The holidays can be a joyous and hectic time of year. Your children aren’t likely to have much school work assigned, and will probably be too excited to sit still long enough to read a book. Here are a few ways to keep those reading skills sharp during all of the seasonal excitement.

• Send Cards: Whether you send a family newsletter to relatives you won’t see or just dash out a quick greeting, holiday cards give children a chance to practice writing as well as reading. Have your child practice his penmanship by copying addresses onto envelopes.

• Keep the Kids in the Kitchen: Reading recipes helps children work on their reading comprehension and math skills. How often does the turkey need to be basted? How many cups of flour are needed for a batch of cookies? Find age appropriate ways for your helpers to pitch in.

• Make lists and check them twice: Hosting a gathering, whether a holiday dinner or a festive party, requires a lot of planning ahead of time. In the run-up to the big event, make chore lists together and hang them up to get the whole family to help. Have your kids help plan the menu and the shopping list. They may even want to make individual menus to put at place settings for guests.

• Rewind the fun: Have your child to recap the holiday fun for a teacher, friend or relative. Your pre-reader can draw a picture of a favorite present while an older child can go into detail about the family dinner. Ask questions about what they enjoyed and why.

Source: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3753000

So we’ve all heard that children who listen to music are “smarter”. But what exactly are the benefits of music? I started to research this and found lots of information online and in books. But the most helpful was the direct benefits I found from the book An introduction to The Music Revolution written by Dr. Jeannette Vos. I’ve included a summary below.

Also, I read that along with children, it’s also just as important for teens and adults to listen to music and sing along with songs too! So read the benefits and turn on some music!

1. Music relaxes the mind and lowers stress levels that inhibit learning. When used effectively, it increases alpha levels in the brain, boosting memory and recall and allowing the brain to access reserve capacities.
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2. Music acts directly on the body, specifically on metabolism and heartbeat. Listening to certain types of music can trigger the release of endorphins, producing a tranquil state that leads to faster learning.
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3. Music stimulates and awakens, reviving board or sleepy learners and increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
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4. Music is mathematical. Certain musical structures stimulate specialized brain circuits, allowing learners to decode complex ideas more easily.
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5. Music inspires emotion, creating a clear passage to long-term memory.
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6. Music is a stage-changer and can be used effectively to get students into an effective learning state.
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7. Music is a universal language, uniquely capable of crossing cultural barriers and training in ethnic traditions and values. It can set a dramatic stage for lessons in history, foreign language, sociology, political studies and geography.
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8. Music is a powerful anchor that moors learning in memory.

Let’s go! Let’s go! Come on … you’re going to miss the bus! I don’t know where your favorite jeans are; it’s not my responsibility. What do you mean you still have homework? Did you brush your teeth yet? Let’s go! I’m leaving… NOW!

Oh I hope your mornings don’t sound like that above. If it does, it’s not too late to turn that ship around. The key to having a stress free morning routine is to have a smooth bedtime routine. Remember, a routine is something that is followed regularly, standard procedures. Without the consistency you will have an uphill battle.

Here are some tips to a stress free morning routine:

• No yelling. Raising your voice, albeit frustrated, is only going to escalate matters.

• Early to bed, early to rise. That one is simple.

• Showers and baths should be taken at night. You think you’ll have time in the morning, but you rarely do.

• Look over all homework for completeness before bed; don’t assume it’s finished.

• Before bed ensure lunches are made, backpack is packed and there are no surprise “Oh I need xxx today!”

• Give singular instructions. Don’t say, “I want you to finish your homework, eat breakfast, get dressed, comb your hair, brush your teeth and be in the car by 8:15.” To a child, that sounds like “blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.” One instruction at a time works wonders.

• Provide instructions once. If you’re doing this, stop: “Johnny, it’s time to get dressed.” Two minutes later, “Johnny, we’re going to be late if you don’t get dressed now.” Two more minutes later, “Johnny, honey, I told you to get dressed.” “Johnny, Mommy is going to be late, now go get dressed.” To a child that sounds like “Oh mom is good for asking about five more times before she really goes ballistic!” Repeated requests only send the message that junior doesn’t really have to do it now.

• Set consequences and stick to your guns. If you tell your child the car is leaving at 8:15 sharp, make it happen. Clearly you can’t leave your child behind, so leaving without her isn’t an option. Tell her you will be leaving whether she is ready or not. Sending a 10 year old to school with uncombed hair, pajamas and an empty belly might be just the catalyst for change.

