Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in nashville, TN

Favorite Cookbooks for Kids

by Shauna Reynolds

April 27, 2009

Kids are naturally drawn to kitchens. It's the room in your house full of warmth, conversation, and of course wonderful smells and tastes. If you're ready for your preschooler to start helping in the kitchen instead of just "helping" in the kitchen, a cookbook written especially for kids might be helpful in the transition.

Mollie Katzen, the author of the bestselling Moosewood Cookbook, has written two cookbooks aimed at preschool aged children. Pretend Soup and it's followup Salad People are full of healthy and delicious recipes that your preschooler can prepare with a little help from a grown-up. The books do not talk down to children, are sprinkled with humorous quotes from children who tested the recipes, and include simple illustrations demonstrating the cooking steps. 

Getting your child involved in meal preparation teaches math skills, improves hand-eye coordination, and is a great way to get her to try foods she might otherwise turn her nose up at. It's also a way to spend more time with your child -- and that's an appetizing idea for the whole family.

 Read more...

Weekend Preview 3.5.09

by Shauna Reynolds

March 05, 2009

We've made it through yet another week! Here are a few fun activities around town for you and your family to enjoy this weekend.

First of all, the freebie. Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is offering free admission this Saturday, the 7th of March. They're celebrating Read Across America week with special entertainment and reading activities, but your preschooler can also enjoy the rest of the center. If you've always wanted to visit but didn't feel like driving all the way to Murfreesboro, let that free admission be your incentive.

It's going to be a great week for children's theatre in Nashville. Saturday only, TPAC's Family Field Trip Series is presenting The Gruffalo, based on one of our favorite Imagination Library books. If your child loves live theatre or if you're ready to introduce him to it, this looks like a great show.

Finally, Adventure Science Center's 12th annual Brain Blast takes place Saturday. The event is sponsored by Vanderbilt Brain Institute and celebrates all things brainy -- from tasty Jello brains to actual specimens in jars. Let's just hope no one gets the two confused.

I hope you and your family have a lovely weekend!

If you have a suggested event or activity you'd like to see listed here, please comment or email me at beingsavvynashville@savvysource.com .

 Read more...

Read Across America

by Shauna Reynolds

March 02, 2009

It's the National Education Association's Read Across America week! There's no better time than now to step away from the computer, pick up a book, and read with your preschooler.

 Read more...

Free Books in the Mail -- Thanks, Dolly!

by Shauna Reynolds

February 09, 2009

Little excites my daughter as much as finding something in the mailbox with her name on it. Her very own magazine and cards from Granny always put a smile on her face, but every month she receives something that makes both of us smile -- her Books from Birth selection. Every month the Governor's Books from Birth Foundation, in collaboration with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, provides her with a new book for us to enjoy together. 

If you're new in town or just never got around to signing up, you should take the time to register with Books from Birth. Every child in the state, regardless of income, qualifies for a monthly age-appropriate book mailing from birth until age 5. These aren't flimsy paperbacks; they're hardcover editions (or board books during the baby years.) They're also fantastic selections. We've discovered a few new favorite authors through the program. Despite our already extensive picture book selection, there has only been one time that we've received a book we already owned. 

Where do these free books come from? Dolly Parton started Imagination Library to provide books for children in her rural hometown. The program has spread throughout the country, including every county in Tennessee. 

Books are provided by corporate and personal sponsors in the community. Every child qualifies, but it is the parents' responsibility to enroll them in the program. Registrationcan be completed through the Imagination Library website.

Reading together is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your preschooler. Please accept this gift from the community to enhance your reading time. Bring a little excitement to your mailbox.

 Read more...

Things to Do with Your Preschooler before Kindergarten

by Shauna Reynolds

January 27, 2009

I try not to take for granted the opportunity to spend so much time with my daughter. It saddens me to think of how much of that time will be lost once she starts kindergarten. I can think of about 99 special things I'd like to do with her between now and then. They aren't necessarily things that we couldn't do after school starts, but they will be more fun during this sweet age in her life. 99  Read more...

Twinkle, Twinkle

by Shauna Reynolds

January 22, 2009

My daughter has a curious fascination with all things in the night sky. Every night we end her day by stepping outside and saying goodnight to the moon. Recently we noticed a special "star" much brighter than the others shining in the Nashville sky; it was the first object to light up in the evening and could be seen from our backyard every night. I soon discovered that our "star" is actually  Read more...

The Coldest Season -- Books About Winter

by Shauna Reynolds

January 21, 2009

Today at Being Savvy headquarters they're discussing books with a seasonal theme. I always enjoy sharing books about the current season with my daughter, but the winter books are my favorite of all. I love it when a snowy illustration makes me shiver, or when a description of coming inside from the cold makes me feel warm all over. Here are a few winter books that my family enjoys from year to  Read more...

The Best Parenting Books Ever

by Shauna Reynolds

January 08, 2009

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I started building a library of books about pregnancy. I was amazed at how many different ways authors could cram 40 weeks into 300 pages. After my daughter was born I had less time to read, but still stocked up on baby books. They were helpful -- I trusted Dr. Sears more than my own pediatrician. My daughter is 3 now, and though I have little free time for  Read more...

A Fresh Start -- Three Books About New Beginnings

by Shauna Reynolds

January 05, 2009

A new beginning. A fresh start. For adults, these are things to look forward to. For kids they can be downright frightening. Here are some books to help your preschooler understand and look forward to some common new beginnings in life. Learning To Use The Potty: Once Upon A Potty by Alona Frankel Frankel's sweet and simple book centers around Prudence (or Joshua if you're reading the boy  Read more...

Brr! When the Weather Outside is Frightful

by Shauna Reynolds

December 17, 2008

Is this going to be a crazy winter here in Nashville? Between last week's snowfall and this week's icing, it's starting to look that way. There are plenty of things to do around town on a rainy day , but what about when the temperature is a bit lower and the roads are too dangerous to leave the house? When there's actual snow on the ground, your preschooler will tell you exactly what you need to  Read more...

Drummer Hoff Fired It Off: Cannons In Nashville

by Meredith Pelham

July 30, 2008

Saturday was a historic day for our family. After years of studying Ed Emberly's Caldecott book, Drummer Hoff, my 5-year-old finally got his hands on a REAL cannon. A Civil War encampment was being held on the grounds of Traveller's Rest , the historic home off Franklin Rd. in Crieve Hall. Normally, the house tour alone wouldn't interest most preschoolers. But special events at  Read more...

Nashville Not To Be Missed: International Puppet Festival

by Meredith Pelham

June 19, 2008

I'm always raving about the Wishing Chair puppet shows at the Nashville Public Library . They're a must-see for every preschooler. But what if you could see several shows in a week--from Italy, China, Germany, and France? At no cost to you? That's why I'm calling the International Puppet Festival a Nashville Event Not To Be Missed ! This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, bring your  Read more...

Book Nooks For Tots: Best Storytimes In Nashville

by Meredith Pelham

May 21, 2008

Nashville is rich with musicians and performers. Even our preschool storytimes reflect that talent. I dare you to find any storytime better than Nashville's Public Library . Park in the garage off 7th Avenue downtown and make your way through the marbled lobby. The Children's Collection is upstairs, a sunny space overlooking a garden courtyard. (Bring post-storytime snacks, and meet  Read more...