It’s been a very wet April here in Brooklyn! I hate to rain on your parade, but gear like raincoats, rain pants, rain boots and umbrellas can be made with toxic materials that are bad for consumers, workers, and the environment. In the past, some studies have found worrisome stuff like heavy metals and phthalates in kids’ rain gear. Aren’t I just a ray of sunshine, as usual? ;) Actually,
nature
It’s (Finally) Spring–Time to Get Outside!
You know that I'm all about nature, especially when it comes to kids. The outdoors offers both a stimulating environment that kids love and it never squashes their imagination. This is a magical combination, and one that is increasingly under-utilized. Spring is the perfect time to get back in the habit of outdoor play. With spring come the many sights, smells, and sounds of nature. Plus,
5 Tips for Screen-Free Winter Play
As a parent, grandmother and educator, I have spent a lot of time around young children. I have observed that they are blessed with active imaginations. Active, creative play helps children learn about the world. We can support creative play by offering children toys and materials from nature and by making opportunities for them to spend time in nature—yes, even in the wintertime! We tend to
A Nontoxic Option for Zika Protection?
Even those of us in wintery climates can’t ignore headlines about the mosquito-born Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency as experts scramble to understand more about the virus. Zika’s certainly on my radar. My family and I are escaping the snow to go to the Bahamas next week, and in May, I’m traveling to Nicaragua for a wedding. I'm not planning
Five Tips to Make Parenting Easier and Minimize Screen Time
“Screen time” is something both of my children struggle to manage for their own children. As a grandmother who spends a lot of time with my grandsons, I feel their pain! It often feels like a constant battle to keep Felix, Theo, Wolfie, and Lincoln away from TVs, iPads, and phones! Years ago, I read Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, which discusses his findings regarding Nature Deficit
A Cure for Fruit-Averse Kids: Picking Wild or Locally Grown Fruit
If you are looking for an activity to do with children on a summer weekend, picking fresh fruit is a wonderful choice! Even picky eaters usually eat fruit, but for those who won’t, this is a fun activity nonetheless and may encourage your picky eater to try some of the antioxidant-filled, vitamin-rich Good Stuff! The best part is that going to pick fruit connects children to where their food
Indoor Gardening for City Kids
A version of this post appears on our blog on The Huffington Post. Last weekend, my parents came to visit, and my dad brought an indoor vegetable garden for Felix. It was such an incredible surprise for all of us, and again, I was reminded that my son has the world's best grandparents. We live in a small New York City apartment, and I have long felt said that Felix, who loves gardening for
Kids and Nature: Free Good Stuff!
By Suzanne ("Nana") When I spend time with my grandsons, Felix and Theo, I see the world anew through their eyes. The boys delight in watching a bunny crossing the front lawn, or a pesky squirrel scurrying up a tree. They love to stop and pick up a speckled rock or observe a tiny mushroom; they are attracted to the bright colors of flowers; tiny insects crawling across the kitchen floor
