Tag: products

Books, Parenthood

6 STEM Book Gift Pairings for Babies: A gift guide

by CaraLeave a Comment on 6 STEM Book Gift Pairings for Babies: A gift guide

Some of the best gifts for babies are books. They help their big eyes focus, help them learn about the world, and expose them to new words every day. Below, find some fun gifts to pair with some of this year’s most popular science books for babies!

IMG_0755

The product links below are affiliate links, buying from them will earn me a small amount of money with no extra cost to you. I appreciate your patronage! Also, I wrote some of the books included below so that’s a bit of a conflict of interest 😉

1. The Atomic Baby

Untitled_Artwork 82

Nuclear Physics for Babies written by Chris Ferrie and Cara Florance (me!) uses colorful balls to explain the concept of radioactivity. Babies all over the world have been captivated by the Baby University series’ bold simplicity. To go with the theme, hone those fine motor skills and soothe sore gums with Manhattan Toy’s Atom Rattle & Grasper and the Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy which are both inspired by atomic models.

2. The Atmospheric Baby

Untitled_Artwork 84

The sky and weather always grab my baby’s attention, and I describe the current atmospheric conditions to her just as something to talk about. If you or a baby in your life also pine for precipitation, this pairing is for you. Weather is part of Jillian McDonald’s beautiful and brightly colored series Hello, World! and would go perfectly with the wildly popular Grimm’s wooden Rainbow Stacker in 6-piece or 12-Piece. (Also available in pastel colors.)

3. The Microbial Baby

Untitled_Artwork 85

There is a world all around (and on, and in!) us that young ones obviously can’t fathom, but if you or the parents have a tendency for teeny things, look no further. Bacteria and Antibiotics is an adorable introduction to the good and the bad of the microscopic world and also begins to teach about antibiotic medicines. The bright colors and expressive faces on the various bacteria will be sure to engage any baby. Pair this book with any of the adorably ridiculous plush GIANTmicrobes, including E. coli, MRSA, or the 4-Pack of the common cold, stomach ache, sore throat, and penicillin for some tactile and fine-motor fun.

4. The Chemistry Baby

Untitled_Artwork 83

Organic Chemistry for Babies, by Chris Ferrie and Cara Florance, explains carbon’s amazing ability to make a vast amount of molecular shapes. Interlocking Building Disks from EMIDO are great toys to go with this concept. They can lock together to build endless shapes, and are also great for little fingers to grab and mouths to chew.

5. The Gravitational Baby

Untitled_Artwork 86

This lucky theme has two wonderful books to chose from (or just get both!), Baby Loves Gravity! by Ruth Spiro and General Relativity for Babies by Chris Ferrie. What better toy to let a baby learn about gravity than balls. We have had the set in the link since my first daughter was born and they have been a staple in our home.

6. The Space Baby

Untitled_Artwork 87

The adorable new release, 8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie, takes you on a rhyming tour of our solar system explaining the features that make each planet special. Uncle Goose Planet Blocks are beautiful, high quality toys that pair nicely with this book.

IMG_0757

Snippets of Science

Snippet of Science: Newly Discovered Elements and Uncle Goose Periodic Table Blocks

by CaraLeave a Comment on Snippet of Science: Newly Discovered Elements and Uncle Goose Periodic Table Blocks

IMG_3897.JPG

Who else has these adorable periodic table blocks from Uncle Goose? We’ve been given two sets, one for each kid, and today we discovered something was different between the first set from 4 years ago (bottom) and the new set (top). Four new elements had been named! I had no clue! (And bravo to Uncle Goose for updating them!)

The “U” words on the bottom row were official placeholders for these yet-to-named elements. They are Latin for the individual numbers in the atomic number (118 is ununoctium for 1-1-8). The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. If the number of protons is changed, you have a different element; whereas, if the number of neutrons is changed (the other subatomic particle in the nucleus), you have a different isotope.

Fun thing about all these super heavy elements is that the scientists who got to name them MADE them. We knew their existence was possible, but you just don’t find these on Earth. The nucleus is so heavy and unstable that they decay to another element almost immediately. Elements after atomic number 104 decay within minutes or less, and elements after Uranium (92) are generally not found on Earth (with a few exceptions).

Why do scientist make these huge elements if they don’t last long enough to do anything with them? Elements on the periodic table are arranged in a certain way because electrons arrange themselves into predictable groups/patterns called orbitals. Arrangement of electrons in orbitals dictates an element’s properties. Elements in the same vertical period on the table have similar reactivities. Through some (I imagine) pretty complicated math, one can calculate the orbital filling order and energies and begin to predict characteristics of these elements that haven’t been made yet. Being able to make these short-lived elements is the first step to exploring their chemistry. And supposedly, things get pretty freaky around 164.

Get your set here (affiliate link will take you to Amazon). We’ve used our blocks quite a bit. We haven’t done any science-y things with them, just building and working on sounding out letters, but they are a cute novelty to have around!

Sources:
Morss, L., et al. (2006) Dordrecht: Springer ISBN 978-4020-3555-5

Karol, et al. Pure Appl. Chem. 88 (2016) 139.

Karol, et al. Pure Appl. Chem. 155 (2016)

Everyday Science, Parenthood

Why does milk foam? The science behind your latte.

by Cara1 Comment on Why does milk foam? The science behind your latte.

IMG_0155

Oh it’s fall in the Northeast again- the perfect time to switch from iced coffees to silky lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. When I was younger, I remember wishing there was something warm that tasted as good and had a mouth feel as good as ice cream. Luckily, I’ve pretty much lost my sweet tooth and these coffee drinks have fulfilled that wish. Though espresso alone is one of the most delicious things on Earth, add some foamed milk and those tiny velvety bubbles transform it into perfection.

I was making a latte for myself one morning and my daughter asked if I could froth her milk, too. What a great idea, I thought! So these first few chilly mornings of the fall, we’ve been cuddling up and sharing some warm, silky drinks together. I’ve included some coffee-free recipe ideas for you to try with your little ones, too. It’s a great way to bond and also explain a little science. So, what is special about milk that allows it to foam?

Continue reading “Why does milk foam? The science behind your latte.” →

Parenthood

5 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby

by CaraLeave a Comment on 5 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby

IMG_0097

The first few months of my first daughter’s life were pretty stable. My husband and I were both working and had no vacation days left after parental leave, so we really had no choice to travel. But then, my husband deployed and I decided to leave work so my daughter would have more face time with a parent. After sometime alone, I decided “Hey! Why don’t I travel to see everyone with this little love nugget!” and I set off on a journey around the country with my baby in tow.

I am not the most prepared person in the world, but I am so happy with the purchasing choices I made for our year long trip. These are the products that I still recommend 3 years later.

Continue reading “5 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby” →