Outdoor Winter Fun with Kids

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Since many animals are nocturnal or scarce, children rarely see shy and secretive animals in the wild. But animals leave their tracks and mysteries for children.
  Take a walk in your own backyard in winter or along the beach in summer.  These tracks will tell a story.
  Observe human tracks in your yard. How can you tell which way the person is going?  What are they doing? Were they taking out the garbage or delivering a package? Look at the patterns of boots and shoes soles. Observe how they are different in size, tread, and walking pattern.
  Do family dogs and cats leave tracks in the snow? Being able to distinguish between domestic dog and fox footprints is important.

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Making Tracks
   Make new tracks. Drag a stick behind like the child in the book “The Snowy Day” by Keats. Take some pictures or make drawings with markers in a science. notebook. Leave some seeds and check on the spot later. Did animals visit?
  Now can you find some wild animal tracks in your backyard, park, or trail? Try to identify them before the snow is too deep. Explain to children that most animals are nocturnal. They look for food at night and sleep during the day. Their tracks in the snow are often around their homes or trails where they can find food.
  Many free animal track keys are on-line and very helpful. The book “Animal Tracks of the Great Lakes” by Stall is also a handy book.
 Show children some common tracks in your area like rabbits, squirrels, deer, fox, birds, raccoons, chipmunks, shrew, bear, and skunks. Sometimes they will be trailing each other. Why?
Decode Tracks
  When you first find a set of tracks look for the most distinct print. Note the shape of the heel pad, and count the toes. Even though adults may already know the animal, make it a scientific game. Look at the animal track key, think out loud, and eliminate animals by looking at characteristics closely.
  Take out a ruler and show children how to measure a track. Is there evidence that you have several animals, perhaps adults and young ones? Note the habitat. Why are the animals there? Does evidence show animals visit this spot often? Why?  Look around for berries and seeds.  Is there evidence your animal is a tree climber because the tracks stop there abruptly?  Follow some tracks. Where do they lead? Did the animal dig, hop sideways, or run off suddenly? Note that rabbits’ long back paws lead the way because of how they hop.
  Although there is no substitute for first hand study, it is fun to watch trail camera wildlife videos on You Tube with children. View them alone first, however.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Simple Cooking: Time to Teach and Talk

Cooking with children is an important parenting activity.  It is a good chance to teach and discuss. The cooking doesn’t need to be fancy.  Very young children can help measure ingredients and stir.  As soon as children can handle a table knife they can also learn to cut up fruits and vegetables into small pieces for family salads.
   When they can spread with a table knife it’s time to teach how to make a sandwich.  If your children are not allergic to nut spreads like peanut or almond butter, they are ready to move toward helping themselves.  Nut butters go with almost anything. They can be spread on vegetables like celery or carrots. They can be slathered on fruits like apples, pears, and banana halves.  This is a perfect way to sneak in protein. Two tablespoons have 210 calories, 7 grams of protein, and 1 gram of sugar. Look for no sugar added.
  Nut butters make delicious easy sandwiches with bananas, pickle spears, apples, pears, low sugar jelly, or mashed berries.
  It’s also a good time to talk about reading food labels. Preschool children can learn to recognize protein, and different vitamins and minerals on all labels of food they eat. They can also look for ingredients that are not nutritious like sugar, salt, and fat.
Calorieking.com is a research tool that breaks down nutrition value of foods including those in restaurants.
Tortilla Sandwiches
  The tortilla is an easy all purpose base.  Cooking with tortillas involves eventually putting them in a toaster or microwave so children will need supervision.
Any nut butter combo sandwich can be rolled in a warmed whole wheat tortilla wrap. Children find them easier to handle than a cut up bread sandwich.
  Here are a few other possibilities. Spread cream cheese on a warm tortilla. Add an optional thin slice of ham, turkey, or chicken, and raw shredded carrots. Roll up and eat. If children like scrambled eggs, scramble two, add ½ cup shredded cheese and a few small pieces of lettuce.  Children may like the warm lettuce better than the texture of raw lettuce.  Roll up in a warmed tortilla. If you have spaghetti and meat sauce leftovers, warm them up, add cheese and place in a warmed tortilla.
Tortilla Pizza
 For a tortilla pizza, you’ll need 1 small flour tortilla, 1 tablespoon spaghetti sauce,
2 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese, meat and vegetables, if desired. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese. With supervision, children can lay tortillas on a cookie sheet.
Broil for 2 minutes and watch carefully. These can also be microwaved on high for ½ minute.  Cut up or roll when cooled. 
Photos: Fran Darling fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Easy Kitchen Art with Kids

