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Monday, April 30, 2018

DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2KpYljU

Click here to read DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids on Hands On As We Grow


Setting up a sticker busy box to entertain your children, like this activity from Alisha, is super easy and has minimal upkeep! 

Are stickers a staple around your home too?

I quickly realized that my kids accumulate a lot of stickers; from restaurants, parties, school, gifts, and even the grocery store. I didn’t want these stickers to go to waste, so we started making some sticker art and this cool sticker puzzle.

Create a DIY sticker busy box for moments when you need a minute! Your kids will love working on sticker activities!

I wanted something fun for my kids to do with their stickers on a regular basis; so the sticker busy box was born.

This simple busy box has provided my children with hours of entertainment. It’s always available for them to take out whenever they feel the need to sticker.

Build more busy boxes with these fun ideas.

The best part of this sticker busy box is once you have put it together (which is super easy), it’s a go-to activity that needs minimal upkeep.

Sticker Busy Box Supplies

  • A container or box
  • Stickers
  • Construction paper (any paper will do)
  • A bag or box of crayons

Build a sticker busy box with things you already have at home

Build Your Sticker Busy Box

Once you have your supplies, put everything into the box.

I found that using a bag of crayons was easier than having a box. Use what works for your kids and box!

Bam! Your sticker busy box is ready!

Build a sticker busy box to help entertain your children

Give the box to your kids over and let the sticker fun begin!

I recommend encouraging them to take out one piece of paper at a time for their sticker creation. Once they are done with each piece, you can choose to display it or they can give it away as a gift.

Then they can move on to another piece of paper.

My preschooler chose to create some beautiful abstract art with lots of stickers and coloring.

A sticker busy box is an instant art kit

Spice Up Your Sticker Busy Box:

For some added fun in the sticker busy box, you could pre-make some pages to place in the construction paper pile.

By pre-make, I mean draw or write some things on a few pieces of paper before putting them in the box.

You could also add in pages from coloring or activity books. This might be a great way to repurpose those half-used books.

1. Learning Skills Practice

It’s always fun to sneak some learning into any activity and this busy box is no exception.

You can write some letters, numbers, or even shapes onto some of the pages for your kids to trace with the stickers.

Build learning skills into your sticker busy box

For shapes practice, your children can choose to outline the shape or fill-it-in.

2. Fine Motor Practice

Using stickers is already fine motor practice! Your kids will use fine motor skills to peel off the stickers.

You can add more practice by drawing a design that your children can trace with the stickers. Another idea is to place some dots on the page that they can cover.

Practice fine motor skills with your sticker busy box

This Follow the Line sticker activity is another fun fine motor activity that can be added to the box as well.

3. Name Practice

If your child is still learning to recognize their name or to write their name. Using stickers can be a fun way to practice!

Write their name on a piece of paper and have them trace their name with the stickers.

Practice name recognition with your sticker busy box

Name practice (especially adding in the skill of tracing and stickers) may take some time. Your child may not be interested right away, but continue to help and encourage.

When they have finished tracing their name with stickers, display it on their door or somewhere special.

Find a fun, accessible, yet hidden place to stash your sticker busy box. Ours is tucked under our couch!

Store your sticker busy box in a small container under your couch for easy access

We actually have six busy boxes under our couch! It’s the perfect place to slide these easy activities.

My kids know that they can pull these boxes out if they are ever “needing” something to do. Busy boxes are also great for dinner prep time or if you need a few minutes to get something done.

Want more easy activities? Try these holiday-themed busy boxes:

Valentine’s Day

Hanukkah

Christmas

Regardless of how or when you decide to use this super simple Sticker Busy Box, it’s sure to be a fun hands-on experience for your kids.

What other busy boxes do your kids enjoy?

DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2KpYljU

Click here to read DIY Sticker Busy Box for Easy Quiet Time Play for Kids on Hands On As We Grow


Setting up a sticker busy box to entertain your children, like this activity from Alisha, is super easy and has minimal upkeep! 

Are stickers a staple around your home too?

I quickly realized that my kids accumulate a lot of stickers; from restaurants, parties, school, gifts, and even the grocery store. I didn’t want these stickers to go to waste, so we started making some sticker art and this cool sticker puzzle.

Create a DIY sticker busy box for moments when you need a minute! Your kids will love working on sticker activities!

I wanted something fun for my kids to do with their stickers on a regular basis; so the sticker busy box was born.

This simple busy box has provided my children with hours of entertainment. It’s always available for them to take out whenever they feel the need to sticker.

Build more busy boxes with these fun ideas.

The best part of this sticker busy box is once you have put it together (which is super easy), it’s a go-to activity that needs minimal upkeep.

