Unbelievably, my new AC adapter arrived for my laptop. I ordered it on Monday and really hoped only that it might arrive by Saturday. What a surprise to see it on my front steps today! But good surprises are always welcome. :)
Since I was unable to post pictures and did late posts, I have decided to take a break this week from the activity posts. I am going to concentrate on getting my site up on kid-daze.com instead. Then I will start up again on Sunday with the activity posts again. I will be reposting Monday and Tuesday complete with photos of the crafts.
Meanwhile, I wanted to write about an interesting discovery that we made in our home this past week. Friday was the day to pull out the Christmas tree and set it up. We purchased one of those pre-lit artificial trees several years ago. This year when we set up the tree, several of the strings were not lighting up - bummer! So, my dear hubby began fiddling with it and eventually got all but the strand at the very top to light up. I pulled out the paperwork that came with the tree to see if there were any tips on dealing with unlit strands. I read through it all and it was the last bit on the "Important Safety Instructions" that threw me for a loop. I quote:
"Prop. 65 Warning: Handling the coated electrical wires of this product exposes you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after use."
Now, I don't know about you, but I would never in my wildest dreams have considered my Christmas tree as a potential source for lead poisoning. This is especially distressing considering I was pregnant with my first child when we bought the tree and we are going on our third year of handling these lead coated wires.
I googled "Christmas tree lead poisoning" and surprise, surprise, there are a lot of articles out there. One thing I read was that the concern was greater with products made in China. (as our tree was, as well as the slew of recently recalled toys) Also, just because there is no warning doesn't mean that there is no lead in your Christmas lights or other decorations. It just means they don't sell it in California which requires by law that it is marked as containing lead.
Here is a link with valuable information on it geared toward safety for your children.
health information
Now why haven't I heard about this before? Does everyone else know this and I just live under the proverbial rock? Or is this new and disturbing information to the other parents out there?
PLEASE, pass this information along. Thanks!
Wednesday, November 28
Monday, November 26
Stars and Stripes Forever
Time to go shopping! Here is your shopping list for craft supplies:
Felt - white, green, red, and colors of your choice
Glitter
Cotton balls
Yarn - red or green
Craft Time: Christmas tree decorations are the order of the day. These are the Christmas version of stars and stripes - we'll just call them stars and icicles. Cut out starts and strips of construction paper. Take some of the strips and stack them together. Now start cutting off little bits at angles, creating paper confetti. Put glue on your cut-outs and sprinkle your confetti paper over it until it is covered. Shake off the extra confetti. Use yarn, string, rubber bands, twisty-ties, etc. to hang your ornaments. Just tape onto the back and hang on the tree.
Story Time: Read a Christmas story with your little ones. Today we added O Little Town of Bethlehem, A Pageant of Lights, published by Candy Cane Press. It is a great book for all ages. It is a board book, so highly tolerant of your littlest ones, and has light up stars and music. What fun!
Music Time: Practice singing your ABC's with your kids. Incorporate any toys that play the tune. If you have toys with the alphabet on them, use them to teach the letters while you sing.
Art Time: Repeat - this whole week is going to be Focus on Photography. Let your kids take pictures to make home-made Christmas cards. Help your kids play photographer by setting up scenes for them to photograph. How about a favorite teddy bear holding a Christmas stocking? How about a favorite teddy bear in a Christmas stocking?
Indoor Time: Hide and go seek Tag.... sounds wrong, but it is right. You have probably played this before, but just never put a name to it. I play this all the time and my kids love it! Say, "I'm going to get you!" then run up and tickle them. Run away and hide around a corner or behind a doorway. As your kids come out looking for you, jump out and say again, "I'm going to get you!" Your kids will run squealing with delight as you chase after them to tickle them again. Repeat the process until you are all laughed out. :)
Outdoor Time: Teach your little ones how to skip and practice skipping around the yard.
Felt - white, green, red, and colors of your choice
Glitter
Cotton balls
Yarn - red or green
Craft Time: Christmas tree decorations are the order of the day. These are the Christmas version of stars and stripes - we'll just call them stars and icicles. Cut out starts and strips of construction paper. Take some of the strips and stack them together. Now start cutting off little bits at angles, creating paper confetti. Put glue on your cut-outs and sprinkle your confetti paper over it until it is covered. Shake off the extra confetti. Use yarn, string, rubber bands, twisty-ties, etc. to hang your ornaments. Just tape onto the back and hang on the tree.
Story Time: Read a Christmas story with your little ones. Today we added O Little Town of Bethlehem, A Pageant of Lights, published by Candy Cane Press. It is a great book for all ages. It is a board book, so highly tolerant of your littlest ones, and has light up stars and music. What fun!
Music Time: Practice singing your ABC's with your kids. Incorporate any toys that play the tune. If you have toys with the alphabet on them, use them to teach the letters while you sing.
