27Jul2018
Kids Development
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July 27, 2018

via ECMHC: Daily Ideas

  • Model asking others for help. If you have a task to do in the classroom, involve another child. For example, if you need to move a stack of magazines to the shelf, ask a child to help you take a stack, even if you could get it all yourself! Take the opportunity to model how to ask a friend for help.
  • Whenever children have to take turns, have the child who just finished call someone to go next. This helps bridge children’s interactions with each other, rather than always being focused on the adult.
  • During toileting assign each child a partner to help keep accountable to flushing and washing their hands. This keeps kids from being “tattlers” to being an accountability partner. Also, teach them to give high fives and say things like “I’m proud of you” when their partner remembers all by themselves.
  • When in transition have the children pair up and hold a friends hand while walking down the hall.
  • Whisper a sentence to the line leader about something that makes you happy like the game “Telephone.” The line leader will whisper to the next person and on down the line until your sentence reaches the last person. The last person will repeat the teacher’s sentence (or whatever he/she heard) out loud. Let several children help pass out plates, napkins, and utensils. Encourage them to say, “Here, (name).” and make eye contact as they pass out the supplies. The recipient should say, “Thanks, (name.)”
  • Assign one child to be the “Friendship Foreman” for the day. Walk with a child to a center he/she does not usually play in and help him/her ask, “Can I play here?” Stay to help him/her enter play.
  • Sit down and have a conversation with at least 3 children on the playground today about whatever they are playing with or creating. Chalk drawings, sensory tables, and outdoor dramatic play give lots of opportunities.
  • Have “Buddy Time” during the first 10 minutes of outdoor play. Assign each child a buddy and encourage them to play together for at least the first 10 minutes.
    Have children help during routines, such as putting out cots/mats for nap. Two children will need to work together to carry big or heavy items, and you can point out how they are being friends and working together.
  • When transitioning (e.g., to the playground), choose “helpers” to carry your clipboard/first aid backpack/etc.
  • Talk about your own social behaviors. You can say things like, “I said ‘thank you’ to Ms. Tanya because she passed me the milk” or “I think I’ll hold the door open for Jamal, because his hands are full.”
  • Identify certain items in centers that require children to help each other–taking a dollhouse off a shelf, moving the car garage, feeding the class pet–explain to children that it takes 2 friends to do these things
  • Throughout the day or during a walk through the building, talk about the different ways the people you see help at school (cafeteria workers, crossing guard, director, nurse) and in the community (firefighter, teacher, police officer, doctor). Emphasize the helping nature of these jobs.
  • When assigning classroom jobs, give two children each job so that they have to work together to inspect centers, pass or snack, or do whatever the duty is.
  • Teach children how to greet visitors when the visit the classroom. Practice shaking hands and welcoming each other.
  • In certain table activities, assign a child to be in charge of that activity for the day. When other children come to the activity, that child in charge must explain the activity to their friend and help them complete the activity
  • During art, let two children draw a picture on one side of the easel together
  • Put a pair of telephones in home living so the children can pretend to talk on the phone to each other.
  • Pair children up in art. Give each child in the pair a different color and have them paint together on the same paper. Discuss what color they made when their colors mixed together.
  • Use animals from the books that you are reading to discuss how animals live and work in groups. For example, reading a book about lions, discuss how they live together in prides. When the children work together point out to the whole class that they are acting like lions and that the whole class is like a pride.

Weekly Ideas

  • Play, “There’s Somebody in the Box” to help children learn each other’s names. Take a large box and cut out the back for easy in and out. Hide one child in the box while the others have their eyes closed. Sing this song (tune – Farmer in the Dell) “There’s somebody in the box, oh who do you think it could be? We’ll take a guess, we’ll try our best, and then we’ll peek and see”. Have the children see if they know who is missing. Great for the beginning of the year!
  • Start morning meeting time by having children move around the carpet greeting each other as if they are princes/princesses. Make sure they make eye contact and say words to each other. Help them get creative: they can give each other a hug, use a “royal” accent, bow and curtsy, etc. Vary the character to match your theme – the children can act like the President, a Grandma or Grandpa, a superhero, a cowboy, a firefighter, etc.
  • Have a friendship spotter – make several pairs of “binoculars” with toilet paper tubes, have a child go around during center time and look for children being friends and report back to you. Share the observations in large group after center time is over.
  • Give children Bingo Boards with children’s names or pictures. Make a game of playing with at least 3 different people during Center Time.
  • Bring toys that require two or more people: a wagon, toss & catch game, etc.
  • Make a “Friendship Board” on a bulletin board in your classroom. Take pictures when children a working together on something or playing together and put them on the wall.
  • Practice partner dancing during music and movement at least once a week. This helps the children work on the different rhythms expressed by other children and synchronize their bodies. It also helps them tune into another child’s body which is imperative for children to be able to do when noticing emotions in other people.

