Getting to Know Our Team: Meet Amanda!

GETTING TO KNOW OUR TEAM:

MEET AMANDA!

How many children do you have and how old are they?

I have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. My daughter, Elli, is 19 months and full of joyful curiosity; my son, Flynn, is 3 months old and just beginning to be fascinated by the world around him.  

What is your professional background?

I am a certified teacher that has taught a PUF-funded preschool program in Edmonton-area for many years and I am passionate about play! Play is how children learn, it is their 'work' and their joy. Being an early childhood and special needs expert I have seen the power of intentional play in my classroom for years. By using developmentally appropriate toys and materials play can help children reach their goals, be they social/emotional, academic, speech/language, fine or gross motor. I have spent several years working with OTs, PTs, SLPs and psychologists developing behaviour plans and IPPs for young children; then designing play based curriculum to help them meet their goals.

What is your personal PLAY philosophy?

Play is necessary, for all of us, no matter our age, we need to play. Play engages our brain like nothing else. It engages our spirit, imagination and heart.

Why did you choose Discovery Toys?

When I was teaching we used quite a few Discovery Toys and games in our program. Not only were they fun and engaging, they were durable! Those toys and games were used by about 100 kids each school year, for several years and they were still like new. The only things we eventually had to replace were the cardboard boxes they came in and any pieces that were inevitably lost after going through that many hands.

What is your favourite toy and why?

Busy Bugs and Busy Farm are my favourite. You can do SO much with them! I have used them in imaginative play, sorting, patterning, matching, in sensory bins and more. They are so versatile.

What is the one piece of advice you have for parents who are working on developing new skills in their children?

First make sure the skill you want to work on is developmentally appropriate. This doesn't just mean age appropriate as every child develops skills at their individual pace. If your three year old is passionate about reading books, working with letters and fascinated by print all around them, then by all means nurture that desire and use play based literacy activities because developmentally they are showing you they are ready for it. Conversely is your five year old has a fine motor deficit be sure you are choosing games and activities that are appropriate for where they are at.

Getting to know our team: MEET ZITA!

GETTING TO KNOW OUR TEAM: 

MEET ZITA!

How many children do you have and how old are they?

I have two children, and they are the light of my life! 

My son, Sammie, is a very busy 3.5 year old boy who has Autism Spectrum. He is very busy and active, and he love to try out new things. Because he does not speak, he uses his body to communicate and relies very heavily on those around him to pick up on his cues. He socializes differently from other kids, and often needs additional encouragement from caregivers before jumping into social situations. He learns best through direct, face to face activities, but also loves to learn on his own and solve problems like puzzles and logic games. 

My daughter, Charlie, is an extremely outgoing and charming 9 month old baby. She loves people, thrives on social activities and took to language very early. She learns best when she is shown how to play with an object, and then given the opportunity to try things out for herself. She loves watching her older brother play and trying out new things. When she is happy or proud of herself, she also loves to clap or give out a big "HUZZAH!" (which was her third word). 

My two children, and their vastly different learning styles, are what inspired me to join Discovery Toys and begin this blog. 

What is your professional background?

While my chosen field is in business, I have always been very drawn to working with children. As a teen, I taught both figure skating and gymnastics to toddlers and preschoolers. During my university years, I worked as a Youth Worker for our City's Park and Recreation department, facilitating play and learning opportunities for kids of all ages.  I also spent many years working in a daycare setting, focusing both on early years and on out-of-school care. Now, as the parent of a child with special needs, I spend a great deal of time researching and discovering ways to integrate learning opportunities into our every day living.  I am an active volunteer in many organizations dedicated to the betterment of children in our area. 

What is your personal PLAY philosophy?

Play is learning made fun! 

It is not an activity that should be limited to an age or even to a specific set of rules.  It is my firm belief that play should be a lifelong focus, and that adults could learn a lot from watching how their kids discover the world.  This is why I place a strong emphasis on face-to-face learning situations; not only are these health for your child, but they are healthy for you!

Why did you choose Discovery Toys?

As a child, I remember the Discovery Toys line as being among my very favourite toys. Now, as an adult, I better understand why. Discovery Toys are of an exceptional quality, are highly durable and come with a lifelong warranty! Moreover, they are selected and designed by experts who clearly understand what children need and want. I also love that Discovery Toys has made a strong commitment to supporting children with disabilities by including a classification system to help parents identify toys that can help their children learn in ways that work for them.

What is your favourite toy and why? 

While there are many favourites to choose from, I would be inclined to say that my very favourite is the "Super Yummy", the Discovery Toys infant teether. This soft, sensory oral toy has provided both my children with hours of soothing entertainment. It is completely washable, and amazingly durable. In fact, mine is almost four years old and doesn't even have a mark on it!

This toy also works wonders for my sensory-seeking preschooler who likes to chew on just about everything in sight! ;)

What is the one piece of advice you have for parents who are working on developing new skills in their children? 

This one is easy for me: Get On The Floor!!!

Get down on the ground level with your child so that they can more easily see your face and watch your body cues. Getting down beside them shows that you are actively engaged in what they are going and that you are excited to learn with them. :) 

Welcome to Discovery Toys- Kids On The Grow!

Welcome to our inaugural post!

We are extremely excited to get this blog up and to share with you the new and exciting ways that you can integrate play into your child's learning and development. We are equally excited to share with you the world of Discovery Toys, one of the most well recognized names in toys and play-based learning.

As Discovery Toys Education Consultants, we know that you will be as impressed by the quality and versatility of these fantastic products, and that you will be eager to add them into your home!

Unless otherwise specified, all toys that we use in our demonstration and activity ideas will be available for purchase. We are also available to do home parties so you and your friends can experience the toys first hand, and can provide one-on-one consultations with you to tailor your orders to meet your child's specific goals and needs, including doing IPP goal reviews.

For more information about any of our services, please email us directly at dtkidsonthegrow@gmail.com or call us at 780-757-1024.