Cuddled up on the sofa is our best place to read aloud together. But as they get more wriggly and jiggly we’ve discovered some other fun places to read aloud.

1. Bathroom- got to love the echo and the chance to ham up your story telling. Whether clothed and bringing in chairs or a bathtime treat.

• Local park- sitting on the rug surrounded by openness and a good book. Beware you’ll attract new curious listeners.
• Under the table – When do we ever start an activity under the table? I tell you, they love it!

• Inside a reading nook , tent or fort. They make a brilliant space we should enjoy them too, if we can get in.
• In the car on the way to school retell a story in a round
• At the dinner table- captive audience who are listening and munching.

1. At the doctors office- who wants to wait when you can catch up on your picture book or next chapter?
2. Whilst you’re waiting for a sibling during a club and you are schlepping the other child around. It’s a quick and immediate distraction from them trying to join in and now a focus on being together sharing a book.
3. Inside mummy and daddy’s bed altogether comfy and warm; making memories .

1. Between ordering and receiving food in the café or restaurant ugh! This can be the longest time waiting for the food to be cooked, ready and taken out. Keep them with a good book, comic or bunch of jokes

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Where have you read aloud with your kids ?

10 fun places to read aloud with the kids is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Reading aloud is one of those precious moments that many of us reserve for the end of the day when we’re putting the children to bed. This week on Wednesday 7th March is World Read Aloud day a global movement of literacy and reading aloud by LITWorld founder Pam Allyn.

Reading aloud is probably one of the most squeezed activities in our household because of the time pressures. It doesn’t benefit from enough time and thought. The amount of reading generally gets smaller as new siblings arrive and older children learn to read. It doesn’t need to be that way!

In this short extract we hear founder, Pam Allyn tackle this problem When you have more than one child how do you choose the right book that fits them all without giving up on Read alouds?

Transcript taken from Raising Playful Tots #50

Reading aloud gets more difficult once you move past one child is the common response I hear from parents. You can see their point, a baby and 3 year olds tastes in books are quite different. Then there’s the new readers at 4,5,6,7 who are keen to read TO us. Is there a time when we should just say enough is enough no more reading aloud?

Pam: Well I never say that .It’s actually really healthy for us as adults to be listening and hearing. I think …when you have children of different ages cause that. It is a question I get asked a lot. They [parents] are worrying about the levels. They are worrying.  It’s almost a little overwhelming to think,  how am I going to read the selection that I choose for my 6 year old and my three year old?

What I say is that I encourage families to be as flexible as possible. Your 3 year old loves to actually be with you. Dozing off as you’re reading to your 6 year old as the book is a little longer. Don’t worry about that. The sheer nearness of you and the sheer fact of reading together is really important.

In terms of that, I also want to go the other way and say that the 6 year old I wouldn’t be so worried to say, ” Oh no I’m reading to my 3 year old now I better not read also with my 6 year old because my 6 yr old will think the book is too babyish.” As soon as we act like it our 6 year old will claim it too. But if we go into it saying, ‘I’m in my middle age and still think Dr Seuss is amazing! How about you? ‘Our six year old will also immediately model….And it’s really good for them to  act with simpler texts and listen on many different levels.

They can start to memorize the text.The 6 year old is learning to read  at school…..even listening to the rhyme and language. Things that  when they were 3 they really couldn’t pick up on. Now 3 years later while it’s being read to their 3 yr old brother. They can pick up the complexity of the text, storyline, rhyming scheme and all of that becomes more sharply into focus.

And as far as when to stop….. My daughters are much older with one at 17…..Now it’s op -ed pieces, talk of the town, snippets of magazines, academy awards and the piece about the king’s speech.

All these little things, I’m not reading Dr Seuss, of course those days have passed by. I’m very interested in what she has to say. It’s a lot different than pushing the newspaper over to her and saying, ” Will you take a look at this?” When I read it aloud or my husband reads it aloud to her she’s  maybe just stirring her soup on the stove or she’s busy playing with the dog on the floor. She’s listening. Until my kid’s can go off and find other people to read to them. Hopefully their spouses and partners will do the same. It’s amazing and valuable to keep the lines of communication open between you and your kids.

