Indoor Fun

Fun Things to Do Inside

admin — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:55:00 GMT

It’s February. It’s winter. And there are piles of snow outside. Yes, getting outside in the white fluffy stuff is fun but sometimes it’s just too cold or you’re too tired to get out and be active. Or maybe your toddler is too tired. But that doesn’t mean you have to be bored – there’s lots of stuff you can do inside.

It’s cold outside – why not make hot chocolate and add marshmallows for extra fun!
Hunker down with the kids and watch one of Treehouse’s many amazing DVDs!
Does your little toddler love to paint and draw? Why not make some fun picture frames out of cardboard paper? You can always add some fun glitter and smiley faces too with a little glue and some markers.
Play some of Treehouse’s fun online games!
Invite one or two of your toddler’s friends over and have a play date.
Bake something sweet – cookies, a cake or pie – it will make the whole house smell good too!
Time to think ahead? Make some homemade Easter cards for your toddler’s day care or school pals.
Do some face painting with safe face paints and create a make-believe circus.
Print off some of Treehouse’s great colouring pages and have everyone colour in their favourite one.
Got some old (but clean!) socks? Some buttons, cardboard paper and markers? Get creative and make some puppets of your favourite Treehouse characters like Fifi or Dora the Explorer.
Make a fun and easy obstacle course using household items for the kids to get active. Just remember to keep it safe!
Buy some of your favourite indoor plant seeds and plant a few miniature pots. Have your toddler help!

Spend Less with Simple Activities

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:53:00 GMT

In times when you want activities to do with your child but do not want to have to spend too much money on board or video games, consider some of these:

Make your own play dough that can be molded into different shapes and sizes. All that is needed for this is 5 cups of flour, ¼ cup cooking oil, 3 cups of salt, 3 or more cups of water and food colouring. Once you have mixed all of these ingredients together, you and your child can build your own homemade creations.
Another simple activity that every little one loves is stamping. Potato stamps can be made very simply, by cutting a potato in half, carving a design into it such as a star or other shape, dipping it into food colouring or finger paint and stamping it onto sheets of construction paper.
Always keep plenty of colouring books in your house. Colouring books and crayons are a very simple but effective form of entertainment on a rainy day or a long trip. Get involved yourself by asking them why they chose the colours that they did and seeing if they know what other options could be used.
Get your child to trace different shapes and objects onto pieces of construction paper. They can start with their hand and then move onto different household items that you have.
Start painting. With simple, inexpensive finger paints, your child can make many masterpieces.

By Chris Giardino

Songs with Actions

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:50:00 GMT

Combining music with movement helps preschoolers learn how to follow direction, increases their vocabulary, helps them interact with others, and improves their motor control, balance and coordination.

Here are the lyrics to some more classic songs with movement.

Sleeping Bunnies

See the little bunnies sleeping till it's nearly noon

Come and let us gently wake them with a happy tune

Oh, so still? Are they ill?

Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop

Hop little bunnies, hop and stop!

Hokey Pokey

You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out

You put your right hand in and you shake it all about

You do the hokey pokey, and you turn yourself around

That's what it's all about!

Repeat the verse with other body parts, such as left hand, right elbow, left elbow, right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot, head...ending with your whole self).

If You're Happy And You Know It

If you're happy and you know it

Clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it

Clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it

And you really want to show it

If you're happy and you know it

Clap your hands

Repeat with different movements, gestures or sounds (such as, stomp your feet, say hurray, touch your nose, etc.)

By Rochelle Strauss

Music, Poetry, and Rhythm

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:49:00 GMT

With basic nursery rhymes, poetry is perhaps one of the first types of writing that many toddlers encounter. Yet as they begin to explore reading on their own, they will be introduced to forms of poetry that are more complex for them in terms of content, style and rhythm.

Some children will take to this new form of writing with great ease and enjoy it. Others may find it more pensive and laborious. And yet, finding poetry that is appealing to your tot is important from both a creative point of view and from the point of view of trying to teach your little one more complex language.

If you find that your child is having a hard time coming to terms with poetry, try relating it back to the rhythms and lyrics of the music that they enjoy. Most children's music comes in a form of simple melodies combined with memorable lyrics that rhyme.

Once your child finds a song that he or she likes and gravitates to, try writing the lyrics down and having him or her read it as poetry. Read it with your preschooler, keeping in mind the beat, how it flows and how the words merge together.

You may also want your child to write down his or her own very basic lyrics to the song that match the rhyme and meter or the original lyrics. You can have tons of fun with your little one as you try to find words that rhyme and come up with alternate versions of your favourite children's songs.

Both music and poetry can be invaluable in helping to educate your toddler in ways of language, poetry and art. Be sure to not let any of these art forms intimidate you in teaching your child at this very important stage in their life.

