Be kind. Encourage compassion. Inspire creativity. Nurture courage. Grow your mind.
We all know how difficult it can be to maintain a child's attention while reading a children’s book aloud. That’s where bookish play comes in handy! Bookish play is a great way to introduce new children’s books and keep kids engaged with the story.
Bookish play is exactly what it sounds like — any play-based activity centered around a book. Fun, interactive activities based on children’s books can spark kids imagination, curiosity and creativity while really bringing the story to life. Bookish play allows children to gain a deeper understanding of the story, helps expand their vocabulary, and provides opportunities to practice sequencing and story retelling. Some examples of bookish play include:
The story of Guion The Lion provides endless opportunities for your kids and students to engage in bookish play, such as this Recyclable Art Activity developed by Heather with @stop.drop.andplay.
Heather read the story of Guion The Lion to her son and encouraged him to use his imagination to create “recyclable art.” Interested in doing this activity with your kids? Follow these steps and watch this video for inspiration.
Step 1: Gather recycled materials, loose parts, and art supplies.
Step 2: Read “Guion The Lion” to your little learners.
Step 3: Encourage your little learners to be creative with the recycled materials and supplies to design something truly “fantabulous.”
Step 4: Watch their creativity and imagination unfold!
We’d love to see what your little learners create with recyclable materials! Share a photo on Instagram and tag @curious_b.e.i.n.g.s and @stop.drop.andplay!
For ideas for bookish play, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
By: Richard Upchurch
Music is a powerful tool that can support childhood development. Music allows children of all ages to express creativity, regulate their emotions, and connect with others. As a passionate musician and maker of musical toys myself, I find joy when the line between “tool” and “toy” is blurred. I believe music and musical expression can bring both children and adults into the space where we are playing. And, playing leads to learning!
Music is a critical component to child development on so many levels. We don’t really need to dive into the science to see evidence that music is a tool for personal growth as well as a language that connects us to a greater community. Plus, multiple studies have shown top honors colleges, Fortune 500 CEOs, and leading scientists attribute studying a musical instrument to their success. By encouraging children to dedicate time to improving their musical skills, they learn discipline, time management, patience, and more.
I also believe that music moves us, and therefore, affects our bodies, brains and environments. In fact, there is evidence of benefits to child development as early as mothers singing to their child in utero during the last trimester. Next, early childhood music classes help develop motor skills, language, tonal processing, and a laundry list of other “do the body good” concepts.
But ultimately, to me, music is about cultivating community, skills in communication, and personal identity. We are given choices in musical styles, and we begin to discover how various sounds make us feel. This cultivates emotional expression, interpersonal communication skills, encourages creativity, and in turn, can lead to confidence in how we express ourselves.
Richard Upchurch was a touring musician for 10 years with North Carolina based Emma Gibbs Band. After coming off the road, he began a career mixing records and writing music for film and television. As the industry evolved into more modern recording technology, Upchurch decided to pursue a Master’s in Music Technology at New York University.
Richard took his love for complicated sound recording gear, recording consoles, synthesizers, guitar pedals, eruo-rack synths, samplers, and worked to build instruments for everyone when he launched BrandNewNoise. BrandNewNoise toy instruments are designed to spark creativity, curiosity and cheer in kids young and old.
“It’s been fascinating to see how my audio recording devices have worked their way into some of the coolest music studios in the world as well as help kids on the spectrum find a voice,” Richard said. “What is universal is that we all love hearing our voices, right? With BrandNewNoise devices, a simple record button, playback button, and pitch control knob (speed up your recording or slow it down) allows everyone quick access to hearing their voice in fun, silly ways. It’s a playful way to work with speech, allow a child to express themselves, and can be used as a communication tool for those who have difficulty sharing their thoughts directly. At the end of the day I work to build objects that encourage creativity for everyone.”