To hear this whole interview visit World Read Aloud day: Raising Playful Tots

For more resources on World Read aloud day and reading aloud

• Hosting a Book Swap
• LitWorld’s World Read Aloud Day
• 82. Simple steps to cultivating a read aloud habit
• World Read Aloud Day set for March 9
• World Read Aloud Day Activities

Let us know, what book will you choose to read aloud on World Read Aloud day?

If you like this post feel and want to know more about Reading aloud subscribe to my show on iTunes and download #82 and #50.

How do I find a read aloud for my multi aged children that will work with them all? is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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You can’t have failed to notice how many ways we can find information. Podcasts have become a really important way that you will learn, are entertained, inspired, take action and grow. Podcasts are produced by enthusiastic hosts passionate about their subjects. The parenting world has a range of podcasts which are a perfect way to listen to information and be part of a community connected without boundaries. They offer comment on current issues in a way that leaves you thinking long after the show is over and urge you to take some action.

Podcasts in general take a huge amount of time to produce and in the parenting world this coupled unpredictable nature of it with more kids coming along, new directions, maternity leave over and normal life there is a tendency to see your favourite show on hiatus or podfade.

The podcasts listed here are in no particular order. They were all current for 2012. Visit the website or better yet download a show and let the host know what you think. They will appreciate it.

Podcasts of 2012

Unplugged mom covers topics of relevance to home educating, natural/holistic and free thinking parents.  It is for anyone who wishes to unplug from the manufactured mainstream current and reconnect with reality! A refreshing show that’s not afraid to be provocative and sometimes controversial. Laurette provides a much-needed thought-provoking and informative show. Listen : The Cry to Progressives to Stay in School: How Indie Education Threatens the Status Quo

Over thinking mom  with Meredith a podcasting, blogging, overthinking, military marrying, sorta homemaking, grammatical phrase abusing new mom. Meredith interviews other moms and produces amazingly researched programs. I’m a big fan of her show. There’s no way I could glean that much information in the time she shares in her show. I’ve also been a guest on her show. Listen: Modern Day Wet Nursing: Weird or Wonderful? [Episode 22]

Manic Mommies Erin and Kristin share their everyday parenting ups and downs about their lives, careers, children and families. Lots of laughing, stories and things we can all relate to as modern parents learning on the go. These hosts have a great chemistry and differ in opinion which makes for great radio. You’ll soon find you identify with one and then the other then the other again.This is often a light-hearted conversational show between hosts but they do have guest interviews. Listen: Podcast: Putting Our Lives Online

Parenting Unplugged Radio Laura and Todd talk about current articles of interest to parents. As a husband and wife team they bring a fun perspective to the conversation whether it is a show of them talking or they have a featured guest. They cover a variety of topics and offer useful resources for parents in their honest and entertaining show. Listen: Thank you Whitney for helping me talk to my kids about drugs.

Parents’ Perspective Linda and Sandra host an interview show with guest experts talking about a lot of parenting ideas. They have an extensive back catalogue and are heard around the world via American Forces Radio. There show is full of information and cover a vast diversity of topics Listen: 493. Tricks of the Trade: Dr. Riley’s Box of Tricks

Behind the blog  Erin offers a gentle parenting podcast going behind the blog of interesting parents and sharing their daily lives. It’s a fascinating fly on the wall of other people’s lives, escapism, aspiration, inspiration and surprise all rolled into one. It’s an authentic look at the real lives of other parents. Listen: Episode Two :: Tara Wagner

The Parent Report Short and to the point tips on all aspects of parenting with guest excerpts with host Joanne Wilson Listen: How to Discipline Children with Fairness

Raising Playful Tots  This is a show dedicated to mums who want to make the most of playtime with their under 5 tots via appropriate play in Early Childhood. It’s a mix of show formats with guest experts, educators and practitioners and mums sharing their knowledge, experience and comment about play for the 21st century family. Listen: 87. How to teach children to share

The Power of Moms Part of a large community of moms this show interviews guests with the aim of enriching your life by listening to meaningful conversations. The current show list seems to favour empowering the mom to take action with interesting guests and bubbly hosts. Listen: Raising Global Children – Episode 29

