Weekend Reads 10.25.13

Here’s a little public service announcement before I share these fantastic finds from the web this week.  Did you realize Halloween is less than one week away?  For our family that kicks off the holiday season, which I love!  But one week?  Where did the time go?

Holiday traditions can be a big part of family identity and healthy connections.  My friend Stephanie over at Modern Parents Messy Kids kept that in mind as she put together a fantastic collection of hands-on activities for families to enjoy together during the holidays.  Her newest ebook, Hands-On Holidays, is a great way to build new traditions and create next year’s memories.

I was lucky enough to get to look this baby over before it was launched and I can honestly say I loved it.  There is a variety of activities, but the majority are very simple, which is just my style, particularly during the holidays!  I was so inspired by this ebook to add some special moments to our holiday plans.

I hope it will inspire you too!  You can take a closer look over on Steph’s site, Modern Parents Messy Kids: Click here to view more details!

(Includes affiliate link and honest opinions!)

Articles:

Why Do Teachers Quit? {The Atlantic}

“To improve the quality of teaching,” Ingersoll says, you need to “improve the quality of the teaching job.” And, “If you really improve that job… you would attract good people and you would keep them.”

 Reading at Five:  Why?  {Joan Almon, Community Playthings}

“For 40 years I have searched without success for studies that support the notion that reading at five is a helpful step for long-term success in school….Thus, a major shift in American education has taken place without any evidence to support it.”

I’ve already linked this article in a few places, but I just can’t share it enough!  Such an important message!  This one is located on the Community Playthings site, where you can also request a free copy of their booklet, The Wisdom of Play.  So this link’s a two-fer!

Throw Away Your Timer: Why Kids Learn More When They Don’t Share {Heather Shumaker, Starlighting Mama}

“The child is forced to give something up and her play gets interrupted. She learns that sharing feels bad. It’s the parent who’s sharing here, not the child.”

Do the Very Thing You Ask of Them {Simple Mom}

“Asking them to work on not interrupting has made me ask myself to work on the very same thing. Parenting is funny like that.”

Activities:

Developing Scissor Skills with a Cutting Tray {Mama, Papa, Bubba}

Your kids will love this cutting tray so much, they won’t even realize they’re working on fine motor skills, hand strength and eye-hand coordination.  (Not to mention in bought this mom at least half an hour of focused, engaged, independent activity time.  That could be just enough time to save dinner!)

Creative Kid Challenge #1: Build a Car {A Mom with a Lesson Plan}

I love the idea of kids sharing their Lego creations.  Not only because it encourages their creativity, but it also encourages communication skills, writing, and reading as they participate in a community.  If you really want kids to read and write, give them something they can get excited reading and writing about!  Plus, creating something physically before engaging in the storytelling process can really help some of those kids who may have a hard time spinning tales out of thin air.

Play with Colors: Felt Haunted House {Toddler Approved!}

There is a box full of felt under my bed right now, just begging to be made into this!  What an engaging way to incorporate colors and shapes, along with positional words (over, under, next to, etc.) while your little ones use their creativity and just plain have a good time!  Cut once, use every year!

A Thankful Heart: Thanksgiving Activity for Kids {Let’s Lasso the Moon}

This is a really sweet idea for encouraging gratitude in our children.  If sewing these darling hearts is too daunting, consider cutting them from felt, not sewing anything, and just letting your kids decorate them with markers or puff paints.  Even simpler, decorate paper hearts or make simple bi-fold thank you cards with a heart drawn on the front.  It doesn’t matter so much what it looks like, it’s what it teaches your kids that counts!

 

Enjoy Your Weekend!