For 23 years, we have been hosting children of three Motherless Babies Homes in Lagos at lavish parties. This year's party was the very best at our new children's playground.
Saturday, 29 April 2017
HOSTING CHILDREN OF MOTHERLESS BABIES HOMES AT NOUVEAU SCHOOLS
For 23 years, we have been hosting children of three Motherless Babies Homes in Lagos at lavish parties. This year's party was the very best at our new children's playground.
She's so excited! - Melbourne Primary School student hits the Youtube time with toy videos
GRACE Mulgrew made a YouTube video when she was six years old.
“It was called ‘Barbie — Anneliese’s New House’, said Grace.
“It was just a video of me doing a tour of my Barbie doll house. I only did it for fun because I liked watching other people’s YouTube videos and thought it would be cool to make my own.”
It was so much fun, she kept making videos.
Four years later, her main YouTube channel, Grace’s World, has 659,711 subscribers* and 608,844,185 video views. Her other channel is called Grace’s Room, with a respectable* 60,209 subscribers.
It’s difficult to get detailed YouTube data, but Grace’s father Greg Mulgrew estimates* she’s one of the top two or three most popular YouTube child stars in Australia. Social media statistics* website Social Blade ranks Grace’s World as the 13th YouTube channel in the country based on current performance, including recent views and subscribers.
Big-time YouTube channels around the world starring children or made, at least in part, by children, include Ryan Toys Review, with 3 million subscribers, and EvanTubeHD, with more than 3.77 million subscribers. There’s no compulsory* categorising* of sites, so it’s almost impossible for anyone to make lists ranking channels of particular types. The majority of the most popular channels feature toddlers and younger primary-school-age children unboxing toys. The videos in these cases would be made by adults.
Video’s on Grace’s World star Grace’s toys, mostly Barbie and Amercian Girl dolls, going about day-to-day life. A bit like a weekly soap*. Grace writes the stories, moves the dolls into position in front of a green screen, records the voice-over and does some basic editing. Then it’s over to dad Greg.
Greg Mulgrew estimates each video takes 30-40 hours to make. He was juggling fulltime work as a computer programmer with his editing for Grace’s World but after “a lot of 3 o’clock in the mornings”, he gave up his job of 30 years two weeks ago to work on Grace’s videos full time.
Though Mr Mulgrew won’t disclose* how much the family makes from the YouTube channels, he will admit that it’s making money. “It replaces my salary,” he said.
“We don’t like to discuss money as we’re worried about what people would say.”
Whatever the income is now, the sky is the limit if Grace’s popularity continues.
“At the moment the income is from YouTube but now that she is getting popular she is being asked to do videos,” Mr Mulgrew said. She is now an ambassador for Shopkins, a toy line by Cheltenham-based toy company Moose Toys. The company previously had a hit with Trash Packs. Grace has also been approached about a promotional* role for the upcoming Trolls movie.
“All that’s starting to happen,” says Mr Mulgrew. “We are feeling our way.”
Grace spends about 20 hours a week on her YouTube work. Keeping Grace from feeling pressure is something her father takes seriously.
“She does gymnastics and she’s about to start dancing. We don’t want what she’s doing to interfere with (other activities). There’s a lot of pressure from fans to make sure we post every week.
“We’ve knocked back a few things. She has been asked to do a TV series but she’s not ready for that kind of pressure. If it is something cheesy we have knocked it back. We ask her: ‘Do you feel comfortable doing it?’ If she has any doubt we don’t do it.”
Grace has a straightforward reason for continuing.
“I love dolls, reading and writing stories, and YouTube. Making these videos lets me do all of these, so I’m actually having fun creating them.
“My favourite video is probably ‘Barbie — The Trouble with Toddlers’. I thought of the story after seeing some friend’s children misbehaving at the supermarket. I can still picture it and it makes me laugh every time I watch the video.
“I’ve realised recently how much my videos inspire and help other people around the world, and that makes me feel good.”
See Grace Mulgrew's chats to Today about her video series on Youtube below...
Great Quotes for Kids About Love!
You probably hear the word “love” many times each week. You may hear it from a parent, a friend, in your place of worship, on TV or in a book.
You may even say the word love a lot yourself! You may use the word love about a song, a food or your family pet. You may tell family members you love them. As you can see, there are many kinds of love! But not all kinds of love are created equal.
