It's that time of year again, Back to School. Whether you are an old pro at this, or first timer, all moms could use a few extra suggestions to make the transition easier for everyone. Here are a few school-related topics that might spark your thinking. Please share any insights you might have in these or other school areas.
Lunch Box Favorites
Making New Friends
Study Skills
Gotta Have Supplies
Easing Separation Anxiety
I'm going to take a closer look at that last one, Easing Separation Anxiety. I found some tips for both parents and teachers on the A Place of Our Own website that make the good-bye process a little smoother. I have revised them to be parent-specific and added a couple other thoughts as well.
1. Visit child care center together before starting program. Let your child see the toys and and other kids.
2. Talk to the child before drop-off. Explain and prepare them ahead of time--no surprises.
3. Comfort and validate your child's emotions, don't belittle or embarrass for feeling sad or scared.
4. Create a goodbye ritual. A hug and kiss or high five, anything that can be your special way of saying bye every time.
5. Say goodbye only ONE time. Don't keep dragging it out, and preventing the child from knowing for sure when you will leave.
6. If the school allows it, let your child bring a special personal item from home.
I also saw a creative way some teachers helped one little boy deal with the separation anxiety each day. In addition to giving comfort and love, the little boy's teacher would invite him to write a letter to his parents about how he felt. He could draw, or dictate words and then it was sealed up in an envelope, addressed to his mom and dad, and put in his backpack to take home. Once his feelings were recognized he felt ready to participate happily in the day's activities.
Showing posts with label Theme of the Week Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theme of the Week Challenge. Show all posts
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
This week's theme is based on one of the comments we received during the brainstorming week. This is what Christie said:
I would love to have some ideas on helping my children get along. They are CONSTANTLY around each other, so I can understand that there is some fighting, but my younger son is an extrovert, and my older son is an introvert, so the extrovert always wants to be around my older son...I just want some ideas on helping them get along and ways to get them to play alone sometimes so they aren't always together.I know exactly how she feels, because I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old (who will finally start kindergarten next week and will finally have an outlet with kids his age). But even if you only have one child, you still want them to learn how to share and get along with other children their age when they have playdates. So this week's theme is sharing and playing nicely. I'm sure all of us would love to hear tips and tricks that work at your house!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
Seriously awesome ideas last week, everybody. I am really excited that my kids are doing better at lunchtime, both eating without too many messes and having better manners. You guys are wonderful!
Just so you know: we will be doing all of your ideas from the brainstorming session in the near future, and we will be making a few changes in the coming weeks with how we do things around here. Don't worry; we'll still be just as cool...you'll see soon!
This week's theme is exercise. Besides the playground, what sort of activities do you do with your kids to help them have fun and get some physical fitness? I have a cousin who posted a funny story on her blog last week. She stepped out of the shower to hear the television turned on. She walked into the living room and her kids had the tv turned to an exercise program, and they were intently doing all of the exercises the woman was doing on the screen. They did it for the entire 30 minutes! If that's what it takes, then that's what it takes! I look forward to your ideas.
***UPDATE** Sorry guys, I totally forgot to get Mister Linky going this week. I'll start it up now, even though it's already Thursday! ----Deneal
Just so you know: we will be doing all of your ideas from the brainstorming session in the near future, and we will be making a few changes in the coming weeks with how we do things around here. Don't worry; we'll still be just as cool...you'll see soon!
This week's theme is exercise. Besides the playground, what sort of activities do you do with your kids to help them have fun and get some physical fitness? I have a cousin who posted a funny story on her blog last week. She stepped out of the shower to hear the television turned on. She walked into the living room and her kids had the tv turned to an exercise program, and they were intently doing all of the exercises the woman was doing on the screen. They did it for the entire 30 minutes! If that's what it takes, then that's what it takes! I look forward to your ideas.
***UPDATE** Sorry guys, I totally forgot to get Mister Linky going this week. I'll start it up now, even though it's already Thursday! ----Deneal
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Table Etiquette
Well, I did something novel today. After a huge milk spill at breakfast (which is pretty much routine at our house), I decided to teach the boys about "rules at the table" from all over the world. I explained how there are different rules for different parts of the world, but some rules at the table are the same all throughout the world. For example, elbows on the table are rude in the United States. In France, you need to keep your hands above the table at all times. Then I explained that it is rude to talk with your mouth full. I asked them if they knew why and they said no. Then I shoved a bunch of food in my mouth, chewed it up a little, and then started talking (while purposefully letting a little fall out). They, of course, likened it to an episode of Spongebob where someone sticks his tongue out with food all over it (I have put a hiatus on Spongebob because of the constant quoting!). But in this case it helped, because it is gross even in the Spongebob episode. Then I explained how we say "please pass the food" instead of just reaching for it. And how we carry on polite conversation instead of fighting. And how we use our utensils isntead of fingers because using fingers is rude (I didn't explain that some places in the world use their fingers. That would get just plain confusing.) The entire rest of the meal was pleasant! Who knew that explaining "the rules" would contribute to more accomodating boys? I will remember this for next time...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
Thank you to everyone who posted ideas last week. I know nearly all of the things you brought up were things that we are either struggling with at our house, or would love to implement. Over the next few weeks we will be choosing all of your ideas as future themes.
