Dr. Dan talks to author, journalist, and parenting expert Bobbi Conner about the power of play and unplugging from technology in the new episode of the Parent Footprint podcast.  Bobbi Conner created the award-winning, nationwide public radio series The Parents Journal and hosted the program for twenty-four years. She is author of The Giant Book of Creativity for Kids (Parents’ Choice Recommended Seal) and Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting and the new series Unplugged Play.  Bobbi’s public radio program, audio interviews, books, and articles have been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Parade, Parents, Parenting, CBS This Morning, PBS Parents.org, and more.

In this inspiring (and playful!) episode, Bobbi joins Dr. Dan to talk about her three new, screen-free children’s activity books Unplugged Play: Toddler, Unplugged Play: Preschool, and Unplugged Play: Grade School. During the pandemic families have faced disruption in their young children’s lives in a significant way.

In this episode, Dr. Dan interviews Bobbi Conner about various creative activities, games, and puzzles for children spanning the ages 1-10 years old. Each book in the Unplugged Play series offers a wealth of diverse and active games, from solo play to group play, indoor play to outdoor play, from parent and child play to birthday party games, and loads of busy-body play activities.  Bobbi’s advice and her books will help parents and children -- especially during the pandemic.

Finding activities for kids that do not involve tablets or screens can bring joy and stress relief for the entire family:

Build a fort

Play tag

Hike

Ball or bean bag games (inside or outside as needed for safety)

Question and answer guessing games

Floor drawings on large paper sheets 

Run around outside

Dr. Dan and Bobbi end the show with Bobbi's Parent Footprint Moment and a call to action to all parents and kids: Shut off the screens, turn off the TV, and rediscover the power of play today!

For more information on Bobbi, unplugging, and her books visit:   https://unpluggedplay.com/