So what does love mean to you? And what kind of love is most important?
Love gives life meaning and purpose. As Mahatma Gandhi once said,“Where there is love there is life.” In the dictionary, love is defined as a strong, positive feeling you have for someone or something. But it is also a lot more than that. People show their love not just with what they say or feel, but by what they do.
At it’s core, love is about being kind and doing good things for others. A famous verse from the bible describes how love is more than just a feeling, but the way you act and treat others. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”Before we can show love though, we must first love ourselves. This allows us to love others no matter what. Showing love allows us to put the needs of others before our own.
So what are some ways that you could show love? It could be as simple as volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Maybe telling those we love how important they are! Consistently showing love will build a habit and fulfill you as well.
The collection of great quotes for kids about love below shows the importance of love in our lives. Follow the wisdom below, practice showing love, and you will on your way to becoming the best version of yourself!
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” – George Sand
“Love yourself. It is important to stay positive because beauty comes from the inside out.” – Jenn Proske
“Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” – Morrie Schwartz
“I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.” – Roy Croft
“We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
“Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” – Oscar Wilde
“The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.” – Henry Miller
“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” – Khalil Gibran
“’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
“The art of love is largely the art of persistence.” – Albert Ellis
“Love does not dominate; it cultivates.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“We are most alive when we’re in love.” – John Updike
“The love we give away is the only love we keep.” – Elbert Hubbard
“The giving of love is an education in itself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“The more one judges, the less one loves.” – Honore de Balzac
“Fortune and love favor the brave.” – Ovid
“Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.” – David Wilkerson
“Love is space and time measured by the heart.” – Marcel Proust
“I could never love where I could not respect.” – Charlotte Elizabeth Aisse
“Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind.” – William Shakespeare
“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Love is important for many reasons. Do you remember a time when you loved a toy and maybe it was lost? How did that make you feel? Are there moments when you felt you needed to be loved? Love means different things to people all over the world! Watch this brief video and think about what love means to you. Can you think of anything else you would add about love?
Friday, 28 April 2017
Gross for Good! 7th Grader, Stephen Litt, Uses Worms to Cure Cancer!
Stephen Litt is a very curious 7th grader at Lovinggood Middle School, near Atlanta, Georgia. His life has also been impacted by two relatives who have had breast cancer.
So when it was time for his school’s science fair, he decided to something important – research a cure for cancer! First, he learned that Japanese people have much lower cancer rates than people in the United States. He also learned that the Japanese drink lots of green tea! So he set out to understand if some of the chemicals in green tea actually led to lower cancer rates.
With his dad’s help, Stephen created an experiment using worms, also known as planaria.
Through his testing with the worms, he uncovered evidence that some chemicals in green tea may be able to fight cancer! Stephen has already won many awards for his efforts. But he is nowhere near done! He plans to continue his research in the coming years to zone in more on a real cure for cancer.
Check out Stephen’s inspiring story below!
The Angelic Kids: Reading to Cats in an Animal Rescue League Program
This remarkable kid is beyond inspirational. Accomplished incredible things at such a young age.
The name of the program is called Book Buddies, which is based out of Berks County in Pennsylvania. Many kids volunteer their time reading to cats and other rescued animals as part of the program.
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Should kids under 14 have phones?
THE WORLD’S richest man and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates says children should not be given mobile phones until they are 14.
The computer giant said parents should limit their children’s screen time and admitted he didn’t permit his own kids to have mobiles until they turned 14.
But Australian telecommunications* experts say it may be too late for Australian children to follow his rules as one in every five 10-year-olds is already using a mobile phone, and nine in 10 Aussie teens own a smartphone.
Technology and parenting experts have welcomed the tech leader’s comments, and argue parents should “hold off” buying their child a smartphone “for as long as they can”.
Bill and Melinda Gates with their three children. Picture: Melinda Gates/Twitter
The 61-year-old father of three Bill Gates told British newspaper The Mirror that he and his wife Melinda limited their children’s exposure* to digital screens around bedtime.
“We often set a time after which there is no screen time and in their case that helps them get to sleep at a reasonable hour,” Mr Gates said.
Mr Gate’s children, Jennifer, 20, Rory, 17, and Phoebe, 14, were not allowed mobile phones until they turned 14 and then their use was still restricted.
