{"id":581,"date":"2009-10-13T18:22:41","date_gmt":"2009-10-14T01:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pcgirl.net\/mom\/?p=581"},"modified":"2009-11-25T20:00:24","modified_gmt":"2009-11-26T03:00:24","slug":"a-is-for-apple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pcgirl.net\/mom\/?p=581","title":{"rendered":"A is for Apple"},"content":{"rendered":"

All About Apples<\/span><\/h1>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You probably have several apples in your house right now. What follows are easy ideas for apple fun and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use a cool apple tool.<\/span><\/strong> The right equipment can make all the difference when cooking with your kids. The Peel Away from Back to Basics is a big hit with children. The machine allows you to peel, core, and slice apples in one fast and easy operation. It is safe and easy to use with parental supervision (Peel Away Apple Peeler A505, $25 at applesource.com<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

Compare apples with the five senses.<\/span><\/strong> Invite your child to observe and compare red, yellow, and green apples. How are they similar? How are they different? Encourage your child to use his senses to explore. First, sight: Ask him to express what he sees as different about the apples (besides the color). Then move on to touch, smell, and taste. The five senses is an important science topic that is traditionally taught in the beginning of the preschool and kindergarten years. This focus also teaches your child about himself and how his body works<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Take a made-from-apples taste test.<\/span><\/strong> Children are often surprised to find out about the different things that are made from apples. Look through your cabinets and refrigerator for a variety of apple products for your child to taste. Try such products as apple jelly, dried apples, applesauce, apple vinegar, and apple juice or cider. Which does he like the best? Which doesn’t he like?<\/p>\n

Measure with apples.<\/span><\/strong> Apples make a great unit of measure. Ask your child to estimate how many apples long the table or counter is. Then line them up to check and see! Try measuring big and little things. It is important for your child to see how anything can be used to measure. This prepares him for learning how to measure with feet and inches. Invite him to estimate “how many” before measuring. You will be helping him learn how to approximate linear measurements.<\/p>\n

Print with apples.<\/span><\/strong> Did you know that when you cut an apple in half horizontally you find a star inside? The apple halves work well for making apple-print pictures or wrapping paper. Stick a fork in the uncut side of each apple half so it is easier for your child to hold without getting messy. Have him place the cut end in a small dish of washable paint and then press on paper or tissue paper.<\/p>\n

Make an apple-head puppet.<\/span><\/strong> Weathered-looking apple-head dolls are a traditional early American craft. You can make them at home with your preschooler, though be aware that the drying period can take several weeks. Peel an apple and show your child how to carefully use the end of a peeler, or other blunt tool, to carve out a mouth and two eyes. Have your child place a small scrap of fabric or a napkin over the dull point of a pencil. Then you can press the point into the bottom of the apple to create the puppet stick. Place the apple in a sunny place to weather and dry. When the apple is brown and dry, your child can add yarn for hair or fabric as a scarf. Have a puppet show!<\/p>\n

Play hot apple.<\/span><\/strong> Play a hot-potato-style game with the family by passing an apple around as you all chant the word apple over and over. When the leader shouts, “Hot Apple!” whoever is holding the apple is it. That person gets to be the leader and calls “Hot Apple” in the next game.<\/p>\n

Balance an apple.<\/span><\/strong> How far can your child walk with an apple balanced on a large spoon? Try it!<\/p>\n

Read apple books.<\/span><\/strong> Take a trip to your library to find some apple books for storytime. Here are few to look for:<\/p>\n