Home Ideas

  • When you sit down for meals, discuss how family-style eating and passing food is like sharing and taking turns with toys.
  • Use puppets to act out different situations (e.g., one puppet takes a toy from another puppet). Ask child what happened that was not a good way for the puppets to play together. Come up with ideas of nicer ways that the puppets could have played, including ideas like sharing and taking turns.
  • When leaving the house, ask the child to help you carry things. Afterward, thank them for helping.
  • Talk about your own social behaviors. You can say things like, “I said ‘thank you’ to Rachel because she passed me the milk” or “I think I’ll help Uncle Larry put away the groceries.”
  • Throughout daily routines outside of the house, talk about the different ways the people you see help (police officers, bus drivers, cashiers). Emphasize the helping nature of these jobs.
  • Use meal preparation as a chance to practice and talk about social skills. Have children get out ingredients, set the table or stir food. Discuss how important it is to help and how much the help is appreciated.
  • At any point during routines, talk about how families are like a special group of friends. Mention how you use kind words, share, and help each other just like with friends at school.
  • Teach children how to act when they are meeting new people. Practice shaking hands and manners that go with introductions.
  • Use animals from the books that you are reading to discuss how animals live and work in groups. For example, reading a book about lions, discuss how they live together in prides. When the children work together point out to the whole class that they are acting like lions and that the whole class is like a pride.
23Jul2018
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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July 23, 2018

via Dabbles & Bubbles: We’re on the home stretch of summer now and you may be trying to find things to keep your kid’s minds (and fingers) busy. Have you considered sewing?

Kids are never too young when it comes to learning crafts, especially sewing. Sewing can not only bring hours of joy, it’s also a practical life skill. These fun sewing ideas will help kids learn and develop dexterity and coordination. I’ve been on the lookout for some cute things they can start off with and the projects I’ve gathered here range in difficulty from toddlers to teens.

Once kids learn any one of these fun sewing projects, who knows these might even spark their imagination to come up with their own creations. So go find a kid and get your sewing on!

1. FRIED EGG FELT ZIPPER POUCH
In the ranks of cute foods, fried eggs are at the top of the list – so here they are, fried eggs in all their felty goodness. The DIY Fried Egg Felt Zipper Pouch is in full effect.
Via Damask love

2. FABRIC SCRAP KEY CHAIN

Finally, you can get rid of your fabric scraps and teach your young ones to be crafty and resourceful, too.
Via Craftiness is not Optional

3. BOOK CORNER BOOKMARK
This lovely bookmark is for the older kids who might want to put a little spin on their own creations.
Via kr creations

4. EMOJI KEYRINGS
Have you seen the hundreds of emoji pillows and products in the stores these days? Once your child makes one of these keyrings, they’ll want to make one for everyone in the neighborhood.
Via crafternoon cabaret club

5. SCENTED SACHETS
These scented sachets will not only give your child something to do, these can also keep drawers and closets smell loads better.
Via Martha Stewart

6. FISH LAUNDRY BAGS
Cute… check! Useful… check! Easy… check! These adorable Fish Laundry Bags will be the envy of all the other kids at camp.
Via she can sew

7. PLEATED HEADBAND
Kids will surely enjoy making their own combinations of fabric, buttons, and charms to make these lovely headbands.
Via Craftiness is not Optional

8. I HEART COFFEE COZY
Having a fabric cozy to take with me to get a hot beverage helps to keep the cardboard ones out of the dumpsters. Plus, it is super cute!
Via simply notable

9. KEYCHAIN CHAPSTICK HOLDER
For kids/teens who can’t live without their chapstick – these will keep them from losing them.
Via Crazy Little Projects

10. FELT FOREST FRIENDS KEYCHAINS
Kids can make their own little forest friend, hand sew and use on their bags.
Via Repeat Crafter Me

11. HANDSEWN BEADY EYEGLASS CASE
These would be perfect for kids to make for their grandparents, friends or themselves.
Via How To Sew.com

12. GLOVE MONSTERS
These cute glove monsters will surely be a hit for kids, they can make them as funny or scary as they like.
Via Craftaholics Anonymous

13. FELT IPOD CASE
Even young kids have smartphones now, so why not teach them how to better take care of their things by learning how to create a case.
Via Diary of a Quilter

14. CAREFREE CAT FROM SCRAPS
When you start combining pieces of fabric and sewing them together, the toy starts to create its own character…just like this super carefree cat made from fabric scraps.
Via Sew Toy

15. BUTTON SEWING
Button sewing is the easiest thing to teach young kids – just use a blunt needle and burlap.
Via Mama.Papa.Bubba

I hope these sewing ideas for kids will give you parents the chance to widen your kids’ horizons and teach them a skill or two. If you have other fun and easy sewing ideas that you would like to share with us, please do so in the comments.