Art Time: Repeat - this whole week is going to be Focus on Photography. Let your kids take pictures to make home-made Christmas cards. Help your kids play photographer by setting up scenes for them to photograph. How about a favorite teddy bear holding a Christmas stocking? How about a favorite teddy bear in a Christmas stocking?
Indoor Time: Hide and go seek Tag.... sounds wrong, but it is right. You have probably played this before, but just never put a name to it. I play this all the time and my kids love it! Say, "I'm going to get you!" then run up and tickle them. Run away and hide around a corner or behind a doorway. As your kids come out looking for you, jump out and say again, "I'm going to get you!" Your kids will run squealing with delight as you chase after them to tickle them again. Repeat the process until you are all laughed out. :)
Outdoor Time: Teach your little ones how to skip and practice skipping around the yard.
Problem Solving 101
Well, my computer decided not to allow me to log on to blogger, so I have finally made my way to the library to make a couple posts. Sorry for the delay... hope you found some fun things on your own to do with your kids. Here is how the day was supposed to look...
(also, I can not upload any pics til later - library rules)
Craft Time: We are going to start with the garland for our Christmas tree. Cut strips of colored construction paper. Form a loop and tape it together. Form the next loop inside the 1st one and continue to create a long chain. I had to help my almost 3 year old, but she did most of the work herself and loved this activity.
Story Time: Read a Christmas story with your little ones. In honor of my daughter Angelina, we checked out Angelina's Christmas (of the Angelina Ballerina fame) by Katharine Holabird, from the library. The story is a good one to teach about helping others. Use your story time to not only read stories but talk to them about the lessons they are learning fromthe books.
Music Time: Sing Christmas songs. Start with "Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh..." Have fun with them and dance.
Art Time: This whole week is going to be Focus on Photography. Let your kids take pictures to make home-made Christmas cards. Group together holiday decorations for close-ups or let them take sceni shots in your local neighborhood. Does your city have a nice holiday display? That can make a great picture for a Christmas card. If you get snow this week, head out with your kids for some winter wonderland photos. Let creativity be the guide, and listen to your kids ideas for pictures.
Indoor Time: I call this game Island Hopping. Gather some pillows together. These are your islands. Lay out a path of pillows from your couch to a chair or other piece of furniture. Tell your kids that the floor is the ocean and the furniture and pillows are the islands. The goal is to stay on the islands. Have them practice walking along the pillows. Now, take it up a notch by removing a pillow and spreading out the remaining ones. Keep removing pillows until they have to hop from pillow to pillow. (this is great fun for them!)
Try teaching problem solving skills by giving them only 2 pillows and tell them they have to reach some far away piece of furniture. See if they can figure out to stand on one pillow and put the other one ahead of them for the next step, continuing to pick up the pillow behind them to put ahead of them for the next step until they reach their destination. Help them out if they need it.
Outdoor Time: Ball play. Practice throwing. Toss the ball back and forth. Also toss the ball and see how far they can throw it. Put a marker down after the first throw and see if they can beat it.
(also, I can not upload any pics til later - library rules)
Craft Time: We are going to start with the garland for our Christmas tree. Cut strips of colored construction paper. Form a loop and tape it together. Form the next loop inside the 1st one and continue to create a long chain. I had to help my almost 3 year old, but she did most of the work herself and loved this activity.
Story Time: Read a Christmas story with your little ones. In honor of my daughter Angelina, we checked out Angelina's Christmas (of the Angelina Ballerina fame) by Katharine Holabird, from the library. The story is a good one to teach about helping others. Use your story time to not only read stories but talk to them about the lessons they are learning fromthe books.
Music Time: Sing Christmas songs. Start with "Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh..." Have fun with them and dance.
Art Time: This whole week is going to be Focus on Photography. Let your kids take pictures to make home-made Christmas cards. Group together holiday decorations for close-ups or let them take sceni shots in your local neighborhood. Does your city have a nice holiday display? That can make a great picture for a Christmas card. If you get snow this week, head out with your kids for some winter wonderland photos. Let creativity be the guide, and listen to your kids ideas for pictures.
Indoor Time: I call this game Island Hopping. Gather some pillows together. These are your islands. Lay out a path of pillows from your couch to a chair or other piece of furniture. Tell your kids that the floor is the ocean and the furniture and pillows are the islands. The goal is to stay on the islands. Have them practice walking along the pillows. Now, take it up a notch by removing a pillow and spreading out the remaining ones. Keep removing pillows until they have to hop from pillow to pillow. (this is great fun for them!)
Try teaching problem solving skills by giving them only 2 pillows and tell them they have to reach some far away piece of furniture. See if they can figure out to stand on one pillow and put the other one ahead of them for the next step, continuing to pick up the pillow behind them to put ahead of them for the next step until they reach their destination. Help them out if they need it.
