Play Skillfully

Today on the Play Skillfully podcast, Kathy and Lesli discuss how to use their award-winning curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully for the kindergarten year. 

Main Idea:  Look for progress...not perfection! 

Developmental Information:

If you question what you are asking of your child, use the website naeyc.org as a resource. The National Association for Young Children has excellent books and articles that will help you on this journey. 

Look for ways to teach in a very concrete manner with everyday objects! Workbooks are very abstract and make it harder developmentally to grasp concepts. Move to labeling everyday objects in your home so that your child is learning in a very concrete way. 

LIVE LIFE WITH YOUR KIDS!  Invite them into your life and talk through your daily activities..you do kindergarten skills ALL DAY LONG.   

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For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

This week Kathy continues sharing from her special weekend a couple of years ago with moms from all over the country. In this episode, Kathy shares her thoughts on keeping your marriage strong during the early years. She also continues answering some burning questions about motherhood. You don’t want to miss this episode

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

This past week was Kathy’s birthday, so we thought it would be fun to play you a podcast that was recorded during her 50thbirthday party two years ago. Original show notes are below. 

As I approached 50 (my birthday is September 10th), I started thinking about the legacy I was leaving behind. As a young college student, I was discipled by several amazing women… Susan Felker, Betsy Stark, Donna George, and Debbie Mabry. These women poured into me in a variety of ways. Some met with me over yogurt, others invited me into their homes. I watched these women be wives and mothers from the front row. They impacted me. 

I felt led to do invite young moms into my home for the weekend. I wanted to give them a front row view into my imperfect life. I wanted to be raw and vulnerable with them; to show them that God uses hot messes like me to parent, to partner, and to love. We had a lovely weekend together. On this episode, the questions continue, and I rant a bit about subjects close to my heart. I am still learning on this journey. I don’t have much figured out. I do know that love is powerful and that we need other people in our lives. I pray you have people in your life that encourage you on the low days and celebrate with you on the high ones. We need each other.

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

This week Kathy shares how to turn your home into a pop-up preschool over a weekend. Kathy encourages parents to use items from home instead of running out and buying store bought “educational” items. Kathy suggests focusing on developing the whole child by offering a variety of invitations to play throughout the day. 

The following are the areas of development that should be included in your pop-up preschool:

• Books
• Sensory Experiences 
• Language Arts / Writing Area
• Math / Manipulatives / Fine Motor
• Science Basket 
• Outdoor / Gross Motor
• Art
• Self-Help 

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum guide A Year of Playing Skillfully.

You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on Instagram.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.

Join Lesli Richards and essential oils expert and Author Dawn Camp as they talk about her new book It All Began in a Garden. Dawn shares some practical advice on the use of essential oils with young children based on her extensive research and caring for her own family of eight. 

Dawn Camp is an Atlanta-based writer, photographer, wife, homeschooling mom, small business owner and regular contributor for (in)courage. She is the author of The Beauty of Grace, The Gift of Friendship, The Heart of Marriage, and With Love, Mom.  Her love of essential oils inspired her upcoming book It All Began in a Garden

We have three opportunities for giveaway fun this week! Visit the book page to enter to win a diffusor and oils starter kit from Dawn, and also follow her on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to win a Homegrown Preschooler Plan and Play Bundle this week!  We will also be giving away five copies of her new book on our Instagram and Facebook this week! 

OILS FOR CHILDREN

·     Lavender - cuts and burns, calming, sleep

·     Cedarwood - focus, sleep

·     Frankincense - immune boost, calming, focus

·     Eucalyptus - breathing, immunity

·     Roman Chamomile - soothing, sleep (bottoms of feet)

·     Tangerine/Orange - mood & immunity boosters

OILS FOR MOMS

·     Lavender - calming, sleep, relaxation

·     Rosemary - memory, focus

·     Peppermint - headache, focus, alertness

·     Jasmine - mood, antidepressant, feel feminine

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know. Just email us [email protected]or shoot us a message on social media. 