22Jul2018
Kids Development
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July 22, 2018

via lovelyindeed: If you don’t remember, we spent a few weeks in Paris a few years ago and I came back with my head absolutely in the clouds. As a matter of fact, of my very favorite Parisian-y things to do was to pack a picnic and go eat in the park (preferably under the Eiffel Tower, duh), which led to one of my favorite pictures of all time. So when we came back, I figured out how to make a picnic basket for a perfect Parisian-type picnic so we could pretend we were back there again. In case you dream of the same thing, we’re sharing our little tutorial here for you.

The key to this project is that you don’t actually have to make the basket, you just find a really great pre-existing one and outfit it for picnicking. And that means that you can find a basket that’s perfect for your needs, whether it’s larger, smaller, or any shape and color you can imagine. As you’re planning how to make a picnic basket, consider your needs and the types of items you’d like to be able to store inside your basket. It also helps to thing about how you’ll be transporting it (bike, car, walking, and so on). That should help you narrow down the size and shape of the perfect basket.

Materials

  • basket with hinged lid
  • E6000 (or your favorite mega-strong glue)
  • colorful elastic ribbon
  • large button
  • scissors
  • upholstery thread

Make Time: 1 Hour (Plus Drying Time)

Start by figuring out what utensils you’d like to attach to the inside of your basket. I wanted to make space for a couple of sets of silverware, and a couple of champagne glasses. (Speaking of which, here’s a tutorial to make your own gold polka dot champagne flutes!)

Then, measure out the elastic so that it’s long enough to wrap around your glasses but keep them very snug. Snip off the right amount of elastic. Spread E-6000 on both ends and press the ends firmly into the underside of the basket lid.

Repeat the process for the other items you’d like to attach to the lid. For utensils, make a small loop of elastic by cutting about 2 inches and glueing the ends together. Then glue the loop to the lid in the same way you did for the glasses.

Use thick upholstery thread to weave through the front of the basket and through the hole of your button. Next, make a few passes with the needle to ensure that the connection is strong. Finally, double knot and snip the ends.

Glue a loop of elastic to the underside of the lid of your basket, long enough to reach around the button and hold the lid taut.

Allow all of your glue to dry for at least 24 hours, or until it’s completely cured. If you’d like to add places to hold plates or larger items to the lid or sides of your basket, do so in the same manner that you added the elastic for the glasses. Plates hold well if you glue the elastic on in an “X” shape, because then they stay secure if your basket gets jostled around.

And that’s all! Fill it with fun treats (champagne required) and get yourself on some picnics! xoxo

20Jul2018
Kids Development
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July 20, 2018

via Reserve America: You’ve done the impossible and scheduled a time when the whole family can get together.

Make this gathering one to remember with a few family reunion games. Not only are they fun for all ages, but they’re a great way to elicit lots of laughter and create lasting memories.

Make a Family Album
Set up an area where people can gather between activities and meals to do crafts. An extra screened-in, family-size tent, or pop-up shelter would be an ideal place to set up. Ask everyone to bring copies of family photos that can be compiled into a family photo album and encourage everyone to decorate their own pages over the course of the weekend.

Here is a list of basic supplies to get you started:

  • Construction paper
  • Stickers
  • Stamps
  • Glue
  • Scissors (consider using child-safe scissors)
  • Crayons, markers, colored pencils or colorful pens
  • Glitter (although it can get messy)
  • A blank scrapbook

The Banana game

Ask all willing family members to line up. Tie a string around a banana and hang the banana from each player’s waist so that it hovers just above the ground; then put a whiffle ball in front of each player. Participants must use their hips to swing the banana so that it hits the ball. The first player whose ball crosses the finish line—about 30 feet away—wins. It sounds awkward, but it’s a riot.

Play Ball

Group ball games are some of the best family reunion activities because they allow everyone to play together. Some games you can easily plan for include:

  • VolleyballBocce ball
  • Baseball or softball
  • Soccer

Water Balloon Toss

On hot days, this family reunion game is a must. Have everyone pick a partner and stand facing each other. Start standing two-feet apart, and after each toss, take one step backwards. The team who tosses the balloon the farthest without letting it pop wins.

Quick tip: It’s always fun to have prizes on hand for the winners—even something small and goofy would suffice.

Egg Race

Another family reunion favorite, the egg race is great for a big group. Have everyone choose a partner, face each other, and then stand about 30 feet apart. All players have to put spoons in their mouths. The first player places an egg on their spoon and runs it to their teammate across the way. They must transfer the egg from their spoon to their teammate’s spoon, without letting it fall. The teammate then has to run the egg back to the other side to win.

Everyone is racing against each other, and if you drop the egg, your team is out.