Family Anatomy  hosted by two psychologists  having conversations about children and families. They discuss articles and research that’s not getting to parents as well as interview experts. They use their experience of their day jobs and as parents to share down to earth practical advice and information. As well as discuss and translate research ideas into practical ideas that parents can use. Listen: Anatomy of Three Things (Episode 133) | families

The Simple Mom Podcast Hosted by Tsh of Simplemom.net. She interviews contributors, good friends and favourite bloggers about all things related to simple living just like her network. We get to know the people behind the blogs as they share their journey in this conversational show. As well as asking interesting questions, Tsh has a set of questions she asks every guest.  Listen: Doing it all

Positive Parenting Radio  Armin interviews expert guests about important and timely topics of interest to parents and families. He also provides engaging advice and answers reader questions in his weekly show. Listen: Keep your brain health for the rest of your life

The American Muslim Mom Ponn shares parenting ideas and thoughts from a Muslim perspective with lots of cross over content appealing to all parents. Her shows are full of information and empower us to be better parents. It was so exciting to interview her about life as a Muslim parent. Listen: American Muslim Mom Podcast #11 – Ramadan and Sadaqah Drives

Brain Burps about books  Katie interviews authors, publishers, illustrators and those working in the world of kidlit. She has monthly contributors who review picture books, talk about marketing your picture book. Katie takes time to answer listener questions about book related ideas and provides current views of what’s going on in the children’s book market. I love her style and enthusiasm. Listen: Reading is Fundamental

Childhood Matters This general parenting show offers a variety of advice for parents who are looking for answers to a wide range of parenting dilemmas and topics. It covers a wide span of ages. Guests, experts and parents both appear on this show. The host is really good at letting the guest speak and asking good questions Listen: Baby Proof Your Relationship

Hand in Hand  provides support and helpful information for new Moms and Dads on everything from Responding Well to Crying to Helping Baby Sleep to Handling the “Baby Blues” in these short, easy to use audio files. Listen: Building a Special Relationship with Your Baby

The Mom Podcast tackles topics between two to three co hosts. Shows are conversational so you feel like you’re listening in to friends chatting as well as featured guests talking on an issue. These women have varied opinions so makes for an interesting show. It’s not just about the kids but includes all things mom. Listen: Dating after a Divorce

The Parents journall produces short educational shows on specific topics. Bobbi interviews Guest experts who share practical ideas on common parenting issues. The ideas cover childhood and show length varies according to topic. This show  makes it on to my weekly download every week. Listen: Helping Your Preschooler Adjust to Nursery School

What Really Matters  This two cohost show is produced really well and both are always sunny, down to earth and ask great questions. It’s a family resource site about making life simple so you can enjoy what really matters via experts. It’s easy to pick up practical ideas. Listen: #252 Title: How to Be a Grown Up: 10 Secret Skills Everyone Needs to Know

The Creative Mom Podcast Amy hosts a creative talk show filled with good creative discussion and inspiring music for creative moms (and non-moms and artists and creatives of all types) to listen to for a feeling of community, understanding, and inspiration.  The show includes creative projects with kids, artist notes from the week in review, journaling ideas and suggestions, book reviews, blog mentions, weekly prompts, and, sometimes, creative non-fiction essays. Listen: Episode 169: Vignettes

Pregtastic Perfect for the soon to be pregnant or pregnant with a group of hosts in various stages of pregnancy sharing their stories at a time when you’re hungry for information and want to talk about everything. They also interview guest experts and proud parents come back to the show to share their stories. Listen:  Natural Baby Pros’ Empowered Birth Stories: Natasha

Baby and Toddler Instructions Blythe’s show features information, advice and conversation around the baby and toddler years. With guest experts  together they will provide instructions to make those first years a breeze!! Lots of the advice and information around this age group but it relates to older children as well. Blythe has interviewed me and I’ve interviewed her on the show and she’s a lot of fun and full of information. Listen: WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD?

