Traveling with children can be so much fun! You get to see new places and learn new things through their eyes! Traveling with a friend is even more fun! My favorite traveling friend is Little Red Hen. (She’s a stuffed toy but she doesn’t know it.) We go to lots of interesting places and take loads of pictures. Then we put those pictures into scrapbooks.
Studies show that people who travel are happier. I read about a study that compared the emotional well-being of people who shop and acquire things versus people who go on vacations. People who shop are happy for a very short time. People who go on vacation are happier for longer periods of time and continue to be happier when they relive their experiences. Scrapbooks are an excellent way to help you relive those experiences.
Here’s some tips for taking interesting vacation pictures.
Take pictures of:
• The before and after activities such as packing and unpacking
• Traveling to the destination—we photograph the train or plane ride to the cruise ship
• Signs that tell you where you are and what you’re looking at—that helps you remember when you go to make your scrapbook
• Funny things—anything that you find interesting and/or weird
• The people you’re with and meet along the way— sometimes you need to ask permission if you’re photographing someone you don’t know
• Food you eat
• Things you do—take pictures of everything!
Other tips:
• You need at least 200 pictures to make a 20 page scrapbook. You won’t use them all but it’s important to have a good selection.
• Take the pictures in both landscape and portrait format. That gives you more options when it comes time to putting your pictures into your scrapbook.
• You can use a traditional scrapbook method where you print the pictures and manually glue them into a scrapbook.
• You can digitally scrapbook on line through various websites like Shutterfly and Kodak.
• If you don’t want to make a scrapbook you can also make posters, calendars, and more at those websites.
It’s even more fun to travel with a friend like my Little Red Hen. Next time you travel, bring one of your child’s small stuffed animals and take pictures of their adventures! It’s fun! It’s also a great way to get a young child to hold still for a picture. Happy traveling!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Feeding Geese
Feeding wild waterfowl can be a fun and inexpensive winter family outing. You only need to travel as far as your nearby park, as long as there’s a pond or other body of water. There are several things to keep in mind when you’re feeding wild birds. The first thing to do is to check and make sure it’s legal. Not every municipality wants people feeding the birds. If feeding the birds is okay, it’s time to get ready to go! Make sure your family is dressed appropriately for the weather and you have a good supply of birdfeed on hand. If you want to record the memories, bring a camera to capture the moment!
The worst thing to feed the wild birds is moldy bread. It could make them sick! The best thing to do is to get cracked corn, hen scratch (cracked corn, wheat, barley, and oats), and duck pellets from the feed store.
When you get to the park, encourage your family to be quiet and move slowly. You don’t want to scare the birds. Watch where you walk because there’s probably poop on the ground. Not only is it smelly, it’s also slippery! Bring a beach chair and sit, watching the birds. After observing them for a few moments, ask your child: What do you notice? This is a great opportunity to help your child use her observational skills. Encourage her to describe what she hears, smells, and feels as well as what she sees. Enjoy a nice conversation about what the birds are doing and why. If your child asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to, be honest and let her know that she can help you look it up when you get home.
Once the birds are used to their human visitors, it’s time to try and feed them. It’s not good to sprinkle the feed in the water. Sprinkle the feed on the ground near the edge of the pond. You can even sprinkle it in a “path” that leads closer to your child’s chair. Have her sit down, wait patiently, and chances are a brave bird will start nibbling her way.
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/birds/canada-goose.htm (info, coloring pages, a maze, etc.)
http://articles.lovecanadageese.com/feedingcanadageese.html (info)
The worst thing to feed the wild birds is moldy bread. It could make them sick! The best thing to do is to get cracked corn, hen scratch (cracked corn, wheat, barley, and oats), and duck pellets from the feed store.
