delays in posts

Dear readers,

I have recently moved to a new state and am working on getting settled in a new home and job. Please excuse my lack of recent posts - I hope to resume a regular posting schedule soon. Thanks, as always, for reading.

Walking with Toddlers

Toddlers are amazed by the smallest details in everyday life. Many people have commented on how hard it is to take a walk with a toddler sometimes because of how many stops they make along the way to investigate things. A stroller does help if you are trying to get to the park or the grocery store and often times toddlers do enjoy seeing the world zoom by, but set aside time just to walk with your toddler. You are welcome to plan a route if it helps with safety, but try to let the experience of investigating the world guide your walk. Some toddlers may only make it past a neighboring house or two. I recommend taking a small basket with you on your walk and if you are able in your neighborhood, let your toddler collect the leaves or rocks that she finds interesting. After your walk you can sort through your items and talk about their size, shape, color, and name. A wonderful art activity is to create a collage with your child's finds by pasting the grasses and leaves to a piece of paper. Enjoy!

Drive-in Movies

Change and transition are soon to be very prevalent in my life, so to make sure I am still able to commit to this blog I will be forgoing the three posts a week format and only posting once a week. Thanks for your understanding and I hope that you will continue to find the information useful.

Movie theaters can be a stressful and often impossible adventure for families with young children. An hour and a half is a very long time to expect a little one to sit much less be completely quiet. A great, unknown and almost forgotten alternative is the drive-in movie theater. While these theaters from the past are scarce, if you are lucky enough to have a nicely run one nearby, I highly recommend giving the experience a chance. Often, you can either sit in your car or bring lawn chairs, a blanket, and a portable radio to watch the movie while sitting in front of your car. You can bring small puzzles or other toys if your child loses interest in the film and there is usually enough space around the field to throw a ball, a frisbee, or just let your child run around for a bit. Most drive-in movies offer a double feature, so you can dress your child in their pj's and let them sleep through the second film or simply leave after the first one. Visit the drive-ins website to see if there is a drive-in theater near you.

A Belated Friday Notable - Boon

Boon is an innovative company focused on creating simple yet practical products for your baby and toddler. You have likely come across some of their products in Target or Babies R'Us, but I definitely think their own product descriptions and background on their company merits a visit to Boon's website. Also worth a mention, 10% of Boon's profits are donated to children's charities. Enjoy!
www.booninc.com

Midweek Creations - Ice Cube Popsicles

This is a simple treat to make and is perfect for this hot July heat. This is also a great activity that allows your child to apply the skills he learned during a practical life water pouring activity. Enjoy!

What you'll need:

fruit juice
Popsicle sticks
ice cube trays
tin foil
freezer
small cup

Set out an ice cube tray and fill up a small cup with fruit juice. Start by showing your child how to fill up one section of an ice cube tray at a time by carefully pouring the juice then let him try. Once all the compartments are filled, cover the entire tray with tin foil and then poke one popsicle stick through the foil in each little compartment. Place the prepared tray in the freezer for about 3 hours. When the juice has completely frozen, peel off the the foil and enjoy.

Montessori Mondays - Rotating Materials

One of the defining characteristics of any Montessori environment, whether designed for many children or one in a small room at home, is that everything is carefully prepared - from the small chairs and shelves to the selection of materials. At home, one thing you can do to keep your child's interest in their materials and toys verses throwing them in a bin and forgetting about them after a day is to select just a few toys or Montessori materials to have out on trays or shelves at once and then store the rest in a closet to rotate out when your child begins to lose interest in the current toys. This will make choices for what to work with less overwhelming for your child and when it is time to rotate them you can have your child help select new works to have on the shelves.

Friday Notables - Recycling Calendars

About this time of year you can find old calendars on clearance for only a couple of dollars or less. Many of these have real life pictures of animals or places. My suggestion is to buy them on clearance if you come across them and then purchase an inexpensive binder and document protective sheets. By cutting the calendar pictures into an 8" x 11" paper size you can easily create a new picture book for your toddler.