For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Summertime is here! Let’s enjoy some time outdoors with our kids! Why? Because outdoor play offers numerous benefits for children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Read these key advantages of outdoor play for kids:
It is so important for parents, educators, and caregivers to prioritize outdoor play in children's lives, providing them with safe and stimulating outdoor environments that encourage exploration, creativity, and physical activity. We hope that you and your children can continue to enjoy the outdoors and all nature has to offer to promote continued curiosity! For ideas for outdoor play, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Reading ignites creativity, sparks curiosity, stimulates the imagination and inspires learning in young children. In a fast-paced digital world, it can be difficult to nurture a healthy habit of reading in our kids. Cultivating a love for reading requires intentionality. Check out these tips for instilling a lifelong love of reading in your children or students:
Reading aloud to your kids consistently is one of the best ways to enhance their literacy skills. Beyond increasing their enjoyment of reading, read-aloud sessions are proven to promote cognitive and emotional development! Taking just 10 minutes out of every morning or night to read aloud to your children can also be a great bonding experience.
Keep a strong collection of books for your kids that fit their reading level somewhere comfortable and relaxing in the home. One easy tip is to simply make books as visible and accessible as toys!
Finding creative ways to praise and reward beginner readers can easily help a child associate reading with positive experiences! Summer is a great time to start a regular reading routine. Set a scheduled time each day of the summer for your kids to take a break from other activities to relax and enjoy a good book, alone or with an adult (for those that need support).
Be a good role model by reading in front of your kids. Showing your kids that you enjoy reading will make them want to read themselves.
Making regular visits to a local library or bookstore helps get kids excited about reading. Many libraries host story time on a regular basis, which is a great activity for all ages! Before you know it, they will begin to pick out books all by themselves!
We hope these tips are helpful for raising a young reader! For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
School is finally out, and summer is here! Summer is a time for families to come together and enjoy each other’s company, and spending time with grandchildren is so rewarding for both the grandparents and grandchildren. Need help thinking of activities to do with your grandchildren?
Here are some fun suggestions for things to do that will help any grandparent make the most out of the summer season with their grandkids!
Gardening with grandchildren can be a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories. It provides an opportunity to teach children about nature, responsibility, patience, and hard work. It can also be a fun and rewarding way to spend time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature together!
Nothing beats a relaxing movie night (with a twist)! Set up a white sheet and a projector outside of the house, grab some snacks, and enjoy nature while watching one of your favorite films!
Creating a time capsule with grandchildren can be a fun and meaningful activity that allows both generations to reflect on the past while also looking toward the future! Collecting mementos that represent different periods of life can be a great way to encourage conversation and storytelling between grandparents and grandchildren.
Grandparents - don’t forget to add some discussion to the creation of the time capsule! Share history, culture, and important moments from your life that can help you bond with your grandkids.
Taking a nature walk with grandchildren can be a wonderful and rewarding experience through spending time in nature, exploring new trails, and taking in breathtaking views. Hiking is also a great way to introduce children to the importance of physical activity and creating healthy habits. With the right preparation, hiking can be a safe and enjoyable activity for grandparents and their grandchildren to share.
Taking your grandchild out to their favorite restaurant on a grandparent-grandchild “date” is an easy way to spend quality time with your grandchildren! Encourage them to put their devices away during this time to teach them the importance of being present and mindful in conversations they are having.
We hope these ideas are helpful for spending time with your grandchildren this summer! For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Teaching the future leaders of our world is possibly the most important job in the world! And our teachers are superheroes in disguise. The past few years have been a rollercoaster ride for them, from shifting to virtual learning then transitioning back to normal in-person learning. These rock stars accepted the challenge and gave our kids the opportunity to continue growing and learning.
With Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12) approaching, now is the time to plan how you are going to express your thanks to the teachers in your children’s lives.
Writing a personal letter from your family and your child to their teacher is a heartfelt way to express your gratitude for all of their hard work to ensure your child is receiving the best possible education. Having your child deliver the letters to their teacher in-person also teaches them the value of kind gestures!
The demands of work as teachers is incredibly high, which makes their self-care time just as (if not more) important! Creating a small gift basket with things, such as lotion, bath bombs, gift cards and chocolate, is an easy and inexpensive way to show your appreciation for your children’s educators.