When you get to the park, encourage your family to be quiet and move slowly. You don’t want to scare the birds. Watch where you walk because there’s probably poop on the ground. Not only is it smelly, it’s also slippery! Bring a beach chair and sit, watching the birds. After observing them for a few moments, ask your child: What do you notice? This is a great opportunity to help your child use her observational skills. Encourage her to describe what she hears, smells, and feels as well as what she sees. Enjoy a nice conversation about what the birds are doing and why. If your child asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to, be honest and let her know that she can help you look it up when you get home.
Once the birds are used to their human visitors, it’s time to try and feed them. It’s not good to sprinkle the feed in the water. Sprinkle the feed on the ground near the edge of the pond. You can even sprinkle it in a “path” that leads closer to your child’s chair. Have her sit down, wait patiently, and chances are a brave bird will start nibbling her way.
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/birds/canada-goose.htm (info, coloring pages, a maze, etc.)
http://articles.lovecanadageese.com/feedingcanadageese.html (info)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Getting Back Into the School Routine
Now that winter break is almost over, it’s time to help your child get ready to return to his regular daily school schedule. With New Year’s landing on Friday night, chances are the family is staying up late and sleeping in on Saturday.
Here are some strategies to try:
On Saturday and Sunday, have your child
1. Eat healthy meals/snacks similar to his school day schedule.
2. Drink lots of water.
3. Get out and play in the afternoon.
4. Check if his homework is done.
5. Have him pack everything he needs for Monday morning (library books, sneakers, homework, etc.).
6. Have him get to bed at his regular school night bedtime both Saturday and Sunday.
7. Have him get up on Sunday as close to his school wakeup time as possible.
Do you have any tips on how you help your child get back into the school routine after a vacation? I’d love to hear them! Please leave a comment below.
Here are some strategies to try:
On Saturday and Sunday, have your child
1. Eat healthy meals/snacks similar to his school day schedule.
2. Drink lots of water.
3. Get out and play in the afternoon.
4. Check if his homework is done.
5. Have him pack everything he needs for Monday morning (library books, sneakers, homework, etc.).
6. Have him get to bed at his regular school night bedtime both Saturday and Sunday.
7. Have him get up on Sunday as close to his school wakeup time as possible.
Do you have any tips on how you help your child get back into the school routine after a vacation? I’d love to hear them! Please leave a comment below.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Learning Differences
Parental instinct is the strongest instinct there is. No one knows a child better than his parents. If you ever suspect your child has developmental delays or differences, trust your gut. Maybe your child isn’t hitting developmental milestones that his peers or siblings did. Or maybe he is struggling with learning in school. Maybe, you notice behavioral issues that don’t seem to add up. Trust your “gut”! Speak up and say something to your pediatrician and, as appropriate, your child’s teacher.
Parents have the right to request that their children be tested once they enter the school environment. If you put that request in writing, the school system is legally obligated to comply with your wishes within 45 days of the request. (There is all sorts of information on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website regarding parental rights.) The sooner your child receives intervention services the better he will learn.
If your child is diagnosed with a learning difference, take action. Parents are children’s best advocates. Speak to your local Special Education Advisory Committee in your town. If there isn’t one near you, join support groups, chat with other parents and professionals through social networking groups and get involved with your school district’s special educational department. Every child deserves a quality education, even if he has learning differences and your school district is required to provide them. Ensuring a proper education for your child is priceless—for success in school and in life.
How has the educational experience been for you and your child? I'd love to hear about it. Please leave me a comment below.
Parents have the right to request that their children be tested once they enter the school environment. If you put that request in writing, the school system is legally obligated to comply with your wishes within 45 days of the request. (There is all sorts of information on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website regarding parental rights.) The sooner your child receives intervention services the better he will learn.
If your child is diagnosed with a learning difference, take action. Parents are children’s best advocates. Speak to your local Special Education Advisory Committee in your town. If there isn’t one near you, join support groups, chat with other parents and professionals through social networking groups and get involved with your school district’s special educational department. Every child deserves a quality education, even if he has learning differences and your school district is required to provide them. Ensuring a proper education for your child is priceless—for success in school and in life.
