Kids Who Explore

At Kids Who Explore, we are list people! There’s no pressure to check every item off, but we love the ability to create traditions, simplify or go big (depending what suits your family), and share a love for the winter season! 

Snow Activities 

• Play in the snow 

Seasonal Activities 

• Ice sculptures 

Seasonal Crafts 

• Finger paint 

Create a Tradition  

• Annual trip 

Tip: Pack a sled for everything…skating, skiing, hiking…you won’t regret it! 

Toddler Skis mentioned in episode: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5044-087/Ski-Set?org_text=komperdell%20ski%20set%20 

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s podcast! https://besawyer.com 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore

“But, what if you need to go to the bathroom?” Where and how to go #1 and #2 in the outdoors, whether adventuring, or camping, can be a huge sense of anxiety for people. So, whether it’s simply squatting in the bush, or bringing a portable potty, we are here to share all the ways we’ve created toilets in the outdoors! 

Portable Toilet Suggestions: 

Go Girl: https://go-girl.com 

Shewee: https://www.shewee.com 

Luggable Loo: https://www.rei.com/product/876179/reliance-luggable-loo-portable-toilet 

Lauren’s Awoken Unisex Urinal for Car: https://tinyurl.com/nj2swhke 

Portable Toilets are great solutions for when you’re in busy areas, or you don’t want to be away from your child - you can use some in a car, in a tent, or hugged up against a tree. 

If you choose to squat and leave nature in nature, remember to leave no trace – and carry out any toilet paper you may use. (www.leavenotrace.ca) 

When Camping: 

• use head lamp, and have bear spray 

For toddlers who are new to learning how to squat, you can support the toddler’s legs behind their knees, to help them form a squat.  

Thank you to Scat Belt for sponsoring today’s podcast! Get your Scat Belt today to always have your bear spray accessible at www.scatbelt.com and on IG: @scatbelt  

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore

What if the secrets to parenting aren’t secrets at all? What if everything you need to know to raise intrinsically-motivated, helpful, kind, and generous humans can all be learned from the Maya in Yucatan, the Inuit in the Arctic circle, and the Hadzabe in Tanzania? We dive into this topic with Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, but after this episode, we think you’ll want to dive even deeper! 

Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD is author of New York Times Bestseller, Hunt Gather Parent. This is the parenting book of all parenting books, where Doucleff shares what she learned about parenting after visiting three continents with her 3-year-old daughter. You can also find her over at NPR, where she uses her expertise to cover a wide range of topics, all with science and health in mind. She currently lives in Alpine, Texas with her family.  

Doucleff says her book isn’t just about parenting, it is also about how we treat other people, and how to relate to children in a different way than we do in Western culture.  

Children Go With: 

• In these places, it is normal for children to go with adults; children are integrated into the adult world 

Why/How to Avoid Kid-Centred Activities: 

• The vast majority of cultures don’t have kid-centred activities, because they don’t think kids need specific activities (In these cultures, usually kid “toys” are related to work) 

T.E.A.M. Acronym (works best outside!!): 

• Together (with someone older, who loves them) 

The TEAM Acronym is extraordinary for kids physical and mental health.  

How/Why to Avoid Bribery & Chore Charts: 

• Bribery and chore charts don’t support kids in becoming intrinsically-motivated to help the family 

Follow Michaeleen at: 

Twitter: @FoodieScience 

Contact her via email  

Book Recommendation: 

Hunt Gather Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff 

Self-Driven Child by Ned Johnson 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore

What’s in your first aid kit? Most importantly, do you have a first aid kit? Katie Braswell is here to get us thinking not only about all the things that should be in a first aid kit, but also all the ingredients we DON’T want in a first aid kit. Get ready to revamp your adventure pack! 

Katie Braswell, of Wild + Well, is a Holistic Nutritionist, based in Boulder, Colorado. Katie’s specific areas of interest are preconception health, fertility, prenatal nutrition and supplementation, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding and postpartum care (focusing on nurturing mama and baby). She specializes in functional nutrition for families – especially the mama or mama-to-be who is looking to maximize their time adventuring with their little ones! She and her family love to adventure and are passionate about spending as much time as possible outdoors and in nature – so she has worked to master the perfect holistic, non-toxic first aid & adventure kit.  

Don’t feel guilty about what you’ve used in the past, or what you have on hand now. You can start changing over your first aid kit by integrating one item at a time (or even as your items are used up!). 