Sticker Busy Box Supplies

  • A container or box
  • Stickers
  • Construction paper (any paper will do)
  • A bag or box of crayons

Build a sticker busy box with things you already have at home

Build Your Sticker Busy Box

Once you have your supplies, put everything into the box.

I found that using a bag of crayons was easier than having a box. Use what works for your kids and box!

Bam! Your sticker busy box is ready!

Build a sticker busy box to help entertain your children

Give the box to your kids over and let the sticker fun begin!

I recommend encouraging them to take out one piece of paper at a time for their sticker creation. Once they are done with each piece, you can choose to display it or they can give it away as a gift.

Then they can move on to another piece of paper.

My preschooler chose to create some beautiful abstract art with lots of stickers and coloring.

A sticker busy box is an instant art kit

Spice Up Your Sticker Busy Box:

For some added fun in the sticker busy box, you could pre-make some pages to place in the construction paper pile.

By pre-make, I mean draw or write some things on a few pieces of paper before putting them in the box.

You could also add in pages from coloring or activity books. This might be a great way to repurpose those half-used books.

1. Learning Skills Practice

It’s always fun to sneak some learning into any activity and this busy box is no exception.

You can write some letters, numbers, or even shapes onto some of the pages for your kids to trace with the stickers.

Build learning skills into your sticker busy box

For shapes practice, your children can choose to outline the shape or fill-it-in.

2. Fine Motor Practice

Using stickers is already fine motor practice! Your kids will use fine motor skills to peel off the stickers.

You can add more practice by drawing a design that your children can trace with the stickers. Another idea is to place some dots on the page that they can cover.

Practice fine motor skills with your sticker busy box

This Follow the Line sticker activity is another fun fine motor activity that can be added to the box as well.

3. Name Practice

If your child is still learning to recognize their name or to write their name. Using stickers can be a fun way to practice!

Write their name on a piece of paper and have them trace their name with the stickers.

Practice name recognition with your sticker busy box

Name practice (especially adding in the skill of tracing and stickers) may take some time. Your child may not be interested right away, but continue to help and encourage.

When they have finished tracing their name with stickers, display it on their door or somewhere special.

Find a fun, accessible, yet hidden place to stash your sticker busy box. Ours is tucked under our couch!

Store your sticker busy box in a small container under your couch for easy access

We actually have six busy boxes under our couch! It’s the perfect place to slide these easy activities.

My kids know that they can pull these boxes out if they are ever “needing” something to do. Busy boxes are also great for dinner prep time or if you need a few minutes to get something done.

Want more easy activities? Try these holiday-themed busy boxes:

Valentine’s Day

Hanukkah

Christmas

Regardless of how or when you decide to use this super simple Sticker Busy Box, it’s sure to be a fun hands-on experience for your kids.

What other busy boxes do your kids enjoy?

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Cinco de Mayo


A to Z Kids Stuff-Educational ideas and activities for young children https://ift.tt/2Fn8IB6

Ideas for Cinco de Mayo.


Cinco de Mayo

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Interactive Reading Comprehension Activity to Love Learning


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2JqTWLU

Click here to read Interactive Reading Comprehension Activity to Love Learning on Hands On As We Grow


Play along with a favorite book with an interactive reading comprehension activity that invites playful learning!

Monthly subscription boxes are great, but sometimes you need a little more than a box of toys or supplies for activities. You might want a little bit of support or guidance.

For Stephanie, our Member of the Month, she was looking for that something more.

“I checked out all the monthly subscription boxes,” said Stephanie. “Although some of them look amazing, they were all more money than I wanted to spend and they only came once a month.”

Often these subscription boxes would just sit. Stephanie just wasn’t sure what to do or have another parent to bounce ideas off of.

Then she found The Activity Room. Along with interactive activities, The Activity Room has built a supportive community of parents!

The Activity Room has put everything I need in one spot!” Stephanie commented.

Stephanie loves that everything is packaged for her, along with a vibrant and active Facebook group to get support.

“The activities, their simple instructions, suggestions on how to adjust, a supply list, AND access to the Facebook group that is full of wonderful parents and caregivers who are there to offer suggestions and support when I struggle,” Stephanie said.

Let’s Meet Stephanie

April's ROOM Member of the Month, Stephanie, loves the support of The Activity Room!

How many kids do you have and how old are they?

Two girls: Olivia who is almost 4 and Bridget is 16 months.

How long have you been in The Activity Room?

Since January of 2018.

What is your favorite activity you’ve done in The Activity Room?

Tough call, but the rainbow toy scavenger hunt is one we keep going back to.

I love watching my oldest daughter find toys that are more than one color. It is always fun to see how she chooses which color beam to place it on.

It is great for when we need to clean up too.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids when you get a few moments?

Lately, my girls are really into dancing.

We clear a space in the living room where my girls and I shake and move to our favorite songs. Sometimes even Daddy joins!