How has the educational experience been for you and your child? I'd love to hear about it. Please leave me a comment below.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Distractions in Your Child's Classroom
What do you do when your child complains about another child being a distraction in the classroom being a distraction? Have your child write a friendly letter to the teacher! (E-mail it if you can!) It could look something like this:
Dear Teacher, (Be sure to get the proper name spelling.)
I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (Insert classmate’s name here.). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Child’s name)
Try to work with the teacher to give your child strategies for success such as:
• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.
• Move away—your child could politely ask the teacher if she could work at another table or move her desk.
• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test and to help them focus.
It’s not easy to concentrate and get work done when other students are off task. Helping your child learn advocacy and responsibility for her behavior is a first step.
What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your child’s plea for help? You can call and request the intervention on her behalf. Be cordial and give the teacher a chance. Remember, on a daily basis, teachers deal with many, often 25 or more, little human beings.
Still no support from the teacher? Go through the proper steps:
• Write a letter to the teacher. (Keep copies)
• Request a meeting. (Again, document your request)
After you have tried the above strategies, if you are still not satisfied with how the teacher is handling the situation, get the principal involved.
Keep records of all of your communications. Your child’s education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including the teacher.
Dear Teacher, (Be sure to get the proper name spelling.)
I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (Insert classmate’s name here.). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Child’s name)
Try to work with the teacher to give your child strategies for success such as:
• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.
• Move away—your child could politely ask the teacher if she could work at another table or move her desk.
• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test and to help them focus.
It’s not easy to concentrate and get work done when other students are off task. Helping your child learn advocacy and responsibility for her behavior is a first step.
What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your child’s plea for help? You can call and request the intervention on her behalf. Be cordial and give the teacher a chance. Remember, on a daily basis, teachers deal with many, often 25 or more, little human beings.
Still no support from the teacher? Go through the proper steps:
• Write a letter to the teacher. (Keep copies)
• Request a meeting. (Again, document your request)
After you have tried the above strategies, if you are still not satisfied with how the teacher is handling the situation, get the principal involved.
Keep records of all of your communications. Your child’s education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including the teacher.
Friday, November 19, 2010
There comes a time when children request an addition to the family. Sometimes it’s another brother or sister, but more often than not, they’re asking for a pet.
Every child is different, but it’s vital your child learns responsibility before he can handle the care of an animal. Usually by second grade, children become more responsible because they are less ego-centric,more aware of others’ needs.
The choice of pet is up to you, of course. Various pets require different levels of monetary and physical care. Dogs need the most care while fish, the least. Dogs have veterinary and grooming costs; whereas, fish only need partial water changes, fish food, and a few neutralizing chemicals.
Walking a dog can be a fun family activity where everyone gets good exercise and fresh air. It’s also a great opportunity for conversation with your children. However, keep your climate in mind. If you get a lot of inclement weather, do you really want to be out there walking your dog?
Do you frequently go on vacation? A dog or cat will need a pet sitter or kennel. Guinea pigs and other small critters might need a pet sitter or an extended stay at a friend, neighbor, or relative’s house. Fish can just be given a vacation feeder, a big chunk of food they can nibble on while you’re away.
Only you can decide if your child is ready to take care of a pet on a regular basis—not just during the first few days. One way to determine this is add a few extra chores to your child’s list, such as washing dishes or dusting the furniture. Keep a log of chore accomplishments. Once she has maintained responsibility for a month or two, she is ready for a pet.
If you decide a pet is not a good fit for your family, be sure to explain why. If your apartment complex doesn’t allow certain pets, be sure to tell this to your child. If you think your child isn’t quite ready, be honest. Let her know that you are open to a pet in the future when she is capable of consistently completing chores without being reminded
Pets are a wonderful addition to a family. They often teach us many important things from unconditional love to mortality. While dealing with the death of a pet is difficult, it’s an important life lesson.
You may just find that you enjoy your child’s pet just as much as she does! Do you have any pet success (or failure) stories? Please leave me a comment.