This week I decided to do the theme lunchtime. (P.S. I know we did the theme nutrition not too long ago, but this is more specific and we want ideas!) At our house, nearly every day, we have three choices: peanut butter and honey, peanut butter and jelly, or turkey and cheese. Pretty boring, pretty predictable. I would love ideas of simple, healthy foods that my kids will eat. Also, we're having problems with keeping our hands to ourselves during lunch; just this afternoon, an entire plate of baked beans "accidentally" went on the floor and splattered to my carpet (my newly washed, newly moved into the house carpet). The boys were roughhousing at the table - ugh. So if you have ideas for teaching manners at lunchtime, those would be appreciated too! Any creative, imaginative, practical ideas, or anything that works for you, is welcomed...the time is now yours!
This week I decided to do the theme lunchtime. (P.S. I know we did the theme nutrition not too long ago, but this is more specific and we want ideas!) At our house, nearly every day, we have three choices: peanut butter and honey, peanut butter and jelly, or turkey and cheese. Pretty boring, pretty predictable. I would love ideas of simple, healthy foods that my kids will eat. Also, we're having problems with keeping our hands to ourselves during lunch; just this afternoon, an entire plate of baked beans "accidentally" went on the floor and splattered to my carpet (my newly washed, newly moved into the house carpet). The boys were roughhousing at the table - ugh. So if you have ideas for teaching manners at lunchtime, those would be appreciated too! Any creative, imaginative, practical ideas, or anything that works for you, is welcomed...the time is now yours!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Theme of the week Challenge: BALLS
When I was thinking of what to make this weeks challenge about the first thing that came to mind was BALLS! Lets face it what little kid doesn't love Balls! You can do so much with them from games to crafts! Balls can teach little ones fine motor skills to gross motor skills! I think every home has at least 1 ball right?? I know my house has so many it seems like they multiply overnight! What are some of the things you do with balls?
We play games like 4 square, soccer or just throwing the ball! Babies can roll the ball or even roll on big exercise balls, toddlers can kick and throw them, schoolagers can play all kinds of fun games! Then there is crafts; you can marble paint with ping pong balls and golf balls, splatter paint with tennis balls! So lets see how many new and unique ideas people can come up with this week!
This week we will be water bowling, and soccer, we might make squishy balls plus we will do some marble painting and splatter painting! What are you going to do?? I can't wait to see what neat ideas there are.
We play games like 4 square, soccer or just throwing the ball! Babies can roll the ball or even roll on big exercise balls, toddlers can kick and throw them, schoolagers can play all kinds of fun games! Then there is crafts; you can marble paint with ping pong balls and golf balls, splatter paint with tennis balls! So lets see how many new and unique ideas people can come up with this week!
This week we will be water bowling, and soccer, we might make squishy balls plus we will do some marble painting and splatter painting! What are you going to do?? I can't wait to see what neat ideas there are.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
My kids are becoming very interested in money. They understand that we use money to purchase things at the store, and they don't understand how "just putting things on the credit card" actually takes money also. We have quite an extensive collection of foreign coins, which we look at, read, and talk about which country each one is from on a regular basis.
I decided to make this week's theme currency, and I would like to see what kind of cool activities or conversations you can come up with. Something I will do this week is have the kids put a penny, nickel, dime and quarter underneath a piece of white paper and have the kids color them with the side of a crayon to create a "shadow" of the coins. That may be the extent of our activities this week, as we will be moving halfway across the country one week from today. But I very much look forward to seeing what you have to offer!
I decided to make this week's theme currency, and I would like to see what kind of cool activities or conversations you can come up with. Something I will do this week is have the kids put a penny, nickel, dime and quarter underneath a piece of white paper and have the kids color them with the side of a crayon to create a "shadow" of the coins. That may be the extent of our activities this week, as we will be moving halfway across the country one week from today. But I very much look forward to seeing what you have to offer!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Pretend Play: Cardboard Airplanes
I'm so excited about the pretend play theme! My kids are spontaneously very good at this. We have a plethora of moving boxes right now, and my kids wanted to turn a couple of the boxes into airplanes. My husband took a Sharpie marker and started drawing on them.