“We don’t have cellphones* at the table when we are having a meal, we didn’t give our kids cellphones until they were 14 and they complained other kids got them earlier,” Mr Gates said.“You’re always looking at how it can be used in a great way — homework and staying in touch with friends — and also where it has gotten to excess.”
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Picture: AFP
Mr Gates grew up in the pre-mobile phone world and spent a lot of his childhood reading books.
It has been reported that he read an entire collection of encyclopedias* when he was a child.
Using puppets in the preschool classroom
Puppets are a wonderful tool to use in the preschool classroom for all ages. It doesn’t really matter what kind of puppet you use – in fact you can just talk with your hand and kids find it funny and they pay attention. Have you ever watched a live puppet show? There is just something about having a little puppet talking to you that draws you in.
Puppets can be used as part of the classroom experience in numerous ways…
Creative art
Children can make their own paper bag puppets, stick puppets, string puppets, and finger puppets.
Music
Children just love to sing along with a puppet. No need to have a fancy puppet or stage, just throw a puppet on your hand and make it sing. Let the children join you in the song by making their own puppets sing. If you don’t like everyone watching you sing – no worries. The children would rather watch the puppet!
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Story Time: Telling the story of five little ducks
by Abby Floyd Our preschool class has taken quite a liking to the “5 Little Ducks” finger play. They have consistently asked to sing this song throughout the whole school year. Recently, in one of our centers, we gave the children a chance to retell the story in a little more of a hands-on way.
There are quite a few different ways to sing this song, and in our class we sing it like this…
“5 little ducks went out one day,
over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said ‘Quack, quack, quack,’
but only 4 little ducks came back!”
We continue to repeat the song as the number goes down each time, and by the end, there are “zero little ducks” to sing about anymore!
Throughout the morning, the children would stop by the table to retell the story using the illustrations in Penny Dann’s adaptation of “Five little ducks”.
The students found it helpful to have one person flip through the pages as the other person told the story using our rubber duck family…
And when someone else wanted to tell the story, we could open the book right up and help each other along as we sing the song together!
Wild Gorillas Reunited With Little Girl Recognize Her as an Adult (WATCH)
A UK conservationist who raised a pair of Western lowland gorillas in Kent, England went looking for them eleven years after they were reintroduced into the wild of Gabon, West Africa. He wondered if the pair would recognize him or his daughter, Tansy, who was just a child when she last played with the animals.
For the past 15 years the Aspinall foundation has been reintroducing captive gorillas back into the wild on their million acres of jungle in West Africa. But would these now-wild gorillas recognize Damian Aspinall or the girl who had grown up?
Damian and Tansy were thrilled when, after many hours of calling out to Djalta and Bimms from a boat on the river, they both appeared and clearly did recognize them.
A video shows the pair fondly greeting their human friends and being especially gentle with the woman in their midst.
“It was fantastic to see the greeting I got,” says Damian, who runs Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury. “I felt such love from them.”
“When it was time to leave, they held onto Tansy and you could see they didn’t want her to go.”
(WATCH the video below – Learn More about the Aspinall Foundation)
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Afghan Girls Fight Prejudice by Practicing Martial Arts (WATCH)
These Afghan teens face oppression and prejudice every day – but now, they’re fighting back with martial arts.
The Shaolin Wushu club of Kabul has decided to teach young females the art of Wushu; a Chinese sport derived from kung fu.
The students, ranging in age from 13 to 20, derive benefits beyond just learning self-defense – the classes also turn the vulnerable youths into young adults with solid self-esteem.
“I am working with Afghan girls to strengthen their abilities and I love to see Afghan girls improve in a way that other girls have improved around the world,” Sima Azimi, the 20-year-old woman responsible for teaching the group, told Reuters.
(WATCH the inspiring video below)
4 Young Girls on GoFundMe Have Done More for the World Than Most Adults
The old saying “girls rule, boys drool” may not be exactly true, but these four young females are making a huge difference in their communities despite their age.
From providing supplies to the local homeless people or promoting literacy amongst fellow youngsters, these girls are kicking butt in ways that some adults may never achieve.
So in honor of International Women’s Month, here’s some of the most impressive girls on GoFundMe today.
4. Send 100 Girls to See Hidden Figures
13-year-old Taylor Richardson was blown away when she saw a screening of the film “Hidden Figures” at the White House.