When grandchildren or cousins visit, adults can be prepared in just a few minutes by using some simple art recipes that have been handed down through generations of teachers. The recipes use ingredients found in the kitchen and are easy and entertaining for children. These activities provide an excellent time to talk, an important first step to reading.
Cornstarch Recipes

   Rainbow Stew produces a fun rainbow effect of changing colors. There is no mess involved. Mix together 1/3-cup sugar, 1-cup cornstarch, 4 cups cold water and 3 drops of different colored food coloring. Mix together the first three ingredients and heat on the stove with low heat stirring constantly until thick.  Place in several zip lock bags when cool.  Add different food colorings and squish around. This is a good time to explain primary colors: yellow, red and blue. They will make the secondary colors of orange, green, and purple when pressed together.
  Oobleck is an old favorite. Is it a liquid or a solid?  Mix ½ cup cornstarch, ¼ cup water and add 2 drops of food coloring. Mix together cornstarch and water on a cookie sheet with raised edges or a cake pan.  This is easier than a bowl.  Add the food coloring.  Then take a small handful and let it drip and splat on the table. Pick it up again. Stretch it. Pull it into various shapes. Squeeze it through holes. Sometimes it will feel like a solid. Sometimes it will drip like a liquid. Stay in the kitchen to play.  This can get a bit messy. Store in a zip lock bag.
Kitchen Paints 
This next paint is edible so everyone can lick their fingers and their creation.

Children can paint with clean watercolor brushes or finger paint it on waxed paper, tin foil, or cookie sheets. The mixture can also be placed in a small tough freezer bag with a small hole for squeeze- bag painting.
  Cake Paint is delicious. Mix 1 package cake mix and required water on the package.  Add 1/3 cup vegetable or as stated on the package.  Do not add eggs since the mixture will not be cooked before eaten. Divide the mixture into small portions and add desired food colorings. When children tire of painting they can let it dry which takes a few days or eat their artwork.
Pudding Finger Paint is also easy.  Make a package of pudding mix.  Divide into smaller portions. Children can add food coloring and finger paint. If toddlers are using this paint, put on a bib, as food coloring will stain clothes.
Pictures: Mark Nowicki
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Positively Connecting with Children

How we communicate with children profoundly affects all aspects of their development. Learning to communicate -- to listen and respond with empathy -- is critical to parenting.
Verbal communication, the words we use to describe our thoughts, feelings and ideas, comes from the left side of our brain.  The nonverbal part of communication-- tone of voice, gestures, posture, facial expression, and eye movement -- comes from the brain’s right side. Usually the nonverbal communication, the right hemisphere, provides the emotional connection and understanding.

Focusing on all aspects of communication, especially the nonverbal, requires that we be fully present, listening and observing. Too often we have problems listening to our children because we are preoccupied with our own thoughts and feelings. That does not mean that we will be available all the time.  But most of the time, we will try. When we do focus on feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of others and ourselves, it allows us to look beyond surface behaviors to deeper levels of understanding. 

Right Approach

Understanding of feelings is at the core of empathic communication. Even though we may not fully understand what someone says or does, we can acknowledge the feelings underlying the communication. For example, fourteen-year-old Amanda comes home from school in a bad mood, stating she “hates” her science teacher and that she has too many “dumb” assignments. Resisting the urge to lecture, Amanda’s mother responds to the underlying feelings, “Sounds like it was a tough day and you have lots of work.” This approach works.
After slamming down her books, Amanda says, “I’ve got tons of work to do!” And she soon sits down and starts the homework.

Amanda’s mother might have taken the approval/disapproval approach, “It’s not the teacher’s fault.  Maybe you should have done some of this work….” This approach rarely works.

Feelings VS. Behavior

While feelings are always okay, behaviors may or may not be acceptable. It is crucial to understand the difference between feelings and actions. The two-year-old gets angry and hits. The three-year-old sees a ball in the street and runs to get it. The four-year-old wants some candy and cries.
When four-year-old Jacob hits his two-year-old brother, you accept his feelings of anger but do not approve of his actions. “If you’re angry at Jimmy, tell him why you’re angry, but it’s not okay to hit.”   The message the child needs to hear is:  What you feel is understandable. What you did was inappropriate.”

Positively connecting with children involves accepting feelings, recognizing underlying wishes and fears, and acknowledging ideas. This often requires “decoding” their messages. Although challenging, it is how we learn to understand children and build their sense of emotional well being.

