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Mary on What are you thankful for?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:33:09 -0700

Hi Shannon, What a fun way of incorporating the holidays, biblical teaching, and time together with the whole family! Being the Mother of the home, we have a lot of responsibilities on our shoulders and a lot of people depending on us. We create the atmosphere of the home as well as the activities. You are helping to create in your young sons minds, wonderful memories of time spent at home. Some day when they are off at college, or even starting their own homes, they will be drawn back to the wonderful fond memories you have created. In Proverbs 31, it talks of the children rising up and calling the mother (you) blessed... I can see that being done in the future... : )

Thank you for sharing your activity with us... for it shows your heart, and your love for your family...

Shannon H. on What are you thankful for?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:09:20 -0700

Today Seth and I talked about the people we are thankful for. We made turkey's out of our hands and even had dad do it to when he got home. We cut out 5 feathers in 5 different colors and wrote down the names of the people we are thankful. We then prayed for them. We are going to continue to pray for the people on our turkey's everyday until Thanksgiving.

hjvincent on Tubby Fun!!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:01:01 -0700

I've just read in Mary's book to sew a face on a washcloth to make bath time more fun! So, today I sewed a little red face on a blue washcloth and we'll take a bath with him and tell stories about our "Mr. Washy-Scrubby". My oldest daughter has already got a story in mind with Mr. Washy-Scrubby that she can't wait to tell her sister at bath time! I can't wait to hear it either! It's like sock puppets for bathtime and when Mr. Washy-Scrubby goes to tickle my daughter he'll be scrubbling her clean as well! What a great idea! Thanks!

jarahoney on October - Pre-Science Activities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:10:13 -0700

We also tried stickers as a pre-writing activity. Benny wasn't too fond of the feeling of the stickers on his hand, and was mostly interested in trying to get them off, but I showed him how to stick one on the paper. He figured out what he was supposed to do, but it was hard for him to get the stickers turned the right way to stick on the paper. He did get one all the way from the sticker sheet to the paper by himself though!

jarahoney on October - Pre-Science Activities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:05:41 -0700

I decided to try crayons with my 10 month old for pre-writing, even though I wasn't sure how it would go. He wasn't very interested at first, but I finally got him to watch as I wrote with a crayon and it was funny to watch him realize that the crayon had made the marks. He didn't really want me to help him do it, I think mostly because he didn't realize that was how you wrote on the paper. It will definitely be easier to do as he gets older, but it was fun to try.

jarahoney on October - Pre-Science Activities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:54:40 -0700

My 10 month old son, Benny, loves cheerios, and I often hold them in my hand for him. Once I was holding some, and had to close my hand to do something so the cheerios wouldn't spill. He decided that he wanted the cheerios enough to open my fingers to get them, then I closed my hand again. He would keep doing that until all of the cheerios were gone, and then he was still playing with my hand, because he loves to open and close. (And he might have been hoping more cheerios would appear!)

jarahoney on October - Pre-Science Activities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:47:19 -0700

We have the stackable tower cups that my 10 month old, Benny, likes to chew on, I mean play with. It's easier for him to nest insted of stacking though, so I showed him how to take one and put it inside the other, then handed him the next one. He took it and was able to get it inside the other. He gets frustrated (or bored) with it pretty quickly, so we usually only end up doing one at a time. It's fun to see him know what to do though, and we'll just keep practicing!

Mary on Tubby Fun!!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:30:05 -0600

Yes, please do. : ) After all, you are the one that inspired this idean in the first place when you shared it in class... so go ahead, we would love to hear it... Love, Mary

jarahoney on Tubby Fun!!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:12:20 -0600

I guess I should have posted my tub story over here! Lol

Joanna

Mary on Tubby Fun!!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:25:03 -0600

When my son was around 4 years old, I showed him how water pressure works a Pre-Science activity. I first of all prepared the materials ahead of time and placed them by the tub for that night. After cleaning out a 1/2 gal plastic milk jug, I punched holes in it (later someone else suggest to do just 3 large holes down the side of the milk carton). Also you would need a funnel that would fit in the mouth of the carton along with a pitcher of some kind to pour the water in the funnel that would fill up the jug.

After we were done getting all cleaned (but still sitting in the water), I would bring out our "new toy." We placed the milk carton down in the water and began to fill it with the pitcher of water pouring the water into the funnel. Once the milk jug was nearly full, we would pull it out of the water and watch it pour out the holes. (I ended up usually holding the jug so he could put his hand in the water spout coming out the side). Once the jug was drained, I would usually hear the response... lets do it again... : ) so we would. I would ask him questions during the process like "what do you think will happen" or "where do you think all the water went." I would listen intently and ask follow up questions as he would explain.

Mary on October - Pre-Science Activities

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:52:34 -0600

When we are teaching our little ones something new, it is like a lightbulb pops on in their mind when they grasp the concept we are trying to teach them. Oh, and that precious toothless grin… that is a treasure for us to savor as we see that adorable smile!!

Yes, babies under a year are learning volumes every day. Way to go!!!

Mary on Tubby Fun!!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:49:28 -0600

OK, bath time can be just another routine in our day... to get done... What are some ways you have created some fun and learning while in the tub? What toys do you enjoy and what age is your child? How can that "routine of life" be turned into a Teachable Moment?"

Mary on What are you thankful for?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:40:22 -0600

Yes, jarahoney, the wonder of a new baby--even just 2 1/2 inches-- is such a miracle. It is a privilege to be a vessel God uses to bring about a new life... Wishing you many healthy months ahead!!

Mary on Ideas for activities with Fall Leaves

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:36:29 -0600

That was a great example of starting with a simple activity and running with it!!! It all started with pointing out some beautiful leaves that God has created for us to enjoy. Your children seemed so drawn in on what you were teaching them. Those kinds of special days will be played and replayed in their memory banks in years to come. What a great day you have provided for your little ones. Way to go mom!!! : )

Mary on New Recipe for tonight

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:30:05 -0600

During different times of the year, I try to have certain meals that correspond to that season. In the fall, I begin serving a crockpot of Chili. I also make a batch of spiced tea. I keep the tea mix in a tupperware container and we enjoy a coffee cup full in the mornings. (I am not much of a coffee drinker, I prefer tea).