Play. Create. Explore. Grow.

Age Appropriate

2007-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

This list may look a bit strange to those of us who have watched 2 year olds who are avid Dora and Shrek fans.

I've listed these shows according to their age appropriateness. Sure, a 2 year old may love the Backyardigans, but when she turns 4 she will be burned out and bored with what could've been a great show for her. And she'll want more 'big kids' shows like Jimmy Neutron or The Fairly
Oddparents which are geared for 7+

American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) suggests no TV for children under 2 (yeah none, it will negatively affect their brain development) and no more than 1-2 hours daily viewing of educational, nonviolent programming for children above the age of 2.
http://www.aap.org/family/tv1.html

I, personally, avoid the TV, and prefer to fill the days with other activities (play, create, explore). But, with families that allow TV use, I will set aside a half-hour a week to a favorite show, or video/dvd from the library. Used correctly television can provide subsequent pathways to learning and exploration.

What if the video/dvd is longer than the half-hour? I split up the viewing into half hour increments, or pick something else that fits into that time frame.

These are just my suggestions:

NOGGIN/NICK JR
Maisy (2+)
Oobi (3+)
Jack's Music Show (3+)
Blue's Clues (4+)
Backyardigans (4+)
Wonderpets (4+)
Dora the Explorer (4+)
Little Bear (5+)

PLAYHOUSE DISNEY
Charlie and Lola (4+)
Little Einsteins (4+)
Rollie Pollie Ollie (4+)

PBS KIDS
Sesame Street (3+)
Dragon Tales (4+)
Mr Rogers (4+)
Zaboomafoo (4+)
Bob the Builder (4+)
Arthur (6+)
Postcards from Buster (6+)

DVDS
Baby Einstein Series (2+)
Scholastic Stories (2+)
Classical Baby (2+)
Dr Seuss Stories (3+)

MOVIES
Toy Story 2(4+)
Finding Nemo (4+)
Curious George (4+)
Winnie The Pooh (4+)
Shrek (6+)
Hoodwinked (6+)
Zathura (7+)

Websites for Kids

2007-06-17T21:14:00.001-07:00

http://bemboszoo.com
-An interactive alphabet where the letters turn into animals.

http://noggin.com
-music videos, games, printable coloring sheets

http://crayola.com
-printable coloring sheets, arts & crafts ideas, card creator, games,
virtual coloring (digi-color)

http://pbskids.com
-vidoes, games, coloring (printable & virtual)

http://nickjr.com
-printables, crafts, games, recipes, parenting articles

http://babytvchannel.com
-videos, activities, games

Imagination Kits

2007-06-17T20:46:00.001-07:00

I collect these everyday objects and keep each imagination kit in a plastic shoe box stored in the closet. I take it out when my charges complain of boredom or for a nice change of pace :)

*=item too large to be stored in the kit

MAIL CARRIER KIT
envelopes
square stickers
address labels
rubber stamps
ink pads
paper and note cards
greeting cards
pencil, pens, markers
small messenger bag
mail carrier hat
*'mail box' (decorated cardboard box)

RESTAURANT KIT
menus
chef's hat
apron
waiter/waitress hat
small pad of paper
name badges
pen/pencil
to-go bags
*cash-register

CIRCUS KIT
face paint
streamers
balloons
clown nose
masks/wigs/etc.
rope/string
sidewalk chalk
top hat
crowns

OFFICE KIT
*phone
*typewriter
*keyboard
message pad
tape
pens/highlighters
sticky notes
stamps/ink pads
*file folders (box)
legal pads

EXPLORER KIT
binoculars
telescope
messenger bag
bug box/bug kit
small notebook and pen
disposable camera
vest or utility belt with tools
compass
canteen
flashlight
maps

BEAUTY SHOP KIT
curlers
hair brush
'make-up'
'hair-dryer'
'curling iron'
cotton puffs
'nail polish' (water in nail polish bottle)

Painting Fun!

2007-06-17T20:45:00.004-07:00

Clip a clothespin around several strands of string, dip strands in the paint and drag across paper

Pour different colors of paint into separate small containers. Let child drop marbles into paint, scoop them out with a plastic spoon, and roll them across the paper

Drip thinned paint onto paper. Have your child gently blow through a drinking straw to disperse the paint in all directions.

