Page 4 – Playful Learning

Science Lab: Dissecting Flowers

By Mariah Bruehl, 8th April 2016

I will never forget the unexpected delight I felt when my college botany professor announced that we would be dissecting flowers in class. The fact that I had appreciated flowers for so many years without ever knowing what was going on inside of them was eye-opening for me. By taking the time to slow down and dig a bit deeper, I discovered a whole new world—the inner workings of a flower.

Isn’t that what we all want? To be pleasantly surprised by a new discovery, to experience the awe and sense of wonder for all the universe has to offer? To feel that there is something bigger and greater than ourselves at work in the world?

Go ahead, give it a try!

Vocabulary

Eco-System
Petal – outer sections of the flower
Stem – main stalk of the plant
Pistil – part of the flower that produces seeds
Stigma – sticky part at the top of the pistil that catches the pollen
Style – long part of the pistil between the stigma and the ovary
Stamen – part of the flower that produces pollen
Filament – part of the stamen that supports the anther
Anther – part at the top of the stamen that produces the pollen
Ovary – large part of the pistil that produces the ovules
Ovules – when the ovules are fertilized by pollen, they become the seeds
Spathe – thin sheath that protects the flower buds

Materials

Cutting Board
Flowers
Child-Safe Knife or Scissors
Printables (see below)

Resources

Book Love

The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller – This is our go-to book for using when we dissect flowers. It has lovely illustrations that explain the parts and functions of all the parts of a flower.
Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed by Lola M. Schaefer – This is a lovely picture book that describes in simple terms the process by which plants flower, create seeds, and bear fruit.
Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray – This beautifully illustrated book shows us the marvel of natural cooperation between plants, animals, and insects as they each play their part in the forest’s cycle of life.

Make sure to check out more of our favorite flower finds, here.

Printables

* This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Favorite Flower Finds

By Mariah Bruehl, 7th April 2016

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9.

When the crocuses makes their first appearance in early spring it opens our senses to all of the potential the season holds. Forsythia begins to make its presence known, and the daffodils and tulips follow suit on all of their splendor. It’s the perfect time to explore the wonderful world of flowers!

For this reason we have compiled all of our favorite flower finds…

Sunprint Kit – If you’ve never made a sunprint, it’s time to jump in! They’re the prefect way to create a lasting impression of the the flowers you collect.
Mini Bud Vases – These mini vases are wonderful for having around the house for all of the little flower finds you discover on neighborhood walks and in your own backyard. This set is great for flower arranging—why not put one in every room!
Flower and Leaf Press – Having a leaf and flower press is an essential for creating an endless supply of beautiful art materials for making handmade cards, book marks, frames and more!
The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller – This is our go-to book for using when we dissect flowers. It has lovely illustrations that explain the parts and functions of all the parts of a flower.
Pick, Pull, Snap!: Where Once a Flower Bloomed by Lola M. Schaefer – This is a lovely picture book that describes in simple terms the process by which plants flower, create seeds, and bear fruit.
Planting a Rainbow by Louis Elhert – Louis Ehlert is one of our favorite authors and this book describes how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. It also helps young children identify a variety of springtime flowers.
Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray – This beautifully illustrated book shows us the marvel of natural cooperation between plants, animals, and insects as they each play their part in the forest’s cycle of life.
Wildflower Fandex – This visually stunning fan, full of common wildflowers is perfect for bringing along on an outdoor adventures. It’s sure to captivate!
Helping Hand Magnifying Glass – This handy magnifying glass is the perfect way to take a closer look as you begin to discover the different parts of a flower.

Put all of these inspiring materials to good use and try dissecting a flower. It’s an amazing experience!

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Going on a Poetry Walk: Exploring List Poems

By Mariah Bruehl, 1st April 2016

As spring starts to present its self in all of it’s glory, there is no better time to explore writing poetry with the young authors in your life…

A wonderful way to introduce young poets to the art and craft of poetry is through list poems. They are simple, fun, and even our youngest writers can partake through the simple writing of words or dictation.

Recently in the studio, we started our exploration of list poems by venturing out on a poetry walk. Before we began our journey, I prepared a basket-full of poetry delights: a clip board, printable for writing down observations (see below), colored pencils, magnifying glass, and a dose of list poem inspiration.

