Starting a Science Journal 08/06/2011
 We have started to keep a science journal. It is very simple for the preschool level. We go out and sit in nature. We draw what we see. Then we talk about what we hear, smell, and touch. -Taste is generally left out! :-) This trip the 5yr old wanted to learn more about algae. I had to look it up because I really didn't know myself. The three yr old drew a bird for the first time and noticed it's wings, beak, stick like legs. I was pleased with the day. After the pictures were complete I put the materials in the backpack and off we went to run the trails and explore. I will add written details if they want or they will label their own pictures, spelling doesn't matter. When my son showed a friend his journal he told them, "We went outside because it is FILLED with nature!" That made me laugh. These pictures are from our local nature center. We love the trails, preschool classes, ponds, and small farm they have. I have been meaning to check out the nature centers from surrounding areas... Play inspired by: Collectors Corner at the Science Museum with local volunteers at our Library. This is a very cool program! Kids do nature activities and earn points to buy artifacts such as; rocks and fossils. Add Comment Let's Dress Up! 07/30/2011
 I'm curious what is in your dress up area or box? We have a small closet filled with capes, glasses, shoes, numerous princess dresses, necklaces, jewelry, many hats, pom poms, old dance costumes, binoculars with safari clothes, and magician outfits. What creative things do you have??       This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. Counting Money 07/27/2011
  Simple Easy Fun Educational Today we counted money. The kindergartner was challenged to name all coins and tell me how much each one was worth. Then we tried to count money. I put out a few nickles and showed him how to count them by fives. He already knows how to count by five so that was easy. The quarters were a real challenge. Lastly, I asked him to count up a few mixed coins: one dime, one nickle, and a penny. He got it! Then he asked not to count money anymore...lol...so the game switched to strictly putting money into the piggy bank, shaking it out, and starting over. Then we had to search the house for loose change and depleted all coin jar supplies! My three year old liked learning the names, was completely uninterested in trying to skip count, and LOVED putting the money into the piggy bank and making him talk. There is always fun for everyone! :-) Water Beads in the Water Table 07/26/2011
 These are our water beads for the light table. The light table is explained a little earlier. Below is a picture of the water bead package from the store. It is found in the flower/vase section and is "suppose to" be used in vases to hold water for flowers or help them stand up straight? (Actually I am not sure)  They hold way more water than I originally thought. The picture to the right is how big I thought they got, but really it is bigger. They start out a dried out very very small bead. Tips: Expand each color in it's own water. I did not do this the first time and they all turned out the same color. After they have expanded, several hours later or overnight, mix the colors together. They feel wet to the touch and are fun to just put your hands in. You can also pour, bounce, stir, and squish them. I had to let them squish a few and then asked them to not squish all of them because it does ruin them, although it is quite fun. Play inspired by: Numerous posts from Teach Preschool Ice Creations 07/20/2011
 Simple play idea. Put a larger plastic container in freezer with a small amount of water, add food coloring and small objects. Hide it in your freezer for a few hours. Repeat steps one and two until you have a few layers and a few colors. Now, go outside on a nice hot day and hand your child the ice creations. We have done this many times. My son asked for a hammer. Although that was never a part of this game before I said, "sure!". He loved it! I asked my daughter is she wanted to do the same thing but she wanted it to melt in the sun. This did not take long and she pulled out small toys while the sun did it's job. I am pretty sure she saw a princess or two in the ice and did not want them broken.      Honestly... one pirate was harmed in the making of today's fun. He was accidentally split in two by the hammer and worse yet, no one really cared... Play inspired by The extreme and humidity, a kids need to pound out some energy, and the love of hidden treasures! Bunk Bed Whisper Phone 07/18/2011
 Want to promote your children's relationship with each other? I thought of this one night when they were being "naughty" and wouldn't go to sleep. I was listening to them talk to each other, which is always humorous to me and thought, "wouldn't it be funny to put in a huge whisper phone so they could chat with each other in "secret"." I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so off to Home Depot I went. I was standing and staring at the PVC pipe when a guy asked if he could help, I chuckled... ummm... no not today. How to explain what I wanted to do and that, no it would have nothing to do with real plumbing work today! It was extremely easy to assemble. I only needed to cut the long pipe to fit the bed. I attached it with a simple ribbon and it has held up amazingly well. Most nights they whisper for a few minutes. Occasionally my son will yell through the pipe at little Miss E, "Be quiet! I am trying to sleep up here!" but for the most part the objective is met.      Play idea inspired by: Two of the cutest little, "I can't sleep!" kids around. Outdoor Easel 07/17/2011
 This is an outdoor art easel. It has a piece of 32 x 44 plexiglass. The kids can paint for hours and then we wash away the paint with the hose. (which is also fun) The most appealing part of this to me is that they can be as messy as they want outside and no paint mess in the house. I want them to be creavtive and messy but I shy away from painting inside sometimes because of the mess. With this new toy, everybody wins! I nailed it all together while my husband was at work and he made it A LOT more secure and stable when he got home with screws instead of nails. The wood is simple 2 x 4's and smaller bits from the clearance bins. I had no idea there were clearance bins until last week! The plexiglass is secured by wood on either side on the three sides. There was no big plan, I just looked at the pictures from Play at Home Mom and tried it out. It is AWESOME! Light Table 07/15/2011
 This is a light table. Before Teach Preschool started talking about it I had never heard of one. The concept is the light shines on onjects from underneath, thus giving a totally new perspective. I was disheartened when I learned that buying one would be $90.00. My husband solved the issue in less than five minutes when I explained what I wanted. -I was very excited! We already have a sensory table. We lined one of the bins with aluminum foil and bought a thin white sheet of plexiglass. The plexiglass cost around $10.00. It is simply set on top of the bin and we have had zero problems.  Now, what do you do with it? This picture is the bin filled with water beads. I will explain that further when I have better pictures! (they are from the flower and vase section) I went to the dollar store and bound as many transparent items as I could find. I also am a teacher so I have many overhead manipulatives for them to play with. This has been a huge hit with them!       Daddy's Birthday 07/13/2011
 This was an arts and crafts idea I found before Father's Day. We used it for our daddy's birthday. Follow the link at the bottom for detailed instructions. We started by making the shirt, but tucked in the pockets are love notes and birthday wishes. My little girl cut out a heart and decorated it and drew a picture of herself on green paper and cut it out.  Water Play 07/11/2011
 This was easier and cheaper than expected. I found a scrap piece of wood at the hardware store for 70 cents. The water bottles are from our recycing, the spinner is from the sand box, and the funnels are from the tub toys! I was first surprised that the water bottles didn't need duct tape or a finishing edge. I had seen pictures of these and wondered why no one taped the edges. They were not sharp at all. Next, we attached the bottles with thumb tacks. This allowed them to spin, be poured, and move them around if they wanted to change the configuration.  My son and I actually constructed this while my daughter took her nap. He was able to push the thumbs tacks in himself. We had two bottles fall during play and they were easily reattached a little tighter. I added food coloring to take better pictures, but the result was rejuvenated interested after an hour of play! This toy exceeded my expectations for fun and sustained attention. I really loved how they moved things around and changed the flow of water. I filled a separate large bucket with things to use as pour toys. They had a variety of options that could hold large and small amounts of water. | Summer 2011
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