Recipes for Connection

Recipes for Connection are open-ended “recipes” for adult and child playful interactions. Each recipe includes a theme, a children’s book, a few play materials, suggested play paths, and some conversation starters. Unlike my mother’s approach to food recipes, these Recipes for Connection are meant to be springboards, a place for an exuberant start. Please use them to kick-start connections that can and should be personalized along the way. Make the connections your own by adding adult and/or child personality, preferences, cultures, traditions, and talent! Even more, share those hybrid connections with me!

Pete’s A Pizza

Creativity in the early years includes pretend (symbolic) play. Pretend play offers boundless opportunities for language development, creative expression, and relational connections. While children are exceptional players, sometimes adults need help getting started. ...

Waiting is Not Easy

Patience is difficult. Managing our reactions, or being patient, is a developing approach to learning skill for young children.  Many families and toddler teachers struggle to address building patience skill building in the heat of a toddler's frustration.  This...