interesting read - "should toddlers do chores?"

I found a link to this article at A Magical Childhood and I thought it was timely given that my toddler is heavily into playing "cleaning". The article discusses the benefits of introducing household chores into a child's life from an early age and suggests a number of chores that toddlers can do around the house. As I read the article, I was especially drawn to the comment that, by incorporating chores into a toddler's life early on, toddlers "get the benefit of having a routine where doing household tasks comes naturally".

I'm hoping that if I nurture my toddler's current obsession with sweeping and wiping spills up with a sponge that I will one day be able to leave all the housework up to him as I put my feet up with a well-deserved cup of tea!

Image from http://www.squidoo.com/businessideasforkids

"the parent's guide to play"

I have been meaning to write about this book for a while now, especially over the Summer, where the heat often prohibits too much outdoor playtime but parents are still looking for activities to stimulate the little ones! Gymboree - The Parent's Guide To Play is filled with over 170 activities to stimulate imaginations, expand vocabularies and build physical and mental skills. The book is organised by age groups (eg, 3 months and up, 6 months and up etc) and has provided me with lots of new activities to undertake with my growing boy. Almost all of the activities utilise materials or toys that you will probably already have around the house, and there are explanations as to how each activity develops a particular skill.

I bought my copy from Big W, but it is also available from Amazon.com.

LittleONE baby magazine

Have just discovered this fabulous new Australian baby magazine. Glossy and gorgeous, Issue 2 is now out. I especially love the real-life nurseries that are featured. You can find your closest SA stockists here.