RELATED: Afghan Girls, Not Allowed On Bikes, Shred On Skateboards Instead
Inspired by Michelle Obama’s speech about the importance of education, Taylor created a GoFundMe page to send 100 kids in her community to see the film and receive a copy of the book.
The outpouring of donations was better than she could have imagined – the campaign surged past her original goal of $2,600, raising almost $20,000 in total. Taylor was able to send 800 children all along the East coast to see Hidden Figures. Additionally, the surplus of donated finances is being used to send two children to Space Camp in Jacksonville, Florida.
3. Help Khloe Make A Difference
10-year-old Khloe Thompson created a GoFundMe page to finance “Khloe Kares”, an organization that orchestrates community service projects.
Fine Motor Skills for Preschool
The development of fine motor skills is an important part of early learning. In our classroom, we are constantly seeking ways to promote fine motor skills through fun, playful, and interesting hands on activities! If you would like to learn more about Fine Motor Play then read this post: Every Day Fine Motor Play!
You can learn more about how we promote fine motor skill development by reading through the titles listed below.
Alcohol and Pregnancy: It’s Just Not Worth the Risk - LOVE TO SEE YOUR KIDS SO HEALTHY AND HAPPY
There's no guarantee that a baby will be born healthy or grow up healthy. However, there is an absolute guarantee that a child will not have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) if a mother does not drink alcohol while pregnant.
In this video, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains why there is no type of alcohol and no amount of alcohol safe during pregnancy.
An estimated 40,000 babies are born each year with FASDs, which can result in birth defects, intellectual or learning disabilities, behavior problems and trouble learning life skills. These difficulties last a lifetime.
FASDs are completely preventable by abstaining from alcohol while pregnant (and while trying to conceive). Despite myths, there is no scientific evidence available that sets a “safe” amount of alcohol that will not affect the developing fetus.
Talk with Your Doctor
Women are encouraged to talk with their obstetricians, pediatricians and other health care providers so they can not only understand the risks, but also make the best choice for the health of their baby.
Additional Resources:
- Where We Stand: Alcohol During Pregnancy
- Reduce the Risk of Birth Defects
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: FAQs of Parents and Families
- Alcohol & Breast Milk
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Toolkit (AAP.org) - Developed for pediatric clinicians to raise awareness, promote surveillance and screening, and ensure that all affected children receive appropriate and timely interventions.
- Alcohol Use in Pregnancy (CDC.gov)
Police Officer Who Saved At-Risk Baby Finds Him After 25 Years
A newborn baby who was found alive after being abandoned by his mother behind a trash dumpster has been reunited with the police officer who rescued him.
On Nov. 21, 1989, Santa Ana, California police officer Michael Buelna was investigating an unrelated crime when he heard a newborn’s cry from a place no newborn should ever be.
BBC News Video Interview Crashed by Guest's Children
by Alex Ritman
The footage of a toddler and baby in stroller invading a serious news interview went viral on Friday morning.
The off-script and unexpected nature of children is something that has been capitalized on countless times in the entertainment industry.
But the BBC likely wasn't anticipating the involvement of kids in a very serious item on its BBC World News service regarding the ouster of South Korean president Park Geun-hye.
During a live interview with regional expert Robert Kelly on the situation, the Pusan National University professor was suddenly interrupted by his own children. First a toddler burst into the room, performing a dance behind the suited-up interviewee, followed shortly after by a baby in a stroller.
While Kelly attempted to keep his composure, the party was finally brought to a halt by a woman who grabbed the two gatecrashers and dragged them out.
See the video — which The Hollywood Reporter has learned has had the BBC newsroom howling with laughter.
This guest managed to keep his composure when his children interrupted his live @BBCWorld TV interview
Monday, 24 April 2017
Strategies and Solutions For Handling A Difficult Child
by: Michael Sanni
Here are some general strategies and solutions to help you live with a youngster with bothersome temperament traits:
- First, recognize that much of your child's behavior reflects his temperament.
- Establish a neutral or objective emotional climate in which to deal with your child. Try not to respond in an emotional and instinctive manner, which is unproductive.
- Don't take your child's behavior personally. Temperament is innate, and your child probably is not purposely trying to be difficult or irritating. Don't blame him or yourself.
- Try to prioritize the issues and problems surrounding your child. Some are more important and deserve greater attention. Others are not as relevant and can be either ignored or put "way down the list."
- Focus on the issues of the moment. Do not project into the future.
