I received the mentioned supplemental learning products to review. All opinions are my own.
Starting my in-home preschool has been an overwhelming experience. I have been trying to use my creative side to come up with activities and projects, but I also still need materials to help. I have been trying to find products and activities that cover numerous areas of development.
I received the mentioned preschool learning products to review. All opinions are my own.
A few months ago my oldest turned four and we have been debating on sending him to preschool this year. After going back and forth, we decided to set up a little school area at our house so our younger two (3 years old & 20 months) can benefit from it as well. Then I realized it was time to figure out what I needed to start an in-home preschool.
Fall is my favorite season. I love the colors of Autumn, cooler temperatures, and the start of the holiday season. There are so many things I want to do with the family this year, and I started making a list. I decided to turn it into a project with my kids and make a Fall Bucket List Tree.
My kids are always wanting to cut, paint, glue, or just scribble on a piece of paper. Crafts are always a favorite activity and I often try to come up with different activities based on what they find appealing at the moment. Most recently it has been fish. We decided over the weekend to make our own little 3D fish scene using paper plates.
With Mother’s Day approaching, I have been thinking about things to make for my Mom and Grandmas. Each year, I like to do something new with the kids and create a unique, one-of-a-kind, gift for them. I realized that last year, I never really shared our footprint picture we made.
My kids love painting and doing art projects. Instead of doing our normal finger painting project this time, I wanted to do something different. It was a cold, gloomy day so we needed some sun! My sons are two and three and really enjoyed each step especially tracing their hands (well I traced most of them but my three year old did a few as well).
NEED:
If you are using a paper plate, paint it yellow and let it dry. Meanwhile, trace about 20 hands on yellow paper and cut out.
Glue the hands on the back of the plate layering them.
Take it Further: Add a smiley face or write “You are My Sunshine” on it and give it to a loved one!
**Make sure you check out the handprint flower my son did a couple years ago. A definite hit with their Grandmas!
UPDATE: Check out the Handprint Tote Bags we made!
With summer coming to an end, I have been thinking about new fall activities and re-purposing summer toys. Yesterday, I was in my garage and noticed a few foam pool noodles that we didn’t really use this summer. I knew I could find some new uses for them so the search was on and this weekend I plan to start my projects. But for now, here are my top 5 favorite uses I found for pool noodles.
1. Over-sided Beads & Lacing Patterns: I know my sons are going to have tons of fun with these. Sara posted on Totally Tots this great idea to slice a few different colored noodles. Write a letter or number on each piece. Little ones can lace them in order, copy patterns, or spell words. I can see hours of fun and learning here. Deborah from TeachPreschool.org takes it a step further and cuts a slit in each one. This allows the kids to connect them to create chains.
2. Marble Run: Lindsay from LindsayandAndrew sliced noodles in half and created a little ‘race track’ for marbles.
3. Hammer Time: I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this idea from Valerie over at Inner Child Fun. She attached pieces of pool noodles to cutting boards and then the kids can use their toy hammers to hammer golf tees into the noodles. I am just going to say this is the first one I am going to make this weekend. My 2 & 3 year old sons have been attached to their toy hammers this past week and want to hit/hammer everything (including the walls, tables, and even each other).
4. Backyard Play: Parents.com has a few ideas for using the pool noodles in the backyard making a Target Station, Rings, Wicket, and more.
5. Wreath: Tonya from Love of Family and Home made this super cute Autumn wreath and the form is a pool noodle!
Do you re-use pool noodles for outside of the pool?