To know what your toddler thinks about his world before he can tell you directly in words, play with him. In play, you see and hear what he understands and thinks about the world. Remember, however, that this is his play, not yours. You are a partner and a facilitator, occasionally a “go-fer,” but […]
  They are SUPER SIMPLE and only need a few things, most of which is usually laying around the house. I grabbed the bottles from the recycling bin (2 L or 20oz. sizes work well), the construction paper and glue already on hand.     First put a few drops of white paint […]
 Is your child’s preschool classroom set up to teach social skills? The best way to assess the emotional climate of a classroom is to spend an hour or more as a visitor. Pay special attention to how teachers interact with children to promote the development of emotional and social skills.  The Environment  […]
A project for even the really young!  Edible “Glitterâ€: Mix a few drops of food coloring into sugar.  Edible “Glue† 3/4 cup water 2 T corn syrup 1 tsp vinegar 3/4 cup cold water 1/2 cup corn starch  In a small saucepan, add the water and corn syrup and vinegar, stir […]
 The development of decorum varies from child to child. But between the ages of 2 and 5, your child is most receptive to learning the rules of polite conduct. “When children are very young,” says Linda Altman, a Georgia-based counselor and educator, “they want to do anything you ask. Grab the opportunity to teach […]
What do to with paint swatches? Today we used them to make a jack-o-lantern mosaic. First, I drew an outline of a jack-o-lantern on a big piece of paper. I set out paint swatches in shades of orange, green and black. I cut and glued on a few, so the children would get the idea […]
Through physical play outdoors, your child develops confidence in herself as she sees her physical skills grow. This self-confidence can translate into social confidence: Children who feel good about their physical abilities tend to view themselves more positively in general. Â Your baby probably invites you to play by making sounds, looking intently at you […]
Here are some simple paper lanterns we made in Halloween/fall colors just because. Â Stapler Glue Hole puncher Scissors Ruler Craft knife String Construction Paper (black, yellow, orange). Â We made two kinds of lanterns. The first kind were just simple tubes – either cylindrical or square in cross-section, and layered with a contrasting color […]
