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Whole Child Development

Exploring Magnets

by Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience 3 Comments

I apologize for disappearing for a bit.  I was being held hostage by a computer virus and spent the better part of the last couple of days trying to put down its hostile take-over.  For the life of me, I can’t figure out why people make a hobby out of creating something to waste other people’s time.  If you want to waste your own time, by all means go for it, but why waste some stranger’s?  Is that entertaining to some people?  Though I have to confess, if, in the midst of my virus-inflicted frustration, I had actually followed through with my fantasy of throwing my computer through the window, someone might have found that entertaining.  But alas, the computer is still here on my desk, and the mutiny has been laid to rest.  So, on to the better things in life…..like magnets!

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A Triple Scoop of Seuss

by Filed Under: Building Readers, Celebrate!, Learning through Play and Experience 3 Comments

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street

This was Dr. Seuss’ first book to be published.  He said that as he was riding on a ship on a trip back from Europe, he became enchanted with the rhythm of the ship’s engine.  As he listened to the rhythm over and over in his head, the words forming this book’s title seemed to flow right into the rhythm.  This is great for helping children hear the rhythm in words (a key phonological awareness skill) as well as another great book celebrating the fantastic imagination of children!

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Book Activity: Please Write Back!

by Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

Please Write Back! (Scholastic Reader Level 1)In Please Write Back! Alfie writes a letter to his grandma- going through all the steps of letter writing addressing and stamping by himself- and then waits anxiously for her reply.  Finally, he gets something.  But it’s not the letter he expected, it’s a package!

After reading this simple story, extend the story and support sensory skills by doing a feely box activity.  Just as Alfie was anxious to find what was in his box, the children can take turns feeling an item in a box and guessing what it might be.  You can simply use a box and hold it high enough that the children can’t see – though someone will always try to peek!  You can create a simple feely box by securing a sock around the top of an empty oatmeal canister.  Then, cut the end of the sock, so that a hand can reach through it and into the box.  You could also make one with a small square box, using an inexpensive (and/or outgrown) stocking cap in the same manner.  Stretch it around the sides and then cut a slit in the top for a hand to reach through.

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Mailing May and Mailing Me!

by Filed Under: Building Readers, Create, Learning through Play and Experience, Positive Guidance and Social Skills 2 Comments

Mailing May

Back in 1914, a five year-old little girl by the name of Charlotte May Pierstorff wanted desperately to visit her grandmother, but her parents couldn’t afford the $1.55 it would cost for a train ticket.  Soon her family hatched an ingenious plan and, with the help of a cousin who worked on the mail car of the train and some creative application of the postal code, May was sent by parcel post with 53 cents in stamps on her coat.  This true story is told in wonderful narrative fashion and with beautifully detailed watercolor illustrations in the book, Mailing May , written by Michael O. Tunnell and illustrated by Ted Rand.

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Cornmeal Play

by Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience 1 Comment

If you’re looking for something new to put in your sensory table, consider cornmeal!  Some types are more fine than others – the fine stuff can leave a bit of a dusty residue on those little hands, but no permanent harm done, right?  Whether you have coarse or fine cornmeal, the kiddos just love it!  Compliment the play with toy cars, scoops in a variety of sizes, and even combs to create a fun texture!  Around Valentine’s Day, I threw in some foam hearts and the children kept themselves engaged burying and digging up their “treasures”!  You could add any foam features, plastic figures, or some beads or rocks. 

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The Perfect Pretzel Recipe…..Really.

by Filed Under: Building Readers, Learning through Play and Experience, Snack Time 11 Comments

I have never found a recipe for big soft pretzels that I really loved.  They were too complicated to make with kids, or didn’t taste very good, or had the wrong texture.  Well, that all changed this last Christmas when my sister-in-law, gave me this little gem as part of a collection of recipes.  (I love getting good recipes for Christmas!)  I tried it out, and it couldn’t be easier!  The kiddos can help from start to finish.  Just mix your ingredients, shape your dough (letters, hearts, geo shapes, or the traditional pretzel knot), brush, sprinkle, and bake.  They’re so fast, but so good!   Here’s the recipe so you can find out for yourself!

Big Soft Pretzels

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Heart Art

by Filed Under: Celebrate!, Create, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

Sorry for the delay in posts!  It’s teething time again around here, and I’ve been spending a lot of time snuggling a certain 10-month old.  You’d  take snuggling him over writing too if you saw those eyes!

So, while I was planning on giving you plenty of heart art ideas here, I’ll finish the write up of the ones I had ready and link you to some great ones I’ve found on another site by a blogger I assume doesn’t have any teething ten-month olds.

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Fruity Scented Kool-Aid Playdough

by Filed Under: Create, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

I love cinnamon scented playdough, which I listed here, but I also love the fruity scent of Kool-Aid scented playdough!  Adding an extra appeal to the senses could hardly be easier!  Start with the Classic Playdough Recipe.  Add a packet of Kool-Aid to the water before adding it to the pan.  Ta-da!  Simple, right?  Now, if you already have a batch of playdough made up, you can also knead the powder right into the dough.  It takes a bit of time to get it mixed through, but because it hasn’t been cooked, the scent may actually be stronger that way.  Just be sure that the powder has been worked in completely.  You may even want to let it sit overnight to be sure that the powder has been fully absorbed. 

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Snow Dough Snow Men

by Filed Under: Create, Get Outside, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

If you’re itching to build a snowman with your little ones, but you’re local climate doesn’t support such an activity, whip up some of your own snow dough.  This is just a spin on the Classic Playdough Recipe.  Follow that recipe but add about 1/4-1/2 cup white tempera powder to increase the whiteness and the fluffiness (or simply omit any color, and you’ll end up with white-ish dough).  Add some glitter as well for real appeal.  The final product is a sparkly white playdough that can be rolled into snowmen, or manipulated into other snowy creations. Provide pipe cleaners and beads for the snowmen’s noses, eyes, and buttons.  You might also consider other items like yarn, fabric, what-have-you!  Inserting these kinds of accessories builds fine motor skills and often encourages use of the pincer grasp, critical for budding writers.  Manipulating playdough enhances fine motor strength while also fostering creativity.  Enjoy some fun in the snow….dough!

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