Children are filled with a sense of wonder, vibrant imaginations, and often a love for adventure and learning. They naturally dream, play, and create. While some of us are able to maintain these characteristics into adulthood, most adults do not consider themselves creative, or at least they don’t believe they are living up to their “creative potential.” While there is research that shows certain people may have a genetic predisposition to being more creative than others, many experts believe that creativity is something we are all capable of and it can be developed and cultivated over time. We need to continue to nurture our creativity throughout life and it doesn’t need to be reserved solely for artistic expression. Creativity and innovation...
Getty ImagesIt’s that time of the year again, and besides the new COVID-era concerns about retail supply chains comes the age-old question: what’s the best educational toy to buy for the child (or grandchild) in your life? There’s a vast range of toys that claim to stimulate learning, or foster creativity, or boost kids’ STEM skills. The US$94.7 billion global toy market offers a bewildering amount of choice, while parenting blogs warn against “one and done” toys, Instagram influencers make us feel like we don’t measure up, and kids, being kids, pester us for whatever their friends have, or they’ve just seen on YouTube. But here’s a simple truth: you know your child (and your budget) better than anyone. And...
Gratitude isn't just a touchy-feely thing — it is literally part of our health and well-being and can even change the shape of our brain. And this time of year invites us to reflect on what we're most grateful for. To help you achieve that "attitude of gratitude" this season, we're looking back at some of Brit's favorite advice from guests who shared their expertise on the mindful topic, as well as how to use it to build a happier, healthier life. Listen below to hear the best gratitude quotes of the season. People like Dr. Laurie Santos, Austin Kleon, Charles Duhigg, Mayim Bialik, and Lauryn Evarts Bosstick give us applicable tips to practice gratitude in our everyday lives. And...
A map that blends past and present, a musical time machine bringing back distant memories, or an interactive graphic novel pulling you deeper and deeper into a powerful story — sometimes you come across a lovely little website that, well, instantly conquers your heart. It doesn’t necessarily have to be overly useful or practical. Instead, its true value shines in the experience you get from it. It might leave you with your jaw dropped, with a smile on your face, surprised, excited, or inspired. In this post, we collected lovely little sites like these, found in the remote corners of the web. They are perfect for a short coffee break or whenever you’re up for a little bit of diversion....
Click here to read Simple Wipe-Clean Ice Painting for Kids! on Hands On As We Grow® Mix up an artistic science experiment from our Activity Room MOTM, Eleni! Her three boys love ice painting! Search, find and get overwhelmed with ideas. Our Member of the Month, Eleni, was swamped with tons of cool ideas she wanted to try with her three boys. “It was always ‘love this, gotta do this,'” Eleni explains “And it never happened.” Before The Activity Room®, Eleni was constantly finding neat activity and project ideas. But getting everything organized, even for this teacher, was kind of a lot. “The biggest struggle was just an overload of information,” she shares. “So many ideas out there, different ways...