An AdoptAClassroom.org survey found that, in 2021, 30 percent of teachers spent $1,000 of their own money on classroom supplies. Surprising your child’s teacher with buying some classroom supplies is a great way to give back to the individuals that have such a lasting impact on the future of our youth!
Who can say no to a special treat? Delivering your teacher’s favorite snack to their classroom is a simple but meaningful way to demonstrate your admiration for all the hard work teachers do!
Gifting the teacher in your kid’s life with a special video that has messages of gratitude from all of their students is a fun (and free) way to show your appreciation for teachers during this special week. Simply asking the parents to send you clips of their kids saying thank you to their teacher, or even sharing a favorite memory, is a heartfelt act of kindness that is perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Don’t miss the opportunity to show appreciation toward the teachers who are helping to inspire the next generation of curious minds. What other ideas do you have to express appreciation? Share them with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Mindfulness means living in the moment! For kids, practicing mindfulness teaches them the importance of shifting their thoughts to what they’re actively doing! Mindfulness has also been proven to ease stress and anxiety.
As humans, we are all prone to thinking about things that happened in our past or could happen in the future. By promoting mindfulness in kids, we can contribute to their ability to shift their emotions to a more neutral or calm state of thinking rather than reacting to challenges in an unhealthy way. Studies have even shown that mindfulness can help ALL kids improve their behavior and focus.
It’s never too late to help your kids manage their emotions with mindfulness techniques. Check out these tips and tricks for practicing mindfulness with your kids:
No matter what age, everyone has a favorite environment or safe space that brings them into a calming state. Talk to your kids about their favorite place where they feel most comfortable, and teach them to close their eyes and think about all of the senses they experience in that place.
One of the easiest but most effective tricks for mindfulness is belly breathing! Instruct your kids to lay down somewhere comfortable and imagine that, as they breathe in, a balloon inflates. As they exhale, the balloon deflates. Kids can even put one of their favorite toys on their stomach during this exercise for an added element of fun!
Mindfulness activity books are the perfect one-stop shop for encouraging your kids to discover social and emotional skills like confidence and curiosity! Our Guion and Friends Mindful Activity Book is a great option featuring 32 pages of activities that promote mindfulness for your kids to enjoy! You can purchase the activity book here.
The 5-4-3-2-1 method is a quick and classic way to get your kids out of their own cycle of thoughts and focus on the environment around them. Ask them to identify five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. Acting as a great relaxation technique, this method is perfect for young kids who crave constant entertainment as it mimics a game with its challenge of identifying a specific amount of things.
Looking to encourage your kids to think about the positives in their life during periods of stress or distraction? The Three Good Things game is the perfect mindfulness technique that also acts as a catalyst for growing appreciation for all of the good things in your kids’ lives. During times of disappointment or stress in the lives of your kids, ask them to name three good things that are currently happening in their lives! Don’t forget - this game isn’t about pretending their feelings of sadness or frustration don’t exist. Rather, it aims to show that they can feel grateful for good things while also feeling hurt about challenges they are facing.
We hope these tips are helpful for encouraging mindfulness in your childrens’ lives! For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Need more reasons to hit “book” on your next family vacation? We have you covered. Here at Curious B.E.I.N.G.s, we believe it’s important to nurture courage and promote growth mindsets in kids, and traveling with them is a great way to do this!
While traveling with toddlers and young kids can be intimidating, it can significantly boost development. Traveling expands kids’ horizons, allowing them to explore new experiences and encounter different situations. Check out these 7 reasons to travel with your kids:
As a parent, hearing “remember when we…” during a car ride or at the dinner table is so meaningful because it shows that these trips have a lasting impact on our kids. No matter how big or small the experience, traveling is an opportunity to spend quality time as a family and create memories that will last a lifetime.
We’ve had the good fortune to take our kids on trips within the U.S. and internationally. From Mt. Rushmore to a safari in Tanzania, our focus tends to be around the outdoors and animals. Sometimes we travel with another family, and sometimes it’s just us! But, in either situation, we find ourselves with uninterrupted time to talk and be a family without the pulls of our everyday life.
