For post #4 of Book Week, I have a special treat for you. Not only is it a book I think every parent should own, reading it will help you to foster a love of reading (and other learning) in your children.
If you’re a facebook friend or twitter follower, then you’ll remember how excited I was when I received a copy of my friend Mariah’s new book Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder. As soon as it arrived, I knew this book was something special. Much more than just a collection of educational activities for kids, it’s a guide on how to use both your home and your parenting to harness your children’s curiosity and turn it into a love of learning. Mariah writes, “With a little bit of information and forethought, you can play a pivotal role in the cognitive and creative development of your child.”
Mariah has a vast amount of experience in education and her book shows it. Consisting of 7 learning categories, it covers everything from reading, writing and math to becoming a global citizen. It’s packed with tons of stimulating activities and ideas but what I love most about it are the “developmental overview” sections that proceed each chapter.
The activities in this book are geared for children ages 4 to 8 but believe me when I tell you that you’ll want to read it even before the kids are that old. As a parent, you always want to know where your child is on the learning continuum and what you can do to best foster learning at that stage – this book helps you do just that. On page 57 I learned that C “reading” me every page of his favorite book via memorization means he’s in Reading Stage II. I also learned that this is a good time to start nurturing the recognition of letters and their sounds and that one way of doing this is to simply move my finger under words as I read them aloud.
Many of the projects are also appropriate for younger children (or can be easily adapted to be so). In honor of Book Week, we decided to try out the alphabet photography project from the Joy of Reading chapter. I had a lot of fun trying to come up with a personal object or experience for each letter and the finished project will be a great keepsake. Even better, because everything in it is so salient to him, the book has really gotten C excited about letters.
Before wrapping this up, I also wanted to mention that Mariah is particularly gifted when it comes to setting up playful learning spaces at home. Why is this important? Mariah writes, “there is nothing that fosters independence and inspires creativity within children more than a thoughtfully prepared environment”. Not only does she devote an entire chapter in the book to this topic, she also teaches a 6 week online e-course on the subject.
So here’s the great news. Mariah has generously offered up a copy of her new book AND a spot in her Playful Learning Spaces E-Course to one lucky reader (nearly a $150 value). Plus, I’m going to be taking part in the E-Course too so I’ll see you there!
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post along with your email address. Additional entries available for tweeting or facebooking about this contest. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. This contest will end at midnight EST on Tuesday, September 6th. Good Luck and maybe I’ll see you in class!
Similar Stuff: All Book Week Posts
{ 153 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so excited to buy this book, I’ve been following the blog tour for its release from the get-go! The e-course would be fantastic to win though, as I’m just in the beginning stages of putting a work space together for my boys. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love to take the course! I’ve been eying it for a while. The book also looks great.
That looks like an awesome book! I’ve added it to my reading list. I’ve been meaning to make something like that alphabet for my 2 year old-must get to work on that!
I just bought the Playing Learning book and love it. Thanks so much for the giveaway, I would love to take the online course in creating learning spaces.
Also, how did you put together that alphabet book? It’s such a great idea!
thanks for the giveaway!
This looks like a fantastic book and e-course! I’m psyched at the possibility to win, but definitely added the list to my to-read list.
Just tweeted about the giveaway too… @1stLoveNowLife
I would LOVE, L-O-V-E to win this awesome book and spot in the ecourse! YAY for great giveaways!
Sarah M
sslamast@gmail.com
This book sounds better and better every time I read about it!
It’s good to hear that the book is useful to get prepared for the coming stages. BTW, I love the bean box. Terrific!
I would love to take this e-course! Great subject matter, and her treatment sounds really interesting!
My daughter is just getting interested in letters. This seems like a fun idea!
I would love to win this!
So hoping for a copy of this book (or of course the e-course!). I truly need some help redesigning our home space for our girls.
info4us (at) ymail dot com
I have been reading about this book and I would absolutely love to win a copy!! Holding thumbs!!
gsetzer@telkomsa.net
I love this book already and would be so excited to be able to participate in the e-course. Thanks!
oh this is something I would be so excited about, and interested. This book looks fantastic..
leslieautumn (at) gmail.com
(no spaces)…. oh pick me pick me.. that would be awesome.
this book certainly has my curiosity peaked! great job on the overview. I would be so excited to do the course! thanks for bringing the opportunity.
christenw79{at}gmail{dot}com.