Guest writers are Phyllis Stien, Mental Health Consultant/Child and Family Therapist,  co- author, of “Psychological Trauma and the Developing Brain” and Kay Kurz, Middle School Teacher.
 Photos: Fran Darling fdarling fotos 

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Reading Aloud to Children from Birth

The American Academy of Pediatrics believes reading aloud is so important they now recommend families read to infants as a daily fun activity. That’s right. Read from birth.

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The group recognizes that an important part of brain development occurs during the first three years of life and that reading aloud to children enhances vocabulary and other important communication skills. 
Along with talking and singing, reading increases the number of words that young children hear during their growing years.  Research has shown that children who are read to have heard significantly more words than children who do not have this experience.

Gap Begins at 18 Months 
   New research suggests this gap begins as early as 18 months of age! It is critical to develop these pre-literacy skills for success in school. The benefits of a real person reading aloud cannot be duplicated with modern digital media.

 How do we go about establishing a read-aloud program at home?  Hold babies in your lap or snuggle up under the covers.  Read aloud from a variety of children’s books.  As they grow, allow children to help turn the pages.  Read the words together.  Tell the story from pictures.  Ask questions such as: What do you see?  What does it remind you of?  What do you wonder about? For a few years you might be asking and answering your own questions. That’s OK.

   Go to the library and allow very young children to select books that they want to hear from the boxes of durable books with thick pages and bright colorful illustrations. Choose some that you would like to share with them. Plan to read aloud for at least ten minutes twice a day.  Just before a nap or bedtime works well. Also take advantage of bath time and riding in the car to sing songs and repeat nursery rhymes together.

What Else Can We Do?

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   What have other families done?  Alice Ozma described her childhood experience of being read to by her father in the book, “The Reading Promise.” They had always enjoyed reading time from early on. When she was in 4^th grade, they made a promise to read aloud together for 100 consecutive nights.  When they reached this goal, they decided to go on as long as they could.  The streak continued until the day that she left for college.  In addition to her academic success, Ozma says many life lessons were shared and many adolescent pitfalls avoided by the bonding they shared through reading.  

 A list of books they read is included. Ask your children’s librarian for additional book suggestions. Check out “The Read Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease or go to http://trealease-on-reading.com/  for more  titles and book reviews.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Fluoride: Keeping Kids’ Teeth Healthy

Do you remember going to the dentist as a child? Remember your cleaning ending with a funny tasting fluoride gel squishing out the sides of mouth trays? Four minutes was a LONG time. The good news is that fluoride flavors have improved and everyone today only has to swish or sit for one minute making it much easier to do. 
Some offices use fluoride varnish and “paint” fluoride on the children’s teeth. The varnish sticks to the tooth’s surface. Fluoride products can also be purchased over the counter and used daily, such as in toothpastes, rinses, and other dental products, even embedded in dental floss! 
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is the thirteenth most common element in our earth’s crust and is naturally present in most water sources, even in the oceans. So fluoride is a mineral that naturally helps fight tooth decay. That is why it is often called, “nature’s cavity fighter.”
American Dental Association research shows that fluoride helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay can be seen. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.  When people brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, or use other fluoride dental products, they are preventing cavities and strengthening teeth’s enamel.
Many families don’t have access to fluoridated water because they live in areas that aren’t able to fluoridate, such as areas with their own well water. Families today are “on the go” and grab bottled water to drink or worse, a sugary drink such as soda pop, flavored coffee drinks, or juice boxes. Most of the bottled water doesn’t contain significant amounts of fluoride. Although bottled water is better to drink, these children and adults are missing out on the benefits of fluoridated water. 
Healthy Fluids  
Find out if you have fluoride in your water by contacting your local health department.  If you don’t have fluoride in your drinking water, your dentist can write a fluoride prescription for children. Fluoride supplements such as drops or tablets help strengthen the teeth forming under young gums. 
   Make drinking water fun. Families can purchase water bottles or water bottle decorating kits at local stores. You can also make personalized water bottles via online photo programs, such as Shutterfly. Then families can use their own tap water.

   Keep a special water bottle at home for grandchildren to use. Make a “dental overnight bag” together and let your grandchild pick out a special toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth together. Check they brush properly and examine results. Children are notorious for faking it.

  Guest writer is Rebecca Maino, dental health care professional.

Photos: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wmeschoolkids.JPG
This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 070622-N-6278K-006

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Fun and Learning: Lasagna Gardening

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Fall is a great time to get out and garden with your kids and grandkids even if there is a little snow. It is not too late to make new successful garden plot with good soil. Children will hardly be able to wait until spring to start planting.

