Earth Day Fun for Little Ones

*This was a fun one to write for B Kids this week. My kids and I love Earth Day!

Looking for something special to do with your kiddos to celebrate Earth day? Here are a few activity ideas that will be fun for the whole family!

1)    *Go on a treasure hunt! Talk to your kids about earth’s treasures like trees, flowers, butterflies, animals…and then take a walk in your neighborhood and count all of the “treasures” you can find.  For preschoolers – let them collect a few items like dandelions, rocks, and leaves along the way. 

2)      *Plant a seed. All you need is a foam cup, a bit of potting soil, and a seed.  Help younger kids scoop the dirt into the cup, bury the seed, and pour a little water. Place the cup in a sunny spot and wait for sprouts of green.  Don’t forget to help your little sprout water the seed daily!

3)      *Create an outdoor masterpiece.  Break out the sidewalk chalk and decorate the driveway or sidewalk for all to see! For extra fun, ask your child to lie down  and let you trace his body with the chalk. Then add eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth. A great way to practice body part recognition too!    

                        

4)      *Have a backyard picnic! Make some sandwiches, grab some fruit, and spread out a blanket in your backyard.  Enjoy the fresh air, do a little cloud watching, and throw in some bubble blowing for extra giggles. Ask older toddlers and preschoolers to help clean up the trash and remind them of how important it is to keep our earth clean!

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How does your family celebrate Earth Day?

For Little Ones: Five Tips for Road Trip Fun

*Just wrote this early childhood article for the B Kids facebook page yesterday - ah, I remember those days so well!

Packing up the car and heading to Grandma’s house or a vacation spot for spring break? Here are a few ideas to help make travel time more fun for your little one…and less wearing for Mom and Dad:

1) Timing is everything. If your baby or toddler doesn’t mind sleeping in her car seat, plan to hit the road about an hour before naptime.  Be sure to bring her special blanket or snuggle toy.  Of course, if your child doesn’t sleep well in the car, try to leave shortly after she wakes up in the morning or right after a good nap. A well-rested baby is a happy baby!

2) Along with bringing a few of your child’s favorite toys, books, and snacks, stash a couple of new toys in your bag of tricks! If you can tell that your child is getting restless or may be on the brink of a meltdown, a new rattle or small musical toy will be a helpful mood booster. (Toys that link onto the car seat are also a plus!)

3) Sing! Sing! Sing!  It wouldn’t be a road trip without a few rounds of Row, Row, Row Your Boat!  Have a family sing along or pop in a CD of toddler tunes. Clap your hands, roll your arms, and “car dance” along to the beat.

4) Be flexible and take breaks. It’s tough for little ones to be strapped into their car seats when they are used to being on the go.  Make sure to stop and let them stretch their legs. Restaurant play areas are great places to let kiddos run around safely. (It's also a good idea to wash hands after playing on the equipment.)

5) If all else fails, break out the bubbles!  Keep a party favor-sized bottle in your glove compartment for easy access to diffuse a major meltdown. Your toddler will be so surprised to see those bubbles floating his way, it should help to entertain him for a bit…or at least until you make it to the next rest stop!


*How do you make long road trips more bearable fun?

Everyday Fun with Colors!

*My latest early childhood article for B Kids Toys - posted over on their facebook page.

Spring has finally arrived, and colors are blooming all around us!  Simply pointing out yellow daffodils, green grass, and pink blossoms to your toddler while you taking a stroll together begins to build color recognition skills. Although children usually start naming colors between three and four years of age, exposure to a variety of colors early on provides visual stimulation and makes their environment more exciting! Allowing your child to pick a tiny purple flower or walk barefoot on the lawn will be just as exciting as she touches the soft petals or feels blades of grass tickle her feet.  Chasing after butterflies and noticing their bright patterned wings will also bring squeals of delight!

Taking a trip to a local farmers market (or even browsing the produce section of the grocery store) is another fun way to expose your child to a variety of colors (and shapes)!  Use descriptive words as you pick up a fruit or vegetable. Let him hold a bumpy orange or rough, brown potato and feel the outside textures.  If your family likes to garden, involve your little one in the growing process.  Toddlers and preschoolers will be thrilled to help hold the watering can or pick a bright red tomato!

Playing with brightly colored toys and reading picture books with your child also helps to build color recognition.  Between 18-24 months of age, your toddler may be able to point to a red balloon in the story or pick up a blue block when you ask.  Be sure to let her get creative with crayons and watercolors too!  Of course, don’t be discouraged if it seems to be taking awhile for your preschooler to grasp those colors.  Just keep providing colorful learning opportunities, give encouragement, and pretty soon, she will be naming every color of the rainbow!