Allowing your children to see the world, get closer to nature, and meet people with different backgrounds can never be mimicked in the traditional classroom setting. With so many new sights to explore, kids will have constant entertainment while learning plenty of new things along the way!
My favorite memories are watching my kids learn about and experience something for the first time, whether that is a glacier in Alaska, hummingbird station in Ecuador, or speaking a few words in the native language of the country we’re in! I believe these experiences are growing my kids' minds because they come away from these experiences with new knowledge about the people and world around them.
Travel is the perfect way to get your kids away from their devices to enjoy the beautiful world around them. While they might still use their devices during the road trip or plane ride to your destination, the pull of technology becomes less strong when there are new things to do and see.
Some of the places we’ve traveled have been remote enough that there is a lack of connectivity that naturally forces kids off their electronics. If they don’t choose to put them away, we’ll have them do so for periods of time to ensure they are truly present wherever we are. The good news is that we normally don’t have any arguing as they enjoy where they are just as much as we do!
When exposed to new cultures, children gain an awareness for cultural differences, which allows them to grow intellectually and establish a positive viewpoint of diversity. Giving them these life lessons is an integral part teaching empathy and inclusion.
We recently traveled to Tanzania for a safari, but we had a few opportunities to engage with locals. We visited Shanga, which is a nonprofit in Arusha that employs individuals with disabilities to make crafts. We also visited a Maasai Village (Boma) and sat inside a home and heard from the chief’s son about life in the village. We even went to their schoolhouse and met some of the kids during their daily lessons. It was an invaluable experience for all of us to see individuals making a good life with what they have!
Toys will break, get lost, or even just get old, but experiences can never be replaced in a young child’s memories! Travel allows kids to connect with others for an extended period of time instead of getting lost in all their stuff.
Shared experiences are priceless because they are with you forever. They allow you to laugh over a fun memory – from singing songs as we drove to and from South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore or marveling at a rainforest walk that ended in a swim in a waterfall in Ecuador.
Family excursions are a great opportunity for your kids to push themselves out of their comfort zone and grow their confidence by trying new things. There often isn’t a Starbucks or McDonalds on every corner, which means you’ll have to try something new. Besides eating, you may need to communicate in a foreign language which is always appreciated by the locals. Trying and learning new skills makes kids feel capable and confident that they can tackle whatever comes their way.
Being away from other friends is the perfect opportunity for developing deeper connections within the family. One piece of advice for connecting with your family is to try a wide range of activities during your trip to learn more about your loved ones’ preferences and get to know them on a deeper level.
What I have appreciated about all of our travels, whether it is a beach trip or an adventure trip is that my kids are up for just about anything. While I know that my kids’ personalities are different, we work together to be sure we have a trip that all can enjoy!
I hope you can use these tips and advice to plan an enriching and memorable experience with your family!
For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
“Mom, why does he look different?” “Dad, why does she talk differently?” “Mrs. Smith, why does he have a wheelchair?”
As a parent or teacher, these are all questions you’ve likely been asked by your child or student. These questions can be tough to answer–especially if you’re in public and the person your child is talking about is within earshot.
My son, Guion, happens to have Down syndrome, so I’ve been on the opposite side of these situations many times. I notice children point at and notice Guion all the time. And I get it, talking to your kids about people with special needs or disabilities can be tough to navigate. However, initiating these conversations before you’re confronted with an uncomfortable situation is key to raising kind, empathetic and inclusive children while encouraging, not punishing, their natural curiosity about those who seem different than them.
No matter what age your child is, there is likely a person in their life who might look, move, or act a bit differently. By acknowledging your child’s curiosity and addressing their questions as honestly as possible, you can play a significant role in helping them gain a better understanding of those with special needs or disabilities and appreciating them for who they are.
Do you need help talking to your kids or students about those who have special needs or disabilities? Here are a few tips.
It is very important to talk about the differences between your kids and kids with special needs as honestly as possible. Acknowledge their differences while emphasizing that different doesn’t mean bad.
