If a parent is ever wondering why their child comes home and says, "Nobody played with me."  Or if a parent ever asks why their child says they have no friends... this episode is for you!  And here is a handy letter you can hand to parents...

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Free Resource (5 letters to grownups on play topics)- Letters to families

We have to stop calling it behavior management and call it social and emotional development instead.  Kristen will walk you through the reasons why we need to change our thinking to provide a more child-centered atmosphere for the young children in our life!

Get on the list to be the first to know about Kristen's Play Based Learning Masterclass!  Head here!

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Kristen chats with children's book author, Allison Bakkum.  Her book, My Mud Kitchen is Rad, will be available for purchase soon!  You can find more about her book here: https://www.allisonbakkumauthor.com

In this episode you will find out her journey to writing a children's book and some easy start ideas for adding a mud kitchen to your play space!

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Kristen had the honor of recording an impromptu chat with Lisa Murphy on the topic of THEMES in a play-based, child-centered early childhood program.

Lisa is a thought leader in the play based learning world and is Kristen's Fareygawdmather (that story is in the podcast!)

Are themes bad?  NO.  Do we need to ask ourselves, whose idea was it?  YES.

Learn how to find a good balance between planning themes and listening to the children. 

Find Lisa here: https://www.ooeygooey.com

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Large body movement is not embraced as an important part of a developmentally appropriate classroom in many scenarios.  Here are 5 tips to go from "they are driving me crazy with all the movement" to "We gave them a developmentally appropriate experience today".

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

There are many rules that we have place on young children that are not developmentally appropriate in the least bit...  This is the start of a series of episodes that will break down the rules we place on children that we shouldn't.

The first is SITTING STILL.  Let's outlaw criss cross applesauce and free the movement!

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

This is a question I get all the time and one that I have spent years trying to dissect myself... Through trial and error - I have come to four great tips for helping to defend and explain parents (or maybe an administrator)!  

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Free Resource (5 letters to grownups on play topics)- Letters to families

Kristen started a child care program with zero dollars and no degree in business.  She did have three things that worked in her favor and she will tell you all about them in this episode.

NEW COURSE!  Starting An Early Childhood Program Blueprint!  

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

When did play become an unconventional way of learning?  What can we do to change this?  Kristen pondered this over coffee this morning and decided to brain dump it all into a podcast for you to sort through with her!  

As a reminder - you are OK just where you are in your play based journey.  You don't need to be where I am.  But, if you show up to learn, that is how you grow!

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Starting up a new outdoor program, classroom and need to know all things outdoor gear and outdoor winter play?  Take a listen as Kristen walks you though the gear needed, how cold is too cold and some ideas for outdoor winter play!

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Face covering:

https://www.amazon.com/HZTG-Childrens-Winter-Windproof-Adjustable/dp/B0152U4O2M/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=balaclava+kids&qid=1601745187&sr=8-8

Mittens:  https://www.burton.com/us/en/p/kids-burton-mini-heater-mitten/W21-131741069602T.html?g_acctid=208-000-6041&g_campaign=US%20-%20Shopping%20-%20All%20Products%20%20-%20Branded&g_campaignid=746511269&g_adgroupid=41557843120&g_adid=175970744381&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-906454404165&g_adtype=pla&g_merchantid=366744&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=W21-131741069602T&g_partition=906454404165&g_network=g&g_ifproduct=product&g_ifcreative=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuD7BRDBARIsAK_5YhX4X97xZmPKtgcdIJIz5TerKXvuJDYAvxm7N4x5O94iiW2uakhWa0AaAtnpEALw_wcB

Weather Chart:

https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/Files/HCCI/weatherwatch.pdf