Some nights it’s the soundtrack to Sing and others we dance and sing along with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. My heart bursts when I watch my oldest dance around singing “Look around look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now.”

From there we dive back into a mix of Manuel and Disney with Moana. I love that even at a very young age my girls have learned the value of music and what it can do for your soul.

What’s your best tip for doing activities with your kids?

Let go of perfection. I will be the first to say I am a little OCD about how my own projects turn out, but letting go of the need for my daughter’s crafts to look Pinterest ready has allowed them to explore and learn.

At this young age, it is important for them to learn how to use glue, scissors, and paints. To develop their own ideas about composition and color.

I have learned to step back and take on the role of helper, offering support and ideas when they ask and in return, I have watched them become amazing little artists and crafters.

If you were to tell a friend about The Activity Room, what would you say to them?

The Activity Room is is the organization and motivation I needed to connect with my kids on a daily basis.
Before the Activity Room, I spent hours online and looking through books to find projects that my girls and I could enjoy together.
Now with The Activity Room, I just glance at my calendar and know that I have an activity I can do without a lot of prep that will be fun.

Share your favorite quote

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Activity to share:

One of our favorite books is “Perfect Square” by Michael Hall. We love to play along with a fun reading comprehension activity that mimics the story!

The simple story is about a square who over the course of a week is cut, crumpled, poked, torn, and ripped. With each new day, the square finds a way to remake itself into something beautiful.

The square realizes that it is exciting and fun to embrace change and begins to look forward to what might happen next.

With six square pieces of paper, I had my daughter follow along to the book. This reading comprehension activity also works on fine motor skills.

Play along with "Perfect Square" by Michael Hall with an interactive reading comprehension activity. Find more fun ideas in The Activity Room!

She ripped, crumpled, poked and cut each square as I read, and then used those pieces to create her own adventures for the square.

Play along with "Perfect Square" by Michael Hall with an interactive reading comprehension activity. Find more fun ideas in The Activity Room!

Playing along as you read helps build reading comprehension through activity. There are reading comprehension activities that you can find or create for almost any story, at any level.

How to do you engage your children in reading fun? Tell us your favorite read-aloud story!

Interactive Reading Comprehension Activity to Love Learning


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2JqTWLU

Click here to read Interactive Reading Comprehension Activity to Love Learning on Hands On As We Grow


Play along with a favorite book with an interactive reading comprehension activity that invites playful learning!

Monthly subscription boxes are great, but sometimes you need a little more than a box of toys or supplies for activities. You might want a little bit of support or guidance.

For Stephanie, our Member of the Month, she was looking for that something more.

“I checked out all the monthly subscription boxes,” said Stephanie. “Although some of them look amazing, they were all more money than I wanted to spend and they only came once a month.”

Often these subscription boxes would just sit. Stephanie just wasn’t sure what to do or have another parent to bounce ideas off of.

Then she found The Activity Room. Along with interactive activities, The Activity Room has built a supportive community of parents!

The Activity Room has put everything I need in one spot!” Stephanie commented.

Stephanie loves that everything is packaged for her, along with a vibrant and active Facebook group to get support.

“The activities, their simple instructions, suggestions on how to adjust, a supply list, AND access to the Facebook group that is full of wonderful parents and caregivers who are there to offer suggestions and support when I struggle,” Stephanie said.

Let’s Meet Stephanie

April's ROOM Member of the Month, Stephanie, loves the support of The Activity Room!

How many kids do you have and how old are they?

Two girls: Olivia who is almost 4 and Bridget is 16 months.

How long have you been in The Activity Room?

Since January of 2018.

What is your favorite activity you’ve done in The Activity Room?

Tough call, but the rainbow toy scavenger hunt is one we keep going back to.

I love watching my oldest daughter find toys that are more than one color. It is always fun to see how she chooses which color beam to place it on.

It is great for when we need to clean up too.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids when you get a few moments?

Lately, my girls are really into dancing.

We clear a space in the living room where my girls and I shake and move to our favorite songs. Sometimes even Daddy joins!

Some nights it’s the soundtrack to Sing and others we dance and sing along with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. My heart bursts when I watch my oldest dance around singing “Look around look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now.”

From there we dive back into a mix of Manuel and Disney with Moana. I love that even at a very young age my girls have learned the value of music and what it can do for your soul.

What’s your best tip for doing activities with your kids?

Let go of perfection. I will be the first to say I am a little OCD about how my own projects turn out, but letting go of the need for my daughter’s crafts to look Pinterest ready has allowed them to explore and learn.

At this young age, it is important for them to learn how to use glue, scissors, and paints. To develop their own ideas about composition and color.

I have learned to step back and take on the role of helper, offering support and ideas when they ask and in return, I have watched them become amazing little artists and crafters.

If you were to tell a friend about The Activity Room, what would you say to them?