Musing Mommies is a podcast designed for moms by moms!  If you are looking for a very informative show with experts in their fields giving advice? It’s not them!  They will give you info and some interviews in their own way.  The diversity of the topics are interesting and there’s a lot of moments where you can really relate to situations.Well worth a listen to Dawn and Kim. Listen: Musing Mommies Podcast Episode 144 {How We Women Treat Each Other}

Mom Enough This mother/daughter cohost team explore the many facets of motherhood in today’s world – from confronting the daily joys and struggles of helping kids grow up well, to balancing work and family, to considering the big questions of how society views and values mothers and mothering. Listen: DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A HABIT THAT DRIVES YOU UP THE WALL?

BAM radio  is a multi channel network appealing to educators, parents and leaders in education. Host Rae interviews 2-3 guests around an issue or question. The guests views are often diverse and discussion of the issues present themselves in these short shows. It promises to deliver the latest insights and wisdom from the leading experts in the fields of early childhood education, physical education/motor development, play research, child development, and the neurosciences. Listen: Talking Candidly with Teens about Contemporary Racial Issues

Triple P Parenting Experts from the Positive Parenting Program at the University of Queensland provide parenting advice in simple, effective language. Listen via subscription in itunes.   Listen: Work Life Balance

The Parent’s Plate  Brenda hosts this show . She’s a parenting author, expert, and mom who understands you want to be a great parent - or just survive – amid life’s chaos. Mission-driven to empower parents through education and encouragement. She interviews guest and shares practical ideas, suggestions and comment on modern parenting. Listen: Give Dads a Second Chance

I know this has been a longer than usual post and I thank you for staying with me and reading this far. Why not bookmark this list in your favourite places like Pinterest or StumbleUpon.  There’s a share it button at the foot of this post.

Since this list covers different stages of parenting as you and your child grows and your needs change so might your podcast listening.

There’s bound to be many more parenting podcast out there. Do let me us know in the comments below so we can visit these shows too. I don’t recommend you subscribe to all these shows but listen to a few episodes not just the one listed here to get a feel for the show, then subscribe, call in or write them.

The information in these shows make for great conversations with friends over coffee and soft play , provide points of discussion for your spouse,  have you nodding or raging, as well as make you cry, laugh so hard your child gives you that “What on earth?” look.

I’m starting a collaborative board on Pinterest of Parenting Podcasts. If you are a producer and wish to share your shows in a network  with other shows. Get in touch with your Pinterest id to my email address and I’ll send you the details.

This post is long enough.

Happy Listening :: Conversation and renewed direction!

 Edited to add: Many thanks to Kara of SimpleKids  and Meredith of OverthinkingMom for sharing their favourite parenting podcasts. 

27 Parenting Podcasts for the 21st Century parents is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Strong emotions are a big bug bear when you’re in a playful home or are they really? Our aim as parents surely is to train, teach and allow opportunities of growth. We allow ample unstructured playtime to build creativity; structured activities to encourage skills and further learning; outdoor skills to connect with nature and so on. However, since our children come with varied temperaments, there is that potential to clash. This power struggle of who wins and who loses is a big problem in most of our playful homes. Mostly because we rely on previous experiences and default scripts we are often surprised that really come out of our mouths.

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We can all think of a sticking point in our playful experiences at home and wish we had a tool or trick to just fix it, and fix it forever. Tricks don’t last over time. Although they can get you through situations they often start you down a path that leads to more problems. A better solution is to arm yourself with ideas, tools and solutions that you marinate with overtime and gradually introduce into your family.

Remember, you only have to succeed the last time. 
Brian Tracy

What we know to be true with toddlers

There are a few things that everyone with a toddler knows to be true.

• That there will be tantrums
• They will have to make difficult decisions
• They will have to curb and control their impulsive behaviour

All of those things will happen together when you are late for an appointment, in public where you have to make a decision to abandon a cart, step out of a line or leave a crowded room.
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We do our children a disservice if we don’t rise to the occasion to learn how to make those situations better for us both. We need to be more proactive and train them not for us but for them to learn the skills of being part of a social unit.

The fundamental problem is whether our reactions are age appropriate and whether the methods we use are useful.