Here is the airplane. Each "wing" has an engine. The back flap has a tail. Look inside and you can see a steering wheel. To the right on the inside is a drawn walkie-talkie. But the dashboard is the coolest.
My husband starting asking my kids what other "buttons" they would like on their control panel. I'll list, in the words of my 5 year old, what some of these buttons are: the birthday cake button, just in case if you have a birthday on the plane; a pizza button, for if you want to eat pizza; a present button, just in case we have a birthday too; a cereal button with a bowl and spoon and milk button if you want that; a hot dog button just in case if you want a hot dog; the big star button for going super super fast; the little star button is for going super super slow; a worm bed button just in case you have a pet worm; and a bed button for us to sleep on; a binoculars button, for looking far away, just in case if you didn't bring any; a key and a keyhole; and a balloon button, for if you have a birthday; and don't forget a gas tank and the speed thing that tells you how very fast you are going. And don't forget the air behind the engine, to show that it is going fast.
Here are my boys sitting in their planes, talking into the pretend walkie-talkies in their hands. They push each button to make magic happen (I have eaten so many cakes, pizzas and hot dogs today). They have spent at least two hours out of the last 24 hours in these boxes. Amazing, and so much fun!
Here is the airplane. Each "wing" has an engine. The back flap has a tail. Look inside and you can see a steering wheel. To the right on the inside is a drawn walkie-talkie. But the dashboard is the coolest.
My husband starting asking my kids what other "buttons" they would like on their control panel. I'll list, in the words of my 5 year old, what some of these buttons are: the birthday cake button, just in case if you have a birthday on the plane; a pizza button, for if you want to eat pizza; a present button, just in case we have a birthday too; a cereal button with a bowl and spoon and milk button if you want that; a hot dog button just in case if you want a hot dog; the big star button for going super super fast; the little star button is for going super super slow; a worm bed button just in case you have a pet worm; and a bed button for us to sleep on; a binoculars button, for looking far away, just in case if you didn't bring any; a key and a keyhole; and a balloon button, for if you have a birthday; and don't forget a gas tank and the speed thing that tells you how very fast you are going. And don't forget the air behind the engine, to show that it is going fast.
Here are my boys sitting in their planes, talking into the pretend walkie-talkies in their hands. They push each button to make magic happen (I have eaten so many cakes, pizzas and hot dogs today). They have spent at least two hours out of the last 24 hours in these boxes. Amazing, and so much fun!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
There were several positive responses to the Bright Idea I gave on June 27 about Pretend Play. I thought making it a week long theme would give us all the opportunity to share the ideas and expereince we have in this area.
Most of us realize that planning out imaginary play is difficult, and even impossible at times. The truth is, the best pretend play is often spontaneous. I have found the only way to prepare for it is to have lots of ideas at my fingertips. The more examples I read about online, or see at friend's houses, the easier it is to immediately encourage my child's imagination when he starts showing interest in something.
I know you moms have all done some pretend play, so please take TWO MINUTES and share ideas. (Don't tell me you don't have 2 minutes, or you shouldn't be surfing the internet.) Here are some questions to get you started. Which scenarios does your child love to act out? What details have you added to extend your child's pretend play. What do you keep in your costume box? Have you made some simple homemade props? What books did you try acting out? What toys are great for encouraging imaginary play?
And while I'd much rather read what you have done, here are some other ideas I came across while searching the web.
Brain Play (pages 1-2 list benefits of pretend play, 3 gives suggestions for you to follow, and page 4 has specific ideas of props/scenarios)
Pretend Play in the Elementary Years (5 ideas for scenarios)
Still Stuck on Pretend Play (ideas for scenarios and props)
Most of us realize that planning out imaginary play is difficult, and even impossible at times. The truth is, the best pretend play is often spontaneous. I have found the only way to prepare for it is to have lots of ideas at my fingertips. The more examples I read about online, or see at friend's houses, the easier it is to immediately encourage my child's imagination when he starts showing interest in something.
I know you moms have all done some pretend play, so please take TWO MINUTES and share ideas. (Don't tell me you don't have 2 minutes, or you shouldn't be surfing the internet.) Here are some questions to get you started. Which scenarios does your child love to act out? What details have you added to extend your child's pretend play. What do you keep in your costume box? Have you made some simple homemade props? What books did you try acting out? What toys are great for encouraging imaginary play?
And while I'd much rather read what you have done, here are some other ideas I came across while searching the web.
