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These are the People in Your Neighborhood

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What does your family look like? How about the family down the block?

Guidecraft makes beautiful wooden multicultural family figurines that reflect the diversity around us.

Both my preschooler and toddler, as well as visiting kindergartners and school-aged children engage in creative, pro-social play with these chunky blocks for hours on end…

Boys and Their Dolls

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I’m a zealous convert to the play power of dolls. As a kid I was not as excited about dolls but for my daughter it was love at first sight.

Since my little boy looks up to his big sister, it was only a matter of time before he wanted to play with all of her toys, including the dolls. So we got him a Corolle doll to call his own: the charming Blue Suce-Pouce in soft blue footie koala pajamas.

He loves giving kisses to his “baby”, just like his Daddy cares for him…

Go Barefoot for Soles4Souls

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For children all over the world, a simple pair of shoes can be a gift of hope.

Soles4Souls first came to my attention when I heard that See Kai Run generously donates to their efforts. See Kai Run makes the kind of shoes that have children jumping for joy and adults wishing they came in their size. With bold colors, a hip, retro sensibility, and high quality design, these flexible-soled leather shoes stand out.

See Kai Run has donated thousands of shoes through Soles4Souls, most recently putting together an emergency shipment of 3,000 shoes for children in Haiti.

If It Goes, It’s My Favorite Thing

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My toddler son has convinced me that a love of things with wheels is genetic for some babies. Every time he sees a car he shouts, “Vroom, vroom” and claps his hands in delight.

Until very recently, though, he had a habit of mouthing everything. So, I had to make sure all his toys were baby-safe–with non-toxic dyes and no small parts.

Plan Toys has a charming new wooden baby car in a rainbow of bright colors that is a perfect, developmentally appropriate, first push car…

Baby Slinger – Just Like Mama!

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Watching your children play with dolls can be like looking through a mirror at your own parenting. Not the part where they grab them by the ankle and drag them up the stairs, of course (thunk, thunk, thunk). Rather, pay close attention to how they cuddle and care for their little pretend babies and you will get a heart-warming affirmation of your nurturing.

Children use dolls to role play and process their day. And they mimic what you do with them and their siblings.

That’s why I love the Corolle Doll Sling.

The opinions expressed on Mamanista.com are based on a single consumer user testing, and are solely those of the author. Any factual claims, including but not limited to safety testing, are based on information from the manufacturer. Mamanista.com receives sample products for testing. Paid placements, such as announcements of sales or sponsored contests are clearly marked. See our disclosure policy.