Some chemicals we want to avoid (hard on our hormones / endocrine disruptors): 

• petroleum 

Here is the link to help you build your non-toxic first aid kit: 

https://www.livewildbewell.com/blog-posts-all/how-to-build-a-holistic-non-toxic-first-aid-kit 

Some Quick Tips: 

• Band-Aids: Aim for band-aids without latex and petroleum (Welly is a good brand) 

*Carry Coconut Oil or Jajoba Oil as a carrier oil, for essential oils* 

* Lavender and Tea Tree Oil can be a little bit of a natural hormone disruptor, if persistent exposure.* 

Link to EWG Guide, to check “clean rating” for products: 

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ 

Where to find Katie: 

Website: https://www.livewildbewell.com 

IG: @livewildbewell 

Other Social: Live Wild Be Well 

Thank you L-Bow Mittens for supporting today’s podcast! Find them on IG: @lbowgear or at www.lbow.com 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore

“When I talk about grounding, I’m talking about physically touching the earth. Head to toe, you are conductive, [and] the earth has an actual heartbeat.” Those are the words of Dr. Laura Koniver, who is a true expert on grounding/earthing. If you haven’t heard of this before, don’t miss out! It will quite literally, change your life! 

Laura Koniver, M.D. is also known as the Intuition Physician. She says that she loves approaching health and well-being from every angle and offering the most helpful solution to her patients. She started studying and practicing medicine, and then, when her first daughter was born, she listened to her mama heart and paved her own unique path. Since then, she has grown her family, but you can also find her speaking as an expert on grounding, running online health classes, making art, writing books, designing grounding tools, and of course, grounding herself!  

Some of the MANY Benefits of Grounding: 

• Your brain waves go into a healing pattern 

Ways to Ground for Those with Mobility Issues, or In Severe Weather: 

• Indoor grounding options (refer to Dr. Koniver’s website) 

Dr. Koniver suggests that we recharge our bodies! Don’t fall into the rut of taking better care of your electronics, than you do your body.  

To Keep Safe from Ticks While Grounding: 

• Refer to episode 20, Tick Safety with 3 Moms Organics (https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-20-tick-safety-with-3-moms-organics/) 

Grounding requires moisture and minerals! This is likely why our feet are the most sweaty part of our bodies!  

Surfaces that are NOT Conductive for Grounding: 

• Rubber soles 

Surfaces that ARE Conductive for Grounding: 

• Sand, and play sand, if it’s on the earth, and WET! 

Dr. Koniver creates grounding products that are made of natural cotton, stainless steel, and natural materials. She makes sure her grounding materials are good for people and good for the earth.  

Learn more from Dr. Laura Koniver: 

Website: https://intuition-physician.myshopify.com 

Podcast: Intuition Physician   

Documentary: The Earthing Movie  

Book Suggestions: 

The Earth Prescription by Laura Koniver, M.D.  

Only Love Today by Rachel Macy Stafford 

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s episode! Find more at https://besawyer.com 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle & @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore

Whether you’ve been skiing or snowboarding your whole life, or you’re new to the sport, there’s a lot more gear to pack with extra bodies. Today’s podcast will help you learn not only what to pack for winter adventures with kids, but also, some helpful tips for on the hill! 

What to Pack: 

• Layers (listen to episode 36, for our three layer rule: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-36-the-three-layer-winter-rule/) 

Tips: 

• When kids are younger, use wool socks underneath their mittens for extra warmth (they stay on easily) 

Thank you to Morrison Outdoors for sponsoring today’s podcast! Find more at: www.morrisonoutdoors.com

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle & @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Did you know bears can, and do, come out of their dens in the winter? If you’re shocked, we got you covered! Wildlife Specialist, Kim Titchener, who is the Owner of Bear Safety and More, is back on the podcast for the third time to help us navigate wildlife safety in winter! 

Learn about Bear Safety, Episode 5: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-5-bear-safety-with-kim-titchene%E2%80%AAr%E2%80%AC/ 

Learn about Wildlife Safety While Camping, Episode 15: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-15-wildlife-safety-while-camping-with-kim-titchener/ 

If you really want to see wildlife in winter, look more into the community of Churchill, Manitoba, where the community truly lives with the polar bears! 

Top Safety Reminders: 

• Always have bear spray accessible (not tucked away), and know how to use it 

Think about where you are and what animals are in your area. 