Brain Play (pages 1-2 list benefits of pretend play, 3 gives suggestions for you to follow, and page 4 has specific ideas of props/scenarios)
Pretend Play in the Elementary Years (5 ideas for scenarios)
Still Stuck on Pretend Play (ideas for scenarios and props)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
My kids love to help me cook and bake. Every time we make cookies, they make the cookies; I just supervise. And, of course, they are naturally curious about teaspoons, tablespoons, and measuring cups; why teaspoons are smaller than tablespoons, why 3/4 cup is smaller than 1 cup (because the numbers 3 and 4 are bigger than 1!) So I decided to make this week's theme measurements. How do you teach your children about different measurements? (Older kids can start to understand fractions.) My kids were surprised to hear that a gallon of gas is the same amount as a gallon of milk. Get your kids involved with baking this week. Pull the measuring cups out, give the kids a sinkful of water, and have them pour 1/2 cup water into the 1 cup measuring cup twice. Have some fun with them, and then share your ideas with us!
***And our winner from last week's Theme of the Week Giveaway was: TRACEY!! Congratulations and please email me at LaughLearnLoveBlog@gmail.com with your preference of Balloon Book and mailing address!
It was a highly official event with my four year old drawing out the winning slip of paper. Thanks to everyone who participated, those balloon ideas were fantastic. Good luck to everyone next time. ***
***And our winner from last week's Theme of the Week Giveaway was: TRACEY!! Congratulations and please email me at LaughLearnLoveBlog@gmail.com with your preference of Balloon Book and mailing address!
It was a highly official event with my four year old drawing out the winning slip of paper. Thanks to everyone who participated, those balloon ideas were fantastic. Good luck to everyone next time. ***
Monday, June 23, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
I know everyone shies away from balloons these days given the risk of inhalation, but I just can't eliminate them from our play curriculum. It's too bad they get a bad name when usually all it takes is some correct parental supervision to make them a safe toy. And there are so many fun things to do with balloons! My son begs for a new balloon a few times a week, so we have plenty of chances to try out new activities.
Which brings me to the Theme of the Week: Balloons. I challenge you this week to share some kind of balloon activity you have heard about, tried, or created on your own. As promised I have a giveaway for your efforts, a Balloon book. I'll even let you choose:
Unfortunately, I haven't yet read any of them, but they all seem like delightful reads for young children. Maybe the winner can give us a review of the chosen book !
To make it even easier for you I have added a shiny new widget for our LLL blog, meet Mister Linky! Now you can post all about your activities on your own blog and simply enter the link to that post into the box below with your name. Of course you are welcome to continue leaving our ideas in a comment or post if you don't have a blog or if your blog is private. I'm going to say one entry per person no matter how many ideas you submit and no matter what method (commenting, posting, or using Mister Linky). ***I forgot to mention the contest closes at midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, or rather that would be Monday I guess. I'll tell you the winner in next week's Theme of the Week post.***
To get you started, you can check out another blog of mine, World Preschool Mom, it is the first in the Linky list below. I've loaded up a post with a bunch of lovely balloon ideas we have both borrowed and created.
Which brings me to the Theme of the Week: Balloons. I challenge you this week to share some kind of balloon activity you have heard about, tried, or created on your own. As promised I have a giveaway for your efforts, a Balloon book. I'll even let you choose:
Option 1: Balloons, Balloons, Balloons by Dee Lillegard
Option 2: Emily's Balloon by Komako Sakai
Option 3: Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen
Option 2: Emily's Balloon by Komako Sakai
Option 3: Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen
To make it even easier for you I have added a shiny new widget for our LLL blog, meet Mister Linky! Now you can post all about your activities on your own blog and simply enter the link to that post into the box below with your name. Of course you are welcome to continue leaving our ideas in a comment or post if you don't have a blog or if your blog is private. I'm going to say one entry per person no matter how many ideas you submit and no matter what method (commenting, posting, or using Mister Linky). ***I forgot to mention the contest closes at midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, or rather that would be Monday I guess. I'll tell you the winner in next week's Theme of the Week post.***
To get you started, you can check out another blog of mine, World Preschool Mom, it is the first in the Linky list below. I've loaded up a post with a bunch of lovely balloon ideas we have both borrowed and created.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Bright Idea: Magic Pictures
For today's bright idea, I will refer you to Ice Cream Diary, where she found a cool "new" (to me) invention on using the white crayon in the box. Click here to check it out. She's such a good writer, and this is a brilliant way to use the "broken" crayon in the box.
As for the food ideas this week, thank you to all of you who have participated! I personally have loved everything you have shared, and look forward to implementing them in our home. I can add that my kids will eat just about anything when it is dipped in something. For example, my boys love artichoke because it is dipped in butter. My 3 year old won't touch asparagus UNLESS he has a little bowl of hollandaise sauce to dip it in. Even unconventional things work; for example, my 3 year old likes apple dipped in ranch dressing. So, if your kids have a bit of a hard time eating veggies, ask them if they would like ketchup or ranch dressing or some other yummy condiment on the side.