Blow up balloons of various sizes and tie the ends. Have your child hold the tied end of each balloon, dip the balloon in paint, and press it onto the paper.

Have you child dip toothpicks in paint and use them as paintbrushes. Glue the toothpicks onto the painting for a 3D effect.

Put a tennis ball into foot of nylons, tie and cut so that there isplenty of nylon (leg) left for a handle. Have children dip ball into paint and smack against paper

Have children dip pine tree branches into shallow trays of paint. Use branches as brushes (hit, swat, swirl)

Fill up spray bottles with liquid watercolors. Hang up a large piece of paper or sheet, allow children to spray paint. variation: once dry, draw outline of child on their painting, and cut out.

Have child dip comb into paint and drag it across the surface of paper. variation: paint entire sheet one color and drag comb across wet paint to make lines

Lay out large piece of paper, shallow tray of paint and dishpan of warm soapy water. Have child step into paint (barefoot, old socks, old boots/shoes) and then onto the paper.

Cooked spaghetti (tossed with some olive oil to keep from sticking) have child dip noodles into shallow tray of paint and drag them across the paper.

Dip toothbrush's bristles into paint, and then hold over paper. Have child draw Popsicle stick across the bristles, swiping to toward herself so the paint spatters the paper. Move the brush and swipe the paper again. Repeat with different colors.

Cover table with butcher paper. Cover with piles of shaving cream mixed with different colors of powdered paint. Have child dig in!

Finger Painting: wet paper to allow paint to slide better. For variety: chill or warm finger paint, add salt, sand or coffee crystals for texture.

The texture sensitive child can spread finger paint with a Popsicle stick, spoon, or sponge. They could also wear plastic gloves or old mittens.

Plastic cafeteria trays are great surfaces for finger painting, so are windows and mirrors. Adding dish soap to the paint makes the cleanup easier.

Rainy Day Activities

2007-06-17T20:45:00.003-07:00

A few indoor activities to save everyone's sanity :)

Make forts with boxes, cushions and blankets

Have a puppet show with stuffed animals

Throw a birthday party for their dolls. Keep leftover decorations in the craft cupboard. Decorate, wrap presents, make a playdough birthday cake (or a real one if you're really ambitious)

Little people swimming pool - Tupperware filled with a bit of water, put a beach towel underneath, make little people towels by cutting paper towels into thin strips, play Beach Boys CD

Car wash- same as above with but matchbox cars and add a bit of dish soap to Tupperware for bubbles

Put on a show, dress up in costumes or ballet outfit, set up a stuffedanimal audience, put on fancy dancing music (The Nutcracker or Disney CD) or act out a favorite story. Optional: videotape the performance.

Marching band - use instrument box, play loud jaunty music, march around the house

Super Heroes: safety pin towels to clothes, wear goggles, tiara, whatever else is silly and fun, make up funny superpowers and save the day

Blowup balloons and play 'hot lava' where the balloon can't touch the ground

Write letters and draw pictures for friends and mommy and daddy.

Raid the craft cupboard, make nonsense pictures, use recyclables, use imagination, paint/glue/cut/etc.

Fill in sticker books, or cut out pictures from magazines for theme books (ocean, animal, nature)

Indoor bowling, set up little people, knock them down with a soft ball

Make a 'store' either with fake food, jewelry, party favors, etc, and do some shopping

Dance with Barbie Karaoke machine, use microphones to sing along or without music to make fun sounds and announcements

Puzzles and games

Make a GIANT block structure with all the kinds of blocks working together (lego, mega, wooden, soft)

Magna-Doodle: design a tv show

Flashlight- play in the dark (super spies), flashlight races, shadow puppet show

Indoor picnic lunch

Play restaurant, make menus, etc

Have a pull toy race around house

Laundry basket- race car, train, rocket ship, zoo (turned upside down with stuffed animals underneath it)

Giant Pillow Jumping: clear space in living room, gather all couch/chair cushions and pillows and lay out in a mattress shape, enclose in fitted sheet. Jumping allowed, silliness required

Craft Recipes

2007-06-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

BUBBLE SOLUTION
mix together:
1/4 cup liquid dishwashing detergent
1/2 cup water
a few drops of food coloring
1 teaspoon sugar
in a shallow container
use with any bubble blower
*hint: let the bubble solution age for a few days to make bubble
blowing easier.

