The School-Ready Child

Whether your child is starting at daycare, pre-school or 1st grade, these helpful tips will aid in them being ready for school! 

DIY Rain Sticks

Thanks to danyabanya.com, we've got this cool craft to make with the kiddos. 

Click here for the instructions

6 Simple Ways to Save on a Baby

Babies can be expensive but with some helpful tips, we can save money! Moneysavingmom.com gives 6 simple ways to save on a baby. 

Click here to read more. 

Bath Time Tips

Thanks to Deborah Skolnik, we've got some to tricks to help you out during bath time! 

"Your child never minded bath time as a baby, and he still enjoys the pool. So why has he become a tub-resistant toddler? It probably isn't due to a fear of the water, says Denaye D. Barahona, a licensed clinical social worker and child-behavior expert in Evanston, IL.'As a baby he was content to follow the schedule you set, but now he has his own ideas of what he'd like to do. Taking a bath instead of, say, playing might not exactly be what he had in mind,' Barahona explains. It's not just about the bath. He may be resisting the start of the wind-down for bed.

Don't get in the habit of skipping baths to avoid a confrontation. Instead, tweak the timing so it doesn't interrupt the same activity each day. If you tend to give your child a bath right before bed, for instance, the two may be linked in his mind and what's he's actually resisting is the start of the wind-down. Alternate with some morning baths so tub time marks the start of a fun day rather than the end. 

Try these tips, too:

1. Give your child a heads-up five minutes before scrub-down time so he isn't surprised.

2. Run the water with the bathroom door closed, then bring him in—the faucet can be loud to little ears.

3. If your guy seems to be scared of the drain, put a few inches of water in the tub, add a small toy, then pull the stopper to demonstrate that even his little plastic boat is too big to disappear.

4. Let him watch a video on your smartphone or tablet while he bathes (just be sure to invest in a waterproof case to protect it first).

5. Act confident during the bath, and give him a big hug after so it ends on a positive note."

Photo and article courtesy of http://www.parenting.com/article/-bathtime-tips

Toilet Tube Animals!

Recycle your toilet tubes to make these creative animals. Creative Me, Inspired You shows how to make this fun craft! 

Click here for the tutorial and more information!

Photo courtesy of www.creativemindinspiredyou.com

6 Tips to Feed Picky Eaters

kiddiefoodies.com shares some helpful tips to help with your picky eaters!

 Click here to read more!

Photo from www.kiddiefoodies.com

Valentine Bird Feeders

Just a couple more days until Valentine's Day! 

With the warm weather, this is perfect craft to make with your kids. 

 

What you will need:

-        Red pipe cleaners

-        Fruit Loops (preferred flavor)

-        Jute string or rope if desired

How to make it:

1.        Shape pipe cleaner into a heart

2.        Allow Children to slide fruit loops onto the pipe cleaner.

3.        Twist the bottom ends together.

4.        Tie string and hand on a branch.

Laughing Together

"Laughing together is really how you bond and get close!" -Lise Eliot, PhD, author

Research shows that laughter brings great benefits to all people—it benefits both you and your child!

• Laughter relaxes the whole body
• Laughter boosts the immune system
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins (this is the body's 'feel-good' chemicals). 
  

Children laugh at things that are funny. They laugh when we make silly faces and say silly words. They understand what is going on more than we realize.

             Resource: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter

Age Appropriate Chores

Chores are already tough for children to do, but with these helpful tips your children will enjoy cleaning up around the house! Follow the link for more information: http://www.yourmodernfamily.com/age-appropriate-chores-for-kids/

Photo via: yourmodernfamily.com

Numbers are Important

There are so many ways to introduce numbers to your preschooler.  Follow this link for great activities with numbers!  

http://theimaginationtree.com/2014/11/20-counting-activities-preschoolers.html

Expanding Baby's Vocabulary

I am surrounded by counting. When I put my baby's shoes on I say, "One, two." As I grab his straps to buckle him in his car seat I say it again. This sort of happens subconsciously.
Today Andrew said, "Un, too-wuh" (one, two) as I buckled him. I was beaming with pride. We count down steps and up them. We count houses on our walks. We count cars in a row. Before I know it, he's going to be counting to one hundred and off to Kindergarten.

I am also surrounded by trains, also known as "choo-choo" at our home. Andrew wakes up asking for trains. He makes trains out of crayons at church. He lines books up on the floor and pushes them along. He's also thrilled to play with his actual train set.
Then there is our curious monkey friend. Andrew is enamored with Curious George. He loves the books, the stuffed animals, and the tv show. He asks for "ooh ooh ahh" or "duh monk". 



Communication is coming along. Not quite the same as his sister's 17 month Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and ABC recitation, but he is starting full sentences and that is beautiful!
We still correct him when he says ball or banana for orange but hey, I am just tickled he's working his vocals.



We read word books, and play games by pointing to objects and naming them. As long as I select a few words that he already knows, he can stay on task. I let him point to things and I name them too. It makes him feel empowered.

His favorite thing is playing in water and especially dumping a cup of water. He's not so concerned if that cup of water lands in the bathtub or on the floor or on his sister but dumping is the highlight. He can pronounce "bubbles" perfectly.


How do you help your little ones with words?

Playgroup Friends

Playgroup friends are the best!  We are busy painting popcorn. Come play with us at playgroup.