Outdoor Time: Ball play. Practice throwing. Toss the ball back and forth. Also toss the ball and see how far they can throw it. Put a marker down after the first throw and see if they can beat it.
Thursday, November 22
Deck the Halls with... Fish?
We are moving into Christmas mode here. The day after Thanksgiving is our day to break out the Christmas tree. With two small children in our house, I decided to leave our tree decorations in the storage box and go with entirely home-made decorations this year. So, be forewarned - in the upcoming weeks there will be lots of crafts to create holiday decorations for your home and tree.
But for today, we have a fishing theme.
Story Time: Dr. Seuss' One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish would be perfect. Barring that you own that particular Dr. Seuss, try looking through your picture books for fish. Have your kids help you look for them.
Craft Time: Today we are making a fishing pole and fish. Use an old papertowel tube for the fishing pole. (don't have one? get creative and find something else to use... a stick from your yard maybe?) Poke a hole in the end and tie on a length of yarn or string. Make a hook from a pipe cleaner for the end. You could also use aluminum foil - just scrunch and shape.
For the fish, cut them out of construction paper, making 4 fish per page. I stacked several sheets, cut them in half, then in half again. Then I cut groups of fish out of the piles rather than cutting individual fish. I let my daughter draw on eyes and fins, whatever she felt the fish needed, while I worked on making the rings. Just take small strips of paper, make a ring and tape it together, then tape on the fish.
Indoor Time: Go fishing! We found that having the hook be closer to an "L" shape rather than a "J" worked much better, but you can tailer it to the age and skill level of your child. Put the fish on the floor and let your kids hook them with their fishing poles. Give them a bucket or basket to put the fish as they catch them. My one year old daughter didn't bother with the fishing pole - she just enjoyed picking up the fish and putting them in the bucket!
Art Time: Draw a wavy blue line across the top of a sheet of doodle paper. Tell your child that is the top of a lake or ocean and have them draw and color in the fish that live there.
Music Time: Sing Row Row Row Your Boat and other songs with your kids today.
Outdoor Time: Imagination is the game today. Let your kids pretend to be on a fishing trip. They can hike along a great river and fish from the banks or get in a boat and float down the river, catching fish and spotting wildlife along the way.
But for today, we have a fishing theme.
Story Time: Dr. Seuss' One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish would be perfect. Barring that you own that particular Dr. Seuss, try looking through your picture books for fish. Have your kids help you look for them.
Craft Time: Today we are making a fishing pole and fish. Use an old papertowel tube for the fishing pole. (don't have one? get creative and find something else to use... a stick from your yard maybe?) Poke a hole in the end and tie on a length of yarn or string. Make a hook from a pipe cleaner for the end. You could also use aluminum foil - just scrunch and shape.
For the fish, cut them out of construction paper, making 4 fish per page. I stacked several sheets, cut them in half, then in half again. Then I cut groups of fish out of the piles rather than cutting individual fish. I let my daughter draw on eyes and fins, whatever she felt the fish needed, while I worked on making the rings. Just take small strips of paper, make a ring and tape it together, then tape on the fish.Indoor Time: Go fishing! We found that having the hook be closer to an "L" shape rather than a "J" worked much better, but you can tailer it to the age and skill level of your child. Put the fish on the floor and let your kids hook them with their fishing poles. Give them a bucket or basket to put the fish as they catch them. My one year old daughter didn't bother with the fishing pole - she just enjoyed picking up the fish and putting them in the bucket!
Art Time: Draw a wavy blue line across the top of a sheet of doodle paper. Tell your child that is the top of a lake or ocean and have them draw and color in the fish that live there.
Music Time: Sing Row Row Row Your Boat and other songs with your kids today.
Outdoor Time: Imagination is the game today. Let your kids pretend to be on a fishing trip. They can hike along a great river and fish from the banks or get in a boat and float down the river, catching fish and spotting wildlife along the way.
Wednesday, November 21
Turkey Tag and Photography
If you have time with your kids today or even if you don't, here are some things to keep them busy.
Indoor Time: Find the turkey. Designate an object "the turkey." It could be a small stuffed animal (maybe you even have a turkey!) or a ball or anything else you want to use. Hide the turkey in their playroom (or whatever room you want them playing in) then let them try and find it. Whoever finds the turkey gets to hide it next.
Outdoor Time: Play tag. Make it turkey tag. Whoever is "it" has to gobble like a turkey while they are chasing.
Craft Time: Make a collage on construction paper of things for which you are thankful. Cut pictures out of the advertisements you got in the mail or from old magazines. Let your kids glue them on the paper.
Art Time: Focus on Photography. This is going to be a recurring theme. Work with your little ones in teaching them how to use the camera. Either let them use yours (they especially love the instant gratification of digital) or get disposable cameras for their use. Today let them take pictures of your Thanksgiving celebration. See what is deemed picture worthy by your kids.