Family Talent Show

Have each family member perform a talent in front of the whole group. Even people who think they don’t have talents should be able to come up with something.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Sing a song
  • Do a theatrical reading
  • Recite a poem from memory
  • Perform a skit with one or more family members (i.e. Who’s on First by Abbott and Costello)
  • Juggle
  • Play an instrument
  • Do a dance (individual or with a partner)

Quick tip: This is one of the best family reunion activities to record with a video camera and watch at future reunions.

Story Time

This is a great activity for the campfire. Ask everyone prepare a story about someone else in advance—remember, embarrassing is good, but maybe not too embarrassing—and plan to share it with everyone one night.

If you have a large group, choose one person from each of the nuclear families to tell a story about someone else.

Quick tip: Try to think of something that most of your extended family doesn’t already know. The best stories are those that reveal something unusual, sweet or funny about that family member’s personality.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt can be about searching and collecting specific items or solving clues that lead to treasure. This can be as basic or intricate as you want to make it. Kids can play individually, or if you want siblings and cousins to build camaraderie have them play in teams of two or more.

Some of the items on their list can include:

A particular type of leaf or flower that’s native to the areaKindling for the fireLitter that can be recycledA piece of pine barkWild mushroomA signature from the oldest person at the reunion (let the kids figure out who it is)
If you want to get fancy, you can create clues that they have to solve along the way.

Quick tip: Set parameters by telling the kids that they have to stay within 50 or 100 feet of the campsite, or that they have to stay within eyesight of the camping area.

Family Trivia

Send a questionnaire to all family members before the reunion so you can collect information. This will help you compile the list of trivia questions to ask during the reunion.

During the gathering, split the group into several teams—the size and amount of teams will depend on how large your family is. You can do this Jeopardy-style or take turns asking each team questions like in traditional trivial pursuit.

You can create categories such as:

  • Love and Marriage
  • Work Life
  • Sports
  • Art and History
  • Middle Names
  • Detention (what different people have gotten in trouble for over the years—stick to minor, funny offenses)

And here are some sample trivia questions:

  • Grandma came to the U.S. in what year?
  • Uncle Jack played soccer for which Division I college team?
  • Someone in this group has always wanted to be an astronaut. Who is it?

Charades

You can play with a traditional game set or come up with your own list of things to act out. If you want to create the cards yourself, have everyone in the group write the following little pieces of paper:

  • One movie
  • One famous person
  • One phrase
  • One book
  • One Activity
19Jul2018
Kids Development, Parenting Tips
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July 19, 2018

via LIFECHO: We try to answer the question What is the Role of a Parent? by taking into analysis the biological, psychological, social and financial dimensions. The parents’ roles are of the maximum importance for personality development of the children. Basic traditional roles of being a parent are: nurture and educate children, discipline them, manage home and financially support family. Modern roles brought an active participation of fathers in children care. The main idea is that parents must be child centered and should aim to optimal growth and development of their children, to help them have satisfactory biological, social, psychological and emotional growth.

Take Care of the Biological Needs of Children
The first role of the parents is to take care of their child’s biological needs. Providing physical care to fulfill the needs of the child imply: proper food, fresh air, good lighting, enough sleep, recreation time, etc.

Provide an Optimal Environment
You have to provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment that allows the children to grow healthy. For an optimal development, children need: adequate physical home environment; a tolerant and positive atmosphere; conditions for positive changes and improvements; opportunities to explore and experiment in his environment; consistent routine; etc.

Protect Your Children
Make sure their environment is safe. You have to protect your children, to warn them by telling what is safe to do and what isn’t, before they venture out on their own. Teach your child the difference between right and wrong, and that wrong may be harmful both for him and for others. Your goal is to protect your children from dangers to which they may be vulnerable and to keep them safe. Also children feel safe when there is continuity and consistency in daily routines, and especially when there is a loving atmosphere.

Teach and Educate Your Child
To raise your children properly, your duties aren’t limited to food, shelter and protection, but also require you to teach and educate them, to shape knowledge and character, to prepare your child to face the real world. So another parent’s role is to make possible learning of such actions as walking and talking, reading and writing (to facilitate learning of these activities, a parent must have patience and understanding). The main goal here is to provide the children with the best possible education. A parent has to be a fine observer (to have an overview of their children’s behaviors, moods and activities) and instructor for his children. If you want to be successful in this process of education, you have to be a model for your child. Especially be a gender model for the child and show him or her how to be a man or a woman. Teach your children about what is at the core of masculinity or femininity (see gender roles in the family).

Give your child various opportunities to finally become a healthy member of the community. To successfully integrate your child into your community, you should give him the knowledge of your community culture so that he will have the needed information and skills to grow up into a adapted adult. It is very important to guide your children toward social adaptation and integration. To help your kids develop appropriate coping skills and help them gain independence, explain and carry out tasks with your child. You also must be an advisor and a checker for homework. Take the time to explain. What is the role of a parent question doesn’t imply that there is just a single and essential role. There are many roles of being a parent and some of them are essential, while others are secondary.