PLAYDOUGH RECIPE
in a saucepan mix together:
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
few drops food coloring for pastel playdough
sprinkling of powder tempura for brightly colored playdough
cook on high
stir constantly until mixture reaches playdough consistency
let cool
keeps for several weeks in stored in plastic bag or a covered container

TEXTURED PLAYDOUGH
add one of the following to playdough:
cornmeal
oatmeal
rice

SQUISH BAGS
for each squish bag:
place a large resealable plastic bag inside of another
fill the inside bag with a textured material such as
*flour *salt *dried beans *sand *mud *gelatin
seal each bag separately, tape to secure
variation:use latex gloves, make 'helping hands'

EASY STICKERS
cut out shapes out of brightly colored self-stick paper
peel the backing off of each shape
*to store: lightly attach shapes to wax paper

TV: How much is too much?

2007-04-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

So, how Much is Too Much?

Keep a TV log with your child for a week.

How many hours a day do my kids watch TV? Is this consecutive hours or spread throughout the day?
What Movies/Shows do they watch?
Do they watch commercials?

Ask yourself:

If this animated movie/show was life action would I allow my kids to see it?
What values is this movie/show teaching my children?
Is this movie/show too fast paced? Lots of cuts?
Does this movie/show encourage interaction or passivity?
Does my child interact with this movie/show?

According to the child development textbook 'Beginnings and Beyond: Foundations in Early Development' by Ann Miles Gordon:

TV violence can lead to aggression and desensitization to violence
TV promotes passivity, slowing intellectual development and stifling imagination
TV promotes racist and sexist attitudes
TV promotes materialistic consumerism

The following is recommended:

Set limits - American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) suggests no TV for children under 2 (yeah none, it will negatively affect their brain development) and no more than 1-2 hours daily viewing of educational, nonviolent programming for children above the age of 2. http://www.aap.org/family/tv1.html
Plan and participate - choose what to watch with your child. Look for the following in programming: Age-appropriateness, viewing Length, bias-free content, peaceful action, resist commercials
Express your views -If you see an offensive show or commercial targeted toward children write a letter to

The Children's Advertising Review Unit of the Better Business Bureau.
845 Third Ave
New York, NY 10022

It's a Small World: Music to Enhance Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity

2007-03-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

It's a Small World: MUSIC to Enhance Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity

Go beyond the tamborine/keyboard/drum music box...

rainstick (Chile)
marimba (Zulu)
balaphon (West Africa)
ankle bells (Native American)
maracas (Latin America)
Den-den (Japan)
Shakeree (Nigeria)
drums (many cultures)
ocarina (peru

TV EXPERIMENT

2007-03-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Watch one of your child's favorite TV show or movie with a piece of paper and a pen.

Make a mark for each of the following:

Negative Stereotypes
Acts of violence
Rude Behavior
Name Calling
Sexual innuendo
Bad Language

What Your Child Wants...

2007-03-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

What your Child wants:

You.

Your child wants your attention. Your FULL attention. Now I know this is impossible at all times. But we all have to strive to give our little ones our undivided attention when we can. We've all heard of time-out. What I'm talking about is 'Time-In'. These are the moments that create the memories you and your kids will cherish. These are the moments that make everything worth it. A little bit of together time.

For Example:

When I'm at the park with my charges I do not talk on the phone. I keep my cell on in case one of the parents need to contact me, or in case of emergency. But I do not spend my time with the kids chatting on the cell. Nor do I use it when going for a walk with the stroller or when I'm driving, which takes my attention away from the child and the road. A silly and dangerous thing to do.

I will talk to other caregivers and parents at the park. But not at the expense of my charges. I will have nice friendly chit-chat, encouraging the children to play together. Swapping child care strategies. I will not bitch and moan about my day, my boss, my husband, my charges. Here's a nice little tidbit. Children as young as 4 months can understand and comprehend what we say. I don't want to be filling their little ears with negativity.