Music Time: I don't know about you, but we have the holiday music going already. (may have had something to do with the 4 inches of snow we had today that went so nicely with Walking in a Winter Wonderland on the radio!) Put on some holiday tunes and let your kids dance.
Story Time: This is it. The last day for the Thanksgiving books. Have you memorized any of the stories yet?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Indoor Time: Find the turkey. Designate an object "the turkey." It could be a small stuffed animal (maybe you even have a turkey!) or a ball or anything else you want to use. Hide the turkey in their playroom (or whatever room you want them playing in) then let them try and find it. Whoever finds the turkey gets to hide it next.
Outdoor Time: Play tag. Make it turkey tag. Whoever is "it" has to gobble like a turkey while they are chasing.
Craft Time: Make a collage on construction paper of things for which you are thankful. Cut pictures out of the advertisements you got in the mail or from old magazines. Let your kids glue them on the paper.
Art Time: Focus on Photography. This is going to be a recurring theme. Work with your little ones in teaching them how to use the camera. Either let them use yours (they especially love the instant gratification of digital) or get disposable cameras for their use. Today let them take pictures of your Thanksgiving celebration. See what is deemed picture worthy by your kids.
Music Time: I don't know about you, but we have the holiday music going already. (may have had something to do with the 4 inches of snow we had today that went so nicely with Walking in a Winter Wonderland on the radio!) Put on some holiday tunes and let your kids dance.
Story Time: This is it. The last day for the Thanksgiving books. Have you memorized any of the stories yet?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Talkin' Turkey
Ahhh, the day before Thanksgiving. The Turkey theme continues!
Craft Time: Today print out a copy of a turkey coloring sheet or if you are feeling artistic enough for the challenge, draw the outline of a turkey yourself. We found our turkey picture at this link: turkey
Break out those feathers I told you to buy at the beginning of the week. If you opted not to buy feathers, then cut feathers out of construction paper. Now let your kids glue feathers on the turkey.
Craft Time: Today print out a copy of a turkey coloring sheet or if you are feeling artistic enough for the challenge, draw the outline of a turkey yourself. We found our turkey picture at this link: turkey
Break out those feathers I told you to buy at the beginning of the week. If you opted not to buy feathers, then cut feathers out of construction paper. Now let your kids glue feathers on the turkey.
Art Time: Break out the play dough and sculpt a Mayflower ship, Tom Turkey, or for the artistically challenged, Plymouth rock! Don’t have play dough? There are lots of good recipes available online to make it in your own kitchen.
Music Time: Get out a musical toy for your kids to play with today. Grandma and grandpa got a keyboard for my kids that they just love. There is a demo button that plays kids tunes. Even my one year old can punch the button and get music to play so she can dance.
Story Time: Keep reading those Thanksgiving stories to your kids. Have they picked out a favorite yet?
Indoor Time: Pre-basketball. Get out a ball and a small box or basket. Practice tossing the ball into the box.
Outdoor Time: Play follow the leader. You be the leader first so they get the idea. Lead them all around the yard. Be sure to vary your walk - hop, run, jump, even roll on the ground. Then let your little ones take turns being the leader.
Prep Tip - be sure to hold on to the circulars that come in the mail today. You can use them for your craft time tomorrow!
Tuesday, November 20
Underwater Basket Weaving for Kids
Craft Time: Okay, not exactly underwater basket weaving, but you will introduce your kiddos to the concept of weaving today in your craft time. 
Fold a piece of construction paper in half and cut slits about 1 inch apart, stopping about an inch from the edge. Cut strips of other colored paper to use to weave over and under in your cut paper. Glue down the ends. You can use "fall" colors and make place mats for your Thanksgiving dinner. We just went for the colorful look. Use this time to talk with your child about the Pilgrims. We had a discussion about how they didn't have stores to go buy what they needed. They had to make things that they needed. The weaving pattern could be used to make baskets, rugs, or blankets.
Art Time: Print out Thanksgiving themed coloring sheets to color. There are loads of sites where you can download pictures for free. Here is a link to one. coloring pages
Story Time: Read a Thanksgiving story that you picked out at the library as part of your story time today.
Music Time: Have an Indian pow-wow. Find things that you can beat on like a drum and dance. Suggestions for drums: small bucket, empty oatmeal container, small box... experiment with different things and see what makes good rhythms. Take turns playing the drums while the other person dances.
Outdoor Time: It's that time of year for playing in big piles of leaves. Rake up a pile and have fun running and jumping in it or throwing them in the air and letting them fall on you like confetti at a party. My daughter likes to be buried in them so only her head is showing. :)
Fold a piece of construction paper in half and cut slits about 1 inch apart, stopping about an inch from the edge. Cut strips of other colored paper to use to weave over and under in your cut paper. Glue down the ends. You can use "fall" colors and make place mats for your Thanksgiving dinner. We just went for the colorful look. Use this time to talk with your child about the Pilgrims. We had a discussion about how they didn't have stores to go buy what they needed. They had to make things that they needed. The weaving pattern could be used to make baskets, rugs, or blankets.