  Patricia Lanza has an easy way to make new garden beds and start the process for growing beautiful, healthy plants: Lasagna Gardening! Families can start late into the fall even though there is snow since there is no tilling, digging or weeding involved. Children will be layering newspaper, cardboard and other biodegradables right on top of the grass patch you want to turn into your new bed. These materials breakdown and also eventually provide food for worms, essential to making healthy nutrient-rich soil.

  Start by talking and thinking with children, making a list as you go. What do you need for plants to grow besides good soil: sun, water, and warm temperatures. Where do you have all these things in your yard? How big is this space? How much do you want to plant? Will you have room? Talk about favorite vegetables and flowers. Think about their colors and plants sizes. Will these plants grow in your area?

  Now plan and gather materials for the layers. To get good soil composition, you need some dry brown materials (carbon) and some fresher green materials (nitrogen). Do you have old of newspaper or cardboard with no colored or glossy pages? What about leaves, hay, other garden waste or grass clippings, peat moss, pine needles, saw dust, wood ashes? You can also work in other kitchen compost: coffee grounds, eggshells, and tea bags. Do not use pet waste.

  When you have gathered all the materials you found, it’s time to create your layers. Wet down layers of old newspaper and lay out over the area you chose for your garden, 5 or more sheets thick. Layer one is leaves, peat moss or other dry brown organic material on top of the newspaper. Then spread a thin layer of green or compost materials. Repeat this process until you build 5” to 12” of layers. This will give enough depth to allow room for the roots of your new plants to grow.

  Finally, water until spongy. You can cover with plastic and a few rocks.

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 In the spring, the layers will have settled and be ready to plant when the ground has thawed and danger of frost has passed. In a future article we will talk about painting stones, and borders to place in your spring garden. Kids love painting and making colorful garden containers, a good wintertime activity.

  Particia Lanza has many more garden preparation tips on her web page and book called “Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!” or find Patricia's How To site: http://ourgardengang.tripod.com/lasagna_gardening.htm

Photos: Fran Darling-fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Taking Good Care of Family Teeth

American homes are now loaded with Halloween candy and pounds of sugar, an important link with bacteria in tooth decay. Did you know that an estimated 51.7 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness?  However, most tooth decay is easily preventable according to the American Dental Association research and reports.

  There are a few major trends that are creating more tooth decay. There are many gummy items for purchase, such as gummy vitamins and gummy snacks for children.  Gummy equals sticky. Sticky things that contain sugar get stuck on your teeth and combine with sugar for tooth decay!

  Americans are also a population on the go.  Some families take sugary drinks and juices to sip on all day long. Sipping all day long or chewing on gummy snacks sets up anyone for tooth decay. If family members, especially children, are not able to brush their teeth after meals because they are at work or school, their teeth will be bathing in decay -causing acids created by the bacteria in the mouth.  These acid attacks last for about 20 minutes. If the acid attacks are frequent throughout the day, tooth decay can occur.

Good Teeth Health Choices

  Making good food and drink choices can help reduce family tooth decay. Stay away from food that can stick to your teeth, such as gummy snacks, caramel, or sugary candy. If you can’t brush your teeth after you eat, drink water in between meals and/or chew on sugarless gum. Pack water and ice cubes thermos for children to sip.

   According to the ADA, chewing on sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris. It neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Of course, chewing sugarless gum is not a replacement for daily tooth brushing, flossing, or regular dental checkups. 

Visit the Dentist

  Dentists encourage children as young as one year old to visit the dental office.  By doing this, families establish a “Dental Home” and help children be more familiar with the dental staff. 

  Besides limiting the amount of candy stash children eat, what else can families do? Here are helpful tooth tips for a healthier smile:

·  Brush after meals and before bedtime.  If you can only brush once a day, make sure it is before you go to sleep.

·  Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. 

·  If you don’t have access to a toothbrush during the day, drink water and chew sugarless gum.

·  Visit your dentist regularly!  Twice a year is best to prevent any problems before they become severe.

·  If adults take care of their smile, (grand) children will too. 

   Make a tooth-brushing chart.  Children can help decorate the calendar-like chart. They can earn a star or a sticker when they brush their teeth and inspected by an adult. At the end of the week, they can earn a prize, such as going to a movie or watching a movie at home while staying up a little later. Thank you to guest writer Rebecca Maino, R.D.H. 