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

What is happening in this crazy world? Doesn’t it seem that someone is playing a cruel trick on us? We can’t travel, we can’t see a movie at the theatre, we have to work from home and we now some of us have to homeschool our kids. WHAT??? For some of you that last one is the biggest challenge. What do you do if you hadn’t planned on your day being taken up with questions and reading and math and more questions and even arguments about the questions? 

 Join us for today’s podcast where we will share our thoughts about accidentally homeschooling (Lesli was an accidental homeschooler, too). We have been homeschooling for over twenty years and we have learned a lot during that time. After listening to our ramblings, we hope you feel encouraged and empowered as you take on this new role temporarily or for the long haul. 

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on Instagram.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.

This week, we are getting back to it. So sorry for the long break, but life has been difficult for me as I have been spending the last three months grieving the loss of my darling son, Joshua who passed away on May 16th after a 16-month battle with Leukemia and my mother who suddenly died just 48 hours after Joshua. Some things will never make sense to me. 

In today’s episode Lesli and I talk about Joshua and his love of food, smiles, video games, and his puppy, Ivey. We talk about what really matters as a mom, a homeschooler and a parent. Losing a child will make you contemplate your decisions more than anything else on this earth. 

In the end, the things that matter are the time we spend with our kids, the ways we fill their cup, the memories they and you will have from the everyday moments. These things matter so much more than clean houses, first time obedience, and even learning to read before the age of five. 

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

On this episode, Lesli is interviewed by her daughter Lilly. Lilly asks her mom the following questions:

1. Let’s start with our family. Tell everyone about us. 

2. Have you always liked children?

3. When did you know you wanted to work with children?

4. Who were the big influencers for your life and career?

5. What did you do before you wrote books with Mrs. Lesli?

6. What is your favorite childhood memory?

7. Are you a mountain or beach girl? 

8. What is one fact about you that people might be surprised to learn? 

9. What is your go to advice for young moms?


If you have questions that you would like Lesli to talk about on a future podcast, please reach out to us on social media oremail us [email protected].

Thanks for Listening. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschoolerby using the code, PSPODCAST.

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.

On this episode, Kathy is interviewed by her daughter Sarah!

Sarah asks her mom the following questions:

1. Let’s start with our family. Tell everyone about our big, crazy family 

2. Have you always liked children?

3. When did you know you wanted to work with children?

4. Who were the big influencers for your life and career?

5. What did you do before you wrote books with Mrs. Lesli?

6. What is your favorite childhood memory?

7. Are you a mountain or beach girl? 

8. What is one fact about you that people might be surprised to learn? 

9. What is your go to advice for young moms?

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on Instagram.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.

We hope you enjoy this recording from our recent webinar with Jennifer Wilmouth and Kelsey Ondreziek from Grow Counseling. We asked for their help with some questions about these tough times and they had some amazing answers. 

1.    We know that stress can present itself in many ways. What are the ways you are seeing Covid-19 (and everything that goes with it) stress out moms, children, and families?

 2.    We know that children of different ages process things differently. Can you walk us through the ages and stages of dealing with something like this?

 3.    What language do you suggest parents use with younger children to explain what is happening?

 4.    Do you have any advice for moms of teenagers who feel invincible and don’t see the seriousness of socially distancing? 

 5.    What advice do you have for talking to children if someone they love is sick and in the hospital?

 6.    What advice do you have for moms as they are helping their children deal with this higher level of stress? 

 7.    What do you think is the best way to create a safe and calm space during this time?

 8.    We see that you have some videos posted on your resource page, which ones would you suggest for moms of young children?

 9.    You also recommend Self-care Bingo on your resource page.  Tell us more about that.

 10.  Tell us about some of the other resources you are offering to families during this time?

 11.  If children are struggling, can they start a counseling relationship right now, or will they have to wait to see a counselor in the office?

 12.  How do you explain to kids why you are making them miss out on things when others they know are not socially distancing themselves.?

Check out the many resources from Grow counseling, including their blog, podcast, and  Self-Care Bingo. 

 Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know. Just email us [email protected]or shoot us a message on social media. 

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschoolerby using the code, PSPODCAST.

For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at [email protected] or shoot us a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, PSPODCAST.