Real Stories for Real Children

This is a companion episode to "Making and Cleaning a Big Mess." 

Tips for Caregivers: 

• Remember that children are like scientists - everything is an experiment. We should expect them to make a mess! If you go into caregiving with that mindset, you might find you get a lot less frustrated. 
• The next time there's a big mess, ask yourself: Is this a big deal because it really matters? Or because I (the adult) used to get in trouble for making a mess? 
• Before you prevent your child from making a mess, consider whether them making the mess and living with the consequence (taking time to clean it up, having dirty pants/wet clothes) might be worth allowing them to do so. 

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Sometimes, you might make a mess that feels too big to clean up. In this story, Javi makes a big mess and learns that he can clean it up himself. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! There is an episode with tips for caregivers coming soon! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

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This is a companion episode to the episode, "Playing with a Younger Child." 

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Sometimes we play with a baby or a younger child who takes a toy from you because they are still learning to play. In this story, Javi learns how to play with a younger child, and offer them another toy instead. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! A companion episode with tips is coming next! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

If you want to become a supporter of the show, and request your own topic, go here. 

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Some people speak one language. Some people speak more than one language! Speaking many languages helps us talk to and understand many different people in our community and in our world. In this story, Javi learns that he speaks two different languages. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

Tips for Caregivers: 

• Try using a different language consistently at a particular time, if it feels too overwhelming to speak it all of the time. 
• If you yourself only speak one language, it's never too late! Take the opportunity to learn words in a new language with your child. 
• One way to expose your child to another language is to read familiar books or listen to familiar songs in a new language. 

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Sometimes, you like something someone is doing or wearing, and you want to tell them. In this story, Javi learns how to give a compliment. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

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This is an episode for adults that is a companion to the Asking to play & asking to join story. Enjoy! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

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Sometimes, you might want to invite someone to play with you. Other times, you might see someone playing, and ask to join them. In this story, Javi and his friend Arlo practice asking someone to play and asking to join. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

Stay tuned for a bonus episode with tips for caregivers! 

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This is an episode for adults that includes tips for helping your child play gently with toys, or offering options to play rough (it's a companion to the Being Gentle with a Toy story). Enjoy! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

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Sometimes, you want to play rough, but if you play rough with a toy, it can break. In this story, Javi learns that if he plays rough with a toy, it can break, but that there are other ways to play rough. 

Grown-ups, try this at home! 

Did you try this with your child? How'd it go? Connect with us at [email protected], or on IG at @RealStoriesRealChildren and let us know! 

Stay tuned for a bonus episode with tips for caregivers! 

Support the show