When we arrived at the park we found a nice, shady spot under a tree and read through a variety of list poems, which served to get our poetic juices flowing. Next, we started to search for treasured items that would make for a good list poem inspiration. You can see our collection below. Note: it was early spring so there was not a lot of greenery to be found. However, through the art of observation, even the littlest objects can catch your attention!

Next, our aspiring poet chose one item to focus on and used her senses to describe her object using the printable below. Once all of her descriptive words were down, she use her notes from the field to create her list poem. A very satisfying experience indeed!

Printables

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Look Closely: The Art of Observation

By Mariah Bruehl, 25th March 2016

Now that spring is here, it’s time to start exploring the great outdoors!

Developing the art of observation is an essential skill for our young backyard naturalists… Focusing observations on one small square of space, encourages your children to take more time and look more closely at what they might ordinarily walk right by. By choosing one specific area to explore children can begin to see the relationships between the different discoveries they make.

Print out two copies of the Look Closely printable. Cut out the square on your first copy. Bring both outside along with a magnifying glass and some colored pencils and find an interesting place to study. Sketch what you see in your square. Now dig around a little and see what you can discover underneath the ground.

Take some time to think about these questions…

Did you discover anything that surprised you in your small square?
How are the items you discovered connected?
Why are they located in the same space?
What stood out to you most?

Now that you have your square assembled you can take it on the road. Use it to check out different eco-systems such as a local pond, the forest floor, or the seashore. Compare and contrast you findings.

Printables

Life Cycle of a Seed

By Mariah Bruehl, 18th March 2016

Playful Learning: Life Cycle of a Seed

Watching a simple bean seed sprout offers children the opportunity to observe and document change over time. As the bean goes through its changes, children can witness the life cycle of a plant and identify the various parts as they unfold before their very eyes.

Materials

Bean Seeds
Clear glass jar
Paper Towels
Spray bottle with water
Parts of a Bean Seed (sign-up for our newsletter below)

The Process

No matter how many times I do this activity, whether it is with toddlers or grown-ups, I am always in awe of the power and determination of the seed to bring forth new life. Witnessing the process of the radicle breaking through the seed coat, taking root and flourishing gives you the opportunity to explore the cycle of life with your children.

Start by gathering a handful of cotton balls and insert them into your glass jar. Make sure that there are enough cotton balls to place sufficient pressure on the side of the jar to hold up a bean seed.
Place one to three bean seeds between the glass of your jar and the cotton balls, leaving enough space for them to grow.
Use your spray bottle to dampen the cotton balls.
Place the jar in a sunny spot and watch nature take its course!

You can add a valuable dimension to this experience by simultaneously planting the same bean seeds in a garden or container. As children watch their garden grow, the bean seed in the jar offers a behind the scenes look at what is happening under the soil. It is also wonderful for children to experience the process of growing something from seed and seeing it through until it reaches the dinner table.

Some helpful vocabulary terms that can be introduced as each part of the bean plant presents itself are:

Seed Coat – Outer layer that protects the seed
Cotyledon – Part of the seed that stores food for early growth
Hypocotyl – Helps to push the first leaves above ground and becomes part of the stem.
First True Leaves – The first leaves to emerge from the seedling and the beginning of photosynthesis for the plant
Primary Root – The first root to emerge from the seedling. The primary root grows downward. The functions of both the primary and secondary roots are to anchor the plant to the ground, to absorb water and minerals from the soil and to store food.
Secondary Roots – Secondary roots emerge after the primary root and grow out to the sides.

Books to Inspire

A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts
Seeds by Ken Robinson
Flip, Float, Fly!: Seeds on the Move by JoAnn Early Macken
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Printables

SaveSave

Beyond Memorization: Making Learning Memorable

By Mariah Bruehl, 17th March 2016

In today’s education system there seems to be more and more of a push towards the memorization of facts, formulas, and procedures. While this can be helpful (yes, you must memorize your multiplication facts!) we are living in a different age. We now have access to almost any and every piece of information we need at our finger tips. If this is the case, what should teachers be turning their attention to? How should our children be spending their days?

