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...
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...
Herb and Lemon Peel Play dough
My husband is an amazing bread maker. As I looked at his new baby (his whole wheat sourdough starter), I wanted to make some new, interesting dough for Lil and I to play with. Plus, my soon-to-be-moving son, will certainly be eating play dough that falls on the floor, so I wanted to make something safe for him as well. I have had to repeatedly explain to my sweet daughter that we aren't going continue reading...