Whole Child Development
I wrote yesterday about the importance of dramatic play in the development of the whole child. It is true that a large part of the benefit from this type of play comes from the fact that it is intrinsically driven and self-guided. However, sometimes there is a need for adult interaction or intervention. While joining in is a natural way to scaffold the child’s play, helping him to become more competent in the skill, it’s also a lot of fun, and a great way to build a good relationship with kids!
I wrote yesterday about the importance of dramatic play in the development of the whole child. It is true that a large part of the benefit from this type of play comes from the fact that it is intrinsically driven and self-guided. However, sometimes there is a need for adult interaction or intervention. While joining in is a natural way to scaffold the child’s play, helping him to become more competent in the skill, it’s also a lot of fun, and a great way to build a good relationship with kids!
Many parents have come to their child’s preschool teacher with the same concern. “It seems like my child plays dress-up all day at preschool. What could he possibly be learning from that?” The question is understandable – what does he learn from leaping around with his cape fluttering behind him? And yet, the question is somewhat ironic, as these very parents likely spent much of their childhood engaged in the same kind of play.
I personally still have vivid memories of my own childhood, as my playmates and I snuck past sleeping giants, swung through the trees in the Amazon, and set sparkling lures for fairies. In fact, my playmates themselves included one conjured character named Cheney, a girl who lived in the clouds.
Fireworks are off-limits in many areas this summer because of the fire threat it poses to foothills, forests, and even neighborhood underbrush. Even if fireworks are allowed in your area, you’re bound to have some children who want an exciting hands-on experience, but aren’t quite old enough for the fire power yet. Here are three fun fire-free “blast-off” experiments you can incorporate into your Fourth of July Festivities. And you don’t even have to wait until dark!
Here’s a little project you can work on this weekend, though I hope you have some other plans because this one is so easy, it shouldn’t take you long. Build monkey finger puppets out of inexpensive felt from your local craft or fabric store, or from that overflowing box of felt scraps that parents and teachers of preschoolers often have tucked away.
I’ve been working on some pretty comprehensive posts lately, so I decided it was time for some fluff. LITERALLY.
I give to you, one of the simplest and most versatile recipes in my repertoire, Puddin’head. This tasty stuff results from the combination of pudding and whipped topping. We’ve used it for quite some time in our house, as a frosting spread on cakes and piped onto cupcakes, a substitute for plain Cool Whip in desserts like this chocolate trifle, a hot chocolate topping, or a tasty filling in crepes or on waffles along with some fruit. After referring to it for too long as “that yummy pudding-Cool Whip stuff”, my husband finally gave it its Twain-esque moniker, and it has stuck.
I’ve been working on some pretty comprehensive posts lately, so I decided it was time for some fluff. LITERALLY.
I give to you, one of the simplest and most versatile recipes in my repertoire, Puddin’head. This tasty stuff results from the combination of pudding and whipped topping. We’ve used it for quite some time in our house, as a frosting spread on cakes and piped onto cupcakes, a substitute for plain Cool Whip in desserts like this chocolate trifle, a hot chocolate topping, or a tasty filling in crepes or on waffles along with some fruit. After referring to it for too long as “that yummy pudding-Cool Whip stuff”, my husband finally gave it its Twain-esque moniker, and it has stuck.
The concept of reactions could provide a topic of study that could span a whole year! Chemical reactions, physical reactions, emotional reactions. It’s all about that important question, “What would happen if…?” Here are a few of my favorite science activities for fizzing, foaming, popping reactions that are sure to keep kids enthralled and provide plenty of opportunities for learning through questions, experimentation, and play!
Father’s Day is upon us! Don’t worry if you’re a procrastinator like I am, one hour photo was invented with us in mind! You really can’t go wrong with pictures as gifts. It’s easy to incorporate children into the project and really let it be from them. Plus, what dad or grandpa couldn’t use an updated photo for his office, den, or bedroom?
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