Every child is different, but it’s vital your child learns responsibility before he can handle the care of an animal. Usually by second grade, children become more responsible because they are less ego-centric,more aware of others’ needs.
The choice of pet is up to you, of course. Various pets require different levels of monetary and physical care. Dogs need the most care while fish, the least. Dogs have veterinary and grooming costs; whereas, fish only need partial water changes, fish food, and a few neutralizing chemicals.
Walking a dog can be a fun family activity where everyone gets good exercise and fresh air. It’s also a great opportunity for conversation with your children. However, keep your climate in mind. If you get a lot of inclement weather, do you really want to be out there walking your dog?
Do you frequently go on vacation? A dog or cat will need a pet sitter or kennel. Guinea pigs and other small critters might need a pet sitter or an extended stay at a friend, neighbor, or relative’s house. Fish can just be given a vacation feeder, a big chunk of food they can nibble on while you’re away.
Only you can decide if your child is ready to take care of a pet on a regular basis—not just during the first few days. One way to determine this is add a few extra chores to your child’s list, such as washing dishes or dusting the furniture. Keep a log of chore accomplishments. Once she has maintained responsibility for a month or two, she is ready for a pet.
If you decide a pet is not a good fit for your family, be sure to explain why. If your apartment complex doesn’t allow certain pets, be sure to tell this to your child. If you think your child isn’t quite ready, be honest. Let her know that you are open to a pet in the future when she is capable of consistently completing chores without being reminded
Pets are a wonderful addition to a family. They often teach us many important things from unconditional love to mortality. While dealing with the death of a pet is difficult, it’s an important life lesson.
You may just find that you enjoy your child’s pet just as much as she does! Do you have any pet success (or failure) stories? Please leave me a comment.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Distractions in the Classroom
What do you do when your child complains about a classmate being a distraction in the classroom? Have your child write a friendly letter to the teacher! (E-mail it if you can!) It could look something like this:
Dear Teacher, (Be sure to get the proper name spelling.)
I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (Insert classmate’s name here.). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Child’s name)
Be sure to work with the teacher to give your child strategies for success such as:
• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.
• Move away—your child could politely ask the teacher if she could work at another table or move her desk.
• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test and to help them focus.
It’s not easy to concentrate and get work done when other students are off task. Help your child learn self-advocacy and responsibility. .
What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your child’s plea for help? You can call and request the intervention on her behalf. Be cordial and give the teacher a chance. Remember, on a daily basis, teachers deal with many, often 25 or more, little human beings.
Still no support from the teacher? Go through the proper steps:
• Write a letter to the teacher. (Keep copies)
• Request a meeting. (Again, document your request)
After you have tried the above strategies, if you are still not satisfied with how the teacher is handling the situation, get the principal involved.
Keep records of all of your communications. Your child’s education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including the teacher.
Dear Teacher, (Be sure to get the proper name spelling.)
I’m having trouble doing my best work because I’m distracted by (Insert classmate’s name here.). I need your help. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Child’s name)
Be sure to work with the teacher to give your child strategies for success such as:
• Ignore the distracting person. Quite often they are looking for attention.
• Move away—your child could politely ask the teacher if she could work at another table or move her desk.
• Put up a barrier of some sort. Some classrooms have portable cardboard that students put on their desks for privacy during a test and to help them focus.
It’s not easy to concentrate and get work done when other students are off task. Help your child learn self-advocacy and responsibility. .
What if the teacher doesn’t respond to your child’s plea for help? You can call and request the intervention on her behalf. Be cordial and give the teacher a chance. Remember, on a daily basis, teachers deal with many, often 25 or more, little human beings.
Still no support from the teacher? Go through the proper steps:
• Write a letter to the teacher. (Keep copies)
• Request a meeting. (Again, document your request)
After you have tried the above strategies, if you are still not satisfied with how the teacher is handling the situation, get the principal involved.
Keep records of all of your communications. Your child’s education is important. Getting along with others is important, too, including the teacher.
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