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🌿 Welcome to Connected Through Play
I’m so glad you’re here. This community exists for parents and grandparents supporting children ages 3–11 who are longing for more connection without more pressure, guilt, or screen-time battles. If you’ve ever thought: “I know there’s a better way… I just need it to feel doable,” you’re in the right place. What this space is: Connected Through Play is about reconnecting through everyday moments, cooking together, playful conversation, shared tasks, simple games. Not as extras. But as the heart of learning and relationship. You don’t need special supplies. You don’t need to do everything “right.” You just need a little space to slow down and play. A bit about me I come to this work as a single mom who homeschooled two children, weaving play into daily life so learning felt natural, not forced. I’m also a learning engineer and gamification strategist, which means I design connection the way humans actually learn through joy, rhythm, and relationship. You’ll also occasionally see gentle ideas for using AI as a support never to replace connection, but to spark creativity and make things feel lighter. How to use this community There’s no pressure to keep up. Jump into what feels helpful. Try one small thing. Share if you want. Lurk if you need. A beautiful place to begin is with the latest Play Prompt something simple you can try today or this week. One gentle invitation Introduce yourself in the comments if you’d like: - Who you’re here for (parent, grandparent, caregiver) - The ages of the children in your life - One word you’d love to feel more often with them I’m really glad you’re here. Let’s reconnect one small, playful moment at a time. 💜
🌿 Welcome to Connected Through Play
Game Night Is a Relationship Ritual (Not a Performance)
In this community, we’re not chasing “perfect family game night.” We’re building a repeatable connection ritual, a small moment where a child feels: I belong. I’m seen. I can try. I can mess up. I can come back. That’s the power of play: low stakes + high feedback. It gives kids (and us) a safe place to practice turn-taking, self-regulation, and repair, without the pressure of being “good at it.” Here’s the Connected Through Play Ritual: 1) Invitation (10 seconds) “Want to play one round with me?” Not “Let’s do game night.” Just one round. 2) Connection rule (one sentence) Pick one before you start: - “We cheer effort.” - “We try again.” - “We help without taking over.” - “We can pause if it’s too much.” 3) Repair line (when it gets spicy) “I’m with you. Do you want a reset, a hint, or a different game?” That question protects dignity and keeps the relationship intact. Mini-Challenge (tonight or this week): Try one round + one connection rule. Then come back and comment: What did your family need most, more laughter, more calm, or more cooperation? Bonus: Tell us which connection rule you chose.
Game Night Is a Relationship Ritual (Not a Performance)
Something to Ponder
I ran across this clip from congress where a former teacher, now neuroscientist, talks about some of the downsides to too much screen time. As with any challenge, it’s never black or white. What do you think? What are your concerns regarding the children in your life and screen time? When or how is screen time effective? I’d love your thoughts and tips. More to come. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd-_VDYit3U
Welcome!
I’d like to extend a warm welcome to @Catherine McDowell, @Allan R., @Janell Bitton, @Marcus Frakes, and @Mukkove Johnson who just joined the community. This month our focus is on play prompts, introductions, and conversation. I invite all members to take a moment to introduce yourself and let us know the following: 1. Who you are and a little about the children in your life 2. One thing you’d like to explore this month 3. A favorite connected memory from childhood
Welcome!
Pattern Recipes (AB + ABB Patterns With Real Objects)
Patterns are one of the simplest “math muscles” to build at home—and kids usually love this because it feels like making a secret code. Today’s kitchen challenge: Pattern Recipes. What you need Grab 2–3 objects that are easy to repeat: - crackers + grapes - spoon + fork - cereal + marshmallow - red item + blue item (anything works) If you’ve got Cubic Blocks or GeoFlakes, those make pattern-building extra satisfying because the colors pop and the pieces are easy to repeat. Step 1: Start with AB You build the first few: A B A B A B Then pause and say: “Your turn. What comes next?” Step 2: Try ABB (the fun one) A B B A B B Kids often feel like they’ve cracked a code here. Step 3: Make it a “recipe” Say: “Our recipe is ABB. Can you cook a longer pattern?” Then let them “serve” it to you or photograph it like a masterpiece. Quick level-up Ask: “Can you make one mistake on purpose and then fix it?” That’s error-checking without pressure.
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Pattern Recipes (AB + ABB Patterns With Real Objects)
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Connected Through Play
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Calm, playful connection that supports real learning without screens or pressure.
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