Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As a Waldorf mom I support play-based learning in early childhood 100%. Delaying academics is healthiest for children's development -- both in the short term and the long term -- and we would do well to follow the lead of other countries in this regard. So all of the Skills Learned badges on the corner of the pages I basically ignored. As did I ignore the instructions to review shapes, colors, textures, left and right, counting, and the letters of the alphabet. This is completely unnecessary for toddlers! My main problem is that the activities are soooo directed, like making a spiral on a foam plate using a ballpoint pen and then teaching your child to trace the spiral (and discuss mindfulness) and then lay down dried beans and sunflower seeds in an AB pattern, ABBA pattern, etc. Why can't children just make their own designs with dried beans, or their own indentations with pens? Many of these are literally scripted lessons. Here are just a few examples: "Explain the difference between natural and man-made by saying something like, 'Natural objects and materials come from nature: plants, animals, or rocks. Man-made materials are what people make out of natural ones by changing them." "Explain that she is making a collage, which is 'art made by sticking down lots of different things.'" I also didn't appreciate the TV-based activities like first watching a meteorology report and then creating your own meteorologist's weather map. Or making a pretend keyboard (and mouse) and setting up an elaborate "mini home office" area. It was just so adult-heavy. Kids have an imaginary creative world of their own! Let's let them enjoy it! In "Teddy Bear Camping" the adult is busy making pretend stones from construction paper, setting up battery-operated candles for a campfire (and discusisng campfire safety), and making detailed craft foam s'mores. Really? Children do not need "8 to 10 3-inch craft foam squares in tan and dark brown" to make s'mores. They can just use blocks. Pinecones. Shells. Anything! I also think it takes a lot of sensory play out of an activity like a snow sensory bin (snow plus mixing bowls, measuring cups, spoons and glitter) for the instructions to state "Put some gloves on your toddler and allow him to explore the snow." Gloves? I did like a few. The "Over, Under & Through" obstacle course (although there's no need to emphasize the prepositions or time your child with a stop watch), "Sticky Sensory Path" and "Soccer Sweep" looked fun. Basically, I liked chapter 4, "Get Your Wiggles Out" the best. Pinterest is free so I see no reason for anyone to buy a book of activity ideas for toddlers. I found 900 on Pinterest with no problem. But if you really want something that will spark your child's learning, creativity, and problem solving skills, I suggest the Loose Parts series. They are fantastic (and philosophy-wise most aligned with Reggio Emilia). I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and am giving a non-compulsory honest review.