Inhabitots | Your guide to green parenting, eco baby & green kids

The Wandering Workshop’s Toys Combine Handmade Craftsmanship and Whimsical Design For Inspired Play

by Marni Fogelson-Teel, 04/20/13 filed under: eco play, green kids, green toys, kid friendly

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Fun & Enlightening Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Your Kids

by Beth Shea, 04/20/13 filed under: eco play, green family, green kids, parenting

We think every day spent on this precious planet should be regarded as “Earth Day,” but April 22nd, 2013 is a call to action to every individual on the globe to both celebrate the earth and deliberate on how to become a more eco-conscious inhabitant. Water comprises 71% of the earth’s surface, and we’re highlighting 8 ways your kids can help save the oceans. There’s an abundance of creative activities you can enjoy as a family that will help put the fragility of the planet in perspective, even for the youngest among us — who incidentally can reduce their carbon bumprint and show affinity for Mother Nature by switching to cloth diapers and donning this adorable gPant which reads, “fill the world with love.” Super easy activities for kids to celebrate Earth Day include helping you prepare a meatless meal, and simply heading outdoors to enjoy and appreciate nature. Read our list of 7 ways to celebrate Earth Day as a family, with suggestions ranging from building a bird house to upcycling broken crayons into new art tools. Spend the afternoon taking your kiddos on a hike, or teaching them how to ride a bike. Or set up a home recycling center, using our informative guide. Once you start sorting your recyclables, you will discover there are many green toys you can make yourself out of ordinary household items. Share stories with your children of inspiring kids who are saving the planet with their resourcefulness.

Top 6 Children’s Books for Earth Day

by Michelle Lloyd, 04/19/13 filed under: books, eco toddler, green family, green kids

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Jammies Prêt à Porter Packages Luxury Baby Clothing in a Reusable Jam Jar!

by Marni Fogelson-Teel, 04/19/13 filed under: eco baby clothing, green baby, green baby gifts

Being a sleep-deprived new parent makes you do so many crazy things; so we wouldn’t be surprised if in those first-days haze, we had folded our baby’s clothes and stuck them in a jam jar. It turns out, however, Jammies Prêt à Porter actually has a long, thoughtful history. The father of Jammies Prêt à Porter founders (and sibling team) used to package baby pajamas as gifts to friends and families in a convenient jar (go Dad for early recycling efforts!). Jammies has several options for bundling baby, but since the clothes will be so close to baby’s skin, we prefer the bamboo/organic cotton combos, such as the thermal set, which includes a snug tank and comfy pants in a soothing, neutral coconut color. There’s also a creamy colored romper that includes a cozy vest made from 70% bamboo. The romper itself is 95% organic cotton and is finished with a sweet Peter Pan collar. Made in the U.S.A and available for newborns through nine months. Each jar is made from recycled, BPA-free plastic.

+ Jammies Prêt à Porter $58.00-$78.00

NAO the Humanoid Robot Therapist is Working Wonders With Autistic Children

by Lana Winter, 04/19/13 filed under: electronics, health & body, kids health, news

Meet NAO, a humanoid robot therapist who’s making amazing headway with treating children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). This friendly little robot is capturing attention worldwide, and he’s as popular with parents as he is with children.

Since many autistic children have a noted aversion to human faces and don’t pick up on non-verbal cues, there can be significant delays in the development of their communication skills. Before children learn how to speak properly, to express their needs, they communicate with what is referred to as joint attention: pointing, gesturing, and signalling the importance of something by making eye contact with the person whose attention they’re trying to get — and then glancing over at the item in question. Joint attention is of significant importance when it comes to communicating and interacting with other people, and also influences our ability to learn languages, as gestures and non-verbal expression are integral to understanding the meaning of words and phrases.

The mechanical engineers and autism experts at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee have found a way to work around this issue, with NAO (pronounced “now”), the friendly robot that can stand on a table with its face at a child’s eye-level, encouraging him to mimic gestures and follow simple directions. Researchers have discovered that autistic children pay far more attention to a robot therapist than to a human one, which can open some great new doors as far as assisting kids with their communication and coordination.

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