Also, my kids don't like cooked carrots, but if I put butter and a little brown sugar on them, that will usually convince them that they are good enough to eat. And, I have a friend whose children will only eat the Gerber Graduates cooked carrots. Apparently, when she cooks and cuts them up her kids can tell the difference and they ONLY want Gerber Graduates. And they are 5 and 3 years old! So, I guess the trick is to play around with food and figure out what your kids will eat. Good luck to everyone, and please share if you have additional ideas!
As for the food ideas this week, thank you to all of you who have participated! I personally have loved everything you have shared, and look forward to implementing them in our home. I can add that my kids will eat just about anything when it is dipped in something. For example, my boys love artichoke because it is dipped in butter. My 3 year old won't touch asparagus UNLESS he has a little bowl of hollandaise sauce to dip it in. Even unconventional things work; for example, my 3 year old likes apple dipped in ranch dressing. So, if your kids have a bit of a hard time eating veggies, ask them if they would like ketchup or ranch dressing or some other yummy condiment on the side.
Also, my kids don't like cooked carrots, but if I put butter and a little brown sugar on them, that will usually convince them that they are good enough to eat. And, I have a friend whose children will only eat the Gerber Graduates cooked carrots. Apparently, when she cooks and cuts them up her kids can tell the difference and they ONLY want Gerber Graduates. And they are 5 and 3 years old! So, I guess the trick is to play around with food and figure out what your kids will eat. Good luck to everyone, and please share if you have additional ideas!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Food for Thought
I'll start with a few links for you.
First, Crafty Crow is holding a Funny Food Contest this week. Be creative with that food and see if it wins you a prize. Remember, kids love to see their food transform into something else. So getting them to eat nutritiously might be easier when it looks like this:
Check out Junior Society for some more inspiring photos.
While at Crafty Crow I saw another mom's ingenious idea for presenting lunch in a different way: Muffin Tin Monday! I love it!
And last here is a post one of my college roommates made on her super healthy recipe blog: How to Get Your Kids to Eat their Veggies! Lots of good advice that I may put into action when I get out of Fiji and decide I can live without my junk food.
Now I'm out of links and have to add my own two cents. I've had good parenting moments and bad parenting moments in this area. Mostly the latter. I forget to feed him breakfast. I consent to a spoonful of peanut butter as lunch. I regularly reward good eating with dessert. I have even resorted to playing the animal game at the table in hopes of getting my child to eat (he was usually a tiger stalking his chicken prey...it gets embarrassing when people come over for dinner or when we are at a restraunt and he demands to hear "bock-bock-begock" coming from his fork. I would suggest you don't even start down that road.) So eating is not my strong point in parenting. I have learned a few things though.
1. Schedule, schedule, schedule. Boy life is better when we have a plan and stick to it. Every time we eat it is at an appointed time: breakfast 7:00, Snack 9:30, Lunch 11:30, etc. It eliminates the struggles over non-nutritious mid-meal snacks.
2. Pull up a chair. Meals are much smoother if I treat it like an activity. No, I don't mean making it into a game. By giving my whole attention to the process of eating WITH my son, he is able to focus on eating and doesn't get so distracted. Makes for wonderful memories as well as healthy tummies.
3. Example. I fail at this. I'm the one that eats a candy bar for breakfast or moves from one snack food to the other all afternoon in lieu of lunch. I've learned to control my eating, at least in front of him, so he can learn how to take care of his body.
And somehow, with all the things I've done wrong in the nutrition area, I know I've done at least one thing right when the little guy leans over at dinner and says, "Mom, can I mix my broccoli into my noodles to make the noodles taste better?"
First, Crafty Crow is holding a Funny Food Contest this week. Be creative with that food and see if it wins you a prize. Remember, kids love to see their food transform into something else. So getting them to eat nutritiously might be easier when it looks like this:
Check out Junior Society for some more inspiring photos.While at Crafty Crow I saw another mom's ingenious idea for presenting lunch in a different way: Muffin Tin Monday! I love it!
And last here is a post one of my college roommates made on her super healthy recipe blog: How to Get Your Kids to Eat their Veggies! Lots of good advice that I may put into action when I get out of Fiji and decide I can live without my junk food.
Now I'm out of links and have to add my own two cents. I've had good parenting moments and bad parenting moments in this area. Mostly the latter. I forget to feed him breakfast. I consent to a spoonful of peanut butter as lunch. I regularly reward good eating with dessert. I have even resorted to playing the animal game at the table in hopes of getting my child to eat (he was usually a tiger stalking his chicken prey...it gets embarrassing when people come over for dinner or when we are at a restraunt and he demands to hear "bock-bock-begock" coming from his fork. I would suggest you don't even start down that road.) So eating is not my strong point in parenting. I have learned a few things though.
