In a world full of plastic toys and technology, it can be downright impossible sometimes to avoid stimulation overload for your kids. I am guilty, as well, of using a TV, an iPad or an iPhone for purposes of “keeping Emma busy”. I don’t like it when I do, and yes, I feel a small pang of guilt whenever she is mesmerized by Dora or Caillou. It is usually the easier thing to do, but the easier thing to do is not always the right thing to do. Now that the weather is a bit cooler (those who live where I live will laugh at that comment, but it has cooled off a few degrees), we have been spending some time outdoors. Emma will play in the backyard before dinner, something she has not been able to do in months due to sweltering 100+ degree temps. I took the girls for a bike ride yesterday morning and it was actually a bit cool. I scored a wonderful yellow double bike trailer from Target on sale and I’m excited to be using it, finally. (Even if it is hooked up to my husband’s bike which is more geared for a man who is 6’3″, not a woman who is 5’8… but I digress). My point is I cannot wait to spend every waking moment outdoors, playing, exploring, discovering, burning off energy, and returning home exhausted, just as any toddler should be doing. We have a beautiful city filled with trees and parks and numerous children’s activities. It really is unfortunate that the weather gets so hot and humid and prevents anyone from enjoying the city for the summer months. But you know what? It’s September! Fall is around the corner, and I can already feel my mood lifting just from the anticipation of the fun that I’m going to have with my kids. 

A fellow mom from one of my mom’s groups posted this blog entry, What a 4 Year Old Should Know, on the forum. I not only enjoy the article, but the blog it came from, A Magical Childhood. She has some wonderful and creative ideas and activities for your kids. 

Here is an excerpt from the article…

So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know.

 She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.

He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up.

She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs.

He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he’ll learn them accidentally soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.

She should know that the world is magical and that so is she. She should know that she’s wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvelous. She should know that it’s just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that– way more worthy.