Provide Guidance, Direction, Assistance and Help
Sit back and listen to your child, abstain from imposing your point of view and just offer appropriate direction and guidance. Another important role of parent is to provide guidance and assistance in the process of personal development and growth. The most effective way to help children is to advise them instead of commanding and to guide the progress of child development without doing his work (help them cope, but don’t solve yourself their problems). Give them a sense of direction and provide sufficient support to succeed and to feel that they are the source of the achievement.

Step back and facilitate children find out independence, allow and encourage them to be independent, help them handle and balance their needs for independence and dependence. Understand their need to be independent without loosing all your authority. When children show a certain level of responsibility and independence extend their privileges and freedoms, but hold them back when their behavior go wrong. At an early stage you make decisions for your children, but at teenage just assist them to decide (provide the wisdom to make themselves the final decision). Assist your child in the achievement of a task; help him only when necessary and only as far as needed. Familiarize your children with the diversity, pros and cons, and benefits of the most relevant ways to make a living, but let them to choose their own career. Ask various questions to get the child to discover exactly what it is he wants to do or be.

Support and Motivate the Child
If you want the child to be successful and to achieve his goals, encourage and motivate him. Positive motivation and encouragement is a must, love your kids both when they succeed and when they fail. Provide empathic encouragement as a reward for an achievement, but also to minimize the frustrations of failure. Teach the child to look at failure as a situation of learning and not as a tragic situation. Listen and be supportive, encourage instead of crushing child’s capacity to say no, at all costs. Motivate and persuade children to achieve more than they thought possible. Motivate the child and even gently push him to strive ever harder, if you want him to gain a strong will.

Don’t think that your children are sufficient to themselves and that they will grow up into strong young adults by themselves! Children should be personally motivated and trained to achieve their tasks. In short, you must be the personal coach of your kids: hearten the positive, temperate the negative, be active and influence your kid development. Praise your child, not only his behavior!

Take Care of the Social Emotional Skills
Another duty of you as a parent is to help your child to acquire emotional wellbeing. There are positive factors, such as: praise, encouragement, calm talk and response, affectionate attention, etc. that will help to build healthy emotions. Strive to eliminate negative factors such as will annihilation, sarcasm, neglect or bullying. Each child is unique, don’t compare your child with others (especially when you observe a weakness), rather help him deal with being different and even encourage him to be unique. Assist children in learning how to express their feelings and desires and help them develop healthy relationships. Socialize your child.

Monitor the emotional development of children and keep away main traumatic events that can negatively affect their emotional dimension. Assist child develop a positive self-perception, a strong sense safety and make sure they feel loved, if you want to raise an emotionally healthy young adult. Be calm and emotionally supportive. Teach child how to control and change their thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

Discipline Gently
Understand what the child is communicating directly or indirectly by his attitudes and behaviors. A major aspect of the parent’s role is to establish and maintain order in family by requesting a certain level of discipline. Always have a calm reaction, respond consistently, appropriately, and sensitively and gently give a corrective feedback to your child when his behavior is inappropriate. A calm and emphatic talk helps children become conscious of their mistakes. An upset reaction increases the tendency of child to defend him. You have to do what is best for your children, rather than overlook their ways of behaving in order to meet your need for silence. Practice a gentle but firm style of discipline.

Set boundaries and limits to control the children, impose ground rules and standards if you want to cultivate a good will. Build your authority, take charge and when limits are transgressed, issue ultimatums, enforce discipline and impose consequences. Don’t provide approval, praise or rewards when child’s behavior is inappropriate. Also parents’ duty is to warn their children to set aside games and TV until homework is finished. If you want to master the art of gentle discipline you have to acquire effective parenting techniques.

Finally, as a parent you have to be strong and do your best for your children even at your own cost (put your children position first). Be a giver rather than a receiver, give and go on giving, but at the same time demand (role of the child may be that of succeeding in school and of respecting the ground rules of family). You also have to continually learn, improve and optimize your parenting knowledge and skills. We tried to answer to What is the role of a parent? inquiry by describing the most important roles of being a parent and hope you will benefit our tips.

15Jul2018
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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July 15, 2018

via the imagination tree: After we made the natural food colouring this week I wanted to try out using the blueberry one to dye some homemade playdough. It turned out a beautiful raspberry pink colour and smelt lovely and fruity!

We added some red glitter to make it sparkly and even more appealing. We have a bit of a thing for glitter, as you may have noticed!

They made some blueberry pancakes in a little pan and chopped them up with a (blunt) pizza cutter.

And then they set to work decorating them with beads, buttons and gems. Delicious!