Art Time: Print out Thanksgiving themed coloring sheets to color. There are loads of sites where you can download pictures for free. Here is a link to one. coloring pages
Story Time: Read a Thanksgiving story that you picked out at the library as part of your story time today.
Music Time: Have an Indian pow-wow. Find things that you can beat on like a drum and dance. Suggestions for drums: small bucket, empty oatmeal container, small box... experiment with different things and see what makes good rhythms. Take turns playing the drums while the other person dances.
Outdoor Time: It's that time of year for playing in big piles of leaves. Rake up a pile and have fun running and jumping in it or throwing them in the air and letting them fall on you like confetti at a party. My daughter likes to be buried in them so only her head is showing. :)
Indoor Time: Grow a pretend garden and talk about how the Pilgrims had to grow their own food. If you have toy vegetables, great. Otherwise just use blocks or something similar and pretend they are food. Throw blankets on the floor to be your garden. Plant your plastic food in the folds and cover them up. Pretend to water your garden. Get a "basket" and go back and harvest the vegetables in your garden.
Let us know how your kids enjoyed todays Thanksgiving fun!
Sunday, November 18
Pre-soccer, Sofa Fun, Thanksgiving Cards, Dancing, and Marshmallow Turkeys
Here are ideas for your activity times today.
Story Time: This week, head to the library and get some books on Thanksgiving.
Music Time: See what kind of music makes your kid dance. Turn on the radio and cruise through the stations, stopping on the different kinds of music. When your little one starts dancing to one, leave it there and dance with them. You might be surprised by what gets your kid grooving. (I did this experiment with the music stations on cable. It turns out my two year old loves jazz!)
Indoor Time: Sofa fun. Pull the cushions off your family room couch and pile them up on the floor. Let the kids climb on them, fall on them, build with them. You can also build them up on the sofa to create a fort. Stand one up on end and lay another across the top to the back of the sofa. (Don't have removable cushions? Gather up all the pillows in your house and make a big pillow pile for the kids to play in)
Outdoor Time: Pre-soccer. Get a ball and kick it around with your kids. Set up a "goal" such as a tree or bush and take turns kicking the ball to the goal.
Art Time: Make Thanksgiving cards to send to family or friends. Cut a piece of construction paper in half, then fold in half. Glue on a holiday picture. (hint: make a copy in black and white from one of the kid books you checked out from the library) Write your greetings inside and let your kids color the picture on the front of the card.
Craft Time: Marshmallow Turkey
1. Cut a toothpick in half. Use the toothpick to hold together two large marshmallows - the tail piece and the body piece. Use the other half to attach a large marshmallow for the head to the body.
2. Skewer two gumdrops on a toothpick and cut off the end of the toothpick so it isn't too long to poke into the marshmallow. Make 3 sections with 2 gumdrops. Make two sections with only one gumdrop. (cut a toothpick in half and use one gumdrop on each half) Poke all the gumdrop tail feathers into the tail piece marshmallow.
3. Cut off a little piece of gumdrop, cut in half, and stick onto the face for eyes. Cut a gumdrop in half, then cut one half in half again. These two pieces get stuck on the head as the beak. Another gumdrop cut in half becomes feet. We didn't do wings, but you could certainly slice up some more gumdrops to create wings.
There you have it. Not the prettiest Turkey, but definitely the most fun for your kids to make!
Did you have a memorable moment while doing one of these activities with your kids? Please share it with us!
Story Time: This week, head to the library and get some books on Thanksgiving.
Music Time: See what kind of music makes your kid dance. Turn on the radio and cruise through the stations, stopping on the different kinds of music. When your little one starts dancing to one, leave it there and dance with them. You might be surprised by what gets your kid grooving. (I did this experiment with the music stations on cable. It turns out my two year old loves jazz!)
Indoor Time: Sofa fun. Pull the cushions off your family room couch and pile them up on the floor. Let the kids climb on them, fall on them, build with them. You can also build them up on the sofa to create a fort. Stand one up on end and lay another across the top to the back of the sofa. (Don't have removable cushions? Gather up all the pillows in your house and make a big pillow pile for the kids to play in)
Outdoor Time: Pre-soccer. Get a ball and kick it around with your kids. Set up a "goal" such as a tree or bush and take turns kicking the ball to the goal.
Art Time: Make Thanksgiving cards to send to family or friends. Cut a piece of construction paper in half, then fold in half. Glue on a holiday picture. (hint: make a copy in black and white from one of the kid books you checked out from the library) Write your greetings inside and let your kids color the picture on the front of the card.