As parents and educators, we need to make sure that we are not only preparing our children for the next grade, test, or stage of development, but also that we are preparing them for life—a meaningful and fulfilling life. Though skills and knowledge are important, we have witnessed firsthand that they continue to evolve from one generation to another. In order to truly serve our children, we must look toward long-term goals and think about the future citizens that we are collectively raising. We need to see to it that our children leave our homes and our schools with habits of heart and mind that transcend time and act as a means for digging deeper, solving problems, relating with others, and fulfilling their potential.

How is this achieved? By making learning memorable… What if we put as much time, money, and resources into making learning memorable, as we put into making sure children are memorizing? What if…?

We want our children to have positive associations with their school experiences. We want our children to be excited about what they will uncover, create, discuss, ponder, solve, read, and write about each day. We want our children leaving school with lingering questions, inspiring insights, and thoughtful reflections.

Some people might say this is impossible… that schools are riddled with too much of this or too little of that. But, maybe we should begin by asking what if? What if it is possible to make our children’s days matter? What would it look like? Where would we start? What are the little things we can do now? Where do we start?

Think about your most memorable experiences in school…

What really stood out for you? What made that experience so memorable?

Here are a few things I have witnessed that can move a child’s learning experience from that of memorization to memorable…

Offer problems to be investigated rather than data to be absorbed.
Provide mysteries to be solved rather than facts to be memorized.
Equip children with inspiring tools and materials to be utilized rather than bubbles to be filled in.
Engage in real-world situations and outdoor experiences rather than hoping they make the connection between what they learn in school and how to put it to use.
Encourage children to take-in information and express what they have learned through a variety of mediums (100 languages) rather than solely through verbal and mathematical means.
Share experiences that engage the senses, in which children touch, taste, hear, smell, and observe the subject at hand rather than one-dimensional, disjointed teaching materials.

I know first-hand that there are many teachers that create these types of learning experiences for their students, despite the mandates that are being handed down to them. I also know that some of our most brilliant teachers are leaving the classroom because their hands are tied and they can no longer do what is best for the children they spend their days with.

When we are able to make learning memorable, children (and teachers) come back for more, ask deeper questions, come up with solutions, and integrate their newfound knowledge into real world experiences. What more could we ask for?

Word Play: A Workout for Your Brain

By Mariah Bruehl, 9th March 2016

leadphoto-wordplayA

As a kid, I loved playing word games. I grew up playing Scrabble and Boggle with my mom, and for me the Sunday comic section was more about the crossword puzzle, hidden word search and Jumble than anything else. Whether it’s a board game, a paper and pencil creation or one of the many apps I have on my iPhone, I continue to be obsessed with any kind of word game or puzzle.

My own two daughters, and the students in my classroom, are continually reminded of my obsession, and I am always looking for ways to impart my love of word play onto others. Manipulating letters into words forces the brain to work – in essence, word play is a (FUN) way to exercise your brain! For young children, word games improve spelling, increase working memory, develop language skills and build children’s vocabulary.

Here are a few oldies-but-goodies for your next family game night:

Now try this homemade paper and pencil creation:

Roll-a-Letter, Make a Word!

Players: 2 to 3
Materials: Printables, Die, Timer (optional), Pencil

How to Play:

1. Before play begins, print out a letter chart. Each player should then roll a die 6 times. After each roll, the player chooses one letter from the column that corresponds to the number on the die. Players record all 6 letters, and their point value, on the recording sheet. Note: Letters can be written down more than once. For example: If you roll a 5 two different times, a player can write down the same letter after each roll.

2. Set a timer, if desired, for 1 or 2 minutes. Each player makes as many words as she can before the time is up.

3. Once time has been called, players score each word by adding up the letters’ point value (similar to Scrabble). The player with the highest score wins. Note: Younger children can also add up the number of words they spelled correctly, and this can be their total score.

Variation: If you have specific spelling words to practice, write these words on small index cards. Turn them face down in the middle of the playing area. To begin, turn over one card from the deck. The goal of the game is to gather all of the letters needed to spell the word before your opponent does. Take turns rolling the die and choosing a letter from the column that corresponds to the number on the die. Write down the letter on a piece of paper. The first player to spell the word on the card gets to keep the card. Continue playing until all of the cards in the deck have been played.

No word play is complete without applying what you know!

Check out these playful picture books all about words:

The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter
Max’s Words by Kate Banks
Miss Alaineus by Debra Frasier
Carmine: A Little More Red by Melissa Sweet
Donovan’s Word Jar by Monalisa DeGross

What are some of your favorite word games?