I had to really fiddle with the recipe to make sure it wasn’t too sticky because of using a fruit juice-based colouring. These are the quantities I ended up with, which seemed to work well eventually!

  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1/4 cup blueberry colouring topped up to a full cup with boiling water (so 1 cup liquid altogether)
  • 3/4 cup of salt
  • 1.5 tablespoons of oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon cream of tartar

Mix together vigorously and then knead until all lumps have gone. This should take a few minutes. If too sticky add a little more flour, 1/4 of a cup at a time. If too dry add another teaspoon of oil. Experiment!

Learning Links:

  • Sensory: exploring textures using fingers and scents using nose. Describe sticky/ dry/ liquid/ solid
  • Motor skills: develop fine motor skills by pinching, squeezing, rolling, squashing, flattening
  • Creativity: pretend and role play scenarios eg bakery, sweet shop, pizzas, pancakes. Using one tool to represent another in imaginary play. Decorating using beads and sparkles
  • Knowledge & Understanding (Science): Mixing ingredients together, observing change of state of materials, predicting outcomes, experimenting outcomes of adding more flour/water, talking about real cooking ingredients and tools
  • Maths: counting out cup fulls, measuring and quantities, capacity- full, empty and half full
  • PSHE: working independently and also collaboratively to achieve an outcome, cooperation, sustaining involvement in a self-chosen project/ activity
14Jul2018
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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July 14, 2018

via Easy Peasy And Fun: Are you ready for shark week? We’ve been gearing up and that’s why we have collected 25+ most awesome shark crafts and activities for kids (and big kids) to make in days to come (or all year round, as these fierce fishes are fun all year round)!

You’ll find a ton of activities for all ages – for the somewhat clumsy hands of toddlers and preschoolers, through the more crafty kindergartners, kids in grade school and even a few that you will totally enjoy!

Funky Shark Puppet

This one is insanely easy to assemble and we have both the colored and black and white version kids can color. These have been a huge hit in preschool and kindergarten, a fun project to do along with the Baby Shark song.

Surprise Big Mouth Shark Printable Paper Craft for Kids

This is such a cool little paper toy! Draw the details, color the desing, fold and play.

Shark corner bookmark

Just a few simple folds and you will make your very own little bookmark.

More Shark Crafts and Activities for Kids Just in Time for Shark Week

1. Let’s start with something I’m sure you made as a kid, just in different form – lets make a shark cootie catcher. Easy Peasy and Fun

2. This lovely shark craft is a must do for shark week.

3. Have a preschooler at home or a kindergartner? They are going to love this easy cupcake liner shark. I heart Crafty Things

4. This shark sensory bottle will keep your toddlers busy for a while (and you can have the big brother or big sister make it). Stir The Wonder

5. We love a good game and to celebrate shark week we’ll be playing this matching pairs game all week! MollyMoo Crafts

6. Sunny day? Make a shark suncatcher! It’s adorable! Buggy and Buddy

7. Like to craft with paper plates? Make this rocking paper plate craft! Artsy Momma

8. As back to school is also “the thing” why not make a fierce pencil holder. Craft Klatch

9. Just want to learn more about sharks? You’re going to love these resources. The Natural Homeschool

10. Toddlers and preschoolers like to make footprint and handprint art so they are going to love this footprint craft. Glued to My Crafts

Shark Week Madness

11. If you’re thinking of making some treats with your kids this adorable and easy to make marshmallow pops are a must!

12. Or make this wiggly shark snack. The Joys of Boys

13. I scream for ice cream sandwich. Reading Confetti

14. You can also make shark jell-o snacks! Artsy Momma

15. Love I spy games? Then print this printable shark I spy game! Simple Fun for Kids

16. Working on fine motor skills? Give this fun game a try! School Time Snippets

17. Another clever idea is to turn golf balls into sharks! How fun is that? Craft Klatch

18. Go crazy with the duct tape and make this awesome craft. Naturally Educational

19. Another lovely sensory experience – make a shark sensory water bin. 3 Dinosaurs

20. If you or your kids are into simple sewing project you must play around with this funky shark purse.

21. You can also make a pretty fierce looking jewelry holder (or a wall decor). Creative Green Living

22. Re-purpose old washcloths and make a shark puppet! So You Think You’re Crafty

23. How about playing around with an actual shark tooth (a fossil one to add to the fun)? Check out how to make a stunning shark tooth necklace! Fall for DIY

24. Or make a pack of absolutely awesome yet scary looking DIY coasters! Perfect for a shark week party! Craft Klatch

25. I’ve been loving the clothespin crafts lately and this shark clothespin is a must make project. Estefi Machado

26. Lastly a fun project for all ages – make a pair of shark socks! Dollar Store Crafts

13Jul2018
Kids Development, Parenting Tips
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July 13, 2018

via newsner: Are you the kind of parent that’s always hugging your kids? If the answer is yes then don’t stop doing what you’re doing.