The Activity Room is is the organization and motivation I needed to connect with my kids on a daily basis.
Before the Activity Room, I spent hours online and looking through books to find projects that my girls and I could enjoy together.
Now with The Activity Room, I just glance at my calendar and know that I have an activity I can do without a lot of prep that will be fun.

Share your favorite quote

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Activity to share:

One of our favorite books is “Perfect Square” by Michael Hall. We love to play along with a fun reading comprehension activity that mimics the story!

The simple story is about a square who over the course of a week is cut, crumpled, poked, torn, and ripped. With each new day, the square finds a way to remake itself into something beautiful.

The square realizes that it is exciting and fun to embrace change and begins to look forward to what might happen next.

With six square pieces of paper, I had my daughter follow along to the book. This reading comprehension activity also works on fine motor skills.

Play along with "Perfect Square" by Michael Hall with an interactive reading comprehension activity. Find more fun ideas in The Activity Room!

She ripped, crumpled, poked and cut each square as I read, and then used those pieces to create her own adventures for the square.

Play along with "Perfect Square" by Michael Hall with an interactive reading comprehension activity. Find more fun ideas in The Activity Room!

Playing along as you read helps build reading comprehension through activity. There are reading comprehension activities that you can find or create for almost any story, at any level.

How to do you engage your children in reading fun? Tell us your favorite read-aloud story!

Monday, April 23, 2018

Gross Motor Baby Play: Crawl and Learn


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2HNGWmq

Click here to read Gross Motor Baby Play: Crawl and Learn on Hands On As We Grow


Build gross motor skills with this super simple activity that invited babies to crawl and learn from Julie.

Sometimes it’s the simplest activities that are the most fun! With babies, the simpler the better.

Complicated activities just don’t work for babies. This gross motor baby play idea is so simple, yet your baby will love it!

Try this fun circle of objects for more mobile babies!

Set up an obstacle course for your baby to practice crawling! It's a super cute, fun way to to build gross motor skills together.

Crawl and Learn Activity Supplies:

  • Rug or comfy and safe crawling surface.
  • Colorful blocks or toys.

Crawl and Learn Together

Since my baby started showing an interest in crawling, I’ve been excited to give her activities that encourage those gross motor skills.

I like super-simple activities for babies, and it doesn’t get any easier than this no-prep crawl and learn activity.

Here’s what we did: I set up blocks in a zig-zag pattern spaced apart on the floor. Then, I placed my baby at one end of the “obstacle course.”

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop gross motor skills

I encouraged my baby to crawl from one block to the next. I honestly think a huge part of crawling success is getting your baby motivated to make the effort.

Once babies figure out the “why,” the “how” comes pretty quickly!

The key here is to space the blocks far enough apart so that your baby has to put in a little work. Keep them close enough together that she doesn’t get too tired or overwhelmed.

Set up this  colorful scarf circle activity for more gross motor play!

This is also a great activity to get your older kids involved in, as well! My preschooler was the sweetest cheerleader for his sister.

Have your older child lay on the floor at the opposite end of the course to encourage your baby to keep moving. It’s so much fun!

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop gross motor skills

Explore sound with this sensory activity for babies!

This gross motor baby play idea is so simple on the surface, but let’s look at the depth of benefits for your baby!

There are so many levels of learning jam-packed into this simple activity.

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop key gross motor skills

Crawl and Learn Helps Baby:

  • develop gross motor coordination as she moves from block to block.
  • practice fine motor skills as she manipulates the blocks or toys in her hands.
  • practice listening skills that support emotional bonding as she moves toward the sound of your voice.
  • to expose your baby to numerous textures, which are great for sensory input. (Rough carpet, smooth toys, soft blocks, hard floor.)
  • develop language skills as you describe what you see on the blocks or toys. (I see a square, come get the red square! I see a puppy dog!)
  • develop early math skills as she anticipates the pattern of the zig-zag. (Crawl left, crawl right, crawl left, crawl right.)

Moving and learning with your baby shouldn’t be complicated or stressful. Instead, it’s all about connecting and learning together.

Love this simple baby play idea? You’ll also enjoy this textured sensory wall for tots and babies on the move.

How do you crawl and learn with your baby?

Gross Motor Baby Play: Crawl and Learn


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2HNGWmq

Click here to read Gross Motor Baby Play: Crawl and Learn on Hands On As We Grow


Build gross motor skills with this super simple activity that invited babies to crawl and learn from Julie.

Sometimes it’s the simplest activities that are the most fun! With babies, the simpler the better.

Complicated activities just don’t work for babies. This gross motor baby play idea is so simple, yet your baby will love it!

Try this fun circle of objects for more mobile babies!

Set up an obstacle course for your baby to practice crawling! It's a super cute, fun way to to build gross motor skills together.

Crawl and Learn Activity Supplies:

  • Rug or comfy and safe crawling surface.
  • Colorful blocks or toys.

Crawl and Learn Together

Since my baby started showing an interest in crawling, I’ve been excited to give her activities that encourage those gross motor skills.

I like super-simple activities for babies, and it doesn’t get any easier than this no-prep crawl and learn activity.

Here’s what we did: I set up blocks in a zig-zag pattern spaced apart on the floor. Then, I placed my baby at one end of the “obstacle course.”

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop gross motor skills

I encouraged my baby to crawl from one block to the next. I honestly think a huge part of crawling success is getting your baby motivated to make the effort.

Once babies figure out the “why,” the “how” comes pretty quickly!

The key here is to space the blocks far enough apart so that your baby has to put in a little work. Keep them close enough together that she doesn’t get too tired or overwhelmed.

Set up this  colorful scarf circle activity for more gross motor play!

This is also a great activity to get your older kids involved in, as well! My preschooler was the sweetest cheerleader for his sister.

Have your older child lay on the floor at the opposite end of the course to encourage your baby to keep moving. It’s so much fun!

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop gross motor skills

Explore sound with this sensory activity for babies!

This gross motor baby play idea is so simple on the surface, but let’s look at the depth of benefits for your baby!

There are so many levels of learning jam-packed into this simple activity.

Crawl and learn with your baby to develop key gross motor skills

Crawl and Learn Helps Baby:

  • develop gross motor coordination as she moves from block to block.
  • practice fine motor skills as she manipulates the blocks or toys in her hands.
  • practice listening skills that support emotional bonding as she moves toward the sound of your voice.
  • to expose your baby to numerous textures, which are great for sensory input. (Rough carpet, smooth toys, soft blocks, hard floor.)
  • develop language skills as you describe what you see on the blocks or toys. (I see a square, come get the red square! I see a puppy dog!)
  • develop early math skills as she anticipates the pattern of the zig-zag. (Crawl left, crawl right, crawl left, crawl right.)

Moving and learning with your baby shouldn’t be complicated or stressful. Instead, it’s all about connecting and learning together.

Love this simple baby play idea? You’ll also enjoy this textured sensory wall for tots and babies on the move.

How do you crawl and learn with your baby?

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Reader Guest Post: The Number Race


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2qMBt4K

Click here to read Reader Guest Post: The Number Race on Hands On As We Grow


For reference, her original email to us (maybe add a snippet as a quote?):

Hi Jaime,

Your sight word activities inspired me to try a variety of activities with my daughter’s sight words and addition and subtraction flash cards. I would love to share her favorites (like the number race)!

Thank you.

Michelle

 

———– ARTICLE BELOW ———-

My daughter’s kindergarten homework includes sight word and addition and subtraction flash cards. The teacher encouraged us to find creative ways to work with the flash cards. I found some inspiration from these posts {https://ift.tt/2qLZkl8} and then developed a few of our own ideas.

The Got-it-right Race
One day my daughter moaned and groaned about doing her sight word flash cards. I thought it might help to get her up and moving. I had her stand across the kitchen from me. I held up a card and when she got it right she could run across the room to grab the card from my hand, then run back to her spot. This simple change in position changed her from moaning and groaning to asking to do it two more times!

The Number Race
We lay out all of the addition and subtraction cards, equation side up. We stand together on the other side of the room and take turns calling out a number from 0-5. Then we race across the room and collect as many cards as we can that equal the number that was called out. When we have collected all of them we race back to the other side of the room and call out another number.

Alternates:
– Lay out only addition or subtraction cards, not both, in the early stages with the cards.
– Collect one card at a time (running back and forth between) for a more intense activity.

The Hiding Game
The point of this game is for me to find the sight words that my daughter hides. Step 1 is to write out all the sight words so that we make sure we find them all. Next, I busy myself while she hides the flash cards. Then, as I find the sight words, she says each word and crosses it off of the list until we have found them all.

Alternates:
– For a quicker game eliminate the list part and just count how many cards you have to make sure you find them all.
– Or make a master list to use each time you play the game.

The Question Game
This game was inspired by Guess Who. First we lay all the sight words out on the table. She picks a word (without telling me what it is). I ask questions like:
– Does your word have 3 letters?
– Does your word have an a in it?
– Does your word begin/end with a d?

Based on her answers I flip upside down the cards that are eliminated.

Once I’ve guessed her word we reset and switch places with her asking the questions.

Alternate questions depending on what they are currently learning and what words they have could include:
– Does it rhyme with ______?
– Does it include an “ah” sound?
– Does it live on a farm?
– Etc.

 

PHOTOS OF “THE NUMBER RACE”
162b24c39fab0fe5e253162b24c1c3c154472262162b24c0a8e798a86271

 

PHOTOS OF THE “GOT IT RIGHT RACE”162dd481dd4452d39ea2162dd47faccf05960f21

BIO to include at the bottom:
Can be formatted like this one: https://ift.tt/2q56OjI

(Note: I am just getting my blog up and running but it will be officially launched before you publish this. Let me know once you have a publish date so I can set a target launch date.)

Michelle is a busy mom to a three year old and a five year old. She is the founder of Passion for a Cause (passionforacause.com), where she helps busy moms discover an outlet for their grief.

Reader Guest Post: The Number Race


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2qMBt4K

Click here to read Reader Guest Post: The Number Race on Hands On As We Grow


For reference, her original email to us (maybe add a snippet as a quote?):

Hi Jaime,

Your sight word activities inspired me to try a variety of activities with my daughter’s sight words and addition and subtraction flash cards. I would love to share her favorites (like the number race)!

Thank you.

Michelle

 

———– ARTICLE BELOW ———-

My daughter’s kindergarten homework includes sight word and addition and subtraction flash cards. The teacher encouraged us to find creative ways to work with the flash cards. I found some inspiration from these posts {https://ift.tt/2qLZkl8} and then developed a few of our own ideas.

The Got-it-right Race
One day my daughter moaned and groaned about doing her sight word flash cards. I thought it might help to get her up and moving. I had her stand across the kitchen from me. I held up a card and when she got it right she could run across the room to grab the card from my hand, then run back to her spot. This simple change in position changed her from moaning and groaning to asking to do it two more times!

The Number Race
We lay out all of the addition and subtraction cards, equation side up. We stand together on the other side of the room and take turns calling out a number from 0-5. Then we race across the room and collect as many cards as we can that equal the number that was called out. When we have collected all of them we race back to the other side of the room and call out another number.

Alternates:
– Lay out only addition or subtraction cards, not both, in the early stages with the cards.
– Collect one card at a time (running back and forth between) for a more intense activity.

The Hiding Game
The point of this game is for me to find the sight words that my daughter hides. Step 1 is to write out all the sight words so that we make sure we find them all. Next, I busy myself while she hides the flash cards. Then, as I find the sight words, she says each word and crosses it off of the list until we have found them all.

Alternates:
– For a quicker game eliminate the list part and just count how many cards you have to make sure you find them all.
– Or make a master list to use each time you play the game.

The Question Game
This game was inspired by Guess Who. First we lay all the sight words out on the table. She picks a word (without telling me what it is). I ask questions like:
– Does your word have 3 letters?
– Does your word have an a in it?
– Does your word begin/end with a d?

Based on her answers I flip upside down the cards that are eliminated.

Once I’ve guessed her word we reset and switch places with her asking the questions.

Alternate questions depending on what they are currently learning and what words they have could include:
– Does it rhyme with ______?
– Does it include an “ah” sound?
– Does it live on a farm?
– Etc.

 

PHOTOS OF “THE NUMBER RACE”
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PHOTOS OF THE “GOT IT RIGHT RACE”162dd481dd4452d39ea2162dd47faccf05960f21

BIO to include at the bottom:
Can be formatted like this one: https://ift.tt/2q56OjI

(Note: I am just getting my blog up and running but it will be officially launched before you publish this. Let me know once you have a publish date so I can set a target launch date.)

Michelle is a busy mom to a three year old and a five year old. She is the founder of Passion for a Cause (passionforacause.com), where she helps busy moms discover an outlet for their grief.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Mother’s Day Craft for Kids to Make: 3D Flower Cards


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2qIak38

Click here to read Mother’s Day Craft for Kids to Make: 3D Flower Cards on Hands On As We Grow


Build a 3D flower card in this fun Mother’s Day craft for kids! This is a great way to give flowers to Mom or Grandma and get creative, too.

I am totally loving these flower cards the kids made for a Mother’s Day craft for kids to make. It’s a great gift for Grandma (and myself!).

In previous years, we’ve made bouquets of flowers for Grandma. We could have totally made these into a bouquet too.

Instead, we made homemade cards this time. This Mother’s Day craft for kids is really easy, and fun, to make.

Here are 10 more cute flower crafts to make for Mother’s Day!

DIY 3D flower cards are a great Mother's Day craft for kids to make!

The boys ask to paint all the time. Usually, it doesn’t turn into much by itself, especially when I leave it completely open.

This time I just had them paint on bright, pretty, colorful scrapbook paper in coordinating bright, pretty colors. Pinks and oranges mostly.

They painted them however they liked, smeared it around, made prints with cookie cutters, and ended up finger painting most of it.

With those painted papers, I cut out three sizes of circles. As many as I could fit on there.

Henry could have helped out with cutting because the circles don’t have to be anywhere near perfect, but he was super excited about getting PVC pipes for his birthday. He didn’t want anything to do with the cutting.

So I cut all the circles out myself.

Practice fine motor skills by cutting in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make!

When we got to the next step, the boys were very interested again!

Now that we had three sizes of circles, the boys crumpled each circle up and then kind of flatten it out again.

We had a lot of circles to do!

The crumpling is to give the flowers a little bit of a 3D effect and to look a little like flower petals.

Crumple up the paper circles to make your 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

The boys stacked up the circles by size. One large, one medium and then a small.

Then, we glued them together. We used Washable Mod Podge, (affiliate link) because we had some leftover from the L we made for Louis’ room.

This part was definitely tricky for George. He wasn’t quite ready to do this on his own and needed quite a bit of help.

There’s 10 more stunning flower crafts for the kids to make! They’d be perfect for homemade gifts or cards!

For the middle of each flower, we glued on a button. George was super excited to do this part and he wanted to put that on right away for each flower!

Make 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And repeat, repeat, repeat until we made all the circles into very colorful flowers.

Make 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

Henry and George both drew stems, leaves, and grass onto folded scrapbook paper.

I first had them draw in green crayons, but they were barely showing up. Later, I had Henry retrace his (and I retraced George’s) with green Oil Pastels (affiliate link).

Now, those showed up bright! Perfect!

Create a DIY 3D flower card with a Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And then with a dab of glue to attach the flower to their stems to finish off the cards!

As Mother’s Day comes up, I’ll have Henry write a quick note to Grandma inside!

I seriously just love these flowers and this Mother’s Day craft for kids!

This 3D flower card is an easy Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And the whole cards turned out pretty dang cute too, I think! I just love their colors!

A gorgeous Mother’s Day craft for kids to make!

This 3D flower card is an easy Mother's Day craft for kids to make

Bonus: Mother’s Day Craft from the Kids!

We had so many flowers left over, that both George and Henry got to make a piece of art to hang up in the playroom, too!

Make a 3D flower card in this easy Mother's Day craft for kids

More Mother’s Day crafts for kids to make:

Mother’s Day Craft for Kids to Make: 3D Flower Cards


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2qIak38

Click here to read Mother’s Day Craft for Kids to Make: 3D Flower Cards on Hands On As We Grow


Build a 3D flower card in this fun Mother’s Day craft for kids! This is a great way to give flowers to Mom or Grandma and get creative, too.

I am totally loving these flower cards the kids made for a Mother’s Day craft for kids to make. It’s a great gift for Grandma (and myself!).

In previous years, we’ve made bouquets of flowers for Grandma. We could have totally made these into a bouquet too.

Instead, we made homemade cards this time. This Mother’s Day craft for kids is really easy, and fun, to make.

Here are 10 more cute flower crafts to make for Mother’s Day!

DIY 3D flower cards are a great Mother's Day craft for kids to make!

The boys ask to paint all the time. Usually, it doesn’t turn into much by itself, especially when I leave it completely open.

This time I just had them paint on bright, pretty, colorful scrapbook paper in coordinating bright, pretty colors. Pinks and oranges mostly.

They painted them however they liked, smeared it around, made prints with cookie cutters, and ended up finger painting most of it.

With those painted papers, I cut out three sizes of circles. As many as I could fit on there.

Henry could have helped out with cutting because the circles don’t have to be anywhere near perfect, but he was super excited about getting PVC pipes for his birthday. He didn’t want anything to do with the cutting.

So I cut all the circles out myself.

Practice fine motor skills by cutting in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make!

When we got to the next step, the boys were very interested again!

Now that we had three sizes of circles, the boys crumpled each circle up and then kind of flatten it out again.

We had a lot of circles to do!

The crumpling is to give the flowers a little bit of a 3D effect and to look a little like flower petals.

Crumple up the paper circles to make your 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

The boys stacked up the circles by size. One large, one medium and then a small.

Then, we glued them together. We used Washable Mod Podge, (affiliate link) because we had some leftover from the L we made for Louis’ room.

This part was definitely tricky for George. He wasn’t quite ready to do this on his own and needed quite a bit of help.

There’s 10 more stunning flower crafts for the kids to make! They’d be perfect for homemade gifts or cards!

For the middle of each flower, we glued on a button. George was super excited to do this part and he wanted to put that on right away for each flower!

Make 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And repeat, repeat, repeat until we made all the circles into very colorful flowers.

Make 3D flower cards in this Mother's Day craft for kids to make

Henry and George both drew stems, leaves, and grass onto folded scrapbook paper.

I first had them draw in green crayons, but they were barely showing up. Later, I had Henry retrace his (and I retraced George’s) with green Oil Pastels (affiliate link).

Now, those showed up bright! Perfect!

Create a DIY 3D flower card with a Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And then with a dab of glue to attach the flower to their stems to finish off the cards!

