PLAYTIME: THE SECRET TO RAISING HAPPY AND HEALTHY KIDS

My two kids (now both teens) studied and graduated from a non-traditional, progressive school, from first to sixth grade. There we learned about the importance of "unstructured play" in igniting children's curiosity and n turn, helping them excel.

As a mom, I let them play with pets, ask them to help me in gardening, get them involved in DIY weekend projects, and let them play in the dirt.  Oh yes, the playing (soccer practices) can become too DIRTY!

Unstructured play is an open-ended activity with no specific learning objectives. This category of play can range from playing with toys that can be used in various ways to an afternoon of digging in the garden. Materials with interesting textures, like sand, clay, soil or slime are often used.

A FEW TIPS TO GET YOU AND YOUR CHILD'S CREATIVITY FLOWING:

Did you know: texture play helps develop a child’s senses while engaging in outdoor activity can help boost kids’ immune system.

Get crafty! Cut up different textures such as rough sandpaper, fluffy fabric, crinkly foil and more. Create a matching game that will teach your child the different textures by writing down the words “rough”, “soft”, “smooth”, etc on a poster board. Ask your child to place the matching material beside the word.

Children who play outdoors often have better fitness levels, stronger bones, and improved social skills.

Set up an adventure hunt for your kids and their friends in your backyard or neighborhood. Let them look for tiny treasures: a rare coin, a cute sock, or a treasure chest full of goodies.

Spend a day in the sun. Whether it’s digging up the garden, creating a sand castle or running around in the park — freely exploring the outdoors can help kids feel calmer and happier.  

MAKE WASHING (TAKING A BATH) FUN!

After all those playing, your kids can get dirty. 

#MrsWiseApproved  

Encourage your children to frequently wash their hands with the Jiggly Bath Jelly. The jelly format makes it easy to scoop out or cut up in toddler-friendly chunks for easier handwashing.

It gently washes away the day’s dirt, grime, and sweat with the power of coconut cleansers that gently cleans skin and vegetable-derived glucose and glycerin that nourishes and moisturizes skin with every wash.

Human Nature 100% Natural Jiggly Bath Jelly is free from harmful chemicals like synthetic colorants, parabens, or sulfates that can pose health risks. An interesting TRIVIA: Jiggly Bath Jelly is kiddie-approved because Human Nature President and Co-Founder Anna Meloto Wilk's daughter helped make this product what it is now! Awesome right?

MS. ANNA MELOTO-WILK

Raise healthy and happy kids, the natural and fun way with Human Nature. Get your own tub in via a Human Nature branch near you or online. For the complete list of branches, log on to www.humanheartnature.com/branches. Human Nature 100% Natural Jiggly Bath Jelly is also exclusively available in all Landmark Supermarkets and in Fisher Supermarket