Are you looking for ideas to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday? Have your kids always loved the book Green Eggs and Ham? We've got the perfect sensory play recipe for Read Across America Day!
Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun
We love creating holiday crafts with recycled paper rolls! Last week we had friends over for dinner so we were in the mood for St. Patrick's Day crafting. The kids made paper towel roll leprechauns that are perfect for small world play or even to decorate for the holiday.
E's Makeover
Together, E and I checked out Pinterest looking for little girls' bob styles. I wanted to go short while she will still allow it. We settled on shoulder length for now (or as I referred to it: Snow White) but we may go shorter for summer. I promised her we could still use headbands and clips! We kept the bangs because to me they just define a little girl.
Erica was wonderful at keeping my non-cooperative girl entertained while she worked.
After she was done, E had a chance to style Cowie's hair with the salon's toys which she loved.
Like I mentioned before, The Pink Polish is completely kid and family friendly. I appreciate being relaxed with the kids while I'm there.
Lastly, Erica added a washable, PINK chalk streak that totally made E's day!
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I was not compensated nor did I receive a discount for this review. The opinions are my own. E and I are both thrilled with the results.
The Importance and Purpose of Infant Texture Play
Baby D is 11 weeks old today, which is the perfect age to engage in texture play time.
Luckily for him, he has an older sister who enjoys searching around the house for things to touch him. We discussed stroking him gently in safe places such as his arms, legs, and occasionally his cheeks. I also asked her to only do this when Momma or Daddy says it's allowed.
The sense of touch is the first sense to develop in the womb. Interestingly, it will also be the last sense to diminish in our old age.
Because of this, it is the primary way that babies learn and socialize. Kisses, hugs, and cuddles are all sensory ways that babies bond with their families, driven primarily by touch, but also incorporating smell, sight, and sound. (And with eventual open mouthed baby kisses even taste!)
Touch helps babies learn about the environment around them as well as who they are as an individual in space and time.
Giving D different textures to explore will also encourage him to start reaching for and grasping objects which is the next physical milestone on the horizon.
A Heart Hunt
E is very disappointed with me this Valentine's Day. I decided not to decorate just to take one thing off of my plate. Of course, this is the perfect age for her to enjoy the holidays. We still went all out for Christmas before D was born only to have to try to find time to take it all down after his arrival. There are still Christmas lights on the deck because the pack n play is blocking the door. I haven't found time to care.
To make her feel better about our house's lack of decor, we went on a heart hunt yesterday. We walked to the library and took pictures of all the hearts we found there and along the way.
And, of course, at least I decorate my kids!
Next year will be better, E. Promise.
Emerging Writing
By
Devany
| Labels:
educational philosophy
,
fine motor
,
letters
,
milestones
,
writing
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E came downstairs this morning with a note she had written for my parents who live on the other side of the state.
I had her "read" me what she had written so I could underwrite.
This was an exciting development for many reasons:
- It was completely independent and self motivated work.
- E has internalized and been inspired by a lot of modeled reading and writing behavior. My parents regularly write to her and send her packages in the mail. She sees me writing notes and lists often. She helps me write on her projects, adding meaningful text to birthday cards and helping me determine the initial sounds of words as I write them for her.
- I could pinpoint her stage of independent writing. She is creating scribbles moving from left to write horizontally across the page. Her "signature" shows some mock letters in her name. (Sometimes her independent E has more than three lines to it.)
- She saw my enthusiasm over this note. I underwrote, took a picture, and showed her how I am emailing it to her grandparents. (You can see where I started to rip the note out of her notebook to mail it, but she protested.) She then went on to write more letters for a good portion of an hour, dictating out loud who she was writing to and what she was saying to them. I wish I had recorded this because it was priceless! She was "writing" too fast for me to keep up with her ideas. When she saw me blogging about this, she decided to get her play laptop and camera so she could "take pictures on the 'puter and write" there, too.
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E's age: 3 years, 1 month
Valentine's Day Literacy
Valentine's Day is a lovely time for emerging readers and writers to practice their skills! When addressing, signing, and delivering cards children are beginning to recognize some of the most important printed words: names!
Cake Mix Sensory Bin
By
Devany
| Labels:
fine motor
,
homeschool preschool
,
indoor
,
sensory
,
valentine
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We loved this sensory bin idea from Growing A Jeweled Rose: A Cake Mix Sensory Bin!
We picked strawberry for Valentine's Day. My girl loved it because it's PINK!
We added heart sprinkles for extra fun.
Our kitchen smelled delicious!
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Cake Mix Sensory Bin
"
D was sad because he can't play yet.
Lesson Plans
I'm experimenting with a new way to lesson plan for our home school preschool.
(click to enlarge photo)
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