According to new reserach, physical affection during a baby’s development period is even more important than we thought.

The more you hug a baby, the more their brains grow, according to a recent survey from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

125 babies, both premature and full-term, were included in the study, which looked at how well they reponded to being physically touched.

The results indicated that premature babies responded to affection less than babies who were not born premature. What was also revealed however, was that babies that were subjected to more affection by parents or hospital staff showed stronger brain response.

According to researcher Dr. Nathalie Maitre, this last revelation tells us that something as simple as body contact or rocking your baby in your arms will make a big difference in how their brains develop.

“Making sure that preterm babies receive positive, supportive touch such as skin-to-skin care by parents is essential to help their brains respond to gentle touch in ways similar to those of babies who experienced an entire pregnancy inside their mother’s womb,” Maitre tells Science Daily.

Basically, affection is vital for the development of the brain. So, cuddle and hug your babies as much as you can – and don’t forget to share this research to show everyone out there how important it is to be loving to our children!

10Jul2018
Kids Development
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July 10, 2018

via lovetoknow: When you are out at a family picnic, playing games together can be a great way to foster bonding, encourage positive family interaction, and have some fun together. If your picnic area has large, open, flat areas of land, plan some games of skill that are fun for all ages.

Human Ringtoss Truth or Dare

This super active game is great for larger families to play together. Families are split into two teams, with a minimum of 10 players in total. All that you need for this game are 10 hula hoops, or one per person. The object of the game is to successfully throw your hula hoop around one of your teammates, who has volunteered to be the human ringtoss. Whichever team gets all of their hula hoops on their teammate first gets to ask the other team to answer either truth or dare. Each team member will need to answer the question or participate in the dare activity.

This game is great for all ages and makes for an entertaining way to enjoy a large family gathering. It is great exercise and always makes for a fun time after a picnic.

Red Light, Green Light Family Trivia

This fun game is a twist on the classic Red Light, Green Light. Prepare three to five family trivia cards per participant prior to heading out for your picnic. One person plays the role of the traffic light, noting “red light” for stop and “green light” for go. The other participants stand facing the traffic light and move according to the traffic light’s commands. The person playing the traffic light turns around when giving the “green light” command, and the other players attempt to tag the traffic light. Whoever tags the traffic light first must correctly answer a family trivia card selected by the traffic light in order to take over the position. If not, they must move back three steps and the game continues.

This game can be played by kids of all ages, in large groups or small. It teaches great listening and rule-following skills. It also burns a lot of energy, so it is great for families looking to exercise or tire out rowdy little ones.

Would You Rather Hot Potato

This fun game takes just a little bit of prep. Purchase a beach ball and blow it up. Come up with 25 to 50 “would you rather” questions and write them all over the ball. You can play this game similar to catch, where everyone gets a fair amount of turns, or you can make it more challenging by incorporating hot potato rules. Using a timer or an hourglass, toss the ball around as quickly as you can. Whoever drops the ball or catches it when the timer runs out must answer one of the questions.

This game is fun to play with kids who are seven and older and works well in groups of at least four. This is a funny way to bond with members of your family while sharing lots of giggles together.

Chubby Bunny Dice

For this game, you will need two dice and a few bags of large marshmallows. The object of the game is to roll a matching set of dice. If you do not roll a matching set, you place one marshmallow in your mouth. The person who ends up with the most marshmallows in their mouth loses. The best part of this game is that losing tastes really good!

This is a great game for kids of all ages – under the proper supervision since dice are choking hazards. If you are playing with younger children, feel free to have them pair up with adults.

Hula Hoop Charades

For this activity, you will need at least one hula hoop per team. This game can be played in groups as small as six, but you can also enjoy it with a larger group. Split the teams up evenly and give each team a hula hoop. Whoever decides to go first on each team will meet with the game master to get the same charade clue. The game master will announce when the game has started, and whoever is acting out the clue must do so while hula hooping. If the hula hoop drops, you do not get the point.

This game is great for kids and adults of all ages. If you are playing with a really young child, you can alter the rules allowing them to do another activity with the hula hoop while they act out their clue. An adult or older child on their team can also sub in for them with the hula hooping aspect.

Glass Half Empty or Full

To play this game, you will need one plastic cup per person, a few jugs of water or access to a hose, one large bucket per team, and one blindfold per person. You can play this game in groups as small as eight, but it’s extra fun in larger groups. Split the teams up evenly and assign two team captains who will be stationed at the large water buckets. Give everyone else a cup of water filled about halfway and a blindfold. The object of the game is for the blindfolded teammates to successfully make their way towards their team captain without spilling any of their water along the way and emptying their glass into the team’s large bucket. Team captains are encouraged to shout helpful instructions to their teammates. Whichever team ends up with the most water wins.

