All about me book

All about me book

Around the ages of 4 and 5, Pediatricians check to see if kids know their name, their gender, their address, phone number, and things like that. To make acquiring this knowledge more fun for my girls I wrote a “book” for each of them. It turned out like this:

My name is {insert first name} {insert last name}. I am {insert age} years old and I am a {insert gender}.

My mommy’s name is [this page can be tailored to whoever the child’s guardians are: Mommy, Daddy, Step-parents, grandparents.]

I have [this page can be tailored to siblings and anyone else other than guardians that the child lives with—their relationship, name, an age if appropriate.]

[On this page I talked about their pets.]

We live in {insert city or town}, {insert state}. Our address is {insert street address}. Our phone number is {insert phone number}.

[I finished off the book with “That’s me and my family” and a family picture]

I have also included pictures on most pages. This has helped both my girls learn their information. Now if I could just remember to update it each birthday, it would probably be even better :)

Playing it through

Do you ever have a hard time getting your kids to talk to you? Have you ever listened in on their play time and wondered why they are playing the way they do? Young children work out their feelings through play. Sometimes it is better to listen in and let them play it out, paying attention to how they resolve the situation. Or perhaps you can cross the plane of pretend and ask why a character is acting a certain way. You might be able to offer suggestions to the characters—not directly to your child—and pretend for a little while that these characters of your child’s imagination are as real to you as they are to your child. You might get a glimpse into your child’s mind, their world, when they can’t express themselves the way adults do.

Check out what John Tartaglia says about the role of play in the child’s life:

Serious play

Water Gun Fight!

It was a typical hot, Texas summer day. My to do list was longer than the hours in my day and I was running out of time to make it to the gym. Whether it was heat or allergies, my girls were cranky. It was time to break out the big guns …

Water guns that is!

Water guns can range in size from very small to very big, from under $1 to over $20. All of ours were around $2.50.

I had the sprinkler going so that everyone was guaranteed to get wet. I came in soaked, everyone was happy. Pretty good way to beat the heat, burn a few calories, and spend some quality time with your kids, don’t you think?

Biscuit donuts

My family loves donuts (or doughnuts). We have them less and less often, but what is summer vacation without some fun treats. I came across this article in the October 2009 Texas Co-op Power periodical and put it in my recipes to try pile. The story itself is sweet (I encourage you to read the link) and as simple as the directions and ingredients were, I figured I could handle it.

First, make sure to buy the small (as in skinny) can of cheap biscuits. I bought cheap and whole wheat. I used a small saucepan, a candy thermometer, vegetable oil, tongs, and a medicine cup.

Second, make sure you keep an eye on the temperature of the oil. The first time, I didn’t, and the donuts cooked way too fast and burned a bit. Watch the donuts. Even at the correct temp (around 350 with the candy thermometer) they cook quickly.

Third, whole wheat biscuit dough is denser, bigger, and already a light brown to begin with so they don’t cook up well.

I used Ziploc baggies for each of my girls to shake powdered sugar onto their own donuts, so they didn’t have to fight like in the story. Overall, I think everyone enjoyed it. The taste and texture is different from the store bought donuts, but considering the donuts were gone the same day here, I don’t think anybody minded.

Texas Co-op Power Oct 2009

Stuck inside with my kids part 2

We are stuck inside, snowed in, and it is day #4. So here is another list of ideas:

Scavenger hunt: you can easily tailor this to the ages of your kids whether you focus on colors, numbers, shapes, ABCs, or more abstract items.

Paper airplanes or origami: fold some different designs and then have a contest to see which flies the furthest, highest, or turns the most. Look up other paper folding activities.

Cat’s cradle: Remember this string game from your childhood? Have you ever taught it to your kids? I think I’m going to give it a try this afternoon.

Movement/exercise die: Use a square-ish Kleenex box. Cover each side with a different color of construction paper. Draw or write different movements and or exercises on each side such as jumping jacks, frog jumps, stretches, arm circles, push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, jumping rope, etc. If you also have a numbered die, you can roll the two die together to see which movement to perform and how many times.

Tupperware matching: If your “tupperware” cabinet is also neatly organized, then give yourself a pat on the back. Otherwise, have your kids help you sort the sizes and shapes and match lids.

Cotton ball races: Similar to tabletop soccer (one of the links I shared Wednesday) but give each participant (no reason to restrict it to just the little ones) a cotton ball and a straw. Designate a starting line and a finish line. Just be careful or you may find out who passes out first, too.

Kids websites

Many of my friends are stuck inside with their kids for yet another snow/ice day. So here is a list of kids websites I have collected. Some girly, some boyish, some educational, some preschool, some older--but this is not an indication that my kids play on the internet all day long, lol. Rather it is because I don't see a reason to spend money on computer games for my kids when there are some many websites. I am not opposed to using the internet to supplement my kids learning experience. The more different ways that learning is reinforced, the longer and better the information will stick.

http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/
http://www.bigideafun.com/
http://disney.go.com/characters/clubmickey/index.html
http://disney.go.com/disneychannel/playhouse/rpo/rpo_games.html
http://www.funbrain.com/
http://www.nickjr.com/
http://www.clicknkids.com/Index.asp?cnr=TV
http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/index.html
http://kids.discovery.com/fansites/readysetlearn/readysetlearn.html
https://www.theknackkids.com/?reg_source=KKWELCM&utm_source=site&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=welcome
http://www.veggiepirates.com/
http://www.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx?domainredir=lego.com
http://caillou.com/indexUS.shtml
http://veggiefanclub.com/
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/
http://pbskids.org/
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tlsbooks.com%2F&h=6bb5c
http://www.theuhohs.org/
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/kidsroom/firesafe/firesafe.html
http://ci.delavan.wi.us/firedept_forkids.cfm
http://www.noggin.com/
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.nwf.org/rangerrick/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3&CFID=21900131&CFTOKEN=44cb95646c1865c8-9C36F665-5056-A868-A070EBC11AE742FF
http://www.softschools.com/
http://www.spellingcity.com/
http://www.hotwheels.com/
http://bozthebear.com/home.asp
http://coolmath4kids.com/
http://mathcats.com/
http://www.kidsnumbers.com/
http://www.sproutonline.com/sprout/home/jump.aspx
http://www.bigiqkids.com/
http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp
https://www.pebblego.com/SelectProduct.aspx
http://www.shamozzle.com/WorldWEBCAMwatchUNDERWATER.html
http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/blogs_webcams_videos_and_more/index.php
http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/games_and_activities/online_games/index.php

Homemade Phone Book

When my older daughter was in Kinder or first grade, she was having a little trouble with her writing. I came across this idea in the November 2003 issue of Parents magazine and thought it would be a fun way for her to practice writing her numbers and letters without doing yet another worksheet. I created a book out of construction paper, wrote down names and phone numbers (such as grandparents, home phone, cell phones, work phones), and she copied them down and I corrected when necessary (when she wrote a letter or number backwards). She still uses her own phonebook when she wants to call her grandparents.

Stuck with my kids!

I’m going to get the electricity related activities out of the way first. They are a legitimate way to pass the time, even if they are not the best choice when trying to conserve energy (in the hottest or coldest part of the year).

Video games (DS, PS3, Wii, Xbox)

Movies

TV (on demand, DVR, rentals)

Music (turn on a CD, MP3 and “move it, move it”)

Now for some more “green” options. As I’m pulling things out of cabinets, my kids are rediscovering toys and activities they had forgotten. Guess this will be a good day to clean out cabinets and closets.

Puzzles – I have plastic baby puzzles, wooden preschool puzzles, and puzzles ranging from 24 piece to 100 piece as well as large floor puzzles.

Card games/board games

Read – read together, read separately. If you don’t have books all over the place like I do, write a story together. Let your imaginations run wild, just be sure to write it down then you can read it again.

Coloring – we have tons of coloring books, but you can create pictures with construction paper or printer paper. Use markers, colored pencils, crayons—have you ever really noticed the different textures that these media produce?

Build a fort – use sheets, blankets, table cloths, couch cushions, dining chairs, tables—then crawl inside.

Paint – I always have water colors around, sometimes from old school supplies. I’ve even heard of people who allow their kids to paint the fiberglass walls of the bathtub. If you have construction paper but no paint, try making designs with plain water.

Playdoh

Beads and lacing – with two girls, we have pony beads to chunky wooden beads. Shoelaces are easy to use (if you’re stuck at home anyway, just swipe the laces from your tennis). If you don’t have beads, or your kids are too little for that, but you have cardboard, old cereal boxes or even paper plates, punch some holes and show them how to “sew”

Crayon rubbings – Did you ever make crayon rubbings out of fall leaves? Go on a hunt for things that a fairly flat and will fit under a piece of paper. Now rub over the sheet of paper with the side of the crayon. Compare the different textures and designs.

Magnifying glass – If you have a magnifying glass (or two) then go on an expedition through your house. Have you ever looked at your fingers, carpet, or toys with a magnifying glass. If you don’t have one, maybe you should look for one (in the office supply section) next time you’re out shopping 

Go through their toys – If your kids are complaining they are bored, ask them if they have played with their own toys in their room. If they only played for a short while or haven’t played at all, ask them which toys they are bored with and would like to give to someone else. They will either quickly go play (like mine) or will start getting rid of things.

Well, there’s the first installment. I’ll let you know if I find anymore treasures as we explore other cabinets and closets ;)

The last straw

I found this activity in the March 2008 issue of Family Fun: Constrawction Zone

"Looking for some instant fun on a rainy day? Grab a box of bendable straws and invite your child to try his hand at a building activity that takes all kinds of whimsical twists and turns. Connect the straws by squeezing the end of one and sliding it into the end of another. Kids can also slide straws through one another by snipping a slit (bend straw and cut through the fold, do not cut off the fold). Then they can make twists and turns over, under, and through the structure."

We had some dud straws lying around (cheap 4^th of July red, white and blue straws that all seemed to have holes in them when we tried to use them). This weekend I pulled them out and expected my kids to make a few shapes and be done. My older daughter however spent a couple hours going well beyond a triangle and square to create silhouettes of animals.

From now on, I'm going to keep lots of straws around, just in case!

Challenge: Can you name and create multi-sided shapes such as triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon …

Other things to grow

It's fun to watch plants grow from a seed: beans, flowers, grass. I wanted to do something different (try something new!) I was thinking there was a way to grow an avocado pit and remembered as a kid that potatoes would start to sprout if left in the pantry too long. I bought an avocado and did a little research on the internet

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/seed/2002114535011263.html

I couldn't find anything on the potato, so I stuck it in the pantry and forgot about it. Literally.

Now 3-4 weeks later, this is the progress:

Delicious dish

Peach cobbler in a mug

I came across this recipe earlier this year in my Texas Co-op periodical. The entire article was called "Kitchen Magic for Kids," but this one recipe caught my eye.

1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon instant nonfat dry milk
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
dash salt
1 snack-sized container (4 oz) diced peaches, well drained

Microwave butter in mug [coffee mug, minus the coffee], until melted, about 20 seconds on high. Add sugar, flour, dry milk, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and 2 tablespoons water [ahem, why wasn't that listed in the ingredients?] to mug. Sir with fork until well blended, then add peaches on top of batter. Do not stir. Reduce microwave power to 70 percent. Cook for two minutes, then let stand in microwave one minute. Remove from [microwave] oven, and let cool.

I would also recommend using a cooking spray, and you may want to play around with the cooking time to get the desired fluffiness and done-ness. Since each cobbler is made in an individual mug, this worked out well for both of my girls to participate in at the same time and make their own cobbler. I found small kid-safe bowls in my kitchen in which I measured and doled out the ingredients for them to pour in and stir on their own. No fighting over who gets to add what or who stirs! And it really turns out very good! Though it couldn't hurt to add a little ice cream, now would it?

Super Slide and Slip

In Family Fun magazine August 2009, there was an activity called Zoom Flume.

"Transform your ordinary backyard slide into a water park wonder by adding a steady trickle of H2O and a soft off-ramp that extends the ride. To make one, use duct tape to attach a garden hose to the top of the slide. Place camping pads (or other cushioning, such as lawn-chair pads) end to end on the ground at the bottom. Stretch an 8'X10' or larger tarp across the pads and place tent stakes in the tarp's grommets to secure. Note: Because water can make slides extremely slippery, parents should provide supervision to keep play safe."

Since we have a slide and it gets a little *ahem* warm here in Texas, we gave this one a try. Instead of camping or seat cushions, I used Kindergarten nap mats—we had two around anyway from naptime and sleepovers—and these already have a vinyl cover. Instead of a tarp, I used our Slip-n-Slide. I attached a sprayer to the hose and instead of a steady trickle, I randomly sprayed my daughters and the slide to make sure everyone and everything got good and wet. They love it and ask for it again and again!

WARNING: Do not leave hose unattended or innocent bystanders may unintentionally (or intentionally) get wet.

Bubble Snakes

Over the last several years I have been collecting activities to do with kids. I finally got them organized this year--well, somewhat. This summer I wanted to test them.

Bubble Snakes--or The Foamerator as Family Fun magazine and Betz White of http://blog.betzwhite.com/ call it--is fun and cheap. You'll need plastic water bottles (the individual drinking size), scissors, rag or towel, rubber band, and dish soap or bubble solution.

"To make one, use scissors to cut the bottom off a plastic water bottle. Cover the open end with a circular piece of twoel that's a few inches wider than the bottle. Secure the towel with a rubber band and dampen it with water, then dip it into a shallow bowl of dish soap. Blow gently through the mouth of the bottle to create snakes of tiny bubbles."

My girls and I made these last week and discovered a few things. Your mouth has to completely cover the mouth of the bottle to blow (or blow like a trumpet). If it doesn't work at first, check to make sure the rag/towel piece and rubber band are tight. it is best to breathe in through the nose to help avoid sucking the bubbles into your mouth. Other than that, we had fun with this one. Try having a contest to see who can make the longest snake before the bubbles fall off or blow away. The winner gets ... a bit dizzy