be used to carry objects, worn as a hat, used as a base for a building structure, or used in water play.
*****
Toys that are loose parts help children solve problems.
*****
A marketer or a child development expert has not figured it all out ahead of time. Nothing is pre-scripted. As children play with loose parts, they encounter problems (like a block tower falling down when placed on a wobbly base) and keep play until they find a solution.
****
Toys that are loose parts are often found in nature or made of natural materials.
****
Things from nature that could serve as toys are pinecones, sticks, flowers, and water. Other materials made from natural materials are metal mason jar rings, felt balls, woven baskets, and metal spoons.
****
What is your child's favorite toy?

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#loosepartsplay
#openendedplay
#playingislearning
#childledplay
#imaginaryplay
#learningthroughplay
#playtolearn
#toddlerplayideas
#playdatefun
#funplay
#playschool
#playschoolactivities
#babyplayideas
#playideasfortoddlers
#playideasforbabies
#quickeasyplay
#finemotorplay
#simpleplayideas
#learningthroughplaying
#earlyyearsplay
#playlearngrow
#sensoryplayideas
#shareyourplaywithme
#everydayplay
#smallworldplay
#littlelearner
#littlelearners
#heuristicplay

"There’s an energy that comes from happiness and

"There’s an energy that comes from happiness and optimism that doesn’t just bless us – it builds everyone around us."
Sharon Eubank

Happiness and optimism are in short supply right now. But the good news is they can both be generated, created, and crafted! By each of us!

What's one thing that has happened today made you happy?

So, you want your baby or toddler to start using w

So, you want your baby or toddler to start using words. You are already talking to your child all the time. What else can you do?

✨Model FUN WORDS or words that have EXCITING SOUNDS!✨

This is a category of words that we sometimes don't think about but these are frequently among the first words that children use.

Find opportunities to use these words when you are playing with your child or in your daily routines:
✨Uh oh!
✨Wheee!
✨Vroom!
✨Wow!

Are you looking for more simple ideas that can help you to support your child's language development? Download our {FREE} e-book! #linkinbio

What are your favorite FUN or EXCITING words you model for your child?

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