Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is often thought of in terms of bikes, slides and swings but it can be so much more. I had the oppurtunity to meet Rusty Keeler, an outdoor play expert. His vision for play spaces has inspired me on so many levels. I am beginning to gather my thoughts on an outdoor water [...]

What Is Your Favorite Toy?

Do you remember your favorite toy? Why was it your favorite? What did you learn by playing with the toy?
My favorite toy wasn’t a particular brand name toy but a category of toy. I spent countless hours playing with dolls and play food. I played with my many dolls, dressing, feeding, holding and loving my [...]

More organizations that promote and support play.

Please bear with me, I am trying to compile a comprehensive database of organizations that support Play. I will put them into alphabetical order once I feel the list is complete. For now, I will list them as I find them.

No, I am Not Crazy!

I often feel that I am crazy. My beliefs about children and play, while researched, and true to heart, always left me feeling like an outsider. I felt like I was constantly struggling against a force that was much bigger than I. However, I found one of many allies. On Saturday I was given a [...]

Conferences on Play

The following organizations will be holding conferences centering around play.
January 20, 2007
Alliance for Childhood
http://www.allianceforchildhood.net/
 

Where did the idea for moonandme come from?

The original intention of this site was to sell products that were attachment parenting oriented. I soon realized that I didn’t have time to run a business, work full time and raise my family, so I left the business idea behind and the website sat empty for over a year. I began working on a [...]

The Changing World of Toys and Toy Play by David Elkind

This article appeared in the November/December 2005 issue of Exchange.
 Sometimes when I read an article I am struck by a particular sentence and this is the case with this article.
“Comforting toys of wood, cotton, and wool are now made of synthetic materials.”
I don’t believe I ever thought of why I liked wooden/natural toys. If anything, [...]

Play based daycare or preschool.

I had a moment…I think it is time to open a play based daycare or preschool. I know alot of daycares that believe in the value of play but none that are specifically geared toward play.
I will keep this thought in the back of my already busy brain. Along with this thought I will also [...]

Why do children need to play?

I began this day watching my two daughters with their wooden train set. If you get to know me, you will know that I LOVE TOYS, especially of the wooden variety.  (You will also learn what I do not like, but that is for another post and another time.)
  I visited the Strong Museum last September, [...]

 
For now, I will make a list of organizations and companies who truely seem to love play! I am also adding sites that promote ways for families to connect with nature.
Campaign for A Commerical Free Childhood
 New American Dream
Mothering.com
TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment)
Alliance for Childhood
Lisa Murphy The Ooey Gooey Lady
Playing for Keeps
Three Sisters Toys
Teaching Tolerance
NAEYC
Alliance [...]