Wow, this is great! My husband LOVES to read but I don’t. So, this sounds great for me too! Thanks!
evamscott05@gmail.com
The book looks lovely and the E-Course would be wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!!
mlsaline@hotmail.com
This Book would be great, definiatly going to share it with the others at our local kinder. atnumber25{at}gmail{dot}com.
I’d be lucky indeed to win a spot in the Playful Learning e-course! Thanks for the chance!
moomama96@gmail.com
Wow, what a great giveaway!!!
Thanks for sharing!! This book looks great .. I hope I win, but if not I think I need this for my library
theresanna@hotmail.com
I would love love love to attend the online course!
codi(dot)kaji(at)gmail(dot)com
I need something like this right now. Between moving, being pregnant and have said baby I can’t seem to find my motivation to get my three year old involved in the sort of things we did before all the life changes. I seem to be having trouble coming up with ideas as well. (and I feel so guilty!)
Shared on Facebook.
Skurviee at gmail . com
I’d love to take the ecourse!!
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve been following each post on this book tour and love how everyone of you is showing something new and exciting that you’ve done with your family! I want to gift a copy of this to each of our 3 daughters so they can enjoy it with their children. Thanks for sharing!
I’d love this book or e-course!! I’d love to do this for my daughters!!
I have and love the book but would love to attend the e course.
I love ur blog by d way. Will def be trying d magnetic wall paint.
I’ve got the book (would give a second copy to a teacher friend) but would LOVE a chance to win the e-course. Thanks!
I would love this! My library doesn’t carry the book
rae _ adropofgoldensun @ hotmail dot com
tweeted it! rae _ adropofgoldensun @ hotmail dot com
Fun!
Mrsjohnson05 at gmail dot com
I have been checking out her book and it is so great! I would love the opportunity to take the ecourse, it looks like such a great class.
I would love to learn how to create a great play space for my kids! If I don’t win, I’m still going to buy the book!
This looks wonderful. If I don’t win I’m sure I’ll be buying a copy of the book anyway
I would love to be a member of the E-course! Pick me, pick me
Wow – what a fabulous book! I’m sure I’ll be buying that one!
I would LOVE to win the book and a spot in Mariah’s next e-course!
I’ve just received my copy of the book, and would love a chance to take the e-course. I keep drooling over it on line. Hopefully I’ll be the lucky winner – thanks for the chance!
I’m keeping me fingers crossed!
If I don’t win it I will have to go buy it. The e-course sounds amazing.
I’ll have my fingers crossed. 
What a great giveaway! I love your site & I love Playful Learning’s terrific ideas too
HEATHERLBRANDT (AT) FRONTIER (DOT) COM
This comment has been removed by the author.
This looks wonderful!
Emily
Eaaroach@yahoo.com
i would love to win this book!
So many great ideas! Thanks for the chance!
angiedkelly at gmail dot com
what an ah-mazing book and e-course! perfect for my creative kiddos!
themakeupgirl@ rocketmail.com
Oh I’d love to get this book.
I also tweeted the contest.
And I shared it on Facebook
I’m so hoping to win a copy of Mariah’s book and a spot in her e-course! I’m definitely adding her book to our library!
Thanks for the opportunity!
~ joey ~
perfect for my boys! they are learning to navigate their worlds while learning to flourish with ASD. How wonderful these books would be in that journey!
Real neat ideas!!…thanks for the chance
Deepa76@yahoo.com
what a fantastic giveaway! I could totally use some inspiration w/my 3 littles at home!
I would love this! (already added the book to my amazon wish list!) I have a toddler and I teach when not busy being a mommy- like some terrific ideas available in the book and course.
I would love the book and the course! We moved this summer and thankfully I have a lot more space that I can’t WAIT to turn into playful learning environments for my 2 kiddos! Thanks for the chance!
I would love to read this book and the course would be amazing!
This would be amazing! Thanks so much!
mikeandjonimorgan@yahoo.com
OH MY LOVE!!! The book has been sitting in my Amazon cart for awhile…this might just push me to go hit BUY!
Thanks for the chance to win!!!
I FB’d about this too….