1. Schedule, schedule, schedule. Boy life is better when we have a plan and stick to it. Every time we eat it is at an appointed time: breakfast 7:00, Snack 9:30, Lunch 11:30, etc. It eliminates the struggles over non-nutritious mid-meal snacks.
2. Pull up a chair. Meals are much smoother if I treat it like an activity. No, I don't mean making it into a game. By giving my whole attention to the process of eating WITH my son, he is able to focus on eating and doesn't get so distracted. Makes for wonderful memories as well as healthy tummies.
3. Example. I fail at this. I'm the one that eats a candy bar for breakfast or moves from one snack food to the other all afternoon in lieu of lunch. I've learned to control my eating, at least in front of him, so he can learn how to take care of his body.
And somehow, with all the things I've done wrong in the nutrition area, I know I've done at least one thing right when the little guy leans over at dinner and says, "Mom, can I mix my broccoli into my noodles to make the noodles taste better?"
Monday, June 16, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
I got an e-mail last week from Megan:
"I am forever stressing about good nutrition and would love new ideas."Cue the blog! I realized that since we have gotten home from our trip, I have been so overwhelmed and distracted with all that purchasing a home entails, that I have only offered vegetables for dinner 3 times in 7 days. It is our job as parents to offer our children nutritious, healthy foods. So, how do you do that? What books have you read or websites have you found that have helped you? What do you do to "get" your kids to like vegetables? How do you feed picky eaters? What tricks of the trade have you figured out to help your family eat more healthfully? Please share with us.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Happy Flag Day!: Popscicle Stick Flags
We made this paint 'n popsicle stick flag this week. It was a simple enough craft to keep the interest of a four year old and match his ability. We painted 5 red sticks and 4 white sticks, and glued them onto two sticks in alternating colors. (It would have been nice to be accurate with the number of stripes, but it doesn't work with the popsicle sticks--makes too long of a flag.) 
After the paint and glue dried I made a blue box for A to fill in. We added white "stars" once the blue had dried.
We also wore our flag shirts and read the book F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison. We had picked it up at Target a few years ago for $1 and it is perfect for introducing simple facts about the US flag.
But there are several other titles out there, just run down to your local library and see what they have. Happy Flag Day!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Being a Good Citizen
I'm such a realist. I need to start doing fun crafts and activities with my kids, like making a flag out of construction paper or something. But I generally just talk to them about stuff, which I guess helps teach them, but doesn't develop their creativity.
Anyway, about this week's theme: We talked about the flag, and what the stars and stripes mean. E had no idea that at one time there were only 13 states, or colonies. So that was a fun history lesson too. We also talked a little about the upcoming elections, and who might be the next president of the United States of America (not to be confused with the president of the church, which I used to always mix up when I was little). We also looked at a map of the world, and of the United States, and talked about how there are different laws in different countries. Maybe since we still have a few days of this week left, and therefore a few days left with this theme, I will try to do something creative too. Hmmm, paints sound tolerable right now. I'm so bad. Anyone want to come help me do projects with my kids???
Oh, and I came across this today concerning a three year old and politics that made me laugh out loud. I don't laugh out loud very often while reading something. Thanks to Mommie Daze for a good laugh.
Anyway, about this week's theme: We talked about the flag, and what the stars and stripes mean. E had no idea that at one time there were only 13 states, or colonies. So that was a fun history lesson too. We also talked a little about the upcoming elections, and who might be the next president of the United States of America (not to be confused with the president of the church, which I used to always mix up when I was little). We also looked at a map of the world, and of the United States, and talked about how there are different laws in different countries. Maybe since we still have a few days of this week left, and therefore a few days left with this theme, I will try to do something creative too. Hmmm, paints sound tolerable right now. I'm so bad. Anyone want to come help me do projects with my kids???
Oh, and I came across this today concerning a three year old and politics that made me laugh out loud. I don't laugh out loud very often while reading something. Thanks to Mommie Daze for a good laugh.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
This Friday is Flag Day in the US. (** Correction: it's on Saturday, sorry!) Originally I planned this week's theme to be "flags" and see what fun activities and crafts we could come up with together. But then I realized it might be a bit too limited. (Although I am going to be doing a flag activity later this week with Mr. A.) I let my thoughts drift toward other areas possibly related to Flag Day and eventually decided on the theme: Good Citizens. It's important to me to teach my son how to be a good citizen in any community in which he lives. I firmly believe it is the duty of parents and other primary caregivers to teach children how to be active and helpful members of society--it is not the duty of schools, churches, or media. While those sources can provide secondary support and reinforcement, it is ultimately a responsibility of the family.
