Learn Language through Play

Guest Post by

Kristina's is one of the moms behind the amazing blog, Toddler Approved. Kristina is the mom to a preschooler and a baby. I've featured Toddler Approved many times on It's Playtime, so a guest post swap on our blogs was a must!

She's very fun at sneaking in learning. Especially name recognition. One of my all time favorite posts at Toddler Approved is her name twister game. It seems she may have a boy full of energy, just like Henry! [Her number hockey game is also a must see!]

Today, I'm over at her blog. We're not only swapping blogs, we're swapping literacy ideas. Since I'm not an educator, this made me kind of nervous. But, Henry and I discovered a fun twist on reading that I think you should all give a try tonight. I've even challenged you all!

Kristina has a very valuable post written here that I am ecstatic to share with you: 

Five ways to learn language through play!

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Hi friends! I am so excited to be visiting from over at Toddler Approved! Jamie invited me to share some tips about how to incorporate language learning into every day interactions with our children.

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It's Playtime! : Autumn Leaves

Henry and I have been gathering leaves and other nature items on our walks each day. In hopes to make or do something exciting with them. Not really sure what yet. But we're collecting them in the meantime.

Autumn is in full swing here in Iowa and so is It's Playtime!
Your autumn posts are so exciting to see. There are so many variations of ideas for all kinds of fall activities and crafts.

Here are a few that I found last week that are all about the leaves.
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A First Birthday Celebration

Happy 1st Birthday George!

We celebrated with friends and family this past weekend.

I try to provide entertainment for the kids, not activities or crafts that I have to lead.

I set out open-ended items that I think the kids can use themselves and not get bored with.

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Art Activity : Zoo Animal Puzzles

A counting book called 1, 2 ,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle inspired this creative art and activity. 

The book is a counting train of zoo animals! 

Henry really enjoyed this book and loved counting each zoo animal. 

A great way to learn to count to ten.

We decided to bring these zoo animals to life and make them interactive!

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Guest Posting : A Pause at JDaniel4's Mom

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I'm over at JDaniel4's Mom today taking a moment to pause.

You can head on over and read about the four times to pause in life.

Thanks JDaniel4's Mom for letting me share with your readers today.

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Keep updated!

New this month! I'm starting a newsletter to highlight some of my favorite posts, along with highlighting some of my other favorite blogs! You don't want to miss this! There may also be some sneak peaks of the upcoming month, as well as a way to tell me what you want to see more of!

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Unwanted Behaviors : Repeat Questions

Why?
Why?
Why?

... Why?

Experience that in your house?
Repeat.

Ha. Okay. I won't be the one with the repetitive questions.
Its probably your kids.

There's the 'why' stage that we're currently in. 
[Which I think I'm pretty good at answering... for now.]
But, I'm sure the nagging repetitive questions will be coming soon in full force.

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Betty Lukens : Learning Fun with Felt

All it takes is a little imagination...

Betty Lukens, the newest sponsor here on hands on : as we grow, has every kind of felt object/figure imaginable. And all it does take is a little imagination to bring these sets to life.

The opportunities for pretend play are endless with these felt sets.

Betty Lukens is known for their Bible Felt Sets, they'd be perfect for a Sunday School classroom. There's over 600 figures and objects to learn about the stories of the Bible.

For the home, or even a classroom, the Learning Fun with Felt Sets create those pretend play opportunities. 

Here are a few of my favorite sets from the Betty Lukens website:

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