It’s exciting to see that Amanda Morgan of NotJustCute has a wonderful downloadable book addressing these issues. Her book ; Parenting with Positive Guidance.  She provides tools and not tricks. For those of us looking for intentional ways to positively guide our children it’s one of those books you can dip into and let the ideas sit with you for a while. She also adds lots of illustrations which give us good scripts to help change our way of communicating.This book certainly isn’t a follow steps 1 to 20 and you will have a perfect child. Raising children is hard. Amanda shows us insight, encouragement and ideas for this rollercoaster journey.

Amanda has worked extensively in challenging situations and is a mom She uses these techniques herself and I’ve loved trying them out myself. Her story about relinquishing ownership really helped me with a current struggle playing one parent off the other.

Our own struggle

Last night my older son and I were having a discussion about memory and how just trying to remember something just doesn’t always work out. As our current problem was clearly showing, we talked about doing the same thing and expecting a different result really wasn’t going to work out and we looked back and could see that. We had the range of emotions and finally a resolution. I can’t do that with my three year old. However I can guide him if I know a few more ideas.

When my three year old throws down and does the tantrum thing I want to have more than my gut reaction and shame to be my lead. I want to have practiced ideas, alternative solutions and know that if this doesn’t work I will try something else.

Parenting with Positive Guidance is split up into three sections

1. Building Discipline from the Inside out
2. Inside the toolbox
3. Bring it all together.

With the approach of philosophy,tools and use, this book gives us a good foundation to get going and feel good about teaching and training our children. We give them ample opportunities to ride that bike, use those scissors all under instruction or in a warm and supportive environment. Amanda provides a creative framework for social skills development. You won’t want to lose out on the ideas here to shape your family.

You can click here to visit Amanda Morgan and buy Parenting With Positive Guidance. .

I was delighted to interview Amanda this week. To find out more about Amanda you can listen to her talk about how to teach sharing in Raising Playful Tots.

Now it’s your turn. Tell me your story.

What makes for a positive approach to parenting and what’s just not worked for you?

All the thoughts and ideas in this post are mine. I was provided this book by the author. I  offer an honest review and recommendation. Some links in this article are affiliate links.

Solutions for tackling tricky toddler emotions is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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• Toilet roll or bandage
• Soft toy
• Doctor kit ( optional)

Preparation: Carefully wrap up your soft toy so they look injured. Leave in an obvious place.

Set the scene using your surprised and concerned voice. ( Now’s the time to overact!)

We played out a scene of looking after our stuffed animal. Through lots of questioning we got to change bandages, lie down and sleep. Our toy also had a few cuddles and lots of blankets. We got him a drink and he ate a pretend cake.

By setting up the scene and the LO arriving upon it. Plus the surprise in my voice lead us to have quite time of play.

Setting up scenarios to start a conversation and begin the conversation about complex ideas like emotions are really important with children. They get a chance to try different ideas not just from the media and they’ve seen but they have the chance to adapt ideas and bend the rules.

Getting in there with them as they pretend play to encourage their play without dominating may take some time to master. But is well worth it.

Children can get locked into a type of play they love. The BG used to love moving a train up and down one track. You would put together a track and he just used one end for the longest time. I would start a scenario close to him and share what was happening. He was soon over helping me in the scenario and eventually over time would include parts of it and others into his play.

Toys perfect for scenario play

• Soft toys
• Trains
• Doll houses
• accessories of a town or home
• small animals, dinosaurs
• Lego, stickle bricks or blocks
• felt or plastic food
• boxes, coffee or formula cans

What are your favourite objects for scenario play?

Setting up a play story to start a conversation is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Ever wonder if the play activities you do and the values you teach really stick with your child?
Ever played with a child and been beaten in a simple game?

It happened this week and really illustrated something to me worth sharing. We need to teach our kids sportsmanship intentionally. It can’t be a happy accident or rob them of the chance by artificially bending the rules, too far for them to miss the opportunity of learning.

What happened?

He was thrilled to have won, not just once but three times at dominoes. I didn’t let him win. It’s how the dominoes played out. ( As anyone knows who’s played dominoes with me; I’m no domino player- just matching!) The joy of his win was right there. I said the right things; Good game and congratulated him on the thrashing he gave me.

