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The Magic Morning Basket

JessicaWilliamsCynthia Mosher
By: JessicaWilliams and Cynthia Mosher
Posted 03/01/11 • Last updated 01/30/13 • 104 views • 6 comments


The Magic Morning Basket awaits for your child’s early morning rising. He will awaken and go straight for his basket, discovering the contents and playing quietly, buying YOU a little time in the morning.


The basket is placed in the room where your child(ren) sleeps. Its contents are things from your home: toys and crafts that your child owns and has access to, but will appear sparkly and fresh for discovery by virtue of their placement.


The goal of the basket is to offer opportunities for self-play and discovery. As such, the items that comprise the basket work to this aim. Choose ONE item from each category. The idea is to create a single offering in each category (or some of the categories,) and to vary the “ingredients” each day. Every morning will render a new Magic Morning Basket.


Magic Morning Basket Suggestions:


Make-believe manipulatives: animal figurines, dolls, fairies, knights, super-heros, baby-dolls

Crafty material: play dough, clay, pens, crayons, colored pencils, paper, notebook, coloring book

Crafty material for older children: beads for jewelry making, paper dolls, needle point, finger knitting

Dream Journal: to draw a picture of the dream, the feeling of the dream, or words from the dream

Entertainment: picture books or stories-on-tape (cd or ipod)

Building/Imagination: legos, building blocks, lincoln logs, connex

Games: (if you have siblings of age): card games, board games

Nibbles: a water bottle and something simple, nutritious and age appropriate to tide your child over until a proper breakfast is served: fruit, crackers, trail mix, dry cereal.

 

To gain all the benefit the Magic Morning Basket has to offer, it is best to Set The Stage the night before, as in, “When you wake up in the morning, you will find a Magic Morning Basket waiting by your bedside. Feel free to make your discoveries quietly while momma and poppa rest.”

 

Once your child is used to their quiet Magic Morning Basket time, you may find you are able to engage your own quiet morning activities such as reading, writing, computer work, etc, with little interruption. You may even want to put your paper work in a Magic Morning Basket waiting for you while you sleep.

Love,

Jessica


New Class starts March 19! Workshop March 26! Email: LoveParentingLA@gmail.com Coaching in Los Angeles & Skype! 310-242-7081



Jessica Williams

About Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams created L.O.V.E. Parenting with a series of techniques for effective communication, deepened connection and more joy in parenting and life. Jessica is also the creator of www.UltimateParentingCourse.com with the best of today's progressive parenting experts together in one program. Jessica is a featured expert internationally on both Mothering.com’s Ask An Expert and the upcoming www.KidsInTheHouse.com. Jessica is a regular contributor to Mothering Magazine’s All Things Mothering, LA Parent Magazine, LA Mom Magazine & DailyBuzzMoms. She has been interviewed on television and radio and taught workshops at family wellness centers, schools and doctor’s offices. Her BirthKit has helped women have a transformational & empowering birth. Jessica maintains a private coaching practice in her native Los Angeles where she lives with her husband and their three children. “Truly amazing woman. I love her advice.”—Carrie-Anne Moss. “All you have shared has helped tremendously.”—Lisa Bonet. “I am experiencing nothing short of a miracle thanks to your laser beam approach.” –Andrea Bendewald.

 


Posted by: Jessica Williams
Last revised by: Jessica Williams on March 2, 2011.

Comments (6)

Mama S. 3/1/11 at 9:23am
Great way of re-framing: "Go play, I need to sleep." Well done!
Jessica Williams 3/1/11 at 1:50pm
Thanks for your comment! Yes, the basket makes it much more fun for all involved!
cori 3/1/11 at 5:40pm
Brilliant. I sure would have liked to try this when my daughter was younger--she is 6 now. I may still give it a try for weekend mornings when she's begun asking for tv if mommy wants to sleep.
Jessica Williams 3/2/11 at 4:04am
Thank you, Cori. Yes, I would recommend the Magic Morning Basket for a six year old! It will introduce the idea of quiet time in the morning, which is a nice transition out of sleep. The stories-on-tape are a great way to wean from the television; the entertainment is still provided but the imagery is in the mind's eye. Take a look at the crafts for older children as well. Thanks for writing, Jessica
Mary Frances Handbags 3/2/11 at 6:01am
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I'd figured I'd ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My blog addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
momzilla 3/8/11 at 12:30am
What a timely article! We have a little one due anyday. What a great way for me to get extra quiet time with the newborn while my older 4 are quietly entertained!
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