- Review your expectations of your child, your preferences and your values. Are they realistic and appropriate? When your youngster does something right, praise him and reinforce the specific behaviors that you like.
- Consider your own temperament and behavior, and how they might also be difficult. Think how you might need to adjust yourself a bit to encourage a better fit with your child.
- Anticipate impending high-risk situations, and try to avoid or minimize them. Accept the possibility that this may be a difficult day or circumstance, and be prepared to make the best of it.
- Find a way to get some relief for yourself and your child by scheduling some time apart.
- Seek professional help, when needed, from your pediatrician or another expert in child behavior.
Story Time - A STORY IN A BOX
I am always looking for good ideas or resources that will invite my students to tell me their stories. I went to a conference just about a month ago and the speaker shared a book with us called, “Sitting in My Box” by Dee Lillegard and Jon Agee…
I am mad at myself right at the moment because I can’t find the speaker’s name but here is a photo of her sharing this wonderful book with us. I will come back and add her name as soon as I can find where I put it…
FACT SHEET ABOUT WOMEN
FACT SHEET ABOUT WOMEN
Globally, women are paid less than men. Women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75% of men's wages.
Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school.
Worldwide, an estimated 5,000 women and girls are murdered every year for a perceived dishonor to their families.
Of all women killed globally in 2012, it is estimated that almost half were killed by a partner or relative compared to less than 6% of men.
Girls who complete secondary school are 6 times less likely to become child brides.
62 million girls were out of school in 2014.
An extra year of education can help a girl earn 20% more as an adult.
Husbands can object to their wives working and prevent them from accepting jobs in 15 economies.
142 million girls throughout the world will be married before the age of 18 by 2020 if present trends continue.
Women bear disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work: 1 to 3 hours more a day to housework than men; 2 to 10 times the amount of time a day to care (for children, elderly, and the sick), and 1 to 4 hours less a day to market activities.
603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.
Domestic violence, just one form of gender-based violence, is costlier than warfare, with a worldwide annual cost of $8 trillion.
of Egypt's women aged 15 to 49 have been subjected to genital mutilation, according to the World Health Organization.
An educated female population increases a country's productivity and fuels economic growth. Some countries lose more than $1 billion a year by failing to educate girls to the same level as boys.
Evidence from a range of countries shows that increasing the share of household income controlled by women, either through their own earnings or cash transfers, changes spending in ways that benefit children.
Take Action
Sunday, 23 April 2017
10 Extraordinary Child Prodigies
Kim Ung-Yong: Attended University at age 4, Ph.D at age 15; world's highest IQ
Kim Ung-Yong: Attended University at age 4, Ph.D at age 15; world's highest IQ
by Grace Murano
This Korean super-genius was born in 1962 and might just be the smartest guy alive today (he's recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest IQ of anyone on the planet). By the age of four he was already able to read in Japanese, Korean, German, and English. At his fifth birthday, he solved complicated differential and integral calculus problems. Later, on Japanese television, he demonstrated his proficiency in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, German, English, Japanese, and Korean. Kim was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records under "Highest IQ"; the book estimated the boy's score at over 210.
Kim was a guest student of physics at Hanyang University from the age of 3 until he was 6. At the age of 7 he was invited to America by NASA. He finished his university studies, eventually getting a Ph.D. in physics at Colorado State University before he was 15. In 1974, during his university studies, he began his research work at NASA and continued this work until his return to Korea in 1978 where he decided to switch from physics to civil engineering and eventually received a doctorate in that field. Kim was offered the chance to study at the most prestigious universities in Korea, but instead chose to attend a provincial university. As of 2007 he also serves as adjunct faculty at Chungbuk National University.
Gregory Smith: Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize at age 12
He is the founder of International Youth Advocates, an organization that promotes principles of peace and understanding among young people throughout the world. He has met with Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev and spoke in front of the UN. For these and other humanitarian and advocacy efforts, Smith has been nominated four times for a Nobel Peace Prize. His latest achievement? He just got his driver license.
Akrit Jaswal: The Seven Year-Old Surgeon
Akrit came to public attention when in 2000 he performed his first medical procedure at his family home. He was seven. His patient — a local girl who could not afford a doctor — was eight. Her hand had been burnt in a fire, causing her fingers to close into a tight fist that wouldn't open. Akrit had no formal medical training and no experience of surgery, yet he managed to free her fingers and she was able to use her hand again.