For another fun word game from Playful Learning, try Word Mastermind!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Picture Book Project: Homes Around the World

By Mariah Bruehl, 8th March 2016

“The Potential of the Child is stunted when the end point of their learning is formulated in advance.” – Carla Rinaldi

Children’s literature holds so many possibilities for open-ended explorations. As Maria Montessori stated, education is not something a teacher does, but a process which occurs naturally and spontaneously in any child. Enjoy sharing stories with your children and see what questions are sparked and then take their lead in extending the picture book experience.

A picture book can be shared in so many different ways and the weight it plays, depends on you as the parent, care giver, or teacher. It helps to know the story you are reading well. Pre-reading prior to sharing with your child allows you to think of little anecdotes to sprinkle throughout the story. A little knowledge about the author and illustrator and even the publishing house is always beneficial. Gather more titles by the author and illustrator or on the topic to allow this book to be the launch pad for further questioning and research.

Every now and then a picture book comes along and it is moving, truly moving and it becomes, almost overnight, a modern day classic. Often it is the clever combination of author and illustrator and on other occasions it is simply the magic of one person. In its simplicity an entire forest of activities open up and the possibilities are endless!

Home, by Carson Ellis is a picture book created by the most magical illustrator Carson Ellis who is based in Oregon and has a wonderful life with her two sons, husband Colin Meloy, and many animals. Her illustration style is whimsical and wild and embraces the imagination of its viewers with the unspoken invitation to explore and question…

Who lives here?
What do they eat?
What do they value?
Would I like to live like these people?
Where in the world do people live like this?

Print out the attached world map and see if you can locate these homes on the map. You can write down the continents, name of the countries, and illustrate the homes.

Another possibility is to do some research on any of the homes, countries and cultures mentioned?
What can you find out about:

Vikings?
The country of Kenya or Japan?
Norse Gods?
Babushkas?
Nursery rhymes?

As a family or a class group create your own book entitled Home inspired by Carson Ellis. Pose the question “Let’s create our own Home book, what shall we include?”

Home is a must for any serious book collector and makes the most beautiful and thoughtful gift. Make sure to check out other titles illustrated by Carson Ellis.

For Further Exploration…

*This post contains affiliate links.

Introducing Collage to Young Children

By Mariah Bruehl, 3rd March 2016

As a classroom teacher, I was always amazed at the opportunities my students had in the art room. Art was a vital part of the curriculum in the schools I was fortunate enough to work in. Children were given ample opportunities to recreate their life experiences and art was integrated into all areas of the curriculum. Open ended materials were carefully selected and respected as a means of communication. Children had endless opportunities for self expression because of their long term familiarity with the same basic materials; paint, clay, collage, and construction.

Nancy Beal captures this sentiment beautifully in her book, The Art of Teaching Art to Young Children…

“My goal is to have the children feel so comfortable and confident with these materials that they are willing to use them to speak about their innermost thoughts and feelings. I see materials as being as much the teacher as I am.”
Children need a lot of time to explore the properties of any new material before they use it. If children are to become fluent in communicating through these materials, we need to first give them time to explore without the pressure of the product. We also need to expose them to these materials time and again so they can gain mastery over them.”

Collage is a wonderful place to start, especially for young children because it nurtures their natural desire to explore the world through their sense of touch. It also allows a certain level of flexibility. Children can make decisions about which materials to use and can then manipulate these shapes of various textures, forms and color until they are satisfied with their arrangement.

Since introducing collage to my children, I notice how much more observant they have become. They are beginning to look closer and notice texture and form out in the world. They see the beauty in ordinary things and can appreciate the possibilities of everyday objects.

“Collecting and using materials of different textures, colors and patterns may help children to become the kind of adults who respond sensitively to their surroundings. They may learn to see more than just a building; to be aware that besides a structure they see complex relationships of rough, smooth, and shiny surfaces. They may realize that a tree has a relationship of textures; the rough indented bark and the hard branches contrasting with the smooth or soft leaves. Through collage children can be helped to see beauty in ordinary things and to grow in resourcefulness by appreciating the possibilities of using simple materials for art expression. Selecting materials for collage not only gives children intense pleasure but also gives them an opportunity to make independent choices.” – Lois Lord

Collage, in its simplest form, is the glueing of materials to a flat surface.