As Mother’s Day comes up, I’ll have Henry write a quick note to Grandma inside!

I seriously just love these flowers and this Mother’s Day craft for kids!

This 3D flower card is an easy Mother's Day craft for kids to make

And the whole cards turned out pretty dang cute too, I think! I just love their colors!

A gorgeous Mother’s Day craft for kids to make!

This 3D flower card is an easy Mother's Day craft for kids to make

Bonus: Mother’s Day Craft from the Kids!

We had so many flowers left over, that both George and Henry got to make a piece of art to hang up in the playroom, too!

Make a 3D flower card in this easy Mother's Day craft for kids

More Mother’s Day crafts for kids to make:

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Music Art : Tin Can Drums


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2J28Yrw

Click here to read Music Art : Tin Can Drums on Hands On As We Grow


Upcycle your soup and vegetable cans into tin can drums with this super fun art activity!

We’ve been on a tin can binge, so Henry and I had to make these drums from tin cans, too!

DIY Upcycled Tin Can Drums

DIY drums out of tin cans with your toddler and preschooler! It's a super simple craft with supplies you already have at home!

During my hunt for balloon ideas, I adapted this tin can drum idea from both Quirky Momma and Mini-Eco.

Play with balloons with this fun balloon science activity!

Since Father’s Day is this coming Sunday, and his Dad used to be a drummer, I thought these would make a perfect gift from Henry!

Build your own colorful tin can drums with an easy art activity for preschoolers

I may fill the tin can drums up with some goodies before Sunday, too! They make a great gift box.

As always, working beside Henry usually proves to be more productive than just watching and telling him what to do.

Henry started painting with green paint. He covered the entire can with paint, inside and out!

Paint the cans with your preschooler to make the tin can drums together
No worries on a sharp edge on these cans, these came from Grandma. We had to raid her recycling bin because her can opener creates a nice, smooth edge!

He added a splash of orange and blue to his tin can for a little color. He only painted the one can, but I was impressed with the amount of time he spent to cover it completely.

Once the paint dried, I cut off the end of a balloon and slipped it over the top of the tin can drum.

DIY your own tin can drums with upcycled cans and balloons

If there ends up with a little bubble in the middle of the balloon, take it off and snip a little more off the end and try again.

I added a second layer of balloons to two of the tin can drums and snipped holes in it like Quirky Momma did with her tin can drum activity.

Add pasta, beans, and rice to the tin can drums to make musical shakers

I also had added rice, pasta, and some rocks to each of the tin can drums to make shakers! Henry shook them to hear their different noises.

He also drummed them loudly, having lots of fun!

Make easy and colorful DIY tin can drums with your preschooler

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Love,

Henry & George

Our other tin can activities:

Featured on:
oneprettything

Music Art : Tin Can Drums


Hands On As We Grow https://ift.tt/2J28Yrw

Click here to read Music Art : Tin Can Drums on Hands On As We Grow


Upcycle your soup and vegetable cans into tin can drums with this super fun art activity!

We’ve been on a tin can binge, so Henry and I had to make these drums from tin cans, too!

DIY Upcycled Tin Can Drums

DIY drums out of tin cans with your toddler and preschooler! It's a super simple craft with supplies you already have at home!

During my hunt for balloon ideas, I adapted this tin can drum idea from both Quirky Momma and Mini-Eco.

Play with balloons with this fun balloon science activity!

Since Father’s Day is this coming Sunday, and his Dad used to be a drummer, I thought these would make a perfect gift from Henry!

Build your own colorful tin can drums with an easy art activity for preschoolers

I may fill the tin can drums up with some goodies before Sunday, too! They make a great gift box.

As always, working beside Henry usually proves to be more productive than just watching and telling him what to do.

Henry started painting with green paint. He covered the entire can with paint, inside and out!

Paint the cans with your preschooler to make the tin can drums together
No worries on a sharp edge on these cans, these came from Grandma. We had to raid her recycling bin because her can opener creates a nice, smooth edge!

He added a splash of orange and blue to his tin can for a little color. He only painted the one can, but I was impressed with the amount of time he spent to cover it completely.

Once the paint dried, I cut off the end of a balloon and slipped it over the top of the tin can drum.

DIY your own tin can drums with upcycled cans and balloons

If there ends up with a little bubble in the middle of the balloon, take it off and snip a little more off the end and try again.

I added a second layer of balloons to two of the tin can drums and snipped holes in it like Quirky Momma did with her tin can drum activity.

Add pasta, beans, and rice to the tin can drums to make musical shakers

I also had added rice, pasta, and some rocks to each of the tin can drums to make shakers! Henry shook them to hear their different noises.

He also drummed them loudly, having lots of fun!

Make easy and colorful DIY tin can drums with your preschooler

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Love,

Henry & George

Our other tin can activities:

Featured on:
oneprettything