Don’t forget that you are your child’s biggest role model! If you are using positive language about those with special needs, your child will, too. A great example is to explain that a wheelchair helps their classmate move around. In the event that your child overhears negative comments being made about someone with a disability, address them immediately! Explain that the mean behavior can be hurtful and shouldn’t be repeated.
Our similarities may bring us together, but in reality, we’re all different! We look different, we have different personalities, we like different foods, we enjoy different activities, and we see the world around us differently. The more we can get to know someone beyond their differences, the more we can appreciate them for who they truly are.
In raising Guion, I have experienced firsthand how individuals flourish through connection with others and how it all starts with kindness. We all are unique in our own ways, and those differences are beautiful! Teach your child to choose to be kind and inclusive to everyone they meet.
Adding stories to your children’s book collection that include characters with special needs can be an easy way to introduce the topic in your household or classroom. Increasing your child’s awareness about the topic of disabilities and special needs promotes an inclusive culture.
Inspired by Guion, I wrote the children’s book, Guion The Lion, to present messages of compassion and curiosity to kids before they begin making their own judgments and assumptions. My hope is that it encourages children, and parents alike, to have conversations about people who might be different from them, and ultimately, embrace others’ differences and perspectives.
For more ideas of how to teach kids about kindness, curiosity and compassion, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and the holiday is a great time to reinforce kindness with your kids. Make the most of the days leading up to Valentine’s Day by encouraging your kids to show appreciation to their friends, teachers and family through various acts of compassion and kindness! Check out this list of kid-friendly, simple acts of kindness for inspiration.
Nothing shows love and adoration for others more than a homemade card! While the digital age has taken over much of our lives, a homemade card allows children of all ages to express their own creativity with words and/or drawings and make their friends, classmates and family feel special.
Kids love to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their classmates at school. What better way to show your love for your friends and teachers than by sharing some holiday-themed treats? From heart-shaped cookies to Valentine’s Day themed candy, you can’t go wrong!
Complimentary words of affirmation are an easy way for children to express their feelings with their family and friends. Encourage your children to think of why they admire or enjoy spending time with their siblings or friends. Simple phrases such as, “You are talented,” “You are amazing,” or “You are loved,” are great options for kids to use during the holiday.
Asking children to assist their parents in small tasks like unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, or even cleaning their rooms allows them to grow their appreciation for everything their caregivers do for them on a daily basis!
Everyone deserves to feel included! By encouraging your kids to sit with someone new at lunch, they practice inclusion while making someone feel seen and special.
Kind words go a long way for anyone, but especially kids! Leaving a sticky note on a classmate’s desk with an encouraging note can brighten their day and make them feel extra special this Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas for encouraging sticky notes:
Going the extra mile when doing simple tasks means more than you think. Teaching kids the value in these kind acts is an important life lesson, and it may just turn someone’s day around!
You know what they say - sharing is caring! Sharing is a crucial life skill for children to learn as it helps them understand the importance of compromise and fairness. Encouraging your kids to share a toy with a friend is an easy way for them to practice caring through sharing.
It is always important to take the time to reach out to relatives, whether it’s just to catch up on their lives or let them know you’re grateful for them! Kids can have a parent or older sibling record a video message to send to their relatives to put a smile on their faces for Valentine’s Day.
Are your bookshelves overflowing with children’s books? Maybe books your kids have grown out of? Consider giving them the opportunity to select a few books to donate to your local library so other children can enjoy their favorite stories as much as they do!
Smiling is contagious. In fact, smiling is proven to boost childrens’ immune systems, relieve stress, and help grow new friendships. Smiling is a simple way to show kindness to anyone you see.
A creative and crafty way for kids to show their love is to make a homemade gift for a special someone. This not only gives them the opportunity to think of someone they’re grateful for but also encourages thoughtfulness and creativity as they decide what the person may like as a gift.
We hope you enjoy spreading love through these acts of kindness with your kids this Valentine’s Day season. For more ideas on how to teach kids about kindness, compassion and curiosity, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