You will need:

glue
a small brush
format paper
a wide selection of beautiful precut materials ranging in color and texture material list printable

The format paper is the background. The size can range anywhere from 7×9 inches for younger children to 14×20 for older. Cardboard or cardstock works best. For the glue, it is recommended to pour the glue in small jars (baby food jars work best) and offer children a small brush to apply the glue. Glue sticks can sometimes get children’s hands too sticky and take away from the tactile experience of the materials.

You can begin to collect a wide assortment of beautiful papers and fabrics from just about anywhere. You’ll begin to notice the abundance of texture and color in everyday packaging. I like to look for variety in texture and color. I keep a bin handy in the kitchen so when something catches my eye on the way to the recycling bin, I toss it in. Later, I’ll spend time cutting small shapes from these materials. I also look to fabric from old clothes, swatches from fabric stores, bags etc. Once the materials are precut, it is helpful to sort them in categories.

I have sorted my collection of materials by colors, which are then separated into two categories, patterns and solids. I use large ziplock bags and toss them into a big box for easy storage. When I’m ready to present materials, I choose from these bags and place selected materials into trays or shoebox lids.

When deciding what materials to put out, the focus can shift from warm colors to cool, shapes that encourage symmetry and repetition, shapes with straight edges, curved edges, softer torn edges, rough textures, smooth textures or any other combination you can think of. When introducing the idea of texture, it is helpful to offer materials in the same color so children can really get a sense of the variation in texture within the same hue. Textures found in nature, such as dried leaves, pine needles, twigs, seeds, etc., are also a great addition to any collection.

Setting materials out in an inviting way encourages children to make more thoughtful choices. It is important to give children time to sift through and choose what materials speak to them. This selection process alone is an enjoyable experience for children. I usually give each child a small box or tray to gather the materials they would like to use. When finished selecting, they can return to their workspace and begin to experiment.

For younger kids or children just beginning to work with collage, it is important to let go of any expectation. Let them feel and manipulate the textures in their hands. They need time to do this. They may begin then to naturally create a composition or design. They may or may not glue it down. They may glue their hands together and that is ok too. Eventually, they will find their way. There is no need to make something specific. You can guide them towards symbolic representation by asking “How would you use these materials to make a person or an animal?” It is also perfectly wonderful to let them experiment with abstract designs and compositions.

For children that have had more experience with these materials, you can ask open ended questions to encourage them to use this material to share their personal experiences.

How can you use these materials to show your favorite place outdoors?
How can you arrange these materials to show something you like to do with your brother, sister, mother, best friend?
Think of a time you played in water, rode a bike, rolled down a hill. Use these materials to show the experience.

Collage can be integrated into all areas of the curriculum. Natural connections can be made with children’s experience in the world. Collage gives children another opportunity to process their experiences on field trips and helps them to make sense of their learning. For example,

What do you remember most from our walk through Chinatown?
How can you use these materials to show the NYC skyline?
What materials would you use to create a portrait of your yourself, your mom, your best friend, an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island.
What materials would you use to show the busy streets of NYC or what life was like for Native Americans?

For younger children you can ask…

How can you use collage materials to show patterns?
How will you use collage materials to show the main character or setting in your story.
Can you use these materials to write you name?

So start collecting and have fun!

For more inspiration check out…

The Art of Teaching Children Art, by Nancy Beal
Collage and Construction in School: Preschool/Junior High, by Lios Lord

Author Focus: Stefanie Sacks

By Mariah Bruehl, 29th February 2016

I am thrilled to be collaborating with Emma Walton Hamilton, Susan Verde, and Stefanie Sacks to offer a Parenting Discussion Series in the studio. I thought it would be fun to do interviews of them here, because they have so many gems of parenting advice to offer. Today I have the honor of bringing you Stefanie Sacks…

Stefanie Sacks, MS, CNS, CDN is a Culinary Nutritionist, author, consultant, speaker and food firebrand! She has her Masters of Science in nutrition from Columbia University, is a Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist and is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. Stefanie works hands-on with individuals and groups seeking a healthier way of eating. For companies and organizations looking to do the right thing for their consumers and environment, Stefanie is the go-to-gal—her unique background in food and agriculture as well as health and wellness gives her the knowledge and skills to guide groups towards true food transparency, sustainability and ultimately health. Her book, What The Fork Are You Eating? An Action Plan for Your Pantry and Plate (Tarcher/Penguin Random House) provides an aisle-by-aisle rundown on how to shop and cook healthier.

