Back to School Jitters?
By Arlene Richards | August 3, 2010
Is your child getting a little anxious about the first day of school? Are you a little anxious for her or him? As a former kindergarten teacher and mom, I know how parents and children worry when summer is over, and it’s time to start another school year. Well, Education.com has some fantastic, creative activities to help get your child ready for a new school year. And, it offers a wealth of ideas to inspire learning throughout the year.
From outdoor activities perfect for a sunny day, to indoor activities for when the rain is falling. There are math activities, science activities, writing, reading and more. So get those paints and markers ready! Make a “First Day” Photo Book for your child’s first day as a kindergartner. Have them go word fishing, or send kids on a shape scavenger hunt. There are dozens of things to do with your kindergarten child, plus tons of stimulating lessons and games for the older child as well.
Does Dad’s tool box need to be tidied up? Get your child to help you clean, while sneaking in a little math along the way. Sorting objects by size, color, shape or function is an important concept in mathematical reasoning, and it’s the perfect excuse for a little house keeping!
Check out ideas for: Making a Paper Chain Calendar or Grow a Sock Garden.
The next time you find yourself strolling the aisles of a grocery store, with an impatient kid in tow, make it a reading adventure. Julie Williams, “Games For the Grocery Store” will help to make grocery shopping fun while fostering reading and math skills.
A great way to combine your child’s natural curiosity with developing classification and writing skills is to have him/her create field guides. Whether it’s a field guide for the park, the woods, or your own backyard, your child will gain a new appreciation for the living things around him, while at the same time getting lots of good practice developing those second grade language skills.
Help your child get ready for a new school year by checking out the activities on Education.com.
Here’s to great beginnings!
The Bing Note Team!
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Back To School 2010- Keeping It Healthy!
By Arlene Richards | July 27, 2010
Before we know it, the alarms will be set, and the rat race will begin…again. While there is time, why not start gathering ideas for how you and your children will fit in exercise? As I surf the net I find that many parents are concerned about how to keep their kids healthy and fit. Carol Goodrow, author/illustrator of Kids Running, The Treasure of Health and Happiness, and Happy Feet, Healthy Food has a great site to help parents with this problem. Check out www.carolgoodrow.com for unique and fun ideas on how to integrate academics and fitness. Listed are a few of the suggested activities:
- Use activities as incentives and save the video time for designing and playing activity-based fitness games. Make your own that involve reading and writing and get outside to play.
- Run to Read and Write. Line your shelves with children’s running books. Read, then run. Run, then write. Write, then play. Keep a log of your Run to Read and Write activities.
- Make a family run. Create invitations, running bib numbers, and homemade medals. Make them unique and fun.
- Do an Academic Relay. Cut math worksheets into 1/8s. Clip the mini-worksheets to clipboards. Use them as the turn-around points. Kids run to clipboard, write their name on paper, then do the problems. They run back with finished work. Then the next runner runs.
- Whether it’s a small classroom club, a recess club, an after-school club, or a marathon-affiliated kids running club, all schoolchildren should at one time be part of one of these kids healthy organizations.
- Take the time to check out the site www.carolgoodrow.com, and come away with many, many terrific ideas on how to keep your child fit and healthy.
Here’s to a healthy start in 2010!
The Bing Note Team
Topics: tuesday treats | 1 Comment »
Music Makes Kids Happy
By Arlene Richards | July 21, 2010
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!…several years ago, this song encouraged everyone to just be happy. I admit it’s difficult to put on a happy face especially when we are experiencing uncertain times. For a lot of people, many of our thoughts turn negative and we tend to focus on the downside. But, focusing on the negative can be stressful. Now, the problem is to find ways to keep anxiety at bay.
Music can help! Listen to one of your favorite songs and sing along. Don’t worry about how you sound or whether you’re singing on key. Just breathe deeply and belt out the words, and the louder the better. This will help you to relax and soon you will find that you are feeling better.
Music can be a relaxing and soothing experience for you and it can help your little ones feel better too. Make music a part of your daily routine. Put on one of their favorite songs and everyone join in and sing along. If you’re on the road running one of your many errands, and your car is full of whining kids, just begin singing a favorite song. You will find that as everyone joins in, you’ll have a more enjoyable traveling experience.
To be happy, you need to make an effort to be around happy people. Feelings are contagious so choose upbeat friends. When you find yourself in situations where others are always expressing unhappy feelings be polite, but part company with people who constantly express negative views.
That’s Bingzy! CD has some wonderful up-lifting songs that are just what the little ones need to put a smile on their faces and a boost in their morale. And…the CD and picture book is now on sale for just $7.95! BUY NOW
Here’s to Happiness!
The Bing Note Team
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