Craft Time: Marshmallow Turkey
1. Cut a toothpick in half. Use the toothpick to hold together two large marshmallows - the tail piece and the body piece. Use the other half to attach a large marshmallow for the head to the body.
2. Skewer two gumdrops on a toothpick and cut off the end of the toothpick so it isn't too long to poke into the marshmallow. Make 3 sections with 2 gumdrops. Make two sections with only one gumdrop. (cut a toothpick in half and use one gumdrop on each half) Poke all the gumdrop tail feathers into the tail piece marshmallow.
3. Cut off a little piece of gumdrop, cut in half, and stick onto the face for eyes. Cut a gumdrop in half, then cut one half in half again. These two pieces get stuck on the head as the beak. Another gumdrop cut in half becomes feet. We didn't do wings, but you could certainly slice up some more gumdrops to create wings.
There you have it. Not the prettiest Turkey, but definitely the most fun for your kids to make!
Did you have a memorable moment while doing one of these activities with your kids? Please share it with us!
Saturday, November 17
Getting Ready for Turkey Week
This could be a busy week for you and the kids depending on your holiday plans. But never fear, we have some really fun things for you to do with your kids if you get some down time. Which brings me to why I am writing to you tonight. I wanted to give you a heads up on the upcoming week and a few hints for going forward.
One thing you might want to do is start saving some of the things you normally throw away. Think empty egg cartons, paper towel rolls, soda boxes, cereal boxes, milk jugs, etc. Don't get buried in this stuff, but set aside one big box that you toss these things into. Once you have reached maximum capacity, stop saving. This way you will have some resources on hand for getting creatively crafty with. For sure be saving up those empty egg cartons. If you are not an egg eater, maybe you have a neighbor or friend who will save you up a few. There is a super fun project in December using these, and the more the merrier!
For this week there are a few items you will need for the crafts. Some you may have and some you may need to get. Here is the list:
construction paper, multi-colored
glue
large marshmallows
gum drops (aka spice drops)
toothpicks
feathers (optional)
You may also want to create a craft box. We have one in our home where we collect all our arts and crafts type stuff - crayons, markers, doodle pads, stickers, etc. A great place to go is a dollar store to stock up on the basics. Craft stores or WalMart also have some other items that are good to have on hand such as pipe cleaners, google eyes, pom poms, etc. Create a nice little stash for yourself up front and chances are good you either will have everything you need, or at least have something that would work in place of my suggested item.
But never fear, I will always give you a heads up before the beginning of the week to make sure you have everything you need. So, gather up your goodies and get ready to have some fun with your kids.
One thing you might want to do is start saving some of the things you normally throw away. Think empty egg cartons, paper towel rolls, soda boxes, cereal boxes, milk jugs, etc. Don't get buried in this stuff, but set aside one big box that you toss these things into. Once you have reached maximum capacity, stop saving. This way you will have some resources on hand for getting creatively crafty with. For sure be saving up those empty egg cartons. If you are not an egg eater, maybe you have a neighbor or friend who will save you up a few. There is a super fun project in December using these, and the more the merrier!
For this week there are a few items you will need for the crafts. Some you may have and some you may need to get. Here is the list:
construction paper, multi-colored
glue
large marshmallows
gum drops (aka spice drops)
toothpicks
feathers (optional)
You may also want to create a craft box. We have one in our home where we collect all our arts and crafts type stuff - crayons, markers, doodle pads, stickers, etc. A great place to go is a dollar store to stock up on the basics. Craft stores or WalMart also have some other items that are good to have on hand such as pipe cleaners, google eyes, pom poms, etc. Create a nice little stash for yourself up front and chances are good you either will have everything you need, or at least have something that would work in place of my suggested item.
But never fear, I will always give you a heads up before the beginning of the week to make sure you have everything you need. So, gather up your goodies and get ready to have some fun with your kids.
Friday, November 16
I've Got My Schedule, But Now What Do I Do???
I know, I know. The ultimate mother dilemma. How to keep our kids entertained all day long without going nutty ourselves. This is why the super easy flexible schedule comes in so handy. First, you have specific activities that you will be doing. This keeps the day varied and interesting. Second, you don't even have to figure out what to do for Craft Time or what game to play for Indoor Time. That is the real beauty of this site. New ideas will be posted for each weekday that you can do with your kids. Yep, you heard right. Just check in every day to get your activity list for the day.
