Play Talk

The Play Talk Blog shares stories, play ideas, and parenting resources to support growth, creativity, and joyful learning at every stage.

May 31, 2024

Your Guide to Tummy Time for the First 6 Months

Discover how you can foster your child's development through brief, intentional tummy time play activities through the first 6 months of baby's life. Article by Dr. Beth Achterhoff, one of our resident child development experts.

May 31, 2024

4 Tips to Creating a Space for Imaginative Playtime Learning

A beginners guide to creating a successful play space for your little ones. Check out these helpful tips to crafting the perfect learning-friendly environment for play and discovery.

August 2, 2022

How to Plan an Adopt a Pet Party

Our how-to on throwing a killer adopt a pet party takes the guess work out of planning your kiddo's next birthday bash.

October 31, 2016

Toys for Holiday Travel

August 24, 2016

Preparing for the First Day of School

MiO School Bus

Worried about Your Child’s First Day of School? Here’s What You Need to Do By: Kaila Weingarten, MSED I used to wake up early with a pit in my stomach the first day of school. Now, the nervousness is rolling over. My daughter will be entering preschool. How to prepare her for the first day? I’m going to start now. There is so much to get used to from the big yellow bus, to the classroom environment...

August 1, 2016

Epic Summer Bucket List for Kids: 40 Fun Ideas

By: Kaila Weingarten, MS ED The summer is reaching it's end, but there is still plenty of time and ways to enjoy the remaining days of summer. Searching for som..

June 16, 2016

Today's Forecast: 100% Chance of Indoor Fun!

All parents know that kids are happiest when they're playing outdoors. Unfortunately for them, and us, there are many days every year the weather just doesn’t cooperate. Even though we've reached the summer months, the rain and the heat can conspire against us to keep kids inside. You may be up for splashing in the puddles or bringing out a sprinkler, but for the days you would rather stay dry, check out some creative ideas for indoor fun. After all, a rainy forecast is never a pain when you use your imagination. When boredom strikes and you're stuck inside, a puppet show is always a safe bet. In my house, we keep a few puppets around that can be used to act out any sto...

May 3, 2016

Morning Routines that Work

Want to have a calmer day? Then work to ace the marathon with a morning routine. Routine can be a safety net for young children. Keeping a steady routine will help every member of the family feel loved and respected....

April 6, 2016

“It’s not just Child’s Play”

By: Kaila Weingarten MS ED Play is crucial to a child’s development. It helps build your child’s imagination, encourages socialization and communication, and enhances many other areas of your child’s development. Early childhood experiences have a dramatic impact, physically determining...

March 29, 2016

Move to Music

By: Kaila Weingarten MS ED Why is music so vital to children? Children are programmed to move. As infants, rocking and hugging children soothes them, and teaches them about the rhythm. Music appeals to children, and helps them develop in myriad...

March 21, 2016

Sensory Learning Tips YOU need to know

Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed We use our senses to learn every day without even realizing it. With your fingers you decide that the pot is too hot to touch without a towel. You answer the door after hearing the bell....

March 7, 2016

Yes, You Should Buy Your Son His Very Own Doll

A boy snuggles with a wee baby stella doll and holds a magnetic pacifier.

February 15, 2016

Puppet Play: How and Why

Did you ever wish you had an extra pair of hands? Hands to entertain your children, hands to help them learn, hands to make cleanup exciting or to explain why eating carrots is good? How about if these extra hands...

January 25, 2016

Why I Love my Daughter’s Lovey

Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed You’ve seen the kid in the grocery with a little tattered piece of cloth. You shot weird looks at the mom, but when you have your own child, all you want is for them to have...

January 11, 2016

Toys for Three Month Olds: 4 Things you Must Know

By Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed Congrats! You made it through those first three months. Although your baby lost that newborn look, she’s finally responding with coos and smiles. She’s getting curious about you and the objects she sees. And he’s...

December 28, 2015

Reading to Babies-Why, When, and How

By: Kaila Weingarten, MS Ed When I was a young girl, there was one place I awaited going to eagerly. It was not the candy store. Nor was it the toy store. It was the library. I loved choosing from...

September 18, 2014

Introducing Little Ones to a New Sibling

I’m currently expecting my fourth child and know from past experience several times over how important it is to make sure that older siblings don’t feel pushed to the side when a new baby arrives. Showing the big sister/big brother...

August 21, 2014

Playful Learning

Spotlight: Preschool Teacher Mrs. Mandi Sauer shares how she prepares for the school year and the importance of play in the classroom Most schools in Minnesota start the day after Labor Day. It’s a busy time of year for students, but especially...

July 24, 2014

The Stages of Play

Developing play skills is an essential part of childhood. Through play, typically-developing children acquire the skills necessary to communicate with others, express and understand emotions, physically manipulate a variety of items of all sizes, build strength and endurance, and gain...

June 11, 2014

Why Playtime with Dad is so Important

When our daughter, Avery, was born, I instantly transformed into a new man. Not that I was a bad one to begin with, but now I was “Dad”; small word with an enormous meaning! I was ready to start playing...

May 14, 2014

Playtime with Baby: A Simple and Beautiful Pleasure

I admit: I love baby things. Consider baby clothes, baby essentials, and baby toys my new obsession. (Gosh, how things have changed since being head-over-heels about stilettos.) However, I'm a mom now, and I'm proud to say my life now revolves...

April 9, 2014

Boosting Self Esteem Through Pretend Play

When I was pregnant with my first child and learned I would be having a daughter, I made a few very important promises to both myself and my unborn little girl. I first vowed to teach her how to become...

April 2, 2014

How to Keep Little Hands Busy on Rainy Days

By Guest Blogger Becca at Southern Mom Mess We all know that Spring brings rain, and rain means finding fun and educational activities to keep our kids engaged while inside. Not always an easy task! As a teacher, I really...

January 29, 2014

Adventures with Manhattan Toy

Guest Blog Post: Grace at The Daily Obsession Cabin Fever is a term my husband uses to dramatically announce that he is delirious from being trapped our apartment for too long. With the winter temperatures and all that white stuff on the...

November 20, 2013

"Thankful" Leaf Sun Catchers

Guest Blog Post by Alesha from Full Time Mama My kids love to do crafts, and as Thanksgiving is almost here I thought it would be fun to do a Fall/Thanksgiving themed craft. A friend of mine had some transparency...

November 13, 2013

Picking Your Child's First Toy

Guest Post By Rachel Pitzel of Club MomMe LA One of the most exciting things for expectant and new parents to pick out for their new baby is their child's first toy. Sure, selecting a stroller and nursery set are...