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Let’s Talk About: Developmental Play and First Edventures

As a mom of two little ones, education is of upmost importance to me. A child’s brain develops most in the first few years of life and learning is crucial during this time period. As a registered play therapist that primarily works with small children in private practice there is nothing more rewarding to me than seeing children thrive cognitively, socially, and emotionally through play. Utilizing toys to learn, communicate, and grow is vital for babies and toddlers at every developmental level.

 

When the owner/founder of First Edventures, Victoria Tollossa, first approached me about her new product I knew it was something special. I couldn’t wait for the product to launch so I could share it with everyone I knew! This product is something I stand behind and something that I love as a professional and as a mom. I was happy to contribute in any possible way I could, knowing the products inside the boxes were of top quality and hand picked with education, healthy development, and fun in mind. The concept behind the subscription boxes is priceless for parents and beneficial for children. Read more about Victoria here: https://firstedventures.com/our-story/

 

When you subscribe to First Edventures, your child is gifted each month with a box full of expert, curated eco-friendly toys, books, and activities. Parents are also gifted with a parent guide that describes each item in detail and additional resources from various experts – including me! Yes, that’s right! You might just see my picture in one of your brochures! I am so honored to be one of the experts that offer tools for parents so they can help be their child’s first teacher! The topic I wrote on this month was “How Do I Help My Toddler Understand and Regulate Their Emotions?” Click here to see more about the expert contributors: https://firstedventures.com/meet-the-experts/

 

The boxes promote healthy brain development and the items inside fine tune motor skills, increase language development, and offer some early reading benefits. Children will learn life skills and lessons from the books that are included and also learn how to make things and be artistic as well as use their deductive reasoning skills, which will help their relationship skills with their siblings, friends and even encourage a closer relationship with you!

 

If you watched my Monday Mail segment on Instastories earlier this week, you saw my children and I opening our boxes and showing you all of the amazing products inside. Honestly, it’s all they have been playing with all week! And I couldn’t have been happier and more impressed with the items chosen for each age group for my son and daughter. Each box was filled with age appropriate and developmentally appropriate items that I couldn’t have picked out better myself! These boxes make learning fun!

 

My infant son received a Lion Lotti Activity Puppet by Haba Toys, a Plush Dog Rattle by Ever Earth, Art Cards by Wee Gallery, and a book titled Baby Faces by Indestructibles. I completely loved everything in his box and so did he! I use puppets all the time at home and at the office so I was ecstatic to add this one to my collection, especially since it comes with some hidden treasures, including a rattle and a mirror under the tummy flap. It is so soft and colorful and he loves playing with it. We also love the dog rattle. It is also super soft and comes with a wooden handle that is easy for him to grab. It also rattles and is made of organic materials so I don’t mind when he puts it in his mouth! The art cards are thick and made of excellent quality and inspire learning through art! And as much as we love the other items in the box, we love the indestructible book the most! It is rip proof, chew proof, and waterproof and he can’t get enough of the faces on the inside that show different expressions and emotions. The book is made of waterproof, non-toxic material and is perfect for babies, especially if they are teething! They can bite it and drool on it and it is literally indestructible! And the best part is that all of these items encourage tummy time, independent play, and play with you!! And they all fit easily in your diaper bag!

 

My toddler received Hape Toys Twist and Turnables, a Titus Dog Puzzle by Janod, Eco Finger Paint by Eco-Kids, and a book titled Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi. The book was perfect because we are actually working on following rules and keeping our hands to ourselves right now, as she will be starting preschool in a few months. The puzzle was the first item she played with and loved it because the picture is underneath the pieces for easier recognition. She then played with the twist and turnables toys, which we actually were able to do as a team and mix and match different colors and shapes, learning about each one as we played. We have yet to use the Eco Finger Paint because we were waiting for the weather to be a little nicer so we will be trying it out this weekend as an outside activity!

 

You can purchase a box month to month or save with a pre-paid discount for 3 or 6 months at a time! Each box comes with 2-4 eco-friendly toys, 1 book, 3+ activities and a parent guide. And each box is tailored to fit your child’s age!

 

Plus what child doesn’t LOVE getting a package in the mail? Your little ones will look forward to their special box each and every month. And as a parent, you will not be disappointed! It is so worth the investment! They really are helping children discover the world! Click on the yellow GET STARTED button and subscribe to your box today here https://firstedventures.com and type in code DRKIM20 for 20% off your first month!

 

Make sure you are following First Edventures on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstedventures/ for special updates, discount codes, and more! If you’d rather follow on Facebook click here https://www.facebook.com/firstedventures and if you prefer email, subscribe to their newsletter on the home page!

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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

My Instagram

🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

📸: @chrissywphoto #inauguration #inagurationday #inaguration2021 #joebiden #kamalaharris #presidentbiden #syracuseuniversity #syracuse #syracuseu #historyismade #madamvicepresident #mommyandme #46thpresident #sandiego #sandiegoblogger #momblogger #parentingblogger #motherhood
This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

#humidifier #coldandflu #humidifiers #peaceandquiet #workingfromhome #workingmom #working #coldandfluseason #coldandflurelief #winter #winterstyle #wintertime #wintervibes #winter2021 #wahm #wahmlife #wahmlifestyle #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #workfromhome #workathomemom #workathome #workathomelife #newmom #babyshowergift #sinusrelief
{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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#autism #autismmom #autismfamily #autismspectrum #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismlife #autismparents #autismparenting #autistickids #autisticchildren #autistictoddler #autismresources #playtherapy #playtherapist #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #activitiesforkids #activitiesfortoddlers #activitiesforchildren #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #sensoryprocessingdisorder #sensoryactivities #momswhoblog #ontheblog #newblogpost #parentingblogger #momblogger
{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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#eczema #eczemarelief #eczemahealing #eczematreatment #eczemaproblems #eczemawarrior #atopicdermatitis #itchyskin #itchyskinrelief #atopicskin #atopicdermatitistreatment #atopicdermatitismanagement #eczemamanagement #winterskincare #winterskin #winterskincareroutine #winterskincaretips #newblogpost #momswhoblog #ontheblog #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #wellnessexpert
{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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