Hibernation Learning Time: 

• You can still get attacked by bears in winter (so, don’t let down your guard in the cold) 

What is Bear Denning: 

• Bear heart rate slows down 

How to Avoid Dens: 

• Stay on the trail! Most dens will not be close to a trail 

98% of people who encounter bears and administer their bear spray, walk away with no injuries. Bear spray has not been scientifically tested on other animals, but Kim has video evidence of it working on other animals, like cougars, for example.  

Reminder: 

• Check if you bear spray is expired 

Recommendations: 

Podcast: Ologies with Alie Ward https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ologies-with-alie-ward/id1278815517 

Book: The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad  

Follow Kim at: 

Learn more at: www.recsafewithwildlife.com and www.bearsafety.com 

Thank you to Scat Belt for sponsoring today’s podcast! Get your Scat Belt today to always have your bear spray accessible at www.scatbelt.com and on IG: @scatbelt. Discount code is KIM for 15% off 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

How often do you catch yourself saying, “be careful”? Do our kids even know what “be careful” means? Or, do we need to be specific? Do we need to let our children take on some ‘risky play’ to explore the world and see what they are capable of? Brittany Williams is here today to give us insight on all of those questions, and so much more! 

Brittany Williams is from Knoxville, Tennessee. She has worked in Early Childhood Education for around 11 years. Children are a true passion of hers – watching them grow, develop and learn to process the world around them brings her pure joy! 

How to Safely Allow Risky Play (Does That Sound Like an Oxymoron?): 

• Talk through and help them assess the risk 

“It’s about them exploring for themselves and you being on the sidelines, helping to guide if needed.” 

How You Can Set Up a Good Environment: 

• Don’t complain 

You can structure the day, or activity, and allow them to choose what they want to do within that setting. 

How to Handle Toddler Tantrums: 

• Accept the emotion 

Suggested Resources: 

Learning With Nature by Claire Warden 

Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors by David Sobel 

Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bbwilliams21 

Thank you L-Bow Mittens for supporting today’s podcast! Find them on IG: @lbowgear or at www.lbow.com 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

While some people have winter layers down to a science, others are new to winter, or they are new to dressing KIDS for winter. So, let’s sum up our three layer winter rule, for all ages, adults included! 

Previous Winter Layer Episodes: 

Episode 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-2-how-to-dress-kids-for-winter-adventures/id1548759798?i=1000508292336 

Episode 4: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-4-getting-outside-in-winter/id1548759798?i=1000510277939 

Three Layers: 

• Base Layer: We like merino wool (or wool). If the merino wool price point is not accessible, synthetic layers work too! 

Merino wool base layers are good for all seasons, because they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer [also acts as an SPF]. 

Babies: 

• Check baby’s temperatures by feeling the temperature on the back of their neck 

Toddlers: 

• When getting to potty training/toilet learning stage, 2-piece clothing is easier than 1-piece 

Older Kids: 

• Set out the layers in order, so they can get themselves dressed 

The stage when kids don’t want layers on:  

• Try singing (even about what you’re doing) 

Always pack extra clothes, in case anything gets wet.  

-10 to -15 degrees Celcius is our limit for big adventures. Colder than that, short adventures just in the backyard.  

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s episode! https://besawyer.com 

Production: @ kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music. 

In the words of the 2-year-old Sanchez daughter, “The mountains are my home.” That is how the Sanchez family is living their lives. Today we chat with Rachel Sanchez about part-time life in a van-home, to ditching the carriers, to hiking while pregnant. KWE is proud to see a family that is allowing nature to help raise their kids! 

The Sanchez Family, is a multicultural family based in Utah, USA. They have three little girls and a little boy on the way. They love being outdoors as a family and feel it is the best way to experience life and all that the earth has to offer. They use the outdoors as their favorite parenting tool to teach many of life's important lessons from strength and courage, to kindness and gentleness. Inclusion and diversity in the outdoors is important for Rachel, and her husband, to show her daughters! 

How They Make Their Van-Home Feel Like Home: 

• Allow each girl to have a drawer in the van that is their own 

How They Ditch the Child Carriers: 

• They decide the carrier isn’t their go-to, and they never tell their kids to get in the carrier 

Advice for Hiking While Pregnant: 

• Listen to your body and how far you want to go 

Book Recommendation: Wild Vet Adventures: Saving Animals Around the World with Dr. Gabby Wild 

Follow the Sanchez Family on IG: @beboldlittleones 

Thank you to Morrison Outdoors for supporting today’s podcast! Find more at: www.morrisonoutdoors.com 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.