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    For Ages 3+

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    Playing With Cardboard Boxes - Inspired by Not A Box

    Playing With Cardboard Boxes - Inspired by Not A Box

    When we traveled to Toronto this past summer, we found a wonderful babysitter. She’s an educator, and during the interview, she and I talked about how much the kids loved the library, but we wouldn’t be in town long enough to qualify for a card. The first night she babysat for us, she showed up with a bunch of books from the library that she took out on her own card. It was such a kind gesture, and the kids read and re-read all those books for the two weeks we had them.

    Cardboard Box Puppet Theater

    Cardboard Box Puppet Theater

    One of the first more elaborate projects I remember doing with my daughter was making a puppet theater. We took a cardboard box (our favorite toy around here) and painted it and made curtains from scraps of cloth. She had a blast using her finger puppets for the show, and later setting up toy figures. However, the box got old and tattered, so we got rid of it.

    Encouraging Pretend Play: Pirates & Treasure Hunt

    Encouraging Pretend Play: Pirates & Treasure Hunt

    Pretend play is powerful for kids. By using their imagination to play something like pretending to be pirates on a treasure hunt, kids get a chance to practice executive functioning skills when they’re planning out their play. They also learn how to solve problems and compromise.

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