I need this book. My daughter just jumped a grade and is now a whole year younger than the rest of the kids in her class, I am worried that the activities in school are too “serious” for her age and would like to give some playful suport to her learning at home. I am also really interested in the writing activites, her school is taught in Finnish but in our home home we speak English and Hungarian so we will need to do our own activities to develop writing in our home languages.
This looks like an AMAZING book, and an expired with tips too!! What a great give away! I oils LoVE his and so would my kids!!!!
This is awesome! I’d love to understand more about my child. hilary[dot]gresham[at]gmail[dot]com
I also fb’d it. hilary[dot]gresham[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to own a copy of this book! We have had our 25th day of triple digits and some fresh ideas about playing/parenting would be much appreciated!
What a cool book! I know I would learn so much from it and the e-course:D
laprochaine at gmail dot com
Shared on FB, http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150279830824965&id=603059964
laprochaine at gmail dot com
Tweeted, http://twitter.com/#!/laprochaine/status/108864662707253248
laprochaine at gmail dot com
The alphabet book idea is so much fun! I would love to participate in the ecourse.
I would love to win a copy of this awesome book.
kaos2me at gmail dot com
I tweeted about this giveaway.(kaos2me)
kaos2me at gmail dot com
I’ve heard of this before, but I’d love to learn more. Count me in! Soybeanlover at gmail dot com
Would Love,Love,Love to win this book & E course!
Marcy
princess.poppet@yahoo.com
That looks like an awesome book!and great course!
What a great giveaway. The book looks fabulous! shelliholt at gmail dot com
Oh, this sounds so great! Thanks for the chance to win!!
arasband at hotmail . com
This book sounds amazing!!! Thanks!
jndrysdale at gmail dot com
oh, i hope i win! it sounds amazing!!
sarah.k.young at comcast dot net
this would be great!
nsimpson@portlandcm.org
This looks like a fantastic book! Thanks for the chance to win. Love the Alphabet book you made for C!
tvanetti@telus.net
wanting to transform our play space…this would be so wonderful for our family.
skburnett at gmail dot com
How cool is this?!
I definitely need to check out this book. . . we have been working on creating an inspiring play space for our daughter, and I’m sure I could learn a lot from the book! Thanks for sharing! cteeobrien [at] cox [dot] net.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! I would love to share it with my children! lunamoth@mac.com
Just starting our first schoolroom, and would love to incorporate the ideas in this book!
I’m placing this book on my Amazon wishlist, for sure. And I would LOVE to be able to take the e-course. I’m working on moving my 1 year old son into his older brother’s room (2.5 year old) so this would definitely be a great time to incorporate and play/learning space for my two boys!
missy_dye_jones@yahoo.com
This looks like a book we can really sink our teeth I to! Love the ideas I have seen so far,
This looks like great stuff! I could really use the help in organizing my house to be a more creative kid environment. emily@conigs.com
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Thanks for this opportunity!
mo_doug@hotmail.com
I have this book on my wishlist! Not in our library yet. Would a wonderful giveaway. I love her blog and am excited to have found your blog.
Cheers from Darwin Australia
rikatoll@gmail.com
Wonderful giveaway! Fingers crossed!
Hoping to win the ecourse!
This looks so helpful and happy : ) Thanks!
gomeggo[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to win a bit of Mariah’s inspiration!
I visit her site often. I would love to win a class!
liveyourart (at) mac (dot) com
Am dying to get my hands on a copy of the book, and the ecourse sounds amazing!
kmk576(at)hotmail(dot)com
What a lovely sounding book! I have on my wish list to purchase shortly. I definitely would be overjoyed to win a spot in the e-course.
oh my e-mail! Sorry ANGAshlee(at)gmail(dot)com
Matthew is almost old enough to begin more structured lessons and I would love to win this e-course. Thanks for the opportunity!
maria (at) mariamakesmuffins (dot) com
I would love both! Mariah’s site is so inspiring.
nominoodle (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks for the great blog post! I already have this book, but I would love the chance to win the e-course
louise.koopman (at) gmail (dot) com
kimlessey@gmail.com
I love finding new ways to craft. Thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to check out the book and have a spot in the e-course. Looks like fabulous information. Thanks for the chance.
bixbyjulie (at) hotmail (dot) com
I have this book on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win it (and the spot in the e-course).
jasena (at) 5f-pula.hr
oh, i would love to win!
kcernick at netscape dot net
I would love to win this book – as a first time parent, I am passionate about growing a love of learning with her.
