Month: August 2020

Uncategorized

Transforming the Bedtime Sleep Routine with Dr. Sarah Mitchell

Episode Information

In this week’s episode of the Parent Pod Podcast, we are talking to Dr. Sarah Mitchell of Helping Babies Sleep about all things sleep training, or as she would say “sleep teaching.”

Dr. Sarah Mitchell is a chiropractor by training but found her true calling as a sleep consultant when her first child just.would.not.sleep.  Since 2013 she’s empowered thousands of parents to teach their little ones to sleep and enjoy their parenting journey to the fullest.  

She’s the owner of Helping Babies Sleep.  She’s also on a mission to change the dialogue away from “sleep training” to “sleep teaching” to be more reflective of what’s happening when shaping behavior.

Dr. Sarah is a proud member of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.  She is currently contributing to research at San Jose State University on the efficacy of her sleep teaching coaching and the effect of sleep teaching on maternal anxiety.   Originally from Ottawa, Ontario Canada, Sarah resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, son and daughter.  She wants you to know you can be loving, attached and well-rested.

Learn more about Dr. Mitchell at https://www.helpingbabiessleep.com/

About

The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.

Tips, Tips For Moms, Uncategorized

Transform Your Home for Play, Life & Learning

Transitioning from an actual office, school or learning center to an at-home work and play environment has been an overwhelming shift for parents around the world.

Where homes used to have obvious and defined areas for lounging and living, the lines have become blurred to accommodate for Zoom calls, and remote,  (or “virtual”) learning, on top of day-to-day life.

We’ve gathered some of the best tips for creating a co-working, co-learning, space in your home, that won’t break the bank or require you to overload your home with tons of furniture.

Create Boundaries
Giving your play area boundaries not only helps to keep toys and objects in their proper space, but it gives your child the impression that they have a special part of your home or living room that is all theirs.

Use Containers & Cabinets to Conceal Items
Just because you aren’t likely to have company at this time, doesn’t mean you should forgo the cleaning and organizing you would typically undertake. Using a cabinet, cloth baskets or a shelf will keep things like toys, papers, work-out gear, and virtual class tools out of sight when you want to enjoy your living space.

Repurpose Everyday Items for Learning 
Believe it or not there are tons of items you can find around your home that are perfect for learning. Things like q-tips, sponges, balls, and disposable dixie cups can be used for art and science projects. 

Set Defined Working and Learning Hours for Your Space
One of the biggest hurdles that working parents and little learners have had in recent months has been how to keep a routine in what seems to be a routine-less world.

Our advice: treat your day, and your space just like you would if you were in a routine. If you are supposed to be in a class or in a meeting at a specific time, commit your space to those things at their assigned time.

Once those things would typically end, leave the space accordingly. So, for example, if you would typically be at a desk at 8am, get out of bed and sit at your desk or table at 8. If your baby has a class, get your virtual space set up, and when the class is over – put away any class related items. 

Although it appears that life won’t be back to “normal” anytime soon, at least we can find ways to make our day-to-day life more manageable. 

Hang in there, mama!

 

 

Uncategorized

Transformative Meditation and Music for Kids with Composer Murray Hidary

Episode Information

In this week’s episode of the Parent Pod Podcast, we are talking to Composer Murray Hidary about the many benefits of meditation and music for children.

Murray Hidary is a multi-disciplinary, creative visionary and tech pioneer who started his first company at 22 years old, after studying Music and Composition at NYU.

Murray’s success as an early Internet entrepreneur, starting in 1994, sprung from his innate sense that creating networks and platforms for connection amongst people could both elevate productivity and consciousness.

This purpose-driven approach to the Internet’s power garnered Murray considerable business success, including EarthWeb’s groundbreaking IPO in 1998, which was the third largest single day share gain in NASDAQ history at the time, and the growth and sale of several more companies including career site Dice and expert network Vista Research. In addition to his robust career in tech, Murray is an acclaimed photographer, composer, and musician with a voracious appetite for ongoing learning and adventure.

Murray has studied theoretical physics extensively; trained in the study of Aikido and the Shakuhachi (the Japanese bamboo flute) and its ancient music tradition of the Zen monks with some of the greatest teachers. Additionally, he journeyed the globe mindfully connecting with the fundamental elements that surround us. In an effort to gain deeper understanding of himself and of nature, Murray sought out experiences to simultaneously challenge and test himself physically and mentally as well as give him perspectives of natures core elements including water, rock and wind.