You are the parent; you set the tone for the morning routine. You need to be actively involved in the morning routine. Follow the steps above and I guarantee ‘joy will come in the morning!’

Source: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/back-to-school/articles/a-stress-free-morning-routine.html

Parents are a child’s first and best teachers, and nothing is easier or more enjoyable to nurture than a love of music! Focusing on variety and activities in which your child can participate are key, says Linda Page Neelly, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. “Through singing, playing, moving, listening and other experiences,” she says, “you can stimulate children’s thinking and decision-making, and encourage creativity.”

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Foster your infant’s love of music by singing, humming and chanting to her throughout the day. Don’t worry if your voice isn’t the best. Even if you’re a bit off-key, it’s a delightful sound to your baby!
• Imitate the sounds your baby makes and encourage her to explore her own range. (Yes, that high-pitched screeching is a form of musical exploration!)
• Encourage your baby or toddler to move along to music, dancing, rocking, clapping, nodding a whatever. The more active involvement, the better, says Neelly. “That kinesthetic immersion into the sound, that’s when the brain is developing more,” she explains. Try dancing with a fussy infant: You might be surprised at how calming it is for you both!
• Introduce toddlers to songs that allow them to move and follow directions. By imitating your movements in “Follow the Leader” and “Hokey Pokey,” they learn how to keep time with music. It’s also great for language development and gross motor skills!
• Children love to hear music that’s familiar to them, so play their favorites often. Inventing new lyrics for familiar songs can teach them that music is a way to express creativity.
• The benefits of music education are most noticeable when children are encouraged to create their own music. It’s never too early to let your children be musicians. Infants can play with bells and rattles. Older babies and toddlers can bang on drums, xylophones, and toy keyboards or strum on child-sized guitars to develop musical abilities and fine motor skills.
• Help your children make their own “instruments” using pots and pans, blocks, empty cans, plastic containers filled with beans, and other common household items.
• Introduce your child to music from different styles and cultures. Music is one of the most effective ways to bridge cultural, social and generational differences. Fostering an appreciation of many types of music stimulates healthy brain development and can teach your child to communicate with people from many cultures and all walks of life.
• Expose your child to a wide variety of musical experiences, from listening and moving to singing and playing, from solo “performances” to group music making, from exploring traditional instruments to improvising on “instruments” of her own creation.
• Include music in your child’s bedtime and naptime rituals. “One time that listening to music is extremely beneficial without movement is if it’s calming, soothing music to help children rest,” says Neelly. “It’s very beneficial therapeutically to have a slow, calming melody and a slow rhythm to help calm children.”

When it comes to music, experts agree, the more the better. “There has to be a good bit of it,” Neelly advises, “not just a smattering here and there, but a real immersion.” When you sing to and with your child as you get her dressed, play familiar CDs as you travel in the car, help her explore her music-making creativity by banging on pots and pans or tapping on a toy keyboard, introduce her to a variety of music through CDs and engaging children’s videos, or calm her to sleep with a favorite lullaby, you make music an integral part of your child’s life. It’s never too early to foster a passion for music!

Source: http://www.babyclassrom.com/article-music-home.html

When shopping for a car safety seat, keep the following tips in mind:

• No one seat is the “best” or “safest.” The best seat is the one that fits your child’s age and size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and can be used properly every time you drive.
• Don’t decide by price alone. A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use.
• Avoid used seats if you don’t know the seat’s history. Never use a car seat that
  • Is too old. Look on the label for the date it was made. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long it recommends using the seat.
  • Has any visible cracks on it.
  • Does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check to see if the seat has been recalled.
  • Does not come with instructions. You need them to know how to use the seat.
  • Is missing parts. Used car safety seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right parts.
  • Was recalled. You can find out by calling the manufacturer or by contacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236. You can also visit the NHTSA Web site at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm.
• Do not use seats that have been in a moderate or severe crash. Seats that were in a minor crash may still be safe to use. The NHTSA considers a crash minor if all of the following are true:
  • The vehicle could be driven away from the crash.
  • The vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged.
  • No one in the vehicle was injured.
  • The air bags did not go off.
  • You can’t see any damage to the car safety seat.