So how do we teach our children to be good citizens? Well, a suggestion might be to start with a short list of qualities you feel are essential in a good citizen. I found a fairly comprehensive list at Education World: Honesty, Compassion, Respect, Responsibility, and Courage. They also share some suggestions for classroom use that I think can be used at home too such as making rules together, telling stories about these qualities, and role-playing. Putting repeated emphasis on these characteristics is going to reinforce the importance of them in your child's mind.
Another route is to introduce your child to politics. For all of you in the US, it is a perfect year to start discussions about how our political system functions. Describe the duties of the president and the election process. Let them vote with you, or at least see you voting. I have to say that my mom gave me a great foundation here. She's not the type to go out campaigning, but she showed me with actions how the voting process works, and how important my vote is. Along the same lines, with older children you can start to open up conversations about hot political topics like war, taxes, immigration, etc. Of course you don't need to throw every detail at them, but let them know some of the main elements of the debates and why they are significant. Then ask them what they would change if they were president.
If the politics is a bit over your child's head, try some crafts and activities about your national symbols (as in the FLAG). Or go to your library and check out some children's books about historical heroes in your country. The most important thing is to let your child see that his/her voice and actions are vital to the success of the community.
I'd really like to hear some more detailed thoughts in this area. I tried to keep it broad so you can share specifics of what you do with your kids. Tell us what qualities you think are essential to a good citizen. Share dinner table discussions you have had. List great books you found at the library. Show pictures of fun crafts you have done. Anything! We love to hear you are out there.
So how do we teach our children to be good citizens? Well, a suggestion might be to start with a short list of qualities you feel are essential in a good citizen. I found a fairly comprehensive list at Education World: Honesty, Compassion, Respect, Responsibility, and Courage. They also share some suggestions for classroom use that I think can be used at home too such as making rules together, telling stories about these qualities, and role-playing. Putting repeated emphasis on these characteristics is going to reinforce the importance of them in your child's mind.
Another route is to introduce your child to politics. For all of you in the US, it is a perfect year to start discussions about how our political system functions. Describe the duties of the president and the election process. Let them vote with you, or at least see you voting. I have to say that my mom gave me a great foundation here. She's not the type to go out campaigning, but she showed me with actions how the voting process works, and how important my vote is. Along the same lines, with older children you can start to open up conversations about hot political topics like war, taxes, immigration, etc. Of course you don't need to throw every detail at them, but let them know some of the main elements of the debates and why they are significant. Then ask them what they would change if they were president.
If the politics is a bit over your child's head, try some crafts and activities about your national symbols (as in the FLAG). Or go to your library and check out some children's books about historical heroes in your country. The most important thing is to let your child see that his/her voice and actions are vital to the success of the community.
I'd really like to hear some more detailed thoughts in this area. I tried to keep it broad so you can share specifics of what you do with your kids. Tell us what qualities you think are essential to a good citizen. Share dinner table discussions you have had. List great books you found at the library. Show pictures of fun crafts you have done. Anything! We love to hear you are out there.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
Right now, as you read this, I (Erin) am over 1000 miles away from my current home, searching for a new home to purchase. I love the new Blogger function of scheduled publishing! Anyway, I started realizing that my kids' bedtime routine is going to be pretty messed up the entire 10 days we are gone.
Also, if you remember from a couple of weeks ago, we had a poll on the sidebar asking what time you get your children to bed. I wanted to know whether you had firm bedtimes, and frankly, I was surprised so many of you have your children in bed before 7:30. I'm pretty jealous!
So this week, I decided to make the theme of the week bedtime routine. I want to know what books you read, who brushes their teeth (them or you), whether you sing songs, take baths, and just how you tuck your precious ones into bed at night. I know that routine helps children feel secure, and I also learned (well, remembered; I already knew this) in church last Sunday that traditions strengthen family ties. What works for you, and what do you do that might help or benefit the rest of us?
Also, if you remember from a couple of weeks ago, we had a poll on the sidebar asking what time you get your children to bed. I wanted to know whether you had firm bedtimes, and frankly, I was surprised so many of you have your children in bed before 7:30. I'm pretty jealous!
So this week, I decided to make the theme of the week bedtime routine. I want to know what books you read, who brushes their teeth (them or you), whether you sing songs, take baths, and just how you tuck your precious ones into bed at night. I know that routine helps children feel secure, and I also learned (well, remembered; I already knew this) in church last Sunday that traditions strengthen family ties. What works for you, and what do you do that might help or benefit the rest of us?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Music Time!
