Sticks can make many parents panic at the mere sight of them! I on the other hand see them as a great tool for fun play but do appreciate that you have to teach your tots rules about playing with sticks: do not wave in your or anyone's face, do not hurt anyone (including poking them), do not damage / break anything and ideally do not run with sticks (this is easier said than done!).
Sticks can be:
.... bridges for toys
.... houses for toys
.... flag poles: make a flag together to fly proudly
.... islands: make squares big enough to jump into all over your lawn and avoid the shark infested water!
.... rafts: Apryl Duncan on About.com offers a great guide to make these
.... writing tool: in your sandpit or dirt, practise writing numbers and letters
.... fishing rod: visit the rock pools with your handmade rod
.... twig monsters: Catherine Spencer posted on Yahoo! some fabulous creations that you can make with your children
.... twig tower: Woodland Trust's worksheet shows you how to make great towers, which would help your youngsters with their motor skills
.... bird house: Making Friends have posted a brilliant tutorial
.... Dream catcher: what a lovely idea to make with your children. Enchanted Learning have posted instructions that are simple to follow
.... stick men: I love Red Ted Art's
.... twig trivet: a little early for Christmas but kids will love making these for gifts (TLC)
.... Fairy house: Feathered Nest Studio's fairy house is soooo cute!
.... twig stars: again for Christmas! Go Explore Nature feature a really cute star
.... twig fairy: Activity Village have created some great fairies to make with your children
.... dragonflies: I love these beauties from Twig and Toadstool
Please send in your ideas, as the more to make, the better!
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Wednesday 19 June 2013
It's not about winning but taking part....
In response to a request, today's post is about dealing with sore losers.
The little one in the request has just turned 4. At this age children do not understand the emotions that they are feeling and are unable to express them; therefore, tantrums are common place. Tantrums are not easy to deal with and become especially embarrassing when they occur in public.
Imagine, you settle down with the family to play a great game but halfway through your little one does not agree with a rule or comes last when the game is complete - the board is thrown in the air, siblings may be hit, the tears and shouting start.... Help! How do you stop this behaviour from happening and ruining those few precious moments you have to sit down and play with your children?
The first thing to point out is that this is perfectly natural behaviour for a preschooler or even older children. With time the majority of children grow out of tantrums, as they are able to communicate effectively.
Here are some top tips:
To teach your child about the game of chance, you may wish to play games like Hungry Hippo, Snakes and Ladders etc. Games where they have to interact as well as play will put their focus on taking part; and ones that take a long time may help as your child will become bored before it is finished but will have enjoyed the 'taking part' aspect.
Throughout, try to keep calm and keep your voice gentle and steady - even when they are throwing a spectacular tantrum! Try not to give attention to any tantrums, but do ensure that they are safe (and others should they lash out). If they move to another room to sulk, let them calm down and return when they are ready.
If the tips do not work, bear in mind that hopefully your child will 'grow out' of this behaviour and you can create happy family memories in the not too distant future.
The little one in the request has just turned 4. At this age children do not understand the emotions that they are feeling and are unable to express them; therefore, tantrums are common place. Tantrums are not easy to deal with and become especially embarrassing when they occur in public.
Imagine, you settle down with the family to play a great game but halfway through your little one does not agree with a rule or comes last when the game is complete - the board is thrown in the air, siblings may be hit, the tears and shouting start.... Help! How do you stop this behaviour from happening and ruining those few precious moments you have to sit down and play with your children?
The first thing to point out is that this is perfectly natural behaviour for a preschooler or even older children. With time the majority of children grow out of tantrums, as they are able to communicate effectively.
Here are some top tips:
- Before Chat to your child before you start and explain that sometimes they may win and sometimes they may lose; mention too that we should be happy for the winner. Focus on the losing side so that your child has this fresh in their mind before you start playing.
- During! Throughout the game, try to praise any good moves etc. that your child may make. Hopefully, they may feel proud at all they have achieved in the game and not be so concerned about winning, as they have already been lavished with praise. Also, as above, as you are not focusing on praising winners, the good feedback they receive throughout the game will make them assess their game plan.
- After Liz from Answers at Yahoo.com, responds to a mum asking for advice about her 7 year old girl. Liz states that we should let them win and lose but if we win we say "oh well! at least that was fun". When your child is the loser, Liz suggests that we ask them if they have had fun and try to explain that this is the point of playing games and it is not about who comes first or last.
- Encourage good losing behaviour Reward / star charts, treats and praise should be lavished on your child when they keep calm or react mildly after coming last or not liking a rule. Hopefully, after a few times they will learn that tantrums do not get them rewards. When you lose say, "Oh bother! I wanted to win that game! I will try better next time!"
- Winning behaviour Try not to praise the winner or show added attention to them for coming first. Also, as an adult you lead by example, parents should make sure that they do not gloat about winning. Show your child how to win or lose and manage frustrations. Perhaps you could say things like, "Well done everyone; good game".
- Win and lose Don't let your child win all of the time as they need to learn that we win and lose. Over time, experience of both sides will gain a balanced attitude to all occasions where things do not go according to plan and at other times they go better.
- Worst case scenario If your child does not calm down with all the calm and gentle aids above, it may be worth trying to restrict competitive games for a while, until your child is better able to deal with the outcomes. Simply say to them, "I guess you are not old enough to play this game", and store it until you think that they may be.
To teach your child about the game of chance, you may wish to play games like Hungry Hippo, Snakes and Ladders etc. Games where they have to interact as well as play will put their focus on taking part; and ones that take a long time may help as your child will become bored before it is finished but will have enjoyed the 'taking part' aspect.
Throughout, try to keep calm and keep your voice gentle and steady - even when they are throwing a spectacular tantrum! Try not to give attention to any tantrums, but do ensure that they are safe (and others should they lash out). If they move to another room to sulk, let them calm down and return when they are ready.
If the tips do not work, bear in mind that hopefully your child will 'grow out' of this behaviour and you can create happy family memories in the not too distant future.
Wednesday 12 June 2013
35+ Things to Make From Cardboard
We have just had a kitchen makeover and now have a stack of empty boxes! Rather than chuck them, I thought that my children would love some cardboard fun!
I thought that I would share the great ideas that I stumbled across...
I thought that I would share the great ideas that I stumbled across...
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Wednesday 5 June 2013
34+ Free Thank You Cards and Notes for you to Download
The big day has been and gone, your little one is another year older (where did that year go?), the party was a success and now you are finally getting around to thanking people for their gifts!
With your funds thinned after the celebrations, some free thank you cards would be welcome!
Activities for Kids create customised cards, with all aspects of the design being chosen by you.
With your funds thinned after the celebrations, some free thank you cards would be welcome!
Activities for Kids create customised cards, with all aspects of the design being chosen by you.
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