It's been a busy month...

Have you been out enjoying the weather? I surely have!  The kids have been running around and soaking up the sun.  This is Chicago though, so you never know what tomorrow will bring.

This week was the Week of the Young Child.  If your child is in school, I am sure you heard all about it.  They probably did some engaging activities and read some "FUNTASTIC" stories.  Make sure you do this at home too.  Learning does not stop at school, especially for young children.  They should be actively learning at home.  You can do this easily by sorting cans, counting boxes, letting them "write" while you make your to do lists etc.  Things that you might think of as silly, are actually great ways to keep a young child's mind moving.

I won't be writing until after Easter, so have a blessed holiday.  Enjoy your family and celebrate your children.  They are a gift from God.
Tanya

Spring..a time for budding authors!

I always encourge all children to write their own books.  Writing a book does not mean they have to know how to spell or even write letters.  It is how they express a beginning, middle and end. They can use letters, words, scribbles, scratches and drawings. You can give them the opportunity to write a book by taking 2 pages of white paper, fold it in half and staple on the binding twice.  You can offer to dictate and write for them once they read it to you.  Give them a topic or tell them to write about anything they like!

OR... I have used these when discussing specific themes.  This is a great idea and you can read it to them or they can "read" it to you!   It is a spring mini book. http://dltk-teach.com/minibooks/spring3/index.htm.

Enjoy the sunshine and hope that warmth follows soon!
Tanya

A trying week for this mom/ SPRING in the home.

Friday, we had a bit of a scare with Jake.  He had to be taken to the ER for chest pains and near fainting (3 days of complaints).  OY! fortunately his EKG and Xray was normal.  He is restricted until he gets to a peds cardiologist for the all clear.  I tell ya, never a dull moment.  Hopefully all is clear and last week was just some freaky episode.

So what are you doing to pass the time while we wait for REAL spring? Dont' forget, we are in Chicago, so don't get too excited about hearing the birds singing or letting your child out without a coat.  This is prime tricky weather time.  Make sure those kids are washing with soap and water after trips to the park, the store, a friends house etc. 

Well, here is a great experiment/activity to get a bit of spring happening in your home!

• book: Jack and the Beanstalk* by Matt Faulkner (Scholastic, Inc.; $3.25)
• dried lima beans
• paper towels
• plastic sandwich bags
• small plastic cup or milk container
• soil
• chart paper and brown craft paper
• marker
• plastic scoop (for soil)

1. Read children the folktale Jack and the Beanstalk. Then show them a handful of dried lima beans. Ask them if they know what type of bean it is. Invite children to plant the beans two different ways — in a cup with soil and wrapped in paper in a plastic bag — to see if a beanstalk will grow. Prepare a sheet of chart paper listing the two lima bean experiments. Ask children to predict what will happen in each experiment.
2. Invite children to work in small groups to prepare the first experiment. Provide children with a plastic cup. Assist them in filling their cups halfway with soil. Place two lima beans in the soil. Cover with more soil. Add water. Write each child's name on a piece of masking tape and attach to the cups. Place the cups in a plastic bin or container to prevent it spilling and keep them in a sunny area of the room.
3. For the next experiment, provide each child with a plastic sandwich bag, a damp paper towel, and two lima beans. Ask children to carefully wrap their lima beans in the damp paper towel and then place them into the plastic bags. Label children's bag with their names. Find another sunny area in the classroom to place the bags.
4. Prepare two five-day observation charts on long sheets of brown craft paper so that children can record their observations for two weeks. List each day of the week and make two columns below each day to record observations for the Planted Beans and the Wrapped Beans.
5. Plan a time each day for children to observe the growth of their beans. Remind children to water their beans when the soil feels dry and to dampen the cloth if it becomes dry. Record children's observations daily. Compare the growth of their lima beans with their initial predictions

Optional: Photograph the process of the children's experiments to document their learning experience. Children can assist in placing the photographs in sequence and provide dictations to describe their observations and the outcome of their experiments. Create a display in your science area or class bulletin board.

until next time...enjoy your kids.
TB

Prayers for Japan

Keep the people of Japan and of all over the world with family and friends in Japan.  My friend's family is directly affected.  If you can, check out their story and help in anyway you can.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Breun-Family-Japenese-Relief-Fund/186239164752348

Spring is in the air!

'Tis the time to open the windows and clear out some germies.  I know that yesterday and today it was so great to hear the kids playing outside.  The dogs are running and chasing each other.  It's great.  However, we are in Chicago...don't gt too excited!

You can start checking out the libaries for new story times.  These usually begin about mid to late March.  Many libraries also have the free museum passes.  You can take a family of 4 to the shedd for the cost of parking!  Check into that.  When the ground dries, take a spring "ISPY" walk.  Look for blossoms, specific colors, birds, squirrels etc. Go home and have them draw their favorite part.
Let's pray for people in Japan.  It's devistating.  I know I have a friend who has family there and has not yet heard anything, so keep everyone in your prayers and thoughts.

Tanya

A rainbow to kick off spring!

There seems to be no better time of the year than around St. Patrick’s Day to paint a rainbow! These fun little prints amaze kids! They won’t believe half a rainbow can be turned into a whole rainbow!

Set out a rainbow of acrylic paint.

We painted on the shiny side of freezer paper. Cut what ever size you like.

Fold the freezer paper in half. On one side of the paper paint half a rainbow.

Fold paper in half and lightly press. Don’t slide hands, just press. With one finger you can slide along each individual color of the rainbow if you like.

Open paper. We then added a touch of glitter to make our rainbows sparkle! Dip a dry brush into DecoArt Glamour Dust.

This glitter is the best. It is so fine that in adheres really great to the paint. My daughter said, “I am all about this glitter!”

Tap a finger or pencil on the handle of the paintbrush and your rainbow will receive a beautiful sprinkle of glitter!

May there be a big pot of gold at the end of your rainbow!

add a little something to the paint!

If you are at home painting with your child, add some sand or salt to the paint mix.  This will give a different texture not only to the painting itself, but they will feel it with their hands and or with their painting utensil.  Speaking of utensils...think of the different things you can use to paint with.  How about a toothbrush, a feather, toothpick, spoon, squished up small towel held by a clothes pin.  Just some fun thoughts on these rainy days!

Keep having fun.
Tanya