Mariah: In your book, What the Fork Are You Eating?, you call yourself a “moderationist,” when it comes to your diet. Can you explain what that means?

Stefanie: Since the age of fifteen, I dabbled in every food lifestyle imaginable from vegan to vegetarianism, macrobiotics, and special medical diets. Fad diets even had their place in my personal journey to achieve wellness. In the end, real, fresh and nutrient dense food was my answer like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and high humane welfare animal foods. Junk food, such as highly processed food and sweets from beverages to candy (really anything with an ingredient list that reads like a short novel or has words that you can’t pronounce), rarely had a place in my diet but, to this day, I do love chips and the occasional gummy bear. That’s moderation. I teach my kids the same as well as my clients, students, readers and listeners. And, just as someone can overdo junk, they can also overdo healthy (such as too much raw kale can impact thyroid function). Thus, moderate and enjoy your edibles! As Michael Pollan so poignantly says “Eat food, mostly plants, not too much.”

Mariah: How can we pass on this view of food to our children?

Stefanie: Before we can pass anything on to our children about food and food choice, we must first get our own authentic edible education (and try to work out personal food issues if we have any!). That’s why I had to write, What The Fork Are You Eating? Sadly, too many people are highly misguided thus I felt a burning need to create a usable (and highly credible) tool for grown-ups and their children. When we have a truthful body of knowledge and counsel on how to communicate with our kids (something I talk about in the book) then we are ready to inspire, empower and offer sustainable guidance.

Mariah: What are some tips for raising children who make healthy choices about the foods they eat?

Stefanie: I am a huge proponent of getting kids in the kitchen the moment they can sit in a high chair. I even cooked with my sons while attached to me in their Baby Bjorn. I also took them food shopping and to this day (they are 7 and 10), they are my supermarket sidekicks and help choose foods as we walk the aisles. We also love to frequent farmers markets in season. And my younger son loves to put the groceries away. The more exposure to food, the better. And talking about nourishment as you go is critical. That’s why knowing the right information is important. Because then you can guide them towards healthier choices by shining light in the darkness. Talk about everything from ingredients in packaged foods to flavors in the foods you prepare. And have them cook alongside you (and clean)! Oh, and plant some pots of herbs or create a garden if you haven’t already—another super useful tool for raising healthy eaters!

Mariah: What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned about trying to pass on your knowledge of food to your children? Have you made any mistakes we can learn from?

Stefanie: I have two boys with two very different palates and eating styles. My older son is a dream eater, my younger would eat jelly beans for breakfast if he could. Thus I have learned to honor what both boys can and will do and guide them towards better when I can. It was very hard for me to do that with my younger son initially. He had clinical feeding problems upon birth (he was born tongue tied and had issues coordinating sucking and swallowing) and I wanted to fix everything. He didn’t touch solid foods until 8 months and when he did, he threw everything up. He denied anything I gave him and I was heartbroken daily as nourishment is what I do—I could help others but I couldn’t help my own son. So I had to step aside and let my husband take the lead. In time I learned to back off and with doing so, we found a balance. He is still a challenge so I have to continually adapt. And I do but it remains a constant uphill battle. I don’t stop involving him in everything food, I just respect the space he needs around what and how he eats. But I can assure you that it is not jelly beans for breakfast!

Before I had kids, I vowed never to be the mom who forbids anything (other than Gatorade, soda and anything artificially sweetened). I had worked with too many parents who did just that and in trying to keep their kids “healthy” they in fact created junk food addicts. So, my kids are like every other kid. When they want super bad junk (like at birthday parties or movies), I allow it but also talk to them about the decisions they are making. After that, I let them choose. Typically they both go for something super colorful but after a few bites, they are done. Though my little one may opt into more than just a “few” bites!

The lessons here are that we must respect funny little eating habits and not force our ideals down our children’s throats. There is no such thing as “food perfection.” Gently offering guidance and giving space will empower kids to do the “right” thing. And as parents, it is our job to provide our them with a variety of healthy foods to choose from daily and to continually offer them an edible education.