and Author Nell Regan Kartychok
My primary goal is to make daily life, parenting, and educating children more meaningful and fun for everyone! That's why I named this website Rhythms of Play.
In music, rhythm is the framework for organizing notes to create a harmonious whole. Rhythm is also an essential aspect of "the force" or energy (Nwyfre, Prana, Chi, Qi) that keeps our hearts beating, our breath moving in and out, the sun rising and setting, and the seasons changing year after year.
We can also use rhythm to help manage the to-do list, build healthy habits, achieve goals, care for and educate children, and create the space and freedom everyone craves to breathe and be present.
Because young children learn best through play, and rhythm consists of the daily and weekly habits or routines we complete as we move through each day. I like to think of parenthood as the time we spend guiding our children through the rhythms of their youth—Rhythms of Play.
With over 30 years of experience working with parents and children from infants to teens, I'm here to help you raise and educate creative, self-sufficient, outdoor kids AND create a life you LOVE–one rhythm at a time!
"If life is a school, the world is our playground!" ~Nell Regan Kartychok
I am the creator, author, photographer, craft engineer, and DIY maven who brings innovative projects and activities to life on the Rhythms of Play website. My extraordinary daughter, Charlie, is my primary source of inspiration. You can see her growing up in the images and videos throughout this website.
She is the brave child who demonstrates how to do various nature activities and projects in several photo and video tutorials for the art, craft, and DIY projects we share on Rhythms of Play, such as our fingerprint magnets.
Her effervescent spirit inspires me daily to shine brighter and help create a better world. She also assists me in developing new activities and arts and crafts that we turn into outdoor activity lessons and fun DIY project tutorials so you and your family (or students) can enjoy them, too!
Before I created this website, Rhythms of Play, I enjoyed several jobs, including working as an au pair (I was a nanny when I went through graduate school), child-care specialist (my husband and I owned and operated a daycare), teacher, sports coach, personal trainer, life coach, yoga instructor and therapist, and ocean lifeguard, Junior Lifeguard, and Water Program Instructor for the LACO Fire Department.
I even worked as an actor off and on throughout my life. But of all my dream jobs, my favorite is educating children and helping people achieve their personal best. For me, these are ultimately the same thing. Although working as a real-life Baywatch babe for twenty summers was fun. I prefer inspiring people of all ages to reach their highest potential (and enjoy life to its fullest while doing it), which is even more rewarding!
I am a student for life and love learning! I am always reading, researching, and taking courses for personal and professional development. "The moment you stop learning is the moment you start dying." ~NRK I earned each of the degrees and certifications listed below under my maiden name, Nell Regan.
B.Sc. Kinesiology 1994 - CSUN
M.A. Spiritual Psychology 2003 - USM
Doctor of Philosophy in Transpersonal Psychology 2007 - SOFIA University
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA
Yoga Instructor - YA500
Certified Yoga Therapist - PRYT
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - NREMT
While most of my family remains behind the scenes, my daughter is the sweet little blonde girl climbing in this photograph and running through the photos on this website with her bare feet and gorgeous smile.
Unless otherwise stated, each of the art, craft, and DIY tutorials on Rhythms of Play is invented, created, written, photographed, filmed, and edited by me, Nell Regan Kartychok. My husband, Nick Kartychok, and our daughter, Charlize Kartychok, sometimes assist me in creating the project tutorials available on the Rhythms of Play website.
I love sharing arts, crafts, DIY projects, and simple activities that make daily life, parenting, and educating children at home or in the classroom more meaningful and fun. I also enjoy helping caregivers and families (including my own) develop rhythms and routines that nurture connection, keep essential tasks in order, and allow the whole family to THRIVE! The QuickStart Weekly Planning Guide provides the roadmap and the tools to help you create space in your day to relax and enjoy life!
Social Media Profiles: The first four icons below lead to the Rhythms of Play website's social media profiles, while the final two lead to the public social profiles of author Nell Regan Kartychok.
Grab our FREE Guide!
Our FREE QuickStart Weekly Planning Guide will help you create rhythms and routines that allow everyone to thrive!
We believe in the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination, learning through play, making this world a greener place to live, getting outside in all seasons, and co-creating a life you love one rhythm at a time!