Photos: Fran Darling-fdarling fotos; Mark Nowicki

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Learning Letter Sounds, and Listening

An important reading readiness skill that gets less attention than reading out loud to children is letter sound identification.

B says "b" like in boat

   Besides knowing the names of the letters in the alphabet (A,B,C), children need to know the sounds individual letters make such as B says “b”, like in bat, and H says “h”, like in home. Families can help reinforce skills at home by being aware and making little games at home, waiting, and traveling. 
Letter Sounds Before Names 
The ability to hear separate letter sounds in a word is necessary for decoding (sounding out) when reading or spelling. Struggling readers often cannot hear all of the sounds in words, like when we say “cat”. Children may not distinguish the C as “k”, the A as “a” as in apple and the T as “t” as in tip.
Once children can hear the difference between sounds, they can pair the sounds with the visual letter. This is a stepping-stone to early reading development in young children.      
I Spy, I Hear 
 What else can families do to help children develop these readiness literacy skills? I Spy-I Hear is a game to help develop critical listening skills in beginning readers.

   Start by finding objects that begin with a sound you want to practice. Make a guessing game out of locating the object, a toy dog, for example. Give oral clues like, “I spy something that has the first sound, “d.” Youngsters might guess doll, do

nut, or dog. Praise them for each correct sound. “You are right, doll begins with “d.” Then have them name another object you both can see.  “Yes, dog, dog begins with “d.” Repeat this with four or five other sounds. Beginning consonant letter sounds need to be recognized first.

I spy something that has the first sound "b"

Next, ask questions like, "What is the first sound you hear in ball? They should answer, "I hear “b.” If they answer the letter name instead, say, “Yes, that is the letter name.” Hold your hand to your ear and ask, “What sound do you hear?”  When they understand, have children tell you another object that begins with the same sound. They should say, “Bat has the same first sound as ball."
  As they successfully progress try putting three objects together that begin with the same sound. Ask your children to say the first sound that begins all the objects. They might answer, "bat, ball and button all have the same first sound, “b."
  Try having two like sounds and one different. Can your children tell you which one does not start with the same sound (bat, ball, car)? Are they able to determine which one does not belong? If a child is strong at this, move on to separating sounds in words they can sound out like bat, cat, mat, or sat. -- More is coming soon.

Photos: fdarling fotos, Fran Darling

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

How to Make Fall Fun Last Longer

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Families can make Halloween last a little longer when they do a few activities with fancy gourds.

Grandma Dee purchased gourds with her grandchildren and they discussed the many different shapes and sizes. What animals could these gourds become? Some had long necks like swans.  A few were small round gourds perfect for hedgehogs, porcupines, little pigs, owls, and small turtles with play dough feet. Long necked gourds could be swans and geese.  They hammered small nails into the round gourds and pushed toothpicks into holes for hedgehogs and porcupines.

Painting Gourds

Completely painted gourds must go through a special drying process or paint will bubble and peel and the gourd will mold. To paint only a face or design, wash them first with soap and water. Rub the skin with full strength vinegar or mild bleach, and allow to dry thoroughly under a warm light.  As a precaution place the gourds in a plastic bag over night. In the morning check for moisture in the bag.  If there is none, it is fine to paint. If there is moisture, place the gourds under a light again. If you’re in a hurry, dried gourds are available at craft stores and are easy to paint.

   Grandma and the grandkids only wanted them to last for two weeks. While the gourds dried they discussed different facial expressions that could be painted on the pumpkins and gourds. They looked in the mirror and made faces. Then to practice they drew the expressions on paper.

Some of the grandchildren decided to use marker or paint to make fancy designs of triangles, swirls, curls, and squiggles with faces.

  Older children may want to press on gold thumbtacks and upholstery tacks or use strong quick drying glue to add colorful gems available in craft departments. After painting, older children can teach younger ones a finger play.

5 Little Pumpkins Fingerplay

5 Little pumpkins sitting on a gate (Hold up 5 fingers).

The 1st one said "Oh my! It's getting late!" (Hold up 1 finger. Then point at a clock.)

The 2nd one said, "It's very windy out here!" (Hold up 2 fingers and move like the wind.)

The 3rd one said "But we don't care!" (Hold up 3 fingers as you do when saying I don't know.)

The 4th one said, "Let's run and run and run." (Place 4 fingers on floor and move as though they are running.)

The 5th one said "Let's have some fun." (Wave 5 fingers and arms in air as though dancing!)

WOOOOOSH went the wind. (Make a loud woosh sound.)

OUT went the lights. (Clap hand very loudly when you say OUT.)