Source: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

10 Summer Activities for Toddlers (That You May Not Have Heard of Before)
Content provided by Revolution Health Group

There’s no doubt that you want to get your toddler outside to play during those lovely summer afternoons. Here are some new projects and games can you try this summer, short of going to the community pool, the zoo and your local library… Try out one of these 10 inventive activities, and spend some quality creative time together with your tots.

1. Nature hide-and-seek. Take a walk around your backyard or local public park and jot down some of the things you see (certain colors and shapes of leaves, acorns, pinecones and anything else that is specific and interesting to look at and touch). Next, go home and draw some quick sketches of the items you found on a large poster board. Then, give each child a bucket and help them explore and collect the items drawn on the poster board.

2. Mud play. Mix up a small tub full of mud. Let the kids get their hands into it and mix it up themselves. Help them form a birthday cake — then leave it to dry in the sun, sprinkle the hardened cake with sand as frosting, and use twigs as candles.

3. Easy bubble prints. Hang a long length of craft paper on a fence or wall and mix a bit of food coloring into some bubble soap (as many different batches as colors you’d like). Have the children make a picture by blowing bubbles onto the paper.

4. Fun with ice and color. Freeze a block of ice in an old well-washed milk carton. After peeling away the plastic, place the ice block in a metal pan and provide food coloring and paint brushes for kids to decorate the ice. They’ll love watching the colors swirl and blend as the ice melts.

5. Huggable scavenger hunt. Cut out several construction paper hearts and tuck them around the yard. Give your child a basket or bucket, and walk around the yard with her. Give each other a hug and kiss each time you find one.
6. Make something grow. Something like planting a sunflower may seem like a good idea for summer; it reminds you, and likely your toddler, of the season, with its cheerful appearance and bright color. Planting something that offers instant gratification is a better idea. Quick-flowering and “foolproof” plants like marigolds are always a good idea, as are veggies like Easter egg radishes or cherry tomatoes.

7. Cleanup time. You’d be amazed at how much fun a toddler can have with a big bucket of soapy water. Set them up outside, and let them loose to give their dolls and toys a good ol’ scrub-a-dub.

8. ‘Paint’ the sidewalk. This crafty venture requires nothing more than a paintbrush and a bit of water. Take your tot to a nearby lightly trafficked sidewalk and encourage them to “paint” the pavement. They’ll love watching the colors darken, brighten and change as they spread the water across the ground. And there is no mess to clean up!

9. Have a rain race. Set up a mini relay race, and give your tots a cup to fill with rainwater. Then rush back to a covered area and fill up a bucket as quickly as you can with multiple trips. Another fun twist: Have a surprise in the bucket like a small spongy toy that takes shape and expands as it gets wetter and wetter.

10. Make up a cloudy story. On a day when the grass is nice and dry and there are plenty of fluffy clouds passing overhead, take some time to lie out on the ground with your toddlers and find shapes in the clouds. Help them make up a story about the things they see, whether they be people, animals or even everyday objects. Then, when it’s time to head back inside, help them create their own picture book or cartoon storyboard about what they saw.

See complete article at: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/parenting/toddler/activities/summer-activities?save_and_share

Children learn from manners their parents display. As such, the role a parent play in teaching child manners is of utmost importance.

Treat children with respect and they will learn to respect others. Talk kindly to your children and they learn how to talk kindly to others. It is also helpful to talk to children regarding how to respond in specific situations to better prepare them for when these situations arise.

Share with your children so they understand the importance of sharing with others. Compliment them when you see them sharing with others.

Practice family politeness. Everyone in the family must practice “please” and “thank-you” policy in which, for example, no request is considered unless the person asking says “please.” When one of your children forgets, just give him or her a look that says, “I’m waiting.” They soon catch on. Use the same approach for saying “thank you.”

Children should be encouraged to apologize when they are sorry for something they did. Apologies should be sincere. If they are not comfortable apologizing face to face, they should write an apology note. Good judgment should be used by the parent as to when an apology is appropriate.

Emphasize the right thing to do and compliment your children when they exhibit good manners, rather than criticizing them for using poor manners. Praise is a wonderful teacher. Tell your children how proud you are when you notice them being polite.

Model the manners you want your child to learn. If you talk when your mouth is full of food, the likelihood is your kids will do the same.