I wuld love to win this book and e-course. dawn@warrenbusinessassociates.com
I shared on facebook. dawn@warrenbusinessassociates.com
I tweeted too dawn@warrenbusinessassociates.com
I’d so love to win this book and the ecourse would just be an awesome added bonus. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
New to your blog and parent of one daughter, I’m loving all these ideas and thing out there to be even better, thanks for chance to win, cara6151@aol.com
I love play-learning
with my daughter. It is very nice time with together. 
) But sometimes are very good to have ideas 
. Thanks for chance to win. I shared on facebook. tyna99@centrum.cz
I just entered on my “intention list” creating creative spaces in my home:) thanks for the chance!
Danielle53181@gmail.com
This is a great idea!
Looks like a fun giveaway! jsklenar2977@gmail.com
i would love to win this! thanks!
kcernick at netscape dot net
What a great giveaway, I’ve been eyeing this book for a long time! gst017 at gmail dot com
Just put this book in my Amazon cart…love it. I have a lot of experience with higher education, but not so much with early childhood. This is just what I needed for the Crazies!
Oops…forgot my email address rabresch72 at yahoo dot com
This is exactly the way play time should be- fun and creative and helping the kids learn, too. Thanks for the giveaway!
mshaf23 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Love your blog and am excited to explore this recommendation.
This looks amazing!
Wow! I just found you! Love.It.
Debby
rdmata (at) gmail (dot) com
your photo alphabet book is fantastic. and looks so doable. i’d love a copy of the book and a spot in the ecourse. what a treat!
hydeeannsews@gmail.com
Glad to find out about the book even if I don’t win it. Going to start reading to my little guy and underlining the words with my fingers tomorrow! I’m also glad that pinterest led me to your blog!
jina.kim.park@gmail.com
I am absolutely making that book! That’s so adorable. What a great giveaway!!! Thanks!
lizcrewzn (at) gmail (dot) com
This is the BEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!!
Fingers crossed..
grantleaingram@hotmail.com
Oh wow, what a giveaway! Fingers crossed! anna.barefoot{at}btinternet{dot}com
Looks great! nkerwin(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi!
Me again…I shared this on facebook too.
Georgia:)
gsetzer at telkomsa dot net
What a great giveaway! I’ve been eyeing the book and would love to participate in the e-course.
Clai
claiandbrian at merrymade dot net
Just posted to FB.
Clai
claiandbrian at merrymade dot net
I’ve been hearing so much about this book lately!! I would LOVE to win a copy and a spot in the ecourse–i know it would benefit me and my kids so much. Thanks for this offer!
Sounds like an amazing book, it’s on my to-read list! Great idea for the contest, too! As an (almost licensed) architect, I’m always looking for inspiration on how to better the learning environment for my two children. brendarob@gmail.com
great book and the online course is amazing. Thanks for the giveaway. Ilumynate@gmail.com
I’ve got tricky spaces at my place! Would absolutely LOVE this!
twcctw@gmail.com
This sounds like so much fun! I have 16 preschoolers I take care of who would benefit!
ylan_roy@comcast.net
Would love this for my boys!
This looks incredible!!!! Love it all! Thank you for the opportunity to win. theheathfamily (at) yahoo.com
this book/course sounds awesome!
rzgreer (at) gmail (dot) com
Wow, the book and course sound amazing!!
bluefroggie99 AT gmail DOT com
This book and course look brilliant. I’d love to be in the running. Thanks. K.Wishart (at) hotmail.com
What a great book! Thanks for the giveaway
sweetwatercloth at gmail dot come
It would be amazing to win.
Lindz22 at yahoo dot com
I’m a big fan and would love to win the book and the e-course! Fingers crossed!
dogx88@gmail.com
Also facebooked it.
dogx88 at gmail dot com
Also tweeted it.
dogx88 at gmail dot com
Thanks!
Hope I’m not too late! Awesome, thank you!
I would love to win this!! What a wonderful prize pack to be giving away