5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight. (Make a rolling motion.)

Photos: Fran Darling fdarling fotos & Mark Nowicki

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Kindergarten Feels Like First Grade

There was a time when kindergarteners went to school to learn how to share, stand in line, and sit on a group rug patiently listening to a story. Academic skills were introduced gradually. Now, caregivers are expected to work on reading readiness skills before children begin school. Kindergarten curriculum feels like First Grade used to. It has deeper content and expectations. So, how can we incorporate literacy (listening, speaking, reading, writing) readiness activities that support preschool learning in kid-friendly, everyday ways?

First Speaking, Then Reading

   Much information is available about the importance of reading aloud to children from birth on. It is the number one thing families can do help children learn to read. Daily read aloud time builds lasting relationships and provides story lessons filled with rich vocabulary. Repetition, rhythm and rhyme of familiar words are the next valuable skill builders that support beginning reading and spelling. Readiness skills involving spoken language and phonemic awareness (knowing the sounds letters make) can be worked on any time or place families talk to children. 

Begin With Rhymes

  Recite a nursery rhyme like “Hickory, Dickory Dock” and see if children can echo the lines. With older preschoolers ask how many words they hear in a line. Can they tell you that “Hickory Dickory Dock” has three words and “The mouse ran up the clock” has six words? Help them count by holding up one finger as you say each word in a line. Then, point out that the words “clock” and “dock” rhyme, as do “one” and “run.”

 Recite the poem “Jack and Jill Went up the Hill.” Ask children to tell you words that rhyme in the poem   If they cannot say two rhyming words, supply the words, like “Jill” and “hill” and ask, “Do they rhyme”?

  If this is easy for your youngsters, move on to games where they must provide a word that rhymes with one you say. Try the word “fly”. Can they come up with ”by”, “try, or “cry”? How about “me”, “he”, “we”? Can they make a connection with the sounds? Each time they can provide a rhyming word, tell them that words rhyme when they have the same last sounds so the learner associates the word rhyme with what it means.

 Have children listen for the like sounds at the end of the words and say them. “Fly, by and cry all say “I” at the end.  Keep it playful and short. Use humorous poems. Incorporate a verse or rhyme daily. Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes books are perfect sources. Encouraging children to memorize and recite pieces independently helps increase memory skills and attention span. They are useful for car rides and waiting with children.

Photos: Mark Nowicki

en:Blanche Fisher Wright's cover artwork for the Rand McNally 1916 book The Real Mother Goose

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Brain Activities Key For Ages Two To Five

fdarling fotos

 Why is it especially important to do activities with children ages two through five? It is so much easier to put them in front of a cute movie or fast moving game on our phones or any sized computer.

  According to research, children need to understand at least 20,000 words when they enter school. These words are learned from conversations and reading with adults. Brains with 20,000 words say,” Oh, yes. I heard this before when Dad read to me and we talked while playing blocks on the floor. No problem.”

  Children who sit in front of kids movies and computers and aren’t read to, learn only 3,000 words. Since the devices use the same words over and over, these children have a much harder time learning to read. They haven’t heard or used the large variety of words they encounter in grades K-3.

Making Time For Kids

   How and when do we fit this into busy lives? Evidently this time must be scheduled. If something else must be dropped, if the house is not exactly spotless, if shopping is put on hold, if a phone call goes unanswered, if a favorite show isn’t watched, so be it.

  This window of opportunity happens only once in a human being’s life. Brain cells develop and make connections rapidly ages two through five.  We cannot see the brain, but just observe the difference between a two year old and a five year old body.  Think of what must be happening in the brain.

  What can we do? Schedule thirty-minute active or quiet activities so there is something to talk about. Doing activities naturally encourages conversations. 

fdarling fotos

  These activities can involve materials already found around the home and neighborhood.  For example, take a walk and talk about what you see. Pick up leaves and acorns and gather them in a bag. Search for animals getting ready for winter. Talk about who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. What colors are the leaves? Why are the squirrels scurrying around?

When you make time again, children can quietly create a collage using leaves, acorns, and glue while you talk through what they are doing. When dry, tape the art on a wall or refrigerator. Praise how beautiful it is in front of others. Notice how children used their thumbs and fingers. Those muscles are building and getting ready to hold crayons and pencils correctly.

Teach Others

  Is there someone in your extended family or neighborhood who doesn’t know how to play and talk with children? Invite them over. Do an activity together. Share this column. Based on your e-mails, these columns are sent around the world.

   Photos: Fran Darling:fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest