Down with UP!

Do You Need A Preschool Group?

Karen Taylor — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:01:17 +0000

I occasionally hear about someone who wants to start a preschool group. They aren't sending their child to preschool, but they want to offer their child a preschool experience, complete with classmates. They start working on lesson plans and begin looking for some other [...]

Seed Science

Karen Taylor — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:45:37 +0000

It’s spring! It may not be time to plant an outside garden in your area yet, but it’s a perfect time to do some seed experiments. This is ideal for preschoolers, because the best learning happens when they are having fun!

Gardening is a great science activity for kids, and you don’t need a green thumb [...]

ALERT – Stop Mandatory Kindergarten in California

Diane Flynn Keith — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:19:39 +0000

I’m writing to ask all of you who live in California to TAKE ACTION.

The hearing for AB 2203 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28th, so it’s imperative to contact your Assembly Member and urge a NO vote by Tuesday, March 27th. And please urge your friends, family, support groups, etc., to contact their representatives too.

The [...]

Painting with Straws

Diane Flynn Keith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:43:42 +0000

Here is an simple activity that your child can do with a straw, tempera (or other non-toxic acrylic paint), and construction paper.

Put a few drops of paint on a piece of construction paper, then ask your child to blow the paint around on the paper to make interesting designs. Add different colored paint to create [...]

Number Toss Game

Diane Flynn Keith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:26:01 +0000

Here’s a great way to familiarize your little one with numbers and counting!

What you’ll need:

•Deck of cards •Bean bags or socks rolled into balls (or something soft to toss) •Laundry basket or box

Set up: You’ll need a deck of cards with the picture cards and jokers removed. If your child is only ready for 1 or 2 #’s [...]

Odds and Ends Art

Diane Flynn Keith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:12:12 +0000

Encourage abstract thinking with this fun art project.

Go on an odds and ends hunt in the house and utility drawers. Collect empty thread spools, string, rubber bands, springs from broken pens or stray pen tops, paper clips, unknown hardware (screws, nails, etc.), buttons, those flat plastic bag closers that come on bread bags, old plastic [...]

Develop Reading Readiness

Diane Flynn Keith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:59:52 +0000

An easy way to develop reading readiness is to sprinkle magazines around your home. Leave magazines on a coffee table or out in plain sight where they are easy to reach and encourage your child to look through them.

Get a magazine subscription for your child such as:

Ladybug <http://www.homefires.com/click?ladybug> Turtle <http://www.homefires.com/click?turtle> ZooBooks <http://www.homefires.com/click?zoobooks> Your Big Backyard <http://www.homefires.com/click?bigbackyard> Highlights For Children [...]

Identifying Numbers & Counting

Diane Flynn Keith — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:53:29 +0000

An easy way to introduce the concept of numbers and counting is to do it using everyday objects. Count out loud in front of your child whenever you are performing a task where counting is useful.

For example:

Count objects with your child as you put away toys and games. Count the towels as you put them in [...]

Ramp ‘n Roll

Diane Flynn Keith — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:05:42 +0000

Children love to make things move! And this activity is a great way to introduce your little one to some of the basic laws of Physics in a fun, hands-on, experimental way.

You will need: A piece of sturdy cardboard, a few books or blocks, and objects that roll (car, ball, empty oatmeal container, juice bottle [...]

Connect The Dots

Diane Flynn Keith — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:21:35 +0000

This fun activity will allow your child to create their own dot to dot pictures. You’ll need: a cotton swab, paint, a plastic lid, paper, and crayons. Put some paint on a plastic lid then ask your child to dip the cotton swab in the paint and dot the paper randomly 10 or 15 times. When the [...]