Summer is here!!  There are so many things to do outside with your kids during summer. We encourage you to make a summer bucket list as a family.  Allow each family member to add something they would like to do (within reason) to the bucket list.  This list does not need to be extravagant or costly. The main goal of making a family bucket list is to promote attachment between caregiver/parent and child.  After you make your list, hang it some where that is visible to all family members.  You can even write names beside each activity listed and ask that person to cross off their idea once it has been completed. Remember, all family members do the activities together! Listed below are a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Jump in rain puddles
2. Pick berries from a berry patch
3. Buy produce from your local farmer’s market instead of the store
4. Go camping (backyard works great)
5. Plant flowers
6. Run relay races
7. Paint rocks
8. Walk dogs at your local shelter
9. Make homemade lemonade
10. Have bubble competitions to see who can blow the biggest bubble

Get creative and have fun!!

 

 

It is never too early to start teaching good character to your kids.  Believe it or not you can start teaching good character to your kids when they are babies and toddlers.  The first step to teaching good character is by modeling it yourself.

Ways to teach babies/toddlers (1-3 years)

-Read stories about kids/characters making good choices

-Encourage sharing toys whenever possible

-Role play with your toddler about telling the truth, sharing toys, showing kindness, etc….

-Encourage your toddler to draw/paint themselves showing kindness to others

Ways to teach 4-5 year olds

-Play games that teach fairness and honesty (any board games that require taking turns)

-Before having play dates with other kids, explain what being a good friend means (sharing, caring, showing kindness, being respectful and polite)

-Include your kids in kitchen clean up after meals. Explain why it is polite to help clean up after a meal.

-Limit screen time. It has been proven again and again that too much screen time can cause negative behaviors in kids.  If your kids get screen time, make sure you  monitor what they are watching and playing.

-Encourage them to be good role models for their younger siblings, cousins, friends, and/or neighbors.

Remember, the first step to teaching good character is modeling good character.  You might need to take some time and reflect on yourself and how you model good character throughout your day. Your kids are always watching you and the way you handle situations.  Have a great weekend:)

 

 

Play comes naturally to most kids.  Whether your kids play with toys or household items, they love to use their imagination.  Sometimes as parents we have a hard time encouraging our kids to use their imagination because we are so busy with our jobs or parenting.  When kids are encouraged to use their imagination, they use more vocabulary and critical thinking skills.  They  might vocalize their emotions and feelings towards something while they are playing.  This is a huge part of their brain development they need to become successful adults.  Listed below are a few ways you can encourage your kids to use their imagination and foster a love for play!

1. Provide resources for your kids to be creative while they play.  If you are needing extra supplies for indoor or outdoor play, check out your local Dollar Tree.
2. Try to allow your kids to be “free” to use their imagination.  We should only interfere with their play if they are being unsafe, inappropriate, or using unkind words.  This sounds simple but a lot of parents have a hard time wanting to correct their kids while they play.
3. Allow your kids to choose what they want to play with.  This helps them be more independent and starts to build their self esteem.
4. Before your kids start to play freely, set the ground rules.  Things like staying safe and cleaning up when they are done are good rules to review. The rules will vary according to your kid’s ages.  Make sure to supervise their play especially when they are outside.
5. When your kids are done playing, ask them questions about their play.  This is a great way to strengthen your bond with them.

I hope this is helpful and gives more insight on allowing our kids to use their imagination while they play.  Have a great rest of your week:)

It’s that time again…..spring cleaning! There are so many age appropriate chores you can give your kids to help out with cleaning.  To encourage your kids to clean, you can make it fun or turn it into a game.  Here is a list of chores according to your kid’s age group:

Toddler Chores

1. Put toys away
2. Dust with feather duster or rag
3. Pick up dirty clothes and put in hamper
4. Make bed (it might not be pretty and that’s okay)
5. Help put groceries away
6. Match socks (attempt to)
7. Help with switching laundry

Preschool Chores

1. Unload dishwasher
2. Put clothes away in drawers
3. Sweep floors
4. Clean counters
5. Wipe down windows
6. Take trash out
7. Help with the grocery shopping

While your kids are helping with spring cleaning, explain why you take time to clean and take care of your house.  You can talk about why you make grocery lists, why you sweep dirt and crumbs off the floor, why you do laundry, why you have to take the trash out, etc…  If your kids understand why they are helping you with cleaning and chores, they will be more eager to help out (hopefully).  Happy cleaning!

Spring is finally here! Along with warmer weather, spring can bring rain and storms. This is a great teaching opportunity for you to educate your kids about spring weather (rain, wind, clouds, and thunder storms). For days your kids can’t get outside, check out these weather inspired activities.

1. Match numbered clouds or sun to raindrops and flowers.
2. Create spring weather related sensory bottles (my kids love making these).
3. Make a weather mobile.
4. Decorate and create a rain stick (you can find several different ways to make these on Google or Youtube).
5. Mold Play-Doh into different shapes of clouds.
6. Paint a storm on paper.
7. Check out spring weather related books from your local library.  Some examples are Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco, Thunder Boom by Shutta Crum, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and Little Cloud by Eric Carl.
8. Sing rain and wind inspired songs (you can find several on Youtube).
9. Rain Paint- Drop food coloring on a paper plate and set outside for a few minutes while it is raining.  Bring the plate in and let it dry.  Once it dries, you will be able to see the patterns of rain that fell on the plate.
10. Play a game called will the wind blow it? Ask your kids to gather items from around the house that they think will blow in the wind.  Once the items are collected, using a fan or hair dryer, blow “wind” at each item to see if it will blow away.  This is a great way to teach about the weight of each object.

These activities are not only fun for your kids to do but also foster weather inspired learning.  Yes the activities listed above take time to set up, but the things your kids will learn from them are priceless.  Have fun and have a great day making memories with your kids:)