The “Do-Get” Theory

Children learn that when the “do” something, they “get” something.  This is the “do-get” theory.  It works both ways.  When they do something well, we praise them, get excited for them.  Hang their art work on the refrigerator.  They learn that by “doing” that particular action or activity, they receive positive reinforcement. It encourages them to continue doing that activity and doing it well. They … Continue reading The “Do-Get” Theory

Crunchy Living: Homemade Glue

This is a great nontoxic recipe for homemade glue.  It won’t have the same stickiness as the store-bought glue, but it works. Ingredients: 1/3 cup flour 2 tbsp sugar 1 cup water Directions: Mix the flour and sugar together. Pour in the water slowly, continuously stirring. Cook over low heat, continuously stirring. Allow to Cool. Do you have any recipes for homemade glue?  Please share! … Continue reading Crunchy Living: Homemade Glue

Children Learn by Doing

Children learn by doing. “Doing” is an active, senses-involved way of learning.  Most children are tactile and learn through their senses. So “watching” you do something is using one sense – seeing.  Most of us need to get to the “doing” part.  Allow children to follow along with you after instructing them.  Let them make mistakes.  In fact, there are no mistakes because they are … Continue reading Children Learn by Doing

Activities for Babies: 9-12 Months

Babies start learning from the minute they are born.  Over the course of their first year they learn so much, there are a lot of activities that you can do with infants to help with development. Below are a few activities for ages 9-12 months: A Bath Surprise: While your baby is in the bathtub, show him/her a floating toy.  Cover the toy up with the wash cloth and … Continue reading Activities for Babies: 9-12 Months

Toddler Play Ideas: Stuffed Animals

We all know that children love stuffed animals and usually have a collection of them. How about having a stuff animal circus? Make a tent (drap a sheet over a table) where the animals can perform circus acts.  You can even use a pillowcase at the doorway to create a “curtain”. Use the stuffed animals for story telling.  Have them help act out a story that … Continue reading Toddler Play Ideas: Stuffed Animals

UnBirthday Party

Do you remember the Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland?  He was always singA very merry unbirthday to you, to me! A very merry unbirthday to you, to me!. What a wonderful idea to do.  Host a unbirthday party for you and all your friends. You can make your own unbirthday hats with construction paper rolled into a cone shape.  Draw a picture for pin-the-tail-on game. (ex: Draw … Continue reading UnBirthday Party

Halloween Activities and Crafts!

Rook No. 17 has a great Halloween Scavenger Hunt Eighteen25 has a free printable of 31 activities and a Halloween countdown. Clever Classroom has a free Halloween Vocabulary printable. (you will need to create a free account.) Like a Pretty Petunia has a tutorial on how to make these! Better Homes and Garden has 25 different crafts for Halloween. Craft Interrupted has many printables for decorations. … Continue reading Halloween Activities and Crafts!

Activities for Babies: 6-9 Months

Babies start learning from the minute they are born.  Over the course of their first year they learn so much, there are a lot of activities that you can do with infants to help with development. Below are a few activities for ages 6-9 months: The Napkin Game: Place a dinner napkin partially covering your face.  Take the napkin off and say “Peek-a-boo”.  Do this several times before trying … Continue reading Activities for Babies: 6-9 Months

Activities for Babies: 3-6 Months

Babies start learning from the minute they are born.  Over the course of their first year they learn so much, there are a lot of activities that you can do with infants to help with development. Below are a few activities for ages 3-6 months: What’s Cooking?: Whenever you are in the kitchen, talk about each thing you do.  Let your baby play with kitchen utensils, bowls, pots and … Continue reading Activities for Babies: 3-6 Months

Activities for Babies: 0-3 Months

Babies start learning from the minute they are born.  Over the course of their first year they learn so much, there are a lot of activities that you can do with infants to help with development. Below are a few activities for ages 0-3 months: Kick, Kick, Kick: To help your baby practice kicking, place items at the baby’s feet such a stuffed animals, squeaky toys, or your … Continue reading Activities for Babies: 0-3 Months