Brightly Beaming Resources: Week 3- Kittens

This week our theme was Kittens.  Vocab word- claws. Shape- diamond. Number- 3. Letter- C.  Nursery Rhyme- Pussy Cat.  You can find a thorough lesson plan at Brightly Beaming Resources.

So our basic schedule looks like this.  I take about 10 minutes a day for "school" time.  That's about all Shrade and I can handle.  I usually review the poster and then jump into the "lesson."  I also read a book related to the theme and have an art project or activity/game to play.  Like I said, it's very short, but meaningful.  Then when daddy gets home we talk about what we learned.  It's great to see him repeating what we talked about earlier in the day.  Very good exercise for the brain!

Educational Toys Planet Review

Educational Toys Planet

Shrade and I had so much fun reviewing a toy from Educational Toys Planet.  This company selects products that are the best in educating your child as well as having features for safety and quality.  They guarantee customer satisfaction, reliable and fast shipping and excellent customer service.  There are so many fun and engaging toys to choose from and all in convenient categories by interest.

We were given the Build a Buddy Mixed Up Pets toy for Shrade to explore.  This was from the Pets category on the website.  This toy has 14 double sided shapes that can create many different pets with endless possibilities!  On the box it states that "building 3D puzzles improves spatial awareness and teaches sequencing, mixing and matching, stimulates problem solving and develops manual dexterity."  Wow!  We found that to be so true.  Shrade was very absorbed in creating many different animals by putting the shapes into specially created fitted holes.  It was fun to watch him look for what he needed.  I also had a chance to use descriptive words to identify colors and shapes.  It was a very unique and silly way to play together and learn!

Ta-da!

Be sure to visit Educational Toys Planet soon!

What's Cooking? Sweet Potato Waffles

My son absolutely loves these waffles.  I found this recipe at Finding Joy in My Kitchen.  Hey, what's better for kids than a good dose of veggies and Vitamin A at breakfast.  Check out the recipe there and all the other great food!

Toddler Talk Thursday: Growing our family

 

We have been trying for #2 since the spring of 2010 with no luck.  But right before Thanksgiving this year I found out that I was 15 weeks along.  You'll have to read my other story about why I didn't know that I was pregnant.  Anyway, we were really hoping to add to our family soon since I just turned 36 in September.  We also only want two, but it's going to be an adjustment.  I was getting really used to just having one.  Thankfully I've had a really good pregnancy besides just being tired a lot.  So, come May we will have another one and we are going to wait to find out what it will be, so stay tuned!

Growing Kids God's Way: Principles of Obedience

This was probably my favorite chapter in Growing Kids.  First, Biblical discipline involves HEART training.  Obedience is essential to family government.

What is Biblical obedience?
*It is to be immediate
*It is to be complete
*Without challenge
*Without complaint

Don't become a threatening, repeating or bribing parent!

But how?  Use some aids.  This is what works for us:

*Expect Yes Mom/Dad after giving an instruction
*Look child in the face

Delayed obedience is disobedience.  Is your child characterized with a heart of obedience?  We are working on that right now while our son is young so he will be a joy to have as an elementary school child and teenager, but most of all we want him to follow God's word and be obedient to Him!  It starts in the home!

Next time: Discipline with Encouragement

What's on Our Bookshelf? Tall by Jez Alborough

Next to Hug, Tall is one of the cutest books for babies and toddlers!  This is about a little monkey that is small, but wants to be tall.  Everytime he thinks he's tall, he sees someone taller and becomes sad.  Eventually he falls and his mama catches him.  That's when being small seems just right.  This book worked great for our Jungle theme and my son learned about being small and tall.  He even pretended to be Bobo on our recent hike and he's named one of his stuffed monkeys Bobo and re-creates the story in our home.

Music Notes: Animal Songs by Raffi

Oh, my!  This is probably one of my favorite CD's from Raffi.  There is some classics like Down By the Bay, 5 Little Ducks and Who Built the Ark?  I especially love this CD because the music arrangements are so catchy and easy to learn the words.  The song I like best is Octopus's Garden.  The reggae is so appealing.  There is also LOTS of learning that takes place when kids listen and move to good music.  My son and I could dance and sing to this CD all day!