Azka

ITS HERE! I’ve created these categorized gift guides to help you shop for the right things when gifting for birthdays, holidays or shopping for prime day this week especially for prime day because there will be a LOT of deals and you absolutely do not need things just because they are on sale 👀 Instead, use these lists to select and purchase quality items that are actually worth buying and gifting (and spending your money on) ☺️ comment GIFT GUIDE and I’ll send you these categorized lists with links 🔗 #primeday #toddlergiftguide | gift guide for toddlers | gifts for new moms | baby shower gifts| toddler gift ideas | prime day I preschooler gifts

I love using a sensory bin for quiet time or an evening decompress activity ☁️ It was time for a new sensory bin for the next few weeks so here’s what I put together in under 5 minutes using things we already have at home 👀 We just introduced sensory bins when my toddler was almost 3 and it’s been the right time for us. My toddler is able to contain the materials well and I don’t have to worry about mouthing either. Sharing this because you don’t HAVE to offer sensory bins right away if you don’t want to. I didn’t for the longest time and it worked 😌 #sensorybin #sensoryplay #toddleractivities #childhoodunplugged | easy sensory bins for toddlers

✨ FOLLOW and comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my new FREE 8 page guide to you with lots of great info to get started! 🚀🔥 When I started my independent play journey with my 13 month old, I felt extremely overwhelmed with what I was ACTUALLY supposed to do because something had to give - I could no longer spend the whole day entertaining my child AND still get things done that I needed to without hustling at nap time. I wasn’t one of those moms who start independent play at birth because I simply did not know that I wasn’t supposed to entertain my child all day #firsttimemom I also remember telling myself that it’s her temperament that stops her from playing independently at all. But in reality, I wasn’t giving her a fair chance to explore or time to be bored. And yes, I believe that temperament does play a role in what independent play looks like. Because even 3 mins of independent play is the start of building a long term skill that will allow child led play to be the focus of the early years! I did so much reading, learning, unlearning and made many changes that have paved the path to where I am today, and I want to share it with you - because parenting is hard enough without having to be a play mate for 12 hours straight ❤️ 🏷️ . . . #screenfreekids #playmatters #playislearning #overwhelmedmom #toddlerparent #parenting #montessoritoddler

Comment LIST for the links to these and here’s how each item has helped us in our screen-free journey with our toddler 👇🏽 Stepping Stones: toddlers love jumping and balancing and these stepping stones your living room into an obstacle course that burns energy and keeps them entertained. Wooden Blocks and Figurines: these encourage open-ended play, letting our toddler build cities and create little adventures for her figurines - endless possibilities Learning Tower: the best tool to get your kids involved in cooking or other hands-on activities at the counter—they’ll feel like a mini helper or just watch you work. No more crying at your feet because they can’t see what you’re doing up there. It’s one of the things I wish I got sooner for my toddler! Magnetic Tiles: perfect for creative building and problem-solving—watch them make towers, patterns, or even little pretend houses.It’s one of THE most loved toys in our home. Play Sink: sensory play is so calming and this sink has been used almost every single day in our home since we got it over a year ago. it helps our toddler reset and regulate. Play Dough: squishing, rolling, and cutting dough keeps little hands busy while sparking creativity and focus. Kinetic Sand: it’s like a beach day at home—messy fun that’s soothing and keeps their imagination flowing. Washable Markers with a few blank pages (or even cardboard), toddlers can go wild creating their next “masterpiece” or lists (like mine likes to do) without you worrying about permanent messes. Books: the perfect screen free activity at home and on the go. she can’t read yet ut she sure loves looking through books or following along with read aloud audio stories 🔥 I truly think having a few quality items can help you cut down on screen time for your kids. Less is more and you don’t need to be constantly buying junk to accomplish this 🩷☺️ #toddlerparent #screenfreekids #childhoodunplugged #sensoryplay #activetoddlers #toddlertoys

people often get confused when I say that our toddler doesn’t get any screen time yet. They’ll say but does that mean you don’t use your phone or laptop around her? we do! we’re adults who can handle technology but we have boundaries to model healthy use the hardest one is picking up our phones for an actual purpose rather than mindless consumption of content online. one thing that helps with this is putting our phone out of sight and picking up another hobby that I can reach for instead — mostly that’s books for me! I think the most common thing parents overlook when it comes to screen time for their kids is changing their own habits to model healthy technology use for their kids If you have any tips to share, l’d love to hear!! 💭#childhoodunplugged #screenfreekids #parentingtips

Not only do I no longer have to watch out for sharp corners, she has something to jump around on and get her energy out 🤪 if you’re short on space, the chunk might be a good option because its much more compact than a full sized play couch. and if you have a lot of space, it’s a great add on to your existing play couch! Comment CHUNK and I’ll send you the link for this play ottoman 🌈 Any questions about the chunk? Let me know 👇🏽💭 #toddlergiftideas #toddlerparents #highenergykids