The game can be played by kids and adults of all ages. To make the game progressively more challenging, you can have the blindfolded teammates carry the water with one hand, with their mouths, and with just their arms. Little ones can play without the blindfold but can engage in a tricky activity like hopping on one foot, skipping or walking backwards towards their team captain.

Scavenger Hunt Candy Crush

This is a great game for those who have a sweet tooth. You will need a few bags of large marshmallows, five large cups per team and a prepared scavenger hunt list. The scavenger hunt can be made easy or difficult depending on the ages of the kids playing. Split the teams up evenly and set up the cups in a line near each team. The object of the game is to complete your scavenger hunt before the other team does and successfully launch one marshmallow into each cup using only your mouth.

This game is great for kids of all ages and can be played in groups as small as four, with two on each team. Enjoy the leftover marshmallows as a sweet treat or bring s’mores supplies for a late night picnic snack.

Brainy Balloon Toss

To play this game, you will need one blown up balloon per person, a timer and trivia cards appropriate for the age group. Split the teams up evenly, and appoint one person per team as the trivia card reader. Each team will get one minute to answer their trivia questions, and they must keep all of their balloons up in the air while doing so. Whoever answers the most questions correctly wins. If any balloons drop, the team loses the rest of their time to answer questions.

This game works well for kids of all ages and can be played with beach balls to make it more challenging. If the kids you are playing with are really young, bring along some alphabet cards or animal recognition cards. Adults or older kids can be in charge of keeping the team’s balloons up in the air while the youngest member answers questions.

Don’t Drop the Ball

This game requires one ball per team and a timer. This can be played in groups as small as six. Split the teams up evenly. Starting off, each team will be positioned closely together and will toss the ball to each other for one full minute without stopping. The other team gets one opportunity, after the 30 second mark, to give their opponents a challenge. This might include jumping up and down, closing your eyes, running in place, or spinning in a circle while still trying to catch the ball. Teams can get creative about the challenges they want the other team to do while throwing the ball to each other. If the team drops the ball at any time, they are not awarded any points. After each round, the other team will get the opportunity to come up with challenges for their opponents while they toss the ball to each other.

This game works best for older kids but can be tweaked for younger children. If you are playing with really little ones, you can have them roll the ball to each other or have them stand closer together while tossing the ball.

Classic Games

These games have been around for a while because they are so much fun! These are great to play in small or large groups, and can be enjoyed by folks of all ages:

Horseshoes – All you need for this game are two stakes about 20 inches high and four metal horseshoes. Two teams of two players take turns tossing the horseshoes toward the stakes. Points are awarded for the horseshoes that are closest to the stake.

Croquet – This game requires a croquet set and is great for two or more players. This game takes a fair amount of coordination, focus and patience, so it would be best to play this with children who are 10 and older.
Hide and Seek – This favorite game can be played by groups large and small and with children of all ages.

Family Fun

Keep your family’s customs and preferences in mind when planning outdoor games. Bring music along or enjoy the sounds of nature. Playing games at a picnic is a great way to connect with your family and have an awesome time together!

7Jul2018
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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July 7, 2018

via lookwerelearning: Is there anything on earth better than chocolate? *thinks for a minute*

Yeah, I’d have to say no.

So when it comes to making learning fun, I love the idea of adding chocolate to the mix!

I thought these fun chocolate craft ideas and activities for kids would be a neat way to give winter learning a little “sweetness”, so I’ve rounded up 25 different resources below that kids (and their parents) will love! There are chocolate crafts, chocolate sensory play ideas, chocolate-themed printables, and even chocolate science experiments below to explore!

Want even more chocolate learning fun? Don’t miss our list of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory craft ideas that go wonderfully with the book or the movie!

1. Pick up some free Chocolate Notebooking Pages for the kids!

2. Combine snacks with science experiments in this fun Hot Chocolate Science activity!

3. This adorable Cookie Jar Number Matching printable is so cute for chocolate chip cookie lovers!

4. The kids will love exploring the touch and smell of this No-Cook Chocolate Playdough!

5. Even toddlers can make art with this easy Edible Chocolate Paint!

6. This Pom-Pom Hot Cocoa Mug Craft is just too adorable!

7. Kids will get a kick out of eating these Snowy Chocolate Pinecone Snacks. They actually look like pinecones!

8. Let the little ones make their own cocoa with this DIY Hot Chocolate Bar!

9. This simple Puffy Paint Chocolate Chip Cookie Craft is a fun art project to try!

10. We’ve made oobleck before, but I’ve got to give this Chocolate Oobleck a try!

11. Get some early math practice with this Hot Chocolate Ten Frame Addition printable!

12. Introduce the kids to engineering with these easy Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Sculptures!

13. Grab these Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Notebooking Printables to complete as you read the book!

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