Jello

JELLO!!! Easiest, Best snack to make with kids! 

Ok so there is some sugar in it but it's fun to introduce science: steam, evaporation, dissolving, etc. 

Red food is a fav in our house, so raspberry was an easy choice. 

I showed them how to stir slowly and gently so they didn't splash and stain. I demonstrated how the red dye can stain and cause problems with clothes, towels, rugs, etc. One reason the don't have shirts on right now :) 

We discussed the idea of steam, what is it, where it comes from, etc. 

                       

They each got turns mixing, dissolving, and telling the difference between hot and cold water. 

Fun in the kitchen with kids!!!!!

I love giving my little ones more vocabulary everyday and letting them practice. Make sure you give your little ones the chance to practice the words they hear you use. Making time, having conversations builds such strong foundations for language and their use of it! 

Travel Laminated Quiet Book

I needed something easy, light, and reusable for our flight with my ever active toddler. I had seen many quiet books and they are WONDERFUL!! However, they come with small pieces that can be dropped, lost, felt that would be stuck to other things, etc. I wanted something contained.

I bought one 1/2 inch binder, laminating sheets, binder pocket sheets, dry erase markers, dry erase crayons, and LOADS of stickers. 

This binder was first used when he was 20 months old and we have "reloaded" it several times since!

        

We decorated the front, little man helped to make it his own, and I let him help fill some of the pockets. 

I printed letter sheets for him to help recognize his name and the sounds the letters in his name make. 

I tore pages out of coloring books that he loves and focused on things he could do with us and on his own. Little man picked out some of the animal pages and I chose some as a surprise. These pages were laminated so we could reuse them or use as doodle pages. 

Using the dry erase crayons, we were able to wipe the laminated pages off and recolor them. 

He loves mazes so this was a fun one to include! 

I have several pockets of stickers and blank white paper. He could sticker the paper, color, draw, write, etc, etc, etc! Stickers are a must as they love to put on and pull off. Plus, it's GREAT dexterity practice for their little fingers. 

Both of our kids are great travelers and I believe that they travel well for a few reasons:

1. We plan things out (snacks, treats, toys, activities, etc)
2. If we can get it at the airport, we buy it there (water bottle, pretzels, etc) yes, I know it is expensive but it's much easier!!!!
3. I pack ONE bag for the kids and me! 
4. Pack suckers, mints, gum to suck on and chew for take off and landing - eliminate ear pressure
5. Give ibuprofen to the kids prior take off to help with air pressure issues
6. A surprise toy to give them about half way through the trip or closer to the last hour when the other things have started to wear off

THE bag (in my case a backback) I had my littlest one in my ergo baby on in front, back pack on my back and my older one was in our travel stroller (city mini) or walking with me.

Contains: 

• two diapers for each hour we could be on the plane - in case of delay, accident, etc. (now both are potty trained - so extra undies)
• back up outfit for each kid  
• iPad for the kids as back-up and for me (loaded with games and movies)
• my phone with games for children and adult - again a back-up
• quiet binder: coloring, hangman, games, stickers, crayons
• crayons and blank paper
• snacks that require chewing and swallowing for take off and landing for ear pressure (gummies, suckers, mints, water)
• kids ibuprofen for headaches and ear pressure
• Secret NEW toy for each kiddo

***BEST advice I EVER got*****  

secret NEW toy for each kiddo, they have never seen this item or know that I have it! It's something they want or would love to help them get through the last bit of the flight. I gave my daughter a Rapuzel doll (barbie like doll so she could brush her hair) and small hair brush and my son got Ryder from Paw Patrol and his ATV. These were only a few bucks each and well worth it!!!! It gave them something to play with while we were on vacation, traveling between locations, or sitting with family (in grandma's house full of breakables) 

Sight Word Games

I love playing games with my kiddos but sometime I don't always want to purchase the latest thing or game. Since I am a teacher and could ALMOST live on the teacherspayteachers website, I figured that I could use it for my own little learners, too!

Why NOT?!?!?!

Laura Martin of teacherspayteachers does a great job creating some products for beginning readers. 

I found these great I Have, Who Has game cards that my little reader and I can play together. 

My younger one can play with us with me helping point to the card to use. 

               

I use my own laminator to make cards at home. I purchased my laminator at Target for about $30. This is similar, but there are many out there. The heat laminating pouches I normally find online from Walmart at the best value (about $15 for 100 pack). You can get the 3mm pouches, they work fine! I use the 5 mm in my classroom as they are thinker and hold up better with daily use. Therefore, these were made with 5 mm because that is want I have. 

Update**** my kiddos LOVE this game! They are 4 and 3 years of age and had a blast sorting them outside, making a tower of words!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Have-Who-Has-Monster-Sight-Words-202982

Cookie Cutter Coloring

What to do with the slightly grungy paper at the end of my photography paper (the marks from shoes, chairs, kids, extra) cut it off and tape it to the floor for drawing. Our kids love getting out things to trace and try to draw. 

For those of you who do not have an in-home photography studio with a roll of paper that is 8 feet wide, use butcher paper or even better Ikea sells rolls of craft paper that are a great addition to a home for all sorts of things! (covering counter tops for painting, drop cloth, drawing, painting, covering a window for a guest who needs a darker room :) the list could go on and on). 

 Today we grabbed a few cookie cutters (plastic for easy washing) and let them have at it! We were given a set of 101 cookie cutters made by wilton. You can find them on amazon as well.  They are inexpensive about $12 either way. So many uses in and out of the kitchen. 

 This is such great dexterity practice!!! They have to learn to hold the outline steady while they reposition the marker to finish the outlined picture. 

It takes some practice and encouragement from mom/dad and each other for them to keep at it but they get it after a few tries. It's hard having one kiddo who feels like he needs to do it very well the first time and each time while the other will love just to scribble. Encouragement, patience, and modeling is a huge part of the success! 

Chat with your little ones about their picture, help them describe it and maybe demonstrate different things that could be added to it to help tell a story. For example, my son drew fireworks, so I demonstrated how to draw some stick people watching them. Then we did some drawings of lions, trying a few times to get them right (me included - model what it is like to say "it's ok it doesn't look like I want it to, I will try again). We added grass and talked about them living in Africa and hiding in the long grass. 

You never know what your kiddos will pick up on, so be sure to model the behaviors you wanted exhibited.  Be sure to model and have those conversations so you help to build their vocabulary and skill level! 

Chalk Paint Platter

I loved making Christmas gifts this year! My family does a smaller Christmas as our family has gotten larger. We all pull a name from "the hat" many months in advance of one family member (little kids excluded, it's up to the person or couple to get the kids something... We suggest just time and fun with no need to purchase anything for the kiddos). There is a price limit each year and a new theme.  For example, one year we did consumables and this year was something homemade or handmade by you or someone else, thinking people could visit local shops or Etsy for ideas. 

It took a few times but I was able to get it. 

I found some great platters, almost thought of keeping them, and painted them and Boo, it all pealed off. 

Step 1 

Use medium grit sand paper to scratch the glaze so the chalk paint will stick. I used 100 grit sandpaper. 

Step 2 

For clean lines, use painter's tape to edge your plate. 

Step 3

Apply a THIN layer of chalk paint with a foam brush. The foam leaves less visible lines compared to a brush. Let it dry for a few hours. Apply a second layer in the OPPOSITE direction. My plates needed three coats. Apply the third layer in the first direction.  

When the platters are completely dry, carefully pull off the tape. 

Attach a tag that says homemade with some washing instructions. 

I printed the following on cardstock and taped it to the edge of the platter:

Little Chef

My kids Love cooking with me! It's a great way to teach some life skills, teach them about food, introduce new foods and lastly, keep them out of trouble while dinner is being prepared. 

Every little chef needs a chef's hat. I made this with some cardstock and tissue paper. It would work great with a stapler... I just couldn't find mine. Sometimes tools aren't always returned to their respectable homes. Work in progress with toddlers. 

Supplies: 

To make one hat- 

2 - 2" strips of cardstock

3 sheets of tissue paper

Packing tape

Connect the two strips with tape. Make the tape go around to the back. 

Next, measure your child's head by holding the band around their head. Make a mental note and tape it in a circle. 

Tape the tissue paper to the inside of the band, connecting opposite corners first. This way you get a more even hat. 

Connect all four corners. 

Begin connecting the middle by folding in the middle pieces almost similar to the ends when wrapping a gift. 

You will end up with something like this. Take a minute and fluff it up. Use your last sheet of tissue paper to fill out the top and keep it from collapsing as your child wears it. 

You'll end up with a few fun dress up items that wouldn't be too hard to fix or duplicate if necessary. 

Always involve your little ones in what you are doing. Describe what you are doing, this will build their vocabulary, love of learning, fill the need for mental stimulation, and just maybe turn a picky eater into an amazing eater. You'll never know until you give it a try. 

Good Sleepers - Sleeping Tickets

As my son gets a bit older (3.5 years), some days I find it harder to get him to stay in his bed for nap time. That throws off our WHOLE evening. He wants to crash right at dinner and then he's up WAAAYYY to early - 5am! 

So, I stole, borrowed, or implemented this idea from his school, however you want to look at it. He's in an older 3's and younger 4's room where almost all the kids are still nappers. If the students are sleeping or quiet the entire nap time, they get a sleeping ticket. At the end of the week, they can turn their tickets in for a prize. Something small like stickers, bubbles, cool pencils, etc...

Start off by putting your kiddo's name on the sticky part of a sticky note and cut away the bottom. I write their name at the top. (In school, the student's name goes on the ticket but here I just have my two so we are going to reuse them.) 

**Update** - This is a smashing idea! The kids love it and they have been champion sleepers! I am soooooo excited that my husband and I are sleeping in our bed the whole night! 

I made some easy tickets in Word. 

You can snag mine or make your own.

Find the PDF download on my TeacherspayTeachers site

I snagged some of my regular magnets and stuck their names to it. If you notice, this is all above the ice/water dispenser so no little figures can get to it, take them away or add to them :)

 Let your little one add their own sleeping ticket to their clip - it lets them take ownership!

 Each kid is in charge of their own tickets.

 The extras are clipped together above so we can take one as we need it.

 Being independent is helping create kids and students who make the right choice and see how they actions affect themselves and others.  We talked about how important it is for children to rest, be able to recharge they batteries, and be ready for an afternoon of play. This is your time to have conversations with your children and provide vocabulary about how their bodies use energy and need to get more by eating and sleeping.

 Steps stools work perfectly to help with independence.

 Ignore the headphones, he's being silly this morning :)

 I found a few fun clips while I was at bed bath and beyond. Theses are perfect for the kids and I can have my clips back for our daily family reminders ;)

Remember this is fun and your kids will think its fun, also. Include them in whatever you can and explain what you are doing and why. You'd be surprised how fast children pick up vocabulary when they are included in the conversation!!!! If you choose anyway to get your child ahead, choose involvement and conversation! It goes a long way!