Time For Bed!!!

Before children, I used to daydream about what it would be like to be a mom. These daydreams included a peaceful version of bedtime that included stories, snuggles and songs. Then the children would drift peacefully off to sleep. Boy, was I mistaken! I never thought that they might not be tired when I was, that they might want drinks, have to pee, need a drink, be scared, refuse to stay in bed, jump on the beds, be cold and refuse to put blankets on, be hot and refuse to take blankets off...

Anyways, let's have a little FUN that focuses on bedtime. I have found that children love to dramatize bedtime. For example:

•  Children can pretend to put parents to bed, and the parents can be silly by being "difficult" and not going to bed. 
• Parents can pretend to put children to sleep and kids "pretend" to be difficult. This give kids the opportunity to let out their feelings of powerlessness about bedtime and hopefully help make bedtime a more enjoyable experience!

On Tuesday, June 26 we will:

• Read Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
• Using dramatic play, children put their parents to bed and then switch roles.
• Read Go To Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing.
• Make our own bedtime monster with squares, ovals, rectangles, circles, and triangles.

I am currently reading Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD. This book explores using dramatic play with children that nurtures close connections between parents and children. I am thoroughly enjoying the thoughts and ideas presented in this book and recommend this read to all parents!           http://www.playfulparenting.com/ 

Get Silly With Poetry

Early Bird

Oh, if you're a bird, be an early bird

And catch the worm for your breakfast plate. 

If you're a bird, be an early bird-

But if you're a worm, sleep late.

-Shel Silverstein

On Tuesday, May 19 we will:

• Read and enjoy poetry by Shel Silverstein and Bruce Lansky.
• With caregiver assistance, each child will create an "I Am" poem.

Name

I am (3 describing words)

I like (describe what you like)

I worry (list worry's, concerns or fears)

I hope/dream/wish (list hopes here)

Name

Kourtney LaFavre

I am kind, patient, and creative.

I like reading, playing, cooking, and exploring.

I worry that people are not as kind as they should be.

I wish for people to make the world a better place through kindness, 

starting with themselves and their families.

Kourtney LaFavre 

• Children will decorate their poems.
• Free play while Miss Kourtney laminates our wonderful new poetry!

Quick Links for home:

• Bruce Lansky's site: http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
• Shel Silverstein
• Kenn Nesbitt's Poetry 4 Kids

Explore poetry at home with your children. There are many wonderful children's poetry books out there, check out your local library or book store. We treasure our poetry collection at home and have many of our favorites memorized. We spontaneously recite poetry throughout the day in our home! Have fun, let loose, be silly, and have fun with words! 

How I Quit Sucking My Thumb

By Bruce Lansky 

My mother says it’s childish and

my father says it’s dumb—

whenever they discover that

I’m sucking on my thumb.

It’s such a silly thing to do,

as everybody knows.

So now instead of sucking it

I stick it in my nose.

Number Fun

Let's have some fun as we explore numbers and counting through games and song.
On Tuesday, June 12 we will:

• Sing "Five Little Speckled Frogs" and introduce American Sign Language for the numbers 1-10.
• Play "Flip the card" and sign the number to match the card.
• Sing "Can you find the number..." as children search for numbers around the room.
• Counting practice: Each caregiver will pretend to give each child a "present" that contains a certain number of objects. Children will close their eyes and then be "surprised" by their gift, open it, and count the objects.
• Free play and there will be math materials and activities available for parents and children to explore.

Ideas for Home:

The best way for children to learn math skills is through everyday experiences, play, and fun and games.

I feel that it is important for parents to know what is developmentally appropriate for children at each age. When playing and interacting with children, we want to be at their level so that interactions and games are enjoyable and children are learning without knowing it!! Here are some resources:

• PBS Parents has great info on developmental milestones and appropriate activities for infants through grade 2.
• Infants and Toddlers
• PreK and K
• Grades 1 and 2
• List of books to nurture early math skills
• Math websites
• Sesame Street website gets a lot of use in our house. There are math games and activities that young children can complete on their own, with adult supervision of course!
• Browse games by subject here.
• Just play, have fun, and follow your child's lead. You will bond and they learn along the way. When playing use number, shape, and directional words (up, down, over, under).
• Count stairs as you are walking up and down. Count scoops of food, trees, rocks, dolls, cars...
• Explore the world using your senses and talk about what you are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling and thinking!
• Provide toys that have incremental sizes, such as nesting cups and stack able rings.
• Sand and water play with opportunities to pour, fill, scoop, and dump and use comparison words when playing.
• American Sign Language Browser

Puppies Everywhere

On Tuesday, June 5 we will:

• Enjoy some puppy themed literature.
• Make paper bag dog houses and alphabet bones.
• Go on a letter hunt and match the letters of the alphabet.
• Take turns hopping the alphabet.
• Play puppies and doggies!