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From the monthly archives:

October 2007

Green Family Values: A Fair Trade, Alternative Halloween

by Jennifer Lance on October 24, 2007 · 3 comments


Halloween is one week away, and the blogosphere has erupted in green Halloween posts. From The Green Guide to Eco Child’s Play, everyone is writing about having an eco-friendly, ghoulish good time. Green Halloween has also been a hot topic lately on Green Options:

[read the full article...]

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Magic Cabin offers this delightful version of an old-fashioned folk toy for about $17.00. The Mushroom Maypole moves when wound up, spinning back and forth, while it bounces up and down. I am truly fascinated with the movement, as are both of my children. The Mushroom Maypole is rated for children three years and older, but I have found that babies enjoy staring at it and are likewise fascinated by the motion. The kinetic motion of the toy is a great lesson in physics, as children try to figure out how the motion is sustained. We have a different version of this delightful toy purchased at a local toy store, and I still think it is one of the best wooden toys for its simplicity, design, and pleasure.

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Have a Happy, Green Halloween

by Jennifer Lance on October 23, 2007 · 0 comments


Having a happy, green Halloween has been a hot topic on the Internet lately. Some people embrace the idea, and some people think it is ridiculous. My Halloween will be mostly green, with a few exceptions: the costumes and driving my kids for trick-or-treating. I try to balance my children’s eco-childhood by allowing them to sometimes choose aspects of commercial culture. Their grandmother buys their costumes from the Disney Store every year (ahh, I’m an eco-hypocrite), and this has become tradition. Cars are necessary for trick-or-treating in the mountains, as our closest neighbors live a mile away. At least we will be using biodiesel for our Halloween fun. Here are a few eco-Halloween ideas:
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See and Spell Puzzles Teach Children

by Jennifer Lance on October 19, 2007 · 0 comments


Melissa and Doug See and Spell is a wooden puzzle in which children select letters that fit into recessed spots to spell the word that matches the picture on each wooden “card”. When evaluating my preschool learning environment, one thing that was required but missing were puzzles that spell words. Melissa and Doug See and Spell filled this void in my preK environment.

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Daily Tip: Lower the Thermostat and Put On a Sweater!

by Jennifer Lance on October 19, 2007 · 4 comments

Cooler than average temperatures have hit northern California, and the reality of heating our homes for winter has set in. In my experience, most people like to keep their homes comfortably warm, so that they are only wearing a light weight clothes while inside; however, there are many benefits to lowering your thermostat and wearing a sweater. Remember, it is almost winter out there!

[read the full article...]

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Empowering Children: My Daughter’s Letter to Disney

by Jennifer Lance on October 18, 2007 · 6 comments


After a trip to a local toy store to buy a birthday present for a friend, my daughter was frustrated with the fact that I would not buy plastic toys, yet those are the ones she is most drawn too. On the drive home, she composed a letter to Disney, asking them to become more eco-friendly. The letter was entirely her inspiration, and I was quite proud. Here is the letter she wrote when we got home:

[read the full article...]

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The Perfect Gift For Baby: Luxury, Organic Baby Blanket

by Jennifer Lance on October 17, 2007 · 0 comments


When a baby is born, it is so pure and natural, yet will soon be exposed to all of the harsh chemicals of the modern world. It is true that babies are exposed to some toxins in utero and through breastmilk, but this exposure is limited and mostly out of the control of parents. What is in the control of new parents are the kind of products they use on their baby, and of course, green products are better for baby.

[read the full article...]

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Green Family Values: The Perfect Gift for Baby

by Jennifer Lance on October 17, 2007 · 3 comments

When a baby is born, it is so pure and natural, yet will soon be exposed to all of the harsh chemicals of the modern world. It is true that babies are exposed to some toxins in utero and through breastmilk, but this exposure is limited and mostly out of the control of parents. What is in the control of new parents are the kind of products they use on their baby, and of course, green products are better for baby.

[read the full article...]

{ 3 comments }