Nowadays, we're constantly bombarded with the educational gimmicks that our children "need" to prepare them for school and as they grow. On today's episode, we're discussing the actual skills your child needs for success in school and life. We are joined by Susie Allison of Busy Toddler, a former teacher turned blogger who helps parents to discover play-based learning activities for their children (of all ages!) We discuss why play-based learning is so important and how to encourage play-based learning. She also shares what our kids really need in their toddler years to help to set them up for success, what skills are most important for children to learn in early childhood years, which toys are essential for play and learning and the top 3 things you can be doing as a parent every day.

What's In This Episode:

• Getting into People magazine
• How Susie celebrated getting half a million followers
• Realizing she didn't like being a journalist
• Changing her career path to teaching
• Becoming a stay at home mom
• Not being able to find toddler activities
• Getting 2,000 followers by the end of her first month
• When Susie knew she had a real business on her hands
• Play-based learning vs. direct instruction
• Giving children the chance to discover the world on their own
• When to start encouraging play-based learning
• Kids getting pushed to start learning to read earlier
• How the common core state standards have affected younger grades
• Why faster learning is not better
• How parents can support this type of learning at home
• Creating dedicated time for play and an environment that supports play
• Toys that help kids with play-based learning
• How Susie creates activities that incorporate different ages
• Adjusting activities as the child grows older
• Key supplies for play
• When to use activities for children