Does this mean you have to do what is posted online? Of course not! They are just suggestions to get your own creative juices flowing. Feel free to find your own unique ways to implement each idea. If you hit upon one that your kids just love, then by all means, use it again and again. (you know how kids like to do the same thing over and over and over and over....) But the option is there to follow each idea as outlined and leave the creative thinking to Kid-Daze. :)
Does this mean you have to do what is posted online? Of course not! They are just suggestions to get your own creative juices flowing. Feel free to find your own unique ways to implement each idea. If you hit upon one that your kids just love, then by all means, use it again and again. (you know how kids like to do the same thing over and over and over and over....) But the option is there to follow each idea as outlined and leave the creative thinking to Kid-Daze. :)
Thursday, November 15
More on the Super Easy Flexible Schedule for Your Kids
Just when you thought you had it all down... there are other ways to use the super easy schedule for kids. Not everyone is a schedule person that wants to do the same thing all the time. This goes for kids too. While they need a certain amount of routine in their lives, all kids have different personalities. So if your skin crawls with the heevie jeevies just thinking about being on a schedule with your kids, there are a couple of ways to modify its use.
In our original schedule, we ordered our activities and then started at the beginning each day and moved through the different activities. No matter what point we reached at the end of the day, we start at the beginning the next day.
In the first alternative, you can just continue where you left off the day before. This way you just continuously move through each activity. You would do the most variety of activities with your kids following the schedule in this manner.
The second alternative is to make it more of a game for your kids. Put the different activity times on an index card or piece of paper - one activity per card. Then put all the cards in a jar or bowl. Have your dear little one pick one out and that is your first activity. Each time you are ready to move on to another activity, your child gets to pick it out of the jar - surprise! This becomes the routine for you and your child.
The most important aspect of the schedule is that you are finding time to spend with your kids while keeping them entertained and learning about their world.
In our original schedule, we ordered our activities and then started at the beginning each day and moved through the different activities. No matter what point we reached at the end of the day, we start at the beginning the next day.
In the first alternative, you can just continue where you left off the day before. This way you just continuously move through each activity. You would do the most variety of activities with your kids following the schedule in this manner.
The second alternative is to make it more of a game for your kids. Put the different activity times on an index card or piece of paper - one activity per card. Then put all the cards in a jar or bowl. Have your dear little one pick one out and that is your first activity. Each time you are ready to move on to another activity, your child gets to pick it out of the jar - surprise! This becomes the routine for you and your child.
The most important aspect of the schedule is that you are finding time to spend with your kids while keeping them entertained and learning about their world.
Wednesday, November 14
A Super Easy Flexible Schedule for Your Kids
We have all heard it before. If you are a mom you are painfully aware that keeping your kids on a regular schedule is important if you are to keep your head up high in the mommy circles. But for most of us, daily life isn’t so easily scheduled as to write it in erasable marker on a board in the kitchen and “so be it.”
My solution is the “Flex” Schedule. Here is how it works.
There are different activity times in the schedule for which you should allot 30 minutes each.
Story Time - read a story or look at picture books
Music Time - singing songs, dancing, making music or playing with musical toys
Art Time - painting, coloring, drawing, sculpting
Craft Time - making something by cutting, gluing, decorating
Outdoor Time - games for the great outdoors
Indoor Time - structured play for inside
These are the main activity times which will account for 3 hours a day with your kids. The order they are in does not matter. What does matter is that you are consistent in the order. So, if you set up your schedule in the order listed above, you would always follow up Story Time with Music Time. Now, does this mean if your kid is having a crank monster day and has absolutely no interest in doing your planned Music Time activity with you that you force the aforementioned crank monster to comply to your will? Absolutely not. That is the beauty of the flexible schedule. Maybe they have their own idea of what to do for Music Time. Maybe they just need some Free Time first and then they will be happy to participate in your planned activity. Or maybe you just need to skip music time for the day and move on to Art Time.
Which brings us to the whole ‘flexible’ concept. I know at my house I don’t want to be tied to doing activities at particular times. I might need to go shopping, meet up with some other moms for a play date, or go to the dentist. Whenever there is an activity that will create a break in your schedule, simply pick up with the next activity time once you are back home. Again, if they are used to Music Time following Story Time, then that is what you do upon returning.
Now, how to pick the order of your schedule. Since other life activities will often reduce the amount of time you have for your planned activity time, determine which activities are most important to you for your children. Personally, I love to read, so I want to instill the love of books in my children. That makes Story Time as the first activity on my schedule. It’s the one thing I definitely want to do with my kids everyday. Maybe you are just not a crafty person. Put Craft Time at the bottom of your schedule. Chances are good that many days you may not even get around to craft time - even when you stay home all day with the kids.
What?? How can that be? We already added up our activity time and it was only 3 hours, correct? So, how could we not get to all the activities everyday? The rest of the day is filled up with snacks, naps, baths, meals, and free time. You can see the day is suddenly very full!
Most kids will need some free time after spending time interacting with you. Usually after 30-60 minutes of parent interaction, kids will want some time to play by themselves. This is the time you get, to take care of your own personal schedule - chat with your girlfriend while supervising the little ones, pay bills, do some laundry…you don’t need my help figuring out what to do when your kids are happily playing. (but if you want my help, I have a cleaning schedule you can use to fill up that free time!) Kids can burn up a lot of the day with their free time play, and isn’t that what we want? Ultimately, we want to stimulate their imagination and curiosity.
Now that you have decided how to order your schedule, here is how to implement it. First you need to put it in writing somewhere you can see it. I suggest the refrigerator door - goodness knows you probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen - I know I do! You can do something as simple as writing it up like it is a grocery list or you can be creative. It does make an excellent project for your kids to do during Craft Time. :) Try cutting circles or squares out of construction paper and write an activity on each circle. Glue the shapes on another sheet of paper and tape to the fridge. Use a magnet to mark the current activity time. This way you have created a visual reminder that the kids are actually following a schedule and it gives them that comfortable ‘routine’ feeling they desperately crave.
Second, remember that it can be difficult for kids to make transitions quickly. Be sure to give your kids some ample notice that you are going to be doing something else soon. Not giving them proper notice is a sure fire way to rouse that sleeping crank monster.
Third, be sure to have your kids help clean up before moving on to the next activity or free time. It is never too soon for them to learn to put their things away. Have them help even if you have to literally take them by the hand and show them how. (I.e. very young toddlers)
There you go. You have a schedule for your kids, a newfound sanity, and it wasn’t even painful. Now go enjoy your kids!
My solution is the “Flex” Schedule. Here is how it works.There are different activity times in the schedule for which you should allot 30 minutes each.
Story Time - read a story or look at picture books
Music Time - singing songs, dancing, making music or playing with musical toys
Art Time - painting, coloring, drawing, sculpting
Craft Time - making something by cutting, gluing, decorating
Outdoor Time - games for the great outdoors
Indoor Time - structured play for inside
These are the main activity times which will account for 3 hours a day with your kids. The order they are in does not matter. What does matter is that you are consistent in the order. So, if you set up your schedule in the order listed above, you would always follow up Story Time with Music Time. Now, does this mean if your kid is having a crank monster day and has absolutely no interest in doing your planned Music Time activity with you that you force the aforementioned crank monster to comply to your will? Absolutely not. That is the beauty of the flexible schedule. Maybe they have their own idea of what to do for Music Time. Maybe they just need some Free Time first and then they will be happy to participate in your planned activity. Or maybe you just need to skip music time for the day and move on to Art Time.
Which brings us to the whole ‘flexible’ concept. I know at my house I don’t want to be tied to doing activities at particular times. I might need to go shopping, meet up with some other moms for a play date, or go to the dentist. Whenever there is an activity that will create a break in your schedule, simply pick up with the next activity time once you are back home. Again, if they are used to Music Time following Story Time, then that is what you do upon returning.
Now, how to pick the order of your schedule. Since other life activities will often reduce the amount of time you have for your planned activity time, determine which activities are most important to you for your children. Personally, I love to read, so I want to instill the love of books in my children. That makes Story Time as the first activity on my schedule. It’s the one thing I definitely want to do with my kids everyday. Maybe you are just not a crafty person. Put Craft Time at the bottom of your schedule. Chances are good that many days you may not even get around to craft time - even when you stay home all day with the kids.
What?? How can that be? We already added up our activity time and it was only 3 hours, correct? So, how could we not get to all the activities everyday? The rest of the day is filled up with snacks, naps, baths, meals, and free time. You can see the day is suddenly very full!
Most kids will need some free time after spending time interacting with you. Usually after 30-60 minutes of parent interaction, kids will want some time to play by themselves. This is the time you get, to take care of your own personal schedule - chat with your girlfriend while supervising the little ones, pay bills, do some laundry…you don’t need my help figuring out what to do when your kids are happily playing. (but if you want my help, I have a cleaning schedule you can use to fill up that free time!) Kids can burn up a lot of the day with their free time play, and isn’t that what we want? Ultimately, we want to stimulate their imagination and curiosity.
Now that you have decided how to order your schedule, here is how to implement it. First you need to put it in writing somewhere you can see it. I suggest the refrigerator door - goodness knows you probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen - I know I do! You can do something as simple as writing it up like it is a grocery list or you can be creative. It does make an excellent project for your kids to do during Craft Time. :) Try cutting circles or squares out of construction paper and write an activity on each circle. Glue the shapes on another sheet of paper and tape to the fridge. Use a magnet to mark the current activity time. This way you have created a visual reminder that the kids are actually following a schedule and it gives them that comfortable ‘routine’ feeling they desperately crave.
Second, remember that it can be difficult for kids to make transitions quickly. Be sure to give your kids some ample notice that you are going to be doing something else soon. Not giving them proper notice is a sure fire way to rouse that sleeping crank monster.
Third, be sure to have your kids help clean up before moving on to the next activity or free time. It is never too soon for them to learn to put their things away. Have them help even if you have to literally take them by the hand and show them how. (I.e. very young toddlers)
There you go. You have a schedule for your kids, a newfound sanity, and it wasn’t even painful. Now go enjoy your kids!
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