I am leaving in a couple of hours for my 16 hour drive. Thanks again to all of you who gave me great ideas for the drive. My kids will be thanking you too...
But before I leave, I had to write just a few things about music. Having taught piano for 10 years, I know the benefits and joys of having music in the home. Unfortunately, teaching my 5 year old piano on a regular basis has been next to impossible (mostly because of slacking on my part). But there are a couple of things that he has learned that would benefit all young children.
But before I leave, I had to write just a few things about music. Having taught piano for 10 years, I know the benefits and joys of having music in the home. Unfortunately, teaching my 5 year old piano on a regular basis has been next to impossible (mostly because of slacking on my part). But there are a couple of things that he has learned that would benefit all young children.- soft (piano) versus loud (forte). When he plays the piano softly, we get down on the floor and creep around like mice. And when he plays a loud song, we pretend we are elephants and stomp around. Then, when we hear things in real life, like a train roar by or a bird chirping, I ask him if it is piano or forte. So he is learning basic music definitions.
- beat versus rhythm. Did you know there is a difference? The beat is the one, two, three, four that is even and constant. The rhythm is the actual notes that are played/sung. So we will play a song like the eensy weensy spider and clap it two times, once clapping the beat and once following the rhythm. (With rhythm, he claps each syllable of each word. With beat, it is once every beat: eensy weensy spi der.)
Besides this, we just sing. All day, every day. We make up songs. We do action songs. We find songs on iTunes to download. E has his own folder on iTunes with his own music. He gets on the computer and plays his music to his heart's content.
Every night before bed, each person in the family chooses a song to sing. Sometimes it is church music, sometimes it is action songs, sometimes it is something they heard somewhere along the way (a recent favorite is: Transformers - more than meets the eye). Then we have two songs my husband and I sing to them right before we leave the room: Rock a Bye Baby and Lullabye, which we made up words for specifically for our boys. They think this is really how the song goes.
I know I have more ideas, but I have more last minute packing to do! We may revisit this theme or some version of it at a later time...I feel very strongly about the importance of music in children's lives.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Theme of the Week Challenge
You moms don't know how happy you have made Erin and me this week!! Hooray for some readers who are alive. At my last count we had 16 different moms contributing at least 40 brilliant ideas for last week's theme (it was hard to get an accurate count since some ideas overlapped or were repeated). Wasn't that nice to get a few more ideas than just the meager two or three Erin and I come up with? That was the idea we had when coming up with this blog, to create a large parenting resource by pooling everyone's ideas. I bet every reader went away with at least one new and useful activity to add into their parenting arsenal. And I bet every mom that contributed only spent a few minutes brainstorming and then typing them up. Think of the return on that investment: 5 minutes for 40 ideas! Now I'm not doing a giveaway this week (next month I will), but I hope you still want to participate after seeing the fantastic wealth of knowledge that accumulates when everyone adds their thoughts on a subject.
Now for this week's theme: Music. Confession time again. I love hearing music, but have no natural ability in this area beyond keeping a beat. And unfortunately my home is not the highly musical environment that it could and should be. I know there is a lengthy list of healthy side-effects of music: creativity, emotional expression, improved academics, increased memorization, etc., and of course I want all that for my kids. So, my new goal is to bring music into our daily (or weekly) routine. I know I can sing and dance to silly kids songs, but I have a hard time keeping that interesting for very long. Please tell me, how do you successfully bring music and music appreciation into the lives of your children? Do you make musical instruments, play rhythm games, sing favorite songs? Give me all your best ideas.
Here are a few sites I found that might interest you:
freekidsmusic.com You can download tons of free kids music here.
kidsmusicplanet.com This site gives info on kids radio programs and podcasts.
creatingmusic.com An interactive site designed to get kids involved in creative musical play.
Now for this week's theme: Music. Confession time again. I love hearing music, but have no natural ability in this area beyond keeping a beat. And unfortunately my home is not the highly musical environment that it could and should be. I know there is a lengthy list of healthy side-effects of music: creativity, emotional expression, improved academics, increased memorization, etc., and of course I want all that for my kids. So, my new goal is to bring music into our daily (or weekly) routine. I know I can sing and dance to silly kids songs, but I have a hard time keeping that interesting for very long. Please tell me, how do you successfully bring music and music appreciation into the lives of your children? Do you make musical instruments, play rhythm games, sing favorite songs? Give me all your best ideas.
Here are a few sites I found that might interest you:
freekidsmusic.com You can download tons of free kids music here.
kidsmusicplanet.com This site gives info on kids radio programs and podcasts.
creatingmusic.com An interactive site designed to get kids involved in creative musical play.
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