Limiting screen time and fostering independent play have been SUCH game changers for us because they have paved the way for many other things — like the ability to sit with boredom, finding something to do on her own when needed and observing things around her when we’re out instead of constantly seeking entertainment. I love that I no longer have to play with her all the time and we can just be in the same room doing our own things 🥹 We often worry about screen time we get as adults, but I think many of us don’t think about how early introductions impact our kids. Screens today aren’t like what they used to be for us as kids… Leaving this impactful message from The Anxious Generation for you 👇🏽 “Smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions are not suitable for very young children. Compared with other objects and toys, these devices transmit intense and gripping sensory stimulation. At the same time, they encourage more passive behavior and information consump-tion, which can delay learning. This is why most authorities recommend against making screens a part of daily life in the first two years, and using them sparingly until the age of 6 or so.” The child’s brain is “expecting” to wire up in a three-dimensional, five-senses world of people and things.” #childhoodunplugged #toddlermom #screenfreekids Have you reduced screen time and noticed a difference? 👇🏽

If I had to keep only toy for my toddler, it would be these 👀 we see HOURS of independent play with magnetic tiles in our home and I love observing my daughter’s creativity blossom with these. they’re a must have for all kids and a great tool for cutting down on screen time! Here’s how you can enter to win a Connetix Rainbow Creative 102 Piece Pack👇🏽 ❄️ Follow @heyazka and @connetix_tiles on Instagram ❄️ 🩷 this post ❄️ Share your kids favorite toys and tag a friend who would love this too! 🧸 each comment is a separate entry so more comments = more entries 👀 ❄️ For additional entries, share it in your stories and tag me! Send me a screenshot if your account is private. ❄️ Only those who reside in a location where Connetix ships and are aged 13 and over may participate. You can check the shipping locations on their website. The giveaway closes at 11:59 PM EST on December 11, 2024 and will be contacted directly via DM by me (@ heyazka). Winner will be announced on December 13, 2024 on this post. 🏆 The prize will consist of one Connetix Rainbow Creative 102 Piece Pack per winner. Three winners will be selected. 🗒️ You must reside in a location where Connetix ships. The prize may not be exchanged for cash or any other prize, nor may it be changed or altered in any way. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. #kidschristmasgifts #parentsofinstagram #openendedtoys / toddler toys / gift ideas for kids / magnetic tiles

beautiful poem and voiceover by @thatadhd_life listening to this always heals some part of my inner child. what an honor to have so much of myself mirrored in someone I love the most #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #toddlermom

let me deinfluence you for a minute…☁️🦋 recently I found myself thinking “wow my kitchen counters are so ugly, I wish I had a beautiful white kitchen” and while there is nothing wrong with wanting that, the problem is why I thought that. I was reminded of when we came to look at this house, and I remember looking at the kitchen and thinking “I love this beautiful kitchen!” when we spend a lot of time online consuming curated content of people’s lives, we start thinking everyone is living these perfect lives but us, and we forget it’s a snippet of their lives. not everyone has a white kitchen, but a lot of the kitchens I see are that sort of beautiful. Just something I’ve been reflecting on lately ☁️👀 do you find yourself here too sometimes? 👇🏽 #motherhoodunplugged #momsofinstagram #toddlermom

Comment BLOCKS and I’ll send you the link for this amazing toy option! The question I get asked the most often is what toys will keep my kids busy for the longest time? And my answer always is the same – there is no single magical toy that can keep your toy engaged for long periods of time because it can depend on your child’s interests and developmental milestones! But what I can tell you is that the toys that will be used the longest in your home and will foster the most creativity and independent play are open ended toys 🪄 This wooden block set from @lovevery is the perfect example of that — there are countless ways to play with it for all ages #lovevery #loveverygift #openendedtoys #christmasgiftsforkids / gift ideas for toddlers / open ended toys / screen free activities

Comment TIMER for the link to - few visual timer options and here’s how they can be used 👇🏽 Visual timers can be helpful in various situations with toddlers — here are a few examples of when they can be used: ✨ Transitioning Between Activities: Use a visual timer to signal when it’s time to move from one activity to another, such as playtime to mealtime or bath time to bedtime. ✨ Task Completion: Set a timer to help your toddler understand how long they have to complete a task, like cleaning up toys or getting dressed. ✨ Turn-Taking: Use a timer to indicate how long each child gets to play with a toy or take a turn in a game, promoting fairness and patience. ✨ Limiting Screen Time: Set a timer to establish boundaries for screen time, indicating when it’s time to turn off devices. ✨ Encouraging Independence: Use a timer to help toddlers learn to do tasks independently, such as brushing teeth or getting ready for bed, by giving them a set amount of time to complete the task. ✨ Waiting: Use a timer to help toddlers understand how long they need to wait for something, such as waiting for a snack to cool down or waiting for a parent to finish a task. #toddlermeltdowns #toddlertantrums #parentingtips #toddlermom