Kitchen Goddess: It's Never Too Early...

Jean Piaget is one of the most influential and respected scientists and developmental psychologists in history. In this study I found, Piaget describes many different theories describing play, learning, and imitation.  He takes a look at Karl Groos's theory that play is a direct preparation for basic life function which was detailed in his book, "The Play of Animals," written in 1898.  "Play, according to Groos, is 'pre-exercise' and not merely exercise because it contributes to the development of functions whose maturity is reached only at the end of childhood (Piaget, 1962)."  I couldn't agree more!  This is why I choose to let Piper help me load and unload the dishwasher any time she wishes. By all means, play with the silverware holder! Slide the rack in and out!  Touch the dishes and place them where you feel they should be!  Yes, play!  Imitate!  Learn!  Cuz honey, the dishwasher ain't gonna load and unload itself.  Just sayin'...

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Foodie Baby: Whole Wheat, Cheese, and Pickle Shapes

Food + shapes =  DELICIOUS LEARNING FUN.  Don't be disappointed when your shapes end up looking more like wet mush spread all over the high chair tray. It's the amount of mush left that really matters, and these are so yummy that I predict minimal mush.  It's a blast to see which shape your baby is drawn more toward and it gives you the opportunity to teach them the basics in a fun and healthy way!  Here ya go:

~Ingredients~

Whole wheat tortillas

Cream cheese

Pepper

1 slice of American cheese

Hamburger-sliced dill pickles

 ~Instructions~

1.  Spread desired amount of cream cheese on one whole wheat tortilla.

 2.  Sprinkle fresh ground pepper on top of the cream cheese.

 3.  Break apart the one slice of American cheese and scatter on top.

 4.  Place desired amount of dill pickles on top of the cheese.

 5.  Spread a smaller amount of cream cheese on a 2nd whole wheat tortilla to act as "glue."

6.  Cut shapes out with metal cookie cutters (Press hard! those pickles are tough!).

 7.  Voila!

 8.  Your baby should be so delighted that they stick cheese on their face, like so:

 9.  And let's not forget how fun PICKLE FACES are:

10.  CHEESY PICKLY JOY VIDEO!!!:

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