23 minute read
Family Chatter 42 That’s Good to Know! 44 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care 45-46
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Spend a little time talking to each other every day—take our Family Chatter challenge. Have some messy fun in the kitchen or at a craft table making some of our featured Snacks & Crafts. Teach your children how to organize thier toys with our Teach Your Kids Something New. Learn how to help children who really don’t like to read—check out our That’s Good to Know section. Enjoy life—TOGETHER! Strong Families Don’t Just Happen BUILDERS FAMILY
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Our FamilyChatter Challenge is simple— just do your best. Here are some easy questions that will hopefully inspire your family to engage in great conversations whenever, however, you can. Enjoy!
Live, Laugh, Love, and TALK TOGETHER!
What is your dream job and are you willing to do what it takes to get it?
Where would you spend your summer if you could go anywhere?
Do you think there should be homework? Would you prefer to bike, hike or swim?
Do you like to stay up late or wake up early? Why?
Do you want to live in your hometown forever or move somewhere new?
What is your favorite kind of car? What is your favorite kind of candy?
Do you plan on having a job in high school? Where would you apply? If you could take a one-day trip during spring break where would you go?
What is your favorite dessert?
Do you like cereal or eggs for breakfast?
What is your all-time favorite movie?
Keep the Conversation Going with Follow-up Questions:
o Interesting. What else can you tell me about that? o Now what are you going to do? o No way! Can you tell me more? o Seriously? Then what happened? o How do you feel about what happened? o How does this make you feel? o What’s your next step?
WHEN YOUR CHILD DOESN’T LIKE TO READ
By Katy M . Clark
Again. I saw it again. Another post on social media from a friend singing the praises of her child who couldn’t stop reading: “How lucky am I?” she wrote. “My son finished Harry Potter and he’s only in second grade!”
You are lucky, I thought, damping down my jealousy. My son hates reading. He loathes it with a passion unseen since he lost a game of Candy Land to me when he was three years old. I can’t exactly post “My son hates reading!” on social media, though. He’s a teenager now, and I’ve waited years to admit publicly how much he hates reading. I felt that my son’s lack of interest in reading meant that I was a bad mother, that I had failed somehow.
However, the truth is kinder to me than I am to myself: reading is a pursuit that he is not passionate about. He can read. He doesn’t like to read. There is a difference. Ever since he was born, I tried to instill in him a love of reading. In no particular order, here are the wordnurturing, pro-book, literature-lovin’ experiences I exposed him to: • I read in front of him. I love to read! • I read to him daily, from birth until third grade. • I took him to the library.
•I took him to story time at the library. • I signed him up for the summer reading program at the library. • I took him to the bookstore. • I bought him books from the bookstore. • I bought him books from the school book fairs. • I made sure his daycare was a developmentally appropriate, NAEYC-accredited childcare center that was chock full of book nooks, story times, and language-enrichment activities. • I signed those homework reading logs that came home every night from kindergarten through sixth grade. • I chatted with him about books. • I bought him a Kindle. • I downloaded books for his Kindle. • Did I mention I read in front of him? I love to read!
Continued on page 47
Cut out this page. Then cut it down the middle. He takes his half, she takes hers. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!
Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say, “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!
Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!
Draw her a bubble bath with candles and candies.
Take her out to dinner somewhere new.
Wake up early and make her a special breakfast.
Ask her what her goals are for this year.
Take an interest in her hobby.
Encourage her to take her time to participate in her hobby.
Buy her a new sweater.
Tell her she looks pretty, even when she is in her pajamas.
Ask her about her day.
Cut out this page. Then cut it down the middle. He takes his half, she takes hers. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!
Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say, “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!
Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!
Go to his favorite type of movie with him.
Go for a hike.
Cook him his favorite meal.
Ask him what his goals are for this year.
Take an interest in his hobby.
Encourage him to take up a new hobby.
Buy him his favorite type of candy or treat.
Ask him about his work day.
Put a love note in his lunchbox.
For years, I’ve felt bad about his lack of fervor for reading, especially during the dreaded “March Is Reading Month.” Until one day I stopped. It was the day a mom came over to pick up her child from a play date with my youngest (who loves to read, by the way). I don’t remember how the topic of my son’s lack of interest in reading came up, but she shared her thoughts.
“I hate reading, too,” she commented. “It was never social enough for me. I always wanted to be doing something else.” Here she was, a successful vice president at an international company with three lovely children, confessing that reading wasn’t for her.
It was a relief. It was the first voice I heard that defied the cacophony telling me that I must get my child to love reading. That day I allowed myself to believe, to embrace even, that my son could succeed in life even though he doesn’t like to read. Reading is not for my son. However, what is for my son is socializing with friends and family, chatting with anyone he meets, participating in classroom discussions, being a leader, playing sports, and being pretty great. Maybe I should put that on social media. He can’t be embarrassed by such a post. Chances are he won’t even read it. v
Katy M. Clark is a writer who celebrates her imperfections as a mom at ExperiencedBadMom.com.