He gave me a hug and said. Thanks for playing mum. Then wanted to reassure me that we could play three more games so I could win. We then had an interesting discussion about winning and losing and how we both felt. Being able to bring it up again at dinner to the family helped.

Play – Model- Play- Reinforce- Play

What they need

They need to have practise to articulate their feelings and put their thoughts into words, with us. When we play with them we give that opporrtunity. If we let them win all the time they don’t know what to say or do when they lose elsewhere.

The bigger test will be how he responds now in company and away from home

Do you let them win?

Teaching kids sportsmanship is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Your child goes to a setting. What’s it like there? You enjoyed your first visit to see the place at work. So much so you sent your child there. When was the last time you visited to stay and play?

If only to see how your little one interacts with others. I loved seeing the routines he can do that I didn’t give him. ( See I knew he could take direction really.)  Visiting a setting was were I first learnt the tidy up song, Clean up! Clean up! Everybody everywhere!

Workers and standards come and go. New initiatives and practise that are easily transferred to home. You get to see your child interact with others.How they are there provides more of a picture of who they are.

When was the last time you were able to visit your child’s setting?

Click here to read the rest of the posts in the series, 31 Days to a more Playful Tot.
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31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Sixteen} Time for a visit is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Comparisons hurt, harm and are useful.

If I asked you what type of parenting style do you support with play. What would you say?

It wasn’t until I was in a different country in a totally diferent situation did I realise that I my idea of play was different. It was then I wondered am I doing it right?

We don’t all move. We often have the same friends and same circles.

Is there a right way to play? If there is, who do I listen to? What about my family and individualism?

Knowing your own mind takes time to develop. We come with all the baggage of our childhood and family relationships. Now we have a playful tot to raise and lots of decisions to make on important issues like TV time, electronic media, mobile media, organic toys, wooden toys, plastic toys, Montessori, Waldorf, classes, playgroups, the list goes on. Our mind isn’t just made up on all issues- just like that.

How do you develop your mind so you don’t just follow the crowd?

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Knowing your mind in 25 steps

1. Look at your children and learn how they work.
2. Go to trusted sources. You have to decide who they are.
3. Accept advice as just that advice- what worked for them may or maynot work for you.
4. Try new things
5. Share your ideas. Other people see things you may not see.
6. Have encouraging and supportive friends
7. Your children will make you cry and despair but they have the capacity to make you laugh and weep with joy if we create opportunities for that to happen more than once in a while.
8. Accept and reject things as the season changes in your family
9. Create plans.
10. Educate yourself in the areas you lack
11. Beware of bandwagons
12. Ask questions…..ruminate on ideas….feel free to adapt, transform or drop ideas….after careful thought.
13. Find and talk to people who have been there before you. It’s amazing how much perspective they will give you.
14. observe families who you admire. Try out what they are doing.
15. Sometimes you need to take a break and focus on other things like your marriage, home, work, career, goals, dreams or ambitions. Not just your kids will thank you for it.
16. Parenting is not a competition. Some are further along than I am. I’ll be further along than someone else.
17. Everyone has problems. No one is perfect
18. Discuss your ideas, opinions and direction with your spouse, friends and family- they know you and will often give you interesting advice ( some good and some not so good)
19. It’s okay to be different. Different isn’t automatically bad or good.
20. Have thought provoking twitter and facebook friends. They will challenge you in good ways.
21. Grow
22. Remember that sticking your head in the sand doesn’t work there has to be another way.
23. Encourage people who try things out- they are actively working on knowing their mind ( You can learn from their successes and failures)
24. Compare yourself less to those around you. Some comparison is good but be careful
25. We don’t need to know all the answers and get it right the first time. We can let many things just go and roll with it,however we have to decide which ones we do intentionally.

I’m working on No.21 this year. What about you I’m curious?

What are you doing to ‘know your mind’ on issues in 2012?

Are there any areas you find the hardest to do?

Click here to read the rest of the posts in the series, 31 Days to a more Playful Tot.

31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Eleven} Know Your Mind is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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