Lacing Cards Fun and Helpful

Materials

Sometimes families need quiet time and easy activities to help provide that peacefulness.  Lacing string through holes of colorful cardboard pictures is a cheap quiet activity for many developmental stages.
Materials: 
  Cardboard or paper plates, hole puncher, yarn or string, scotch tape, colored picture or paper, markers, and glue.
What to do:
  Gather sturdy paper plates, or eight- inch square pieces of cardboard or cereal boxes.
  To prepare the lacing backgrounds, decorate one side. Children may cut out colorful magazine picture of one large object and glue the picture on one side of the cardboard. They may also color a large simple picture from a coloring book like a pumpkin, butterfly, train or person. Once colored and cut out, glue it on.

Color, cut glue...

Another possibility is to draw a circle, star, square or other geometric figure with a fat marker. In all cases, reinforce the back of the cardboard background with tape where the holes will be so the cardboard will not tear.
   Use a hole puncher to make holes one to three inches apart along the outline of the picture.  Young children will probably not be strong enough to do this part.
  If desired, frame the picture with holes around the edge and about two inches indented for older children. They can experiment making yarn or string designs as frames.

Prepare Lacing Backgrounds

One can also add a bit of math, pre-reading, and organization aid by numbering or placing the ABC’s next to the holes. This step will help children create a beautiful lined picture when complete.
  Gather one or two foot pieces of colorful strong yarn or string that will easily fit through the holes. Shorter is better than longer to avoid entanglement of string and children. It is easy to start a new short piece, but frustrating to untangle a long one. Encircle each end of the yarn with tape similar to shoelace ends.
 For storage, place each lacing card in a plastic bag and tie the required strings in a big loose knot to keep them from being a knotted mess.
Learn to Tie
  Show young children how to sew in and out to avoid wrapping the string around the card.  They may need help following the numbered and lettered holes Sometimes they may want to make their own path.
  Older children may like sewing on a large button between two punched holes. They may enjoy using a large blunt tipped plastic needle to sew from hole to hole.  
  Older children may enjoy using two longish pieces of yarn hanging from the squares to practice making knots or making bows for their shoes.  For tying shoes use the easier bunny ears method. 

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

Parfaits Perfect After School Snacks

more than just a fruit treat!!

Are you looking for recipes to make with children or
they can make themselves? Parfaits are the perfect choice for any age because they are naturally simple, slightly messy, and taste really great. It must be the variety of colors and textures, too. They can be eaten for an easy after school snack, a meal, or dessert.
   Parfaits have mostly nutritious ingredients that children like. They are made by layering yogurt or pudding with fresh or thawed frozen fruits and berries and topped with something crunchy.
Creamy Snack
  The next time you go shopping have parfait
ingredients in mind. Look for low fat vanilla, plain, or strawberry yogurt. Greek yogurt is the best because it is very creamy. Fage is one kind that has a 0% fat and tastes very creamy and fattening, but it is not. It is not sour like many other plain yogurts. This yogurt also comes with higher fat contents, if desired.

Children can help look for fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.

Shop together for yogurt, berries, fruits

They can help pick out fresh or frozen peaches, plums, grapes, pears and bananas to cut into small pieces with a table knife. Children may also like to add a layer of raisins or craisins.
  Parfaits look most delicious in a see through plastic glass. Start with any ingredient and add colorful layers. Repeat the layers to make a beautiful, nutritious work of art.
  Top with a layer of something crunchy like Cheerios, granola, cookie or graham cracker crumbs. Sometimes they might add a little whipped cream and a cherry for a special occasion.
  If the parfait is not eaten at one sitting, it can easily be stored in the refrigerator. Only the crunchies may not be so crunchy, but still tasty. Children especially like to eat them with a long handled sundae float spoon.
  If you don’t mind a little chocolate surprise, add a bit of chocolate syrup or chocolate chips. A tiny spoon of peanut butter can be a fun surprise among the other textures. Check for allergies first though.
Yogurt Pudding
  As long as children are not allergic to it, peanut butter is a go-to protein ingredient for after school snacks.  Children can make an easy peanut butter pudding by mashing one banana cut into chunks, adding ½ cup Greek yogurt, and ½ cup peanut butter. Mash the banana with a fork or potato masher. Mash in the yogurt. Mash in the peanut butter. Better yet, with adult supervision combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into serving dishes and refrigerate or just eat immediately.     
 photos: Fran Darling, fdarling foto; sketch: 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

Toddlers Are So Fun to Teach

Toddlers seem to grow and change daily

Toddlers ages 12-24 months seem to grow and change daily. They make great strides in every area of development.  It is an exciting time for families to share activities.  What are some of the milestones of this age and how can we encourage our toddlers along the way?
  One of the most noticeable changes is the increase in vocabulary and development.
They are learning new words daily.  They will begin by pointing to objects such as their favorite blanket.  Encourage your children to use words even if you know what they want.

They are learning new words daily

Add additional words of your own such as “You want your blanket. Daddy will get your blue blanket.”
  There’s nothing like reading with your toddlers to help increase vocabulary and understanding.  It’s also a great time to give your toddler some choices.  Do you want to read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” or “Good Night, Moon”?  Do not give choices when they don’t exist.  For example, “It’s time for your bath.” rather than “Are you ready for your bath?” They may say,” No.”
  Your toddlers are learning about emotions by reading your face.  They respond to the expression on your face and the tone of your voice.  Feel free to be over expressive.  For example, “You found your teddy bear! Let me give you a big hug!” or  “Stop! We need to stop, look both ways, and listen before we cross the street.”   Toddlers are just beginning to recognize and manage their feelings.  They have a wide range of emotions and may respond with a tantrum when tired or frustrated.  The best way to prevent tantrums is to distract them by suggesting another activity or offering a source of comfort such as a teddy bear.
  Toddlers are beginning to understand imaginative play.  They may imitate what you are doing

Play is important...

in the kitchen or out in the garage.  Play kitchens or tool sets are good toy choices for this stage.  They may also use objects in different ways.  For example, a block might become a truck or a telephone.  Offer opportunities to   play with sand, water, and play dough as well as drawing materials. 
  Provide safe play areas in your home and yard where your toddlers can move around freely.  Take walks outdoors and visit parks and nature centers where you can explore the environment. Seek out

Visit parks and nature centers

playgrounds where your toddlers can interact with other children and adults.
 Enjoy this special time with your toddlers.  They are so open to learning, especially when it’s with the people they love most.  Talk, laugh, and move around together. Share the fun of learning! Take photos of block building, art, and other projects and send them to relatives.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos - sketch: 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