TOY
By Sarah Lyons
ROTATION
Reduce Toy Clutter in Six Easy Steps
Toy clutter—it’s a problem all parents face. From the toddler years when blocks, push toys, and board books seem to be scattered down the hallway to the school-age years when kids collect tiny Legos, matchbox cars, and Barbie dolls, clutter remains an ongoing issue. A toy rotation is one way to fight this problem.
Step 1: Gather In the main play area, gather all the toys to the center of the room. You are making a bigger mess at first, but this will help you get organized in the long run. “It may be best to start this process when the kids are in bed or out of the house,” says Colorado Springs, Colorado, mom Kara Thomas. The process may go quicker and smoother sans children. However, if that isn’t an option, get the kids involved and have them help bring toys to the center of the room.
Step 2: Reduce Go through the pile you have gathered and throw away broken toys and items that have missing pieces. Take out any toys that are no longer age appropriate. Last, pick out toys that the children don’t play
with. Jill Miller, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, mom of two, says, “We purge things every year for the annual neighborhood garage sale. It also gives us a little cash boost.” If your family is not up for the work that goes into selling items, consider donating them to a local charity or passing them along to a friend.
Step 3: Sort Once you have reduced the number of toys, you should be left with age-appropriate toys that your children enjoy. Now divide the toys into three categories: thinking toys (puzzles, board games, shape sorters), pretend play (play food, dolls, blocks), and toys that encourage gross motor play (balls, push toys, cars). When you have the items sorted, there should be three piles, one for each category. Continued on page 51
Florida offers free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income. Children must live in Florida and be 4-years-old on, or before, September 1 of the current year to be eligible. If their birthday falls from February 2 through September 1 , you may wait to enroll your child the following year, at the age of 5. The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast's mission is to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care. Research shows that children who participate in high-quality prekindergarten programs are better prepared for school and develop lifelong social and emotional skills.
YOU’LL NEED • 5-inch corn tortillas • 8 Wheat Thins™ crackers (each) • Cheddar cheese Easy Cheese • sliced olives
• paper plates • optional: other small ingredients such as pickle circles, pimentos, carrot circles
DIRECTIONS • Give each person a paper plate and a corn tortilla. • Squeeze 2 circles of cheese—one circle inside of the other. • Arrange the crackers on top of the circles of cheese to make a flower shape (the cheese acts as glue). • Use the cheese to squeeze a simple design on top of the crackers. Decorate the flower with olives (or other small ingredients).
St. Patty’s Rainbow Cookies
YOU’LL NEED • 16.5 oz. Pillsbury prepared sugar cookie dough • flour • red, yellow, green, and blue food coloring • white frosting • 3 cups mini marshmallows • mixing bowl • waxed paper • plastic wrap • rolling pin • ruler • sharp knife • baking sheet • table knife • plate/bowl with 5" flat bottom • optional: latex gloves DIRECTIONS • Bring the dough to room temperature, then place the dough in the bowl. Follow the package instructions to add flour for cut-out cookies. • Divide the dough into four equal pieces. One at a time, place a piece of dough in the bowl and knead in 8-10 drops of food coloring— one color for each piece of dough. (Wear gloves and change them between colors. Clean the bowl between colors as well.) • Loosely wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and shape each piece into a 2x4-inch rectangle. Chill. • Place a rectangle of dough on a piece of waxed paper. Cover with a second piece of waxed paper. Roll the dough into a 6x8-inch rectangle. Remove the top piece of waxed paper. Repeat, rolling the remaining colors of dough. • Stack the rectangles of dough on top of each other, using waxed paper to position the dough. Carefully remove the waxed paper. Stack the colors in this order: blue, green, yellow, red. Chill the dough. • Use a sharp knife to trim the edges of the stacked dough so they are even. Slice the stacked colors into ½ x 6-inch strips. • Line the baking sheet with waxed paper. Place the strips on the baking sheet with the multi-colored edge up and shape into an arch with red on the top. Space the arches 2 inches apart. • Place a piece of waxed paper over the strips of dough. Gently press each strip with the flat bottom of a bowl or plate until it is ¼-inch thick. Bake according to the package instructions. Cool. • Spread frosting at each end of the arch. Press mini marshmallows into the frosting to create clouds.
Step 4: Divide Divide the toys into three to four groups. Each group should have equal numbers of toys from the categories of thinking toys, pretend play, and gross motor toys. Place each group of toys into a large box and label it. Plastic tubs work well and can double as a toy box.
Step 5: Store Once the toys are sorted and separated into three to four boxes, keep one out and put the remaining boxes in storage. Make sure you have easy access to the stored boxes so you can rotate them frequently.
Step 6: Rotate Decide how long to keep a box out for play. Some families switch weekly, while some switch every two to three weeks, and some may switch every month or longer. Choose a time that works for your family. When each box is out, take note of what toys are most popular and which items get ignored. As you are packing up the box, remove the items that didn’t get played with and donate or sell them. By implementing a toy rotation system, you will be able to cut down on toy clutter in your living space because three-fourths of the toys will be in storage at any given time. In addition to a tidier home, there will also be less mess for kids to clean up and a better chance for all the toys to be utilized. v
Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children and knows a lot about toy clutter. She writes from her home in suburban Kansas City.
Reduce Toy Clutter
•Participate in garage sales or consignment sales. “We sell toys they are done playing with,” says Olathe, Kansas, mom of five Deanna Brown. • Pass them along to a friend or a family in need. • Donate to a local charity. • Give them to the church nursery or a preschool. Many times an area church or preschool may be in need of used toys in good condition for their classrooms. • Take them to Grandma’s house. Now the kids will have something to play with when they visit. • Try the Konmari method using the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. “I use the Konmari method on the toys and ask, ‘Does this bring my kids joy or me joy?’ If not, then I get rid of it,” says Kassie, mom of three. • Throw out the junk. Get rid of cheap toys from fastfood kids’ meals and carnivals. These toys rarely offer many hours of play time and often break easily.
PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE
CLASSES FOR AGES 4THROUGH ADULT
ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE ARE WELCOME
YOU’LL NEED • 2 cups stick pretzels • 2 cups plain Cheerios™ cereal • 2 cups Chex™ cereal (any flavor) • 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts • 1 cup plain M&Ms™ in pastel colors • 1 cup vanilla chips
• 4 tablespoons pastel sprinkles • large mixing bowl • table spoon • large spoon • 2-cup microwaveable measuring cup • microwave
DIRECTIONS • In the mixing bowl, combine pretzels, cereals, peanuts, and M&Ms. • Place the chips in the measuring cup and microwave on high, stirring often (every 20-30 seconds) until just melted. Do not overheat. • Drop small spoonfuls of melted chips all over the cereal mix and stir with the large spoon. Add sprinkles while the chips are still warm as you stir. Continue stirring until the cereal mix is coated. Scoop into cups and serve (see the Bunny Snack Cup craft for serving suggestion).
Open-“Faced” Sandwiches
YOU’LL NEED • sliced bread • green leaf lettuce leaves • Ranch dressing or mayonnaise • boiled eggs, shelled and sliced into circles • tomatoes, sliced into circles
• black olives, sliced • round lunch meat • string cheese • plates • knives • tray to lay out ingredients
DIRECTIONS • Give each person a plate and a slice of bread. • Spread dressing or mayonnaise on the bread. • Use the ingredients on the tray to create a face on the bread: lettuce first for hair, meat for skin, egg circles and olives for eyes, olive nose, tomato mouth (or cheeks) or string cheese mouth.
These fun sandwiches are so cute, and fun to make.
In addition to being delicious they’re also a healthy snack you won’t feel guilty feeding to your children.
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YOU’LL NEED • 32 oz. wide-mouthed jar with lid • foil-wrapped chocolate bunny to fit inside the jar • foil-wrapped chocolate eggs • Easter grass
• 18- and 24-inch lengths of Easter ribbon • hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
DIRECTIONS • Tie the 18-inch length of ribbon around the neck of the chocolate bunny. • Tie the 24-inch length of ribbon around the neck of the jar. • Place a small handful of Easter grass in the bottom of the jar. • Place the bunny in the jar near the back. Hot glue the foil around the bunny to the jar as needed to hold the bunny in place (where the bunny touches the jar near the top). • Arrange chocolate eggs on the grass in front of the bunny. • Put the lid on the jar.
These simple crafts are perfect for small children who want to spend some time at the craft table during Easter.
Bunny Snack Cup
YOU’LL NEED • white 16 oz. plastic cup • two 1.5 cm wiggle eyes (colored ones are fun) • one 1.5 cm pink plastic jewel • 12-inch chenille wire, cut in half • hot glue gun and hot glue sticks • black fine-point permanent marker • white and pink card stock • scissors • school glue stick
DIRECTIONS • Squeeze a drop of hot glue onto the cup for the eye and place the back of the eye on the glue. Repeat for the second eye. • Twist the two pieces of chenille wire together at the center to create whiskers. Squeeze a drop of hot glue onto the cup one inch below the eyes where the nose will go. Press the center of the wires into the glue and hold for a few seconds until set. • Squeeze a drop of hot glue onto the twisted center of the wires. Press the pink jewel nose onto the glue. • Use the permanent marker to draw a mouth below the nose and whiskers. • Out of the white card stock cut two 1.5x5-inch ear shapes. Out of the pink card stock cut two 1x3-inch ear shapes. • Use the school glue stick to glue a pink ear shape inside each white ear shape. • Use hot glue to attach the ears to the cup just below the rim. Optional: curl the top of each ear around a finger.
Child Care Questions? We provide free resource and referral services to local families regarding childcare. Enroll in Florida’s FREE Voluntary
Parent Line: (850) 833-9333 Prekindergarten
Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast 1130 N Eglin Parkway, Shalimar, FL 32579 (850) 833-3627 www.elc-ec.org Edu ation Progra Voluntary Prekindergarten Florida offers free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income. Children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the current year to be eligible. If their birthday falls from February 2 through September 1, you may wait to enroll your child the following year when they are 5. At the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, our mission is to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care. Enjoy the books and the activities chosen for this edition to support your child’s early literacy skills. Get ready, set a time, and read!
Apply online by visiting: www.familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com LOOK, LOOK! By Peter Linenthal, ISBN-10: 0525420282
Research shows that children who participate in high-quality prekindergarten programs are better prepared for school and develop lifelong social and emotional skills. Infants will love looking at such a high-contrast book. This short and exciting read can be read repeatedly to infants. Early literacy begins during infancy. Reading to infants in the earliest months sparks the parts in their brain needed for understanding language. When infants are exposed to rich language, it provides them with strong foundational skills for learning literacy.
The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast's mission is to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care. ACTIVITY: When your infant is lying on their back, hold a toy above their face and slowly move the toy from side to side. This helps infants use eye muscles that will be needed for reading in the future. Touch them on their nose and make sure your infant sees your happy facial expressions. This will help develop your bond—all while helping them develop skills.
Child Care Questions? We provide free resource and referral services to local families regarding childcare. MOO, BAA, LA LA LA! By Sandra Boynton, ISBN-10: 067144901X
Parent Line: (850) 833-9333
Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast 1130 N Eglin Parkway, Shalimar, FL 32579 (850) 833-3627 www.elc-ec.org Roaring laughter is guaranteed when you read this book with your toddler. This quirky yet rhythmic book will effortlessly capture the attention of your little mover. The rhythm of this book will entice your toddler as they enjoy hearing how words sound and connect to one another. This is the best way to help your child learn how language works. ACTIVITY: Talk about the book with your toddler as they ask you questions. The best way to gain their interest is to follow what excites them about the book. Is it silly when the cow says “baaa”? What does a cow really say? What does the cow look like? What says “baa” instead? When your toddler takes over reading, let them read to you!
ALPHABET CITY By Stephen T. Johnson, ISBN-10: 0670856312 Look within the details of this book to find the letters within real-life materials. Preschoolers enjoy searching for the letters within their environment. They actively seek letters in their own name and the names of those closest to them. Can Ally find the letter “A” shape within the sawhorse? When they find it, trace the letter and discuss how they knew it was an “A.” What other letters can your preschooler find?
ACTIVITY: Using wooden blocks and other loose materials, work with your preschooler to create letters of their choice. Create using fun materials that your preschooler already enjoys working with and take photographs of the letters your preschooler created. Place the pictures in an area your child can see them clearly daily. This opens the door for even more discussions and opportunities for learning.
YOU’LL NEED • jumbo-sized plastic Easter eggs (about 3 inches long) • LED tea lights—one for each egg
• small Easter stickers • optional: permanent marker, filled goodie bag for each egg
DIRECTIONS • Decorate the large half of the eggs with stickers. • Optional: write a number on the bottom of each egg, a different number on each one. Number goodie bags to correspond with the eggs. • Turn on each tea light and place one in each decorated egg. Place the glowing eggs around your yard, or line the walkway to your door. • Optional: have a nighttime Easter egg hunt. Each participant finds a glowing egg with a number on the bottom. That person receives the goodie bag with the number matching his or her egg.
A fun, new, easy and inexpensive twist on Easter eggs hunts!
Shamrock Pencil Topper
YOU’LL NEED • glitter shamrock die cut (foam or card stock)—about 3 inches wide • plastic gold coin (about 1 ¼-inch diameter) • brightly decorated #2 pencil • 12- to 18-inch length of narrow St. Patrick’s Day ribbon • brightly decorated #2 pencil • hot glue gun and hot glue sticks DIRECTIONS • Hot glue the coin to the center of the shamrock. • Hot glue the bottom half of the shamrock to the eraser end of the pencil. • Tie the ribbon into a bow around the pencil and the stem of the shamrock.
Have fun making these shamrock pencils. Then send them off to school with your children. These pencils will make schoolwork a bit more fun for your childen on Saint Patrick’s Day.
