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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hot Toys for Summer
The Today show had a segment this morning about summer toys for kids. There were some interesting ideas in there, although they all require purchasing something. Still, it's worth a look.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Baby Beluga Song By Raffi Becomes Book
At the bookstore the other day, I chanced upon a new board book called Baby Beluga. I have a life long love of the ocean and its animals, so I was delighted with the book and, with what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico, it seems especially bittersweet now.Little did I know that Baby Beluga the book is based on a popular children's song performed by Raffi.
What a great pairing; a book and a song in one!
Our toddler loves this book and the song. Yours will too. Order the book here.
Here are some 'music videos' of the song to share with your tot.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Free Activities for Kids: 5 Things to Do Today with Your Kids
1.Watch the clouds while laying on a blanket and eating a popcicle.
2. Do the Hokey Pokey. Seriously. Just do it. Here's a video with music to get you started.
Now do it again!
3.Balance a ping pong ball on a spoon. Put a ping pong (or similar) ball on a spoon and see who can carry it the longest without dropping the ball. Create an obstacle course if you're feeling really ambitious.
4. Play 'What am I?' This is a fun guessing game that works critical thinking skills. Adjust the clues accordingly for age. Here's an example.
I am small.
I have wings.
I'm red and black.
I'm a real lady.
What am I?
5.Play I Spy with flashlights in the dark. This is best done at night, but a dim room would work too. Use flashlights as pointers. Kids love to play with flashlights! We do this a lot at bedtime and there's no more complaining about having to got to bed--they can't wait to turn on their flashlights.
Great Free Preschool Curriculum
Check out this simple and wonderful preschool curriculum at Letter of the Week.com. Lots of great ideas and things to do that will keep busy toddlers busy.
Did I mention it appears to be a free preschool curriculum?
Can't beat that!
Note: This is not my preschool curriculum that I was working on in March. That has been shelved temporarily since I was seriously ill shortly after that last post.
Did I mention it appears to be a free preschool curriculum?
Can't beat that!
Note: This is not my preschool curriculum that I was working on in March. That has been shelved temporarily since I was seriously ill shortly after that last post.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Free Summer Preschool Curriculum Coming & How You Can Be a Part of It
I'm working on an exciting project, an ebook full of toddler activities for the summer. It's about 1/3 of the way done and I'm actively looking for crafts to add to the ebook. If you have an activity on your blog, drop me a line at netwriterm AT gmail DOT com with the link. This is a great opportunity to promote your blog or website and help out parents facing a looooooong summer at home with active toddlers.
The ebook will be free BUT I reserve the right to charge a fee at a future date. If you contribute a craft, there will be a link back to your specific blog post in the text. I won't reproduce your content at all. It will simply be a straight link back to your blog. It would be helpful if you would send me a picture of the completed craft to use, however, in the ebook.
Again, if you're interested email me at netwriterm AT gmail DOT com.
Unit themes in need of craft ideas include:
Ants
Caterpillars
Butterflies
Kites
Wind
Seeds
Flowers
Bees & Honey
Bubbles
Birds
Rain
Seashells
Here's some information on how the ebook is formatted...
Each lesson has the following components:
1. Finger play
2. Song
3. Book recommendations
4. Art activity
5. Investigation Activity
6. Cooking Activity
7. Bonus Activity
Traditional preschool is usually 2 to 3 days a week so don’t do everything in one day. Instead, spread it out throughout the week. The intent is that the fingerplay, song, and books will be repeated and reread several times during the curriculum week. This repetition gives your toddler time to absorb all the facets of the lesson. Add in one big art, investigation or cooking activity per day. Also, don’t think you have to do everything—there are no preschool police coming to give you a ticket for failure to complete the lesson!
The Finger Plays and Songs
With the finger plays and songs, encourage your toddler to learn the words. Say all but one keyword of a phrase and ask them to fill in the blank—this shows you they are retaining what they hear which is an important skill for life long learning.
The Books
When reading, ask open ended questions such as ‘Why do you think they did that?’ ‘How do you think this made them feel?’ ‘Would you do that?’ ‘What do you think happens next’ to engage nascent critical thinking and reading comprehension skills.
Typically, the first time the book is introduced, it is read straight through to familiarize the child with the story. Subsequent readings should challenge your child to remember what’s next or infer a character’s feelings.
It’s okay if your questions are met with silence or confusion! That’s normal. Just answer the question yourself so your child can learn from you. If you are consistent with this, your child will soon surprise you with their opinions and imagination.
A note on the books used in this preschool curriculum… Books can be found at the library or purchased. I’ve taken the time to select books that mostly meet two criteria:
1. They must cost less than $10 to purchase.
2. They are part of the Amazon.com’s 4 for 3 promotion so for every 3 books you purchase, you get 1 free.
The Art Activity
Art activities are meant for toddlers to do with the idea that the experience is more important than the process or creating something ‘nice’. I’ve either created my own art activities or found the best ones for the theme from various blogs on the internet --in which case you will find a link that will take you to that site for craft instructions.
Toddler art projects were selected on the basis of whether or not a toddler could complete them from start to finish and were limited to activities that used common art supplies. These art projects are not fancy and require minimal parental involvement because the point is to have the toddler do it.
The Investigation Activity
These activities are designed to allow your toddler to explore science or ‘how stuff works’ aspect of the curriculum theme. Some of them are surprisingly scientific. Others are extension activities that build on concepts introduced in the books. Be sure to ask open ended questions and have toddlers try to predict results. The investigations are intended to be thought provoking and develop critical thinking skills. They should also be a lot of fun too!
In researching activities for the book, I have to say I think this free ebook is going to be one of the nicest early science resources out there.
Cooking with Kids
This section uses recipes specifically created for young children. Most recipes, with some exceptions, tie in directly with the unit theme. I made every attempt to use whole, healthy foods, but strict adherence to that ideal was not possible.
This was, by far, the most difficult part of the curriculum to develop because toddlers have limited skills and parents don’t want to (or need to) spend three hours in the kitchen. Nutritional concessions were made in the interests of time and in order to accommodate the skills of budding chefs. If a recipe violates the food ethics of your household, please feel free to cook something else.
Bonus Activities
Some units lent themselves to games or imaginative play prompts. Those are included as well whenever possible. Additional products are sometimes suggested as well that compliment the unit.
The ebook will be free BUT I reserve the right to charge a fee at a future date. If you contribute a craft, there will be a link back to your specific blog post in the text. I won't reproduce your content at all. It will simply be a straight link back to your blog. It would be helpful if you would send me a picture of the completed craft to use, however, in the ebook.
Again, if you're interested email me at netwriterm AT gmail DOT com.
Unit themes in need of craft ideas include:
Ants
Caterpillars
Butterflies
Kites
Wind
Seeds
Flowers
Bees & Honey
Bubbles
Birds
Rain
Seashells
Here's some information on how the ebook is formatted...
Each lesson has the following components:
1. Finger play
2. Song
3. Book recommendations
4. Art activity
5. Investigation Activity
6. Cooking Activity
7. Bonus Activity
Traditional preschool is usually 2 to 3 days a week so don’t do everything in one day. Instead, spread it out throughout the week. The intent is that the fingerplay, song, and books will be repeated and reread several times during the curriculum week. This repetition gives your toddler time to absorb all the facets of the lesson. Add in one big art, investigation or cooking activity per day. Also, don’t think you have to do everything—there are no preschool police coming to give you a ticket for failure to complete the lesson!
The Finger Plays and Songs
With the finger plays and songs, encourage your toddler to learn the words. Say all but one keyword of a phrase and ask them to fill in the blank—this shows you they are retaining what they hear which is an important skill for life long learning.
The Books
When reading, ask open ended questions such as ‘Why do you think they did that?’ ‘How do you think this made them feel?’ ‘Would you do that?’ ‘What do you think happens next’ to engage nascent critical thinking and reading comprehension skills.
Typically, the first time the book is introduced, it is read straight through to familiarize the child with the story. Subsequent readings should challenge your child to remember what’s next or infer a character’s feelings.
It’s okay if your questions are met with silence or confusion! That’s normal. Just answer the question yourself so your child can learn from you. If you are consistent with this, your child will soon surprise you with their opinions and imagination.
A note on the books used in this preschool curriculum… Books can be found at the library or purchased. I’ve taken the time to select books that mostly meet two criteria:
1. They must cost less than $10 to purchase.
2. They are part of the Amazon.com’s 4 for 3 promotion so for every 3 books you purchase, you get 1 free.
The Art Activity
Art activities are meant for toddlers to do with the idea that the experience is more important than the process or creating something ‘nice’. I’ve either created my own art activities or found the best ones for the theme from various blogs on the internet --in which case you will find a link that will take you to that site for craft instructions.
Toddler art projects were selected on the basis of whether or not a toddler could complete them from start to finish and were limited to activities that used common art supplies. These art projects are not fancy and require minimal parental involvement because the point is to have the toddler do it.
The Investigation Activity
These activities are designed to allow your toddler to explore science or ‘how stuff works’ aspect of the curriculum theme. Some of them are surprisingly scientific. Others are extension activities that build on concepts introduced in the books. Be sure to ask open ended questions and have toddlers try to predict results. The investigations are intended to be thought provoking and develop critical thinking skills. They should also be a lot of fun too!
In researching activities for the book, I have to say I think this free ebook is going to be one of the nicest early science resources out there.
Cooking with Kids
This section uses recipes specifically created for young children. Most recipes, with some exceptions, tie in directly with the unit theme. I made every attempt to use whole, healthy foods, but strict adherence to that ideal was not possible.
This was, by far, the most difficult part of the curriculum to develop because toddlers have limited skills and parents don’t want to (or need to) spend three hours in the kitchen. Nutritional concessions were made in the interests of time and in order to accommodate the skills of budding chefs. If a recipe violates the food ethics of your household, please feel free to cook something else.
Bonus Activities
Some units lent themselves to games or imaginative play prompts. Those are included as well whenever possible. Additional products are sometimes suggested as well that compliment the unit.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Friday Fingerplays: Winter Clean Up
This is a great fingerplay for teaching children what needs to be done when they come inside after playing in the snow. Pantomime each action and then recite this little sequential fingerplay when they really do come inside after building a snowman.
When I come inside
When I come in from outdoor play.
I take my boots off right away.
I set them by the door just so.
Then off my cap and mittens go.
Zip down my coat and snowpants too.
And hang them up when I am through.
I'm a helper, keeping my things clean.
Yay!
When I come inside
When I come in from outdoor play.
I take my boots off right away.
I set them by the door just so.
Then off my cap and mittens go.
Zip down my coat and snowpants too.
And hang them up when I am through.
I'm a helper, keeping my things clean.
Yay!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday Fingerplays: Snowman Fingerplay and a Christmas Song
Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snow man, had a carrot nose (Touch child's nose)
A long came a bunny and what do you suppose? (Make hand into a bunny shape)
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch (Have the bunny hop)
Ate that snowman's carrot nose ('Eat' child's nose)
Nibble, nibble crunch
Christmas Time (sung to the tune of Row Your Boat)
Note: If you have a bell to ring, all the more fun
Ring, ring, ring the bells
Ring them loud and clear
To tell the children everywhere
That Christmas time is here!
A chubby little snow man, had a carrot nose (Touch child's nose)
A long came a bunny and what do you suppose? (Make hand into a bunny shape)
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch (Have the bunny hop)
Ate that snowman's carrot nose ('Eat' child's nose)
Nibble, nibble crunch
Christmas Time (sung to the tune of Row Your Boat)
Note: If you have a bell to ring, all the more fun
Ring, ring, ring the bells
Ring them loud and clear
To tell the children everywhere
That Christmas time is here!
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