He focused his phenomenal intelligence on medicine and at the age of twelve he claimed to be on the verge of discovering a cure for cancer. He is now studying for a science degree at Chandigarh College and is the youngest student ever accepted by an Indian University.
Mackenzie Bearup Changing the Game
By: Peter Horsfield
Mackenzie Bearup may seem unfortunate for having been diagnosed to have an incurable disease known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. She, however, did not let this disability keep her from doing extraordinary things, like providing kids with distraction to help them cope with their emotional distress and physical pain. After discovering how books made her feel better despite the pain, she started a book drive that is now known as Sheltering Books. She just turned 18, so we could expect more good deeds from this lovely young lady who’s in pain yet still managed to think of others.
Extraordinary People viewers in awe as boy 'with no brain' manages to defy the odds and attend school
BYSUCHANDRIKA CHAKRABARTI
Channel 5 viewers have been left amazed by the boy with "no brain".
A moving documentary, titled 'The Boy Who Grew A New Brain', was aired tonight by the broadcaster as part of their Extraordinary People series.
The episode featured Noah Wall, who's parents were told he would have no chance of survival after he was born with less than 2 percent of a brain.
Viewers rushed to social media to praise the little miracle and his parents for their bravery and strength.
One wrote: "Noah hugging and saying I love you to his dad is one of the cutest thing ever! #extraordinarypeople"
"What a special special boy. Born with 2% brain #extraordinarypeople #noah," said a second amazed viewer.
Reading with young children: a picture walk
There are many ways to promote reading skills at home or in the classroom setting. Today, I would like to share with you the process of taking a picture walk…
Selecting quality books
Before taking a picture walk it is a good idea to choose children’s books that have interesting, meaningful, and simple illustrations that capture young children’s attention and will promote conversation about what is happening on each page of the book…
Start with the cover
Start with the cover of the book and use the illustration on the cover of the book to promote conversation about what the book might be about. “While exploring the cover of the book, use language like “cover” and “spine” to familiarize young children with the features of a book.” (Vanessa Levin)…
5 ways to have fun with reading
Whether you choose to read a Dr. Seuss book or prefer to read other children’s books, the primary goal of this day is to celebrate reading and to continuously foster a love for reading so children will become lifelong readers. One of the best ways to promote a love for reading with young children is to make reading fun!
1. Read a Fun Book!
If you have ever read a Dr. Seuss book, one of the first things you probably noticed is that Dr. Seuss believed that reading should be fun. Every book Dr. Seuss wrote was filled with wacky rhymes and words to keep reading fun. The best books are always those that the children enjoy reading just because they fall in love with it. Whether they fall in love with the words, the rhymes, the characters, the pictures, or the story itself – if young children love the book then they will want to read it many times over because in their mind, this book is FUN! A fun book my students love to read is “A Perfectly Messed Up Story” by Patrick McDonnell.
2. Read an Interactive Book!
Some books are interactive books, meaning that the book invites the children to interact with the story in some way. Books such as “Press Here” or “Mix it Up” by Herve Tullet are two examples of interactive books. The children are invited to press a dot or rub a color and then turn the page to see what might happen next. The interaction with the book makes the book a different kind of fun to read.
Water bottle collages made by our prek - Creative Project
I have been saving water bottles all summer long and this week I pulled them out to try making water bottle collages. I had never tried this before and must say I will be doing this again…
I found the idea over at the amazing Casa Maria’s Learning Zone blog. Her art is always unique and very child-centered and I really looked forward to giving this a try. I set out strips of colorful construction paper and empty, clean, dry water bottles…
The children were invited to put the strips of paper in the bottles. We talked about different ways we could fold or roll the strips if they wished…
Draw a Simple Cat - Art Project
Two circles get this simple cat drawing off to a good start.
If you begin by tracing a roll of masking tape, kinders especially will be more likely to draw a cat that is nice and large and fills their paper. Circles are one of the harder shapes for them to draw, and I’ve found that a roll of masking tape is the perfect template for them to hold and trace.
MATERIALS
• Download Sitting Cat tutorial
• Drawing paper
• Black marker
• Crayons
DIRECTIONS
PREP: Print or draw guide lines on drawing paper.
1. Students follow the tutorial to draw the cat.
2. The drawing is traced with a black marker.
3. The drawing is colored with crayons.
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