Have you heard of jingle bell painting? It's what we've named this fun process art activity that we do every winter. But, I have to admit that when I was in the classroom, I always dreaded pulling out the copious amounts of Jingle Bells that we had stashed in our winter box. There was something about seventeen children shaking bells and singing at the top of their lungs that started to continue reading...
Experimenting with Ice, Colored Water, and Salt on the Light Table
Hi Everyone! Welcome back to the light and reflections series :-) Today, we are focusing on using light and reflections to explore Math and Science concepts for kids. My daughter was completely in the driver's seat as we experimented with ice, salt, and colored water on the light table! I was surprised that it became an art show as the colored water dripped along the salt and ice. It was continue reading...
Introducing New Play Materials to Kids: Experimenting and Observing Water Beads
Hi There! The past week, my daughter has been experimenting with something that I have wanted to buy for about a year: water beads. I remember when everyone was talking about them at work and water bead activities were popping up all over Pinterest. I was hesitant to go out and to buy them; mostly, because I didn't know where to purchase them. But, when I saw them a week ago, I had to put continue reading...
Mixing Dramatic Play with Science: Erupting Cupcakes!
Hi There! It's been a busy week for my family. We are preparing for my husband to leave for a conference, my son is seconds away from being able to crawl, and my daughter is still on a high from going trick-or-treating! This past week, I wanted some uninterrupted time with my daughter to play. I've been dying to open a cupcake shop with her (since she wants to be a baker when she grows up) continue reading...
A Not-So-Scary Fairy Pumpkin House
Halloween is a time to celebrate things that go bump in the night. It's a time of candy, costumes, imagination, excitement, and all things scary. But, if you have a child like I do, it can be a time that is exciting and terrifying all at once. My daughter is thrilled about her costume, but less than thrilled about all of the spiders, ghosts, ghouls, and other things that are brought to life continue reading...
Pair Books with Play: Pete’s a Pizza and Lemon Herb Play Dough!
I have to say that my husband's homemade pizza is the best! It inspired us to read the book, Pete's a Pizza. Have you read this book? It is a favorite of mine. The book is about a little boy named, Pete, who is sad that he can't go outside to play because it's raining. As a way to cheer him up, his parents decide to turn him into a pizza! They knead the dough by rolling his body back and continue reading...