When you can answer “yes” to most of these questions, it’s time to start.  • Can your child follow directions? • Does he understand words like “wet” and “dry” and distinguish between the two? How about “toilet” or “potty”? Does he recognize words for urinating or defecating? • Can she tell you where to find the […]
  •Tell each child, “I love you.” •Communicate love through gentle touch.  •Keep track of your kids; notice when they come and go. •Talk up what your children do that’s right. •Notice small steps toward competency. •Ask your kids their opinion. •Answer their questions patiently and thoroughly. •Expect age-appropriate responsibility. •Provide situations where your […]
1. Read, read, and read to your child for at least 15 minutes every day. Take turns reading with your older child — you read one page, she reads the next — or establish a family reading time when everyone reads her own book.  2. Encourage him to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make […]
A few years ago a friend passed on a great tip on how to manage all of the candy that your kids haul in from trick or treating. Enter the Switch Witch. Switch Witch is a very kind witch (we don’t like things too dark or scary here) who comes by after Halloween to take […]
Greet your Halloween night callers with a row of mini pumpkins perched along your windowsill.   cardboard egg carton orange craft paint black or yellow craft paint (or black marker) green twist tie or piece of chenille stem newspaper scissors craft glue rice, beans, or candy to place inside the pumpkin  optional: green […]
Kid friendly friday is hosted at I Blame My Mother. Check out this weeks linky to see the projects and ideas that other mom’s have posted! I think that making book marks is a great activity for kids. We’ve done it a number of times over the years. It lends itself to many different themes […]
I drew some pumpkins on red paper and gave them to Little Mouse to decorate. She decided to draw on them with mostly her black crayon. I then cut them out and glued them to a clothes pin. I then glued a magnet to the back and viola! We have a fridge magnet! Now we […]
A long (oblong) balloon A bowl that the end of the balloon fits in (this is just to hold the balloon while you work) Newspaper Flour and water A pan and a stirrer Scissors White tempera paint Paint brush A black marker  Papier-Mâché Glue: Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water. Mix […]