By Chris Giardino

More Indoor Garden Projects

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:47:00 GMT

Not all gardening needs to be done outside. Try out these indoor projects that are sure to delight your little gardener, rain or shine.

Beans

Because they are hardy and sprout quickly, growing beans is the quintessential first "gardening" experience for most children. Here's a great way to sprout beans at home. Wet a paper towel and wrap it around a few bean seeds (Lima beans work well). Place the towel in a Ziploc baggy and seal. Next, place the bag in a warm sunny spot. You can even tape it to a window. Now sit back and watch them sprout in just a few days. When the roots have grown and a plant has sprouted, help your child transplant the beans into a flower pot with soil.

Orange Trees

Next time your son or daughter eats an orange, make sure to save the seeds. Rinse them thoroughly with warm water and leave them to soak overnight. Next, have your child fill a planter with soil and then plant the orange seeds about one half inch deep, and about one inch apart. Cover them with soil.

Next, place the planter in a warm sunny spot and water. Make sure the soil is kept moist while waiting for seeds to sprout (which may take as long as one month). As the plant grows, be sure to help your child transplant it to a larger pot as needed.

For more information, please see:

The Jumbo Book of Gardening, by Karyn Morris (Kids Can Press)

By Rochelle Strauss

Making Models with Toddlers

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:46:00 GMT

Most models are much too complex for preschoolers, requiring a level of dexterity that they just don't have. Nevertheless, there are many types of model-type games and toys that a parent can give to slightly older toddlers that will give them the satisfaction of building.

Some crafty tips:

Consider that many model kit companies create very simplistic ‘snap together' model kits for young ones just learning. They will usually have the appropriate age on the box and do not require any glue.

If your little one is not yet old enough for these types of kits, many companies like Lego have model kits designed for tots where the pieces are made of larger blocks for easy construction. They are also often of recognizable, child-friendly characters or creatures.

If your child is too young to take on the intricacies and responsibilities of a model train set, then perhaps a race car set could be worth considering. While not as elaborate or ornate, a proper model race car kit can also give a small child the illusion of being in a three dimensional environment.

There is a plethora of different themes, characters, and creatures on the market, so try to find one that best suits your toddler's area of interest. He or she will not only enjoy making it, but will also treasure the sense of accomplishment afterwards.

By Chris Giardino

Indoor Garden Projects

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:44:00 GMT

These gardening projects are not only great for indoor fun, they are sure to brighten even the darkest winter day!

Egg Heads

Next time you make eggs, crack the shells close to the top. Thoroughly wash out the larger end of the egg and set aside to dry. With a permanent marker, have your child colour a face on the egg. Next, fill the egg with potting soil and gently press in grass seed. Water it lightly. Set the eggs in the carton and place in a sunny spot. Make sure your child keeps the soil moist, but not soggy. Over the next few days, the grass will begin to sprout, making "hair" for your child's egg heads.

Vegetable Top Garden

Fill an aluminum pie plate with small stones and pebbles (which you can collect from your garden or buy multi-coloured stones from a garden or pet supply store). Cut the tops off several large, bagged carrots, radishes, beats and/or turnips. Have your child place the pieces, cut side down, on top of the pebbles and add enough water to just cover the bottom of each piece. Place the plate out of direct light and monitor. Add water as needed (make sure they don't shrivel). Greenery should sprout within a week and continue sprouting for about a month.

For more information, please see:

The Jumbo Book of Gardening, by Karyn Morris (Kids Can Press)

By Rochelle Strauss

Get Into the Groove: Introducing Music to Preschoolers

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:37:00 GMT

Studies show that early exposure to music is valuable in providing children with the foundation for a lifelong love of music and is the basis for any future musical training. It is also intellectually stimulating and helps children develop self-expression and social skills.

From the first note my son heard at music class, he was completely captivated by the instruments and songs. As we went to more and more classes, he began to gain more confidence singing and doing the actions. To my surprise, he even learned to recognize songs by a single note.

Through this exposure, I also noticed that he became more interested in music in general. He could sit for long stretches intently listening to street musicians, playing anything from classical to pop and loved having any type of music on in the car.

Whether this ever leads him to take up an instrument is not important. What is important is the impression this early exposure has left on him.

Here are some tips to help surround your children with music:

Play a variety of music at home.
Build a music corner and fill it with real and homemade instruments.
Sing to and with kids.
Play whistling and humming games. See if your children can identify the songs.
Discover beats and rhythms in the world - the beat of a ball bouncing, the rhythm you make while walking or running, etc.
Introduce kids to instruments and let them just play.
Don't be afraid to take young children to musical concerts. Even if they can't sit through the whole thing, the exposure is great!
Register for music classes - not necessarily formal lessons, but rather try song groups and song circles.

