Age 3-4 - Age 6-8 - Always Learning

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Age 3-4 Age 6-8 - Always Learning

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Homemade Lava Lamps

January 26th 2012 03:02

I recently implemented "Science on Saturday" projects with my youngest daughter. This little ritual is a hit. One of our favorites are the Easy Lava Lamps we made with her cousin.

Easy Lava Lamps

You will need:

Plastic bottle (water or pop)
Water
Vegetable oil
Food coloring
Alka-Seltzer tablets (generic is fine)

Wash the label off your plastic bottle and then fill approximately a quarter of the way full with water.
Pour vegetable oil into the bottle, almost to the top.
Let the oil and water separate and then squeeze about a dozen drops of food coloring inside.
Watch the coloring fall through the oil and mix with the water.
Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces and then drop one piece into the bottle.
When the action slows down add another little piece.

Check out a couple more fun projects here

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Cooking, Craft

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Build a Better Snowman

January 12th 2012 03:06

The basics of snowman building are simple.

It does not take any special knowledge to understand that a snowman is traditionally three snow balls on top of each other, with the largest on the bottom.

But there is a difference between knowing and doing, so the following tips can help make snowman building a success.

Noodle Necklaces....revisited

November 30th 2011 21:07

Technicolor noodles and a handful of pipe cleaners surprisingly kept three young video game addicts very happy all afternoon. My niece and nephews had never made noodle necklaces- this was a SHOCK to me. So simple.

If you have forgotten the drill here is the "recipe"

After checking my pantry for a variety of uncooked pasta noodles, I gathered the kids around the kitchen table.

To make custom-colored noodles you will need:

Pasta
White vinegar
Zip-loc baggies
Measuring cup
1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon
Food coloring

1. Pour one cup of dried pasta into each zip-loc baggie.

2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to the baggie of pasta.

3. Add 8-10 drops of food coloring to the pasta and vinegar. We happened to have fancy colored food dye in the cupboard, but regular colors work just as well.

4. Seal the baggie. Shake gently so the noodles are coated with the coloring, but not smashed in the process!

5. Inspect the noodles. If they are very dry, add a drop more vinegar. If the color is not intense enough, or there are noodles that are not covered add a few more drops of food dye.

6. Cover a cookie sheet with paper towels. Pour the noodles on the towels, separating as you go. Let them dry as you gather yarn, shoelaces, thin ribbon, or string. The noodles should be ready to string in twenty minutes or so.

7. Make necklaces or bracelets by stringing one noodle on a piece of yarn and then tying it in place to keep the rest of the noodles from sliding off. Pipe cleaners make cute bracelets or rings that are easy for small hands to manipulate.

8. Put a child to work separating the noodles by color or shape in muffin tins, or pull out cardboard or paper plates to create a mosaic pattern.

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Cooking, Craft

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Cop a 'tude - instilling an attitude of gratitude

November 24th 2011 16:08

Gratitude is not for Thanksgiving

How many families go around the Thanksgiving table saying something they are thankful for? OK, now how many of those kids sitting around the table truly have an attitude of gratitude? By an imaginary show of hands, I'd say the difference is clear. In fact, I'd even venture to say that those with the most in life are often the least thankful.

Teaching your kids to say "thank you" is one thing. Really having them cop a 'tude of gratitude is another. Gratitude does more than just warm Grandma's heart; it is an invaluable attitude that has far-reaching benefits.

Researchers at the University of California have discovered that children who are grateful experience the following benefits:

*They sleep better,
*Have increased levels of satisfaction and set higher standards.
*They suffer from fewer headaches and stomachaches,
*Have a higher immunity to infections.
*Kids with a strong sense of gratitude also get better grades in school
*Have better friendships and relationships with family members.
*They also tend to set higher goals for themselves than those who feel entitled.

What parents wouldn't want this for their kids? An attitude of gratitude has far-reaching benefits that translate into complex changes for your child, family and all those involved with your child.

How to teach your kids to Cop a 'tude - an attitude of gratitude
Read more here

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11

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TV free activities for preschoolers and their work at home parents

November 22nd 2011 12:41

TV FREE FUN

As a mom who works from home, I will admit to being THANKFUL for the telly.

BUT, I know just plopping the little ones down in front of the telly is not healthy and not a long-term solution. Learning to entertain themselves is a skill I do want to impart....the following ideas worked for us (with minimal mess and expense)

Grab a roll of painter's tape
When you absolutely have to focus on the task at hand, pull out a roll of painter's tape. This nifty tool can be used to create hop scotch grids, four-square board or race tracks for toy cars. Use milk jug lids instead of rocks for hop scotch and balloons or dollar store beach balls instead of a playground ball for four-square. A straight line of tape can also become a balance beam for tip toeing across.

My daughter loves indoor hopscotch, but her favorite game with painter's tape is making little "cages" on the floor for her stuffed animals. She sets it all up and than takes her baby dolls on a zoo trip.

more ideas here

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Craft

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Encourage Creativity

November 3rd 2011 00:55

9 Ways to Encourage Creativity

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Books, Computer Based, Craft, Toys, Writing

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August 2nd 2011 13:28

Better than a lemonade stand, a kids art show can be a fun way to promote creativity, earn money and build a sense of community.

Host your own with the following tips for a One Dolla Holla, Fifty Cent Center or Quarter Show Tips
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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Books, Computer Based, Cooking, Craft

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Junk Drawer Jewelry

June 9th 2011 15:12

Junk drawer jewelry

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Posted By: Sylvie Branch - Category: Age 3-4, Age 4-6, Age 6-8, Age 9-11, Craft

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17 Skills that Art Built

May 30th 2011 02:04

Discover 17 skills that art built

Art is so messy. It takes so much time. Did I mention it was messy? Open-ended art projects can really take over a home. On the other hand, art offers a host of surprising benefits that overlap with academic subjects

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