Instruct in small doses. Use a step-by-step fashion. For telephone etiquette, for instance, begin instruction with “hellos” and “good-byes,” then teach asking the caller to “please wait a minute while I get my dad.” Lastly, guide children to take messages. For table manners, work on one or two at a time.

Keep kids healthy. Children tend to behave badly when they’re tired or hungry. Kids need sleep and nutritious foods to survive.

Be patient! Don’t expect perfection. As with any skill being taught, there will be mistakes along the way. Learning is a trial and error process. We all learn from our mistakes.

Source: http://www.parentingtoddlers.com

Are you a parent of a toddler who is getting ready for preschool? If yes, you may want to think about preparing your child for some of the many things that they may learn in preschool. You can do this with the use of free preschool worksheets, similar to the ones that can be found inside preschool workbooks sold at educational and retail stores. Preschool worksheets focus on particular learning materials, like colors or numbers. You can choose the area for learning and print those sheets for your child. Of course, you will need to do these “lessons” together with your toddler to make sure they are on the right track!

Here are three good sites that offer free Preschool Learning Materials:

TLS Books – www.tlsbooks.com
TLSBooks.com is a great website that has a collection of free preschool worksheets. It is also important to mention that this website is one of the easiest ones to use and navigate. Simply click on the “Preschool,” link on the left-hand side and you are given access to numerous free preschool worksheets. These free preschool worksheets focus on colors, letters, numbers, math, and much more.

First School – www.first-school.ws
First School is another website that has a large selection of free preschool worksheets. Once you get the hang of the website, you will likely be pleased with all of the preschool worksheets that you have access to. Just a few of the many topics covered include letter tracing, numbers, shapes, animals, and much more.

Preschool Learners - www.preschoollearners.com
The Preschool Learners website is one that is a must see for all parents looking for free preschool worksheets. Along the top of the webpage, you can see a list of numerous activities, such as early math, early English, and much more. You can click on each of those links for more detailed information on available preschool worksheets. The Preschool Learners website claims to have around 400 preschool worksheets available for printing.

These three websites are just a few of the many websites that have free preschool worksheets available for printing.

I was getting worried my 10-month old isn’t getting enough sleep - she goes to bed at 10:30 pm and gets up by 7:30 am each morning!  Yes, she takes a couple of short naps during the day but shouldn’t she be sleeping longer hours in the night - like the baby from across the street who sleeps from 7 pm to 7 am like clockwork?  Well, I asked around and researched and learned that my baby is fine - she still falls within the range of “normal” sleep.   She just doesn’t want mommy to have some alone time!  Here’s a good guide if you’re wondering whether your child is getting enough sleep:

Babies: 14 to 16 hours a day (detailed table below)

Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours a day

Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours a day

Kids ages 5 and up: 9 to 10 hours a day

Using the same crayons, markers and paint to color images can get quite boring, especially for preschoolers. The kids may not even want to color with these same methods. So here are some suggestions to make coloring fun! Try them and experience the difference!

1. Outline pictures with chalk of any color first, then use crayons to draw unique designs on the images.

2. Finger-paint… or better yet, knuckle-paint! It’s really fun for the kids!

3. Make patterns on pictures using Q-Tips.

4: Use sponges of different sizes to paint pictures. Try mixing different color paints for this too!

5. Mix some white glue with food coloring and dilute it a little with water. Paint the glue mixture on images. You can then sprinkle the project with salt or bird food to give it a grainy feel.

6. Use a small disposable paper cup and dip the bottom of the cup in paint. Then press and turn the bottom of the cup to get circular shape effects for a unique picture! You can also use other disposable products, such as plastic utensils, to create different images.

7. Glue cut-up tissue paper on projects.

8. Outline pictures with markers first, then use water colors to fill in.

9. Tape little pieces of aluminum foil paper on your drawings. This makes items in a picture really stand out.

10. Use crayons or markers to color images and then add sparkle glue to make them shiny.

11. Use tissue paper and fold it in an accordion fashion (1/2 folds). Tape the beginning and end sides to the image. Looks like a fan or fish tail and gives the picture a 3D effect.

12. Use cookie cutters as stencils to draw images and then color!

13. Sponge paint pictures using cotton balls.

14. Roll marbles over the image with paint.

15. Make colored rice using food coloring. Then glue the colored rice on images.

These are just a few suggestions; you can use anything you have around the house to make coloring fun!