By Rochelle Strauss

Drama and Youth

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:36:00 GMT

Getting your children involved in drama or drama workshops early can be a very positive outlet for their emotions and the building up of their self-esteem. Do not get them involved in the hopes that they will become the next Daniel Radcliffe or Hilary Duff, but do it because you know it will help boost their self-confidence.

Drama can be a good way for your children to explore ways of expressing their personalities through different characters, places and situations. To that end, it allows the parent to give the child a window to a world that they are not used to experiencing. By helping your children explore the various possibilities of drama and theatre, you will help to expose them to various perspectives on the human condition that they are not readily exposed to in other venues.

This does not necessarily mean that you have to spend more money. Obviously if you choose to go the route of enrolling your children in a drama class, that will cost money; but it does not have to be about that. Even in the privacy of your home, you and your children can enact scenes from your favorite television shows or books in an effort to go to different places and see different things.

If you find your child is not into it, then do not force them. If your child is exceptionally gifted, let them continue doing drama for the right reasons as opposed to sending them immediately out to casting auditions or the latest soap commercial.

By Chris Giardino

Cooking with Your Kids

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:35:00 GMT

Parents can instill in children a love of cooking by allowing them to spend time with them in the kitchen. For extremely young toddlers, this will not be an option, but once your child is of an age to comprehend what is going on, there are many great, fun and wonderful things that can happen in a kitchen with your tot.

Never leave your child unsupervised or alone in a kitchen where he or she can access sharp knives or hot or heavy objects.
Be very careful to keep any tins, cans or lids away from little fingers that can get cut very easily.
If you are cooking or baking with your little one, try to give them something to do to be a part of the family meal preparation. Stirring cake mix or putting mustard on a burger will help them feel like they've contributed giving them a sense of pride in what they are doing.
On those occasions where you let your child help you to prepare a meal, have it be a meal that they will enjoy eating, too.
A safe cooking exercise for your child is washing vegetables in a large bin. Place them in a large bowl with water and allow your tot to scrub them.
Try not to allow your child to sample too much food as you are preparing dinner. It could spoil their appetite.

By Chris Giardino

Classic Songs with Movement

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:32:00 GMT

Here are the lyrics to just a couple of classics to get you on your way.

Head and Shoulder

Head and shoulders

Knees and toes, knees and toes

Head and shoulders

Knees and toes

Eyes, ears, mouth and nose (Point to body parts as your sing)

Note: we like to add additional verses, such as:

Noses, elbows

Waist and feet, waist and feet

Noses, elbows

Waist and feet

Biceps, triceps, stamp your feet

The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go round and round

Round and round, round and round

The wheels on the bus go round and round

All through the town

Repeat with:

The doors on the bus go open and close

The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink

The driver on the bus says move on back

The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish

The windows on the bus go up and down

The people on the bus go bump, bump, bump

The babies on the bus go waa, waa, waa

The mommies (daddies, grannies, etc) go "shh, I love you"

End with a final verse of the "wheels on the bus go round and round".

By Rochelle Strauss

Classic Handclapping Rhymes

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:50:00 GMT

Here are a few classic hand-clapping rhymes to teach your preschooler. Maybe you remember the exact hand movements you used as a child or maybe the two of you will make up new movements, but either way, start with easier ones and work your way up!

Pat-a-Cake

Clap your hands together then against each other over and over, while singing the words, until you get to "roll it"
At "roll it", roll your hands over each other in the air
At "pat it", tap hands together lightly
At "mark it with an X" use the first letter of your child's name and outline the letter in the air.
Resume clapping sequence

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man

Bake me a cake as fast as you can

Roll it and pat it

And mark it with a "child's initial"

Put it in the oven for (child's name) and me!

Miss Mary Mack

Clap own hands together
Cross arms across chest
Clap own hands together
Clap hands with partner three times

Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack

All dressed in black, black, black

With silver buttons, buttons, buttons

All down her back, back, back

She asked her mother, mother, mother,

For fifty cents, cents, cents,

To watch the elephant, elephant, elephant,

Jump over the fence, fence, fence,

He jumped so high, high, high

He reached the sky, sky, sky

And he never came back, back, back,

Till The Fourth of July, ly, ly.

See, See My Playmate

See, see my playmate

Come out and play with me

And bring your dollies three

Climb up my apple tree

Slide down my rain barrel

Into my cellar door

And we'll be jolly friends forever more, more, more.

See, see playmate

I cannot play with you

My dollies have the flu

Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo

Ain't got no rain barrel

Ain't got no cellar door

But we'll be jolly friends forever more, more, shut the door

By Rochelle Strauss