Learn more about Murray at https://www.murrayhidary.com/

About

The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.

Uncategorized

Transforming and Personalizing the Perfect Play Space with Mona Singhal

Episode Information

In this week’s episode of the Parent Pod Podcast, we are talking to Mona Singhal of Spark Wonder about ways to transform your child’s play space.

Mona completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University, Teachers College. She went on to complete an Advance Certification in Special Education from Fordham University. She began her career as a preschool teacher and taught at schools all over New York City.

Mona later became an Educational Director and Preschool Program Director where she developed curriculum and trained teachers on the importance of play and parent partnerships. Mona is also a Certified Yoga Instructor and integrates mindful practices into all aspects of education.

Learn more about Spark Wonder at https://www.spark-wonder.com/.

About

The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.

Uncategorized

Transforming the Typical Toddler Diet with Dr.Yami

Episode Information

In this week’s episode of the Parent Pod Podcast, we are discussing How to Transform Your Toddler’s Diet with Dr. Yami.

Dr. Yami is a board-certified pediatrician, certified lifestyle medicine physician, national board-certified health and wellness coach, author, podcast host and professional speaker. A passionate promoter of healthy lifestyles, especially the power of plant-based diets for the prevention of chronic disease, she founded VeggieFitKids.com where she provides information on plant-based diets for children. She also hosts the podcast Veggie Doctor Radio. She obtained a certificate in plant-based nutrition, is a certified Food for Life Instructor, and a Jack Canfield Success Principles Certified Trainer. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Yami owns Nourish Wellness, a pediatric micro-practice in Yakima, WA where she lives with her husband and two active sons. Her book is entitled “A Parent’s Guide to Intuitive Eating: How to Raise Kids Who Love to Eat Healthy”

Learn more at www.DoctorYami.com.

About

The Parent Pod podcast by Gymboree Play & Music is a weekly conversation that features various experts who are willing to share helpful tips for parents and grandparents on how to support their little ones during the first five years of life. Our podcast drives conversations around early childhood development and parenting strategies, with topics ranging from sleep training, and minimalist living to maternal mental health and postpartum depression.

Visit us online:

 www.gymboreeclasses.com

Book Recommendations, Uncategorized

Transformations: August Book Recommendations!

August Book Graphic

This month’s book recommendation’s focus is on Transformations!

At Gymboree Play & Music, we actively foster and encourage positive attitudes towards embracing change. Transitions can be hard for your little ones, as they crave the predictability of routines.

Our August Book Recommendations focus on transformations, whether it is a new addition to the family, moving to a new home, or just simply reaching those developmental milestones.

I am Big Bro

I am a Big Brother/Sister
By Caroline Jayne Church
With the arrival of a new baby comes many transitions. Sometimes new Big Brothers and Big Sisters need a little help adjusting to a new family situation. This sweet story will help prepare little ones for the arrival of a new sibling.

A busy year

A Busy Year
By Leo Lionni
Written by four-time Caldecott Honor author-artist Leo Lionni, this story celebrates the ever-changing rhythms of nature. Two little field mice meet a tree named Woody who lives nearby, and the three quickly become friends. Month by month, throughout the whole year, the field mice visit their tree friend and discover the how nature transitions with each season.

Once I was a Pollywog

Once I Was a Pollywog
By Douglas Florian and Barbara Bakos
Once I was a pollywog, now I am a frog. Once I was a piglet, but now I am a hog. Growing up is all about transformation. Discover what each of these baby animals will become when they grow up!

Bunny Bungalow

Bunny Bungalow
By Cynthia Rylant and Nancy Hayashi
Moving to a new place can be a big transition, but there’s always a way to make your house feel like home. Follow a family of bunnies as they decorate their new bungalow, transforming it into a home that is all their own.

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
By Eric Litwin and James Dean
Pete the Cat is enjoying the day, taking a walk and wearing his brand-new white shoes. As he walks down the street, his shoes change from white to blue to brown to WET after stepping in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other messes. But does Pete cry? Goodness no! Pete teaches us that no matter what transitions life throws at us, we can keep our cool and go with the flow.

For more story time fun, visit our Gymboree Play & Music YouTube channel where our teachers will take you on different adventures such as:
Story Time, Play Time Fun, and Art & Music Activities!
Through these videos your little one will be engaged in play, building crucial skills to support a lifetime of learning! 

Get your daily dose of fun!