I will play with my charges. I will get down in the sand dig and sift and build castles or roads, I will follow their lead and let them be in charge of the play. I will expand the play if it stalls (how about we build a mountain/zoo/train track/etc). I will run around with them, chasing them as they scream with glee. I will play catch and basketball and soccer. I will blow bubbles with them and not get angry when they spill the bubbles. I will draw their outline with sidewalk chalk about a dozen times, and encourage them to draw mine. I will climb with them on the play equipment, say 'boo!' as they go through the tunnel, and go down the slide with them (or wait at the bottom to catch them up). I will let them jump in puddles and play with the dirt. I will jump in the puddles too. We will make really big splashes. It will be fun. We will feel sorry for the kids who are not allowed to get dirty. I will let him choose the pace when we walk. Even if that pace is a snail's (or a cheetah's) I will spin him around in my arms, let her sit on my shoulders, and cuddle them close as we have a picnic on the grass. I will let them use their outside voices but not their emergency screams. I will respect their boundaries. I will not force them to do anything they are not ready for (including the twisty slide). We will only bring toys that we are willing to share. Sometimes that means we don't bring any toys at all. I will welcome their questions and explain the world to the best of my abilities, and say 'I don't know let's find out' when I can't. I will keep my patience and cool when they misbehave. I will talk in a stern but not angry voice. I will not allow them to hurt others with words or actions. We will leave if they continue. I will praise them if they are brave enough to admit they are wrong and change their behavior. I will not hold grudges. I will not forget that they are still learning how to live. I will push them in the swings for as long as they want, or for as long as my arms hold out. I will play with them so that they know that they are the most special things in the universe.

What will you do?

Nanny Jen's Rules of Engagement for Together Time:
1. No TV
2. No Cell Phones
3. No mp3 players
4. No Magazines/Books

Talking To Babies

2007-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

It's so important to talk to your baby every single day. They are a complete blank slate. And you are their tour guide to life.

At times it feels a bit funny, or strained, to be talking to this silent creature known only for her cries and coos. Whatever could you talk about? You've gone through the standard 'goo-goo's' and 'ga-ga's' You've told him you love him to pieces, and that you're going to eat up his toes. Mwah. Mwah. Mwah. You've asked 'is that your hand? Do you have your hand?' and 'Where'd you're sock go? Hmm?' Even 'Did you make a poo-poo? You did! You made poo-poo' And of course you've hushed and whispered 'Shh. It's Okay. It's Okay'

But going beyond that you feel as if you're talking to yourself. It may feel odd and unnnatural. Especially if you were never a big talker.

So here is how to talk to your baby throughout the day.

Running narration.

Describe what you're doing aloud. Everything you are doing while the baby is around. 'I'm turning on the light. Wow. That's better. now we can see.' or 'I'm turning on the water. Yes, it's loud, it's whooshing. I'm going to take my red sponge and put some slimy soap on it. Now I'm scrubbing the dish. There are lots of bubbles' or ' We're going to drive to the store! We're almost out of diapers! Can you believe it? I'm putting you in the car seat now, yes the straps go over your shoulders, now I'm going to snap in you, nice and safe and snug. Here's your cuddle bug, it's green and silly. Oh! It squeaks? Are you ready to go? Okay, I'm going to pick you up now. Here we go. To the car. I'm unlocking the door now, you're being so patient. Upsy daisy. In you go. Are you ready? Let's go.'

Describe what you see. It's not just a pillow. It's a red pillow with orage and blue swirls, it's very soft and cushy, you can smush it. It's not just a flower. It's a daisy with lots of yellow petals and a green stem, it smells so yummy. It grows in the ground, in the brown dirt.

It's all about detail. detail. detail.

Name of Item
How it's used
Color
Shape
Smell
Taste

Where are you going? What are you doing? What do you see? What do you hear?

Enjoy this time with your baby, your constant companion, your partner in crime.

Nature Walks

2007-03-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

With the weather moving towards a warming trend now is a great time to explore the great outdoors with you children! Just a walk around the block or your own backyard will reveal countless wonders! You just have to take the time to look. Your kids are great at taking their time. They are natural dawdlers. Always being rushed, rushed, rushed. It's wonderful when you can find the time to slow to the pace of early childhood. When everything is new you'll want to take your time too.

Some Nature Tips:

1. TAKE A LUNCH BAG- Fill it up with what your child deems interesting. Flowers, rocks, dirt, sticks, grass...
2. MASKING TAPE - Give your child a sticky bracelet! Wrap the masking tape around her wrist, sticky side out. Now if she finds anything interesting she can stick it on her wrist.
3. NATURE JOURNAL - Give your older kids a spiral notebook and some crayons. They can draw pictures of what they discover or do some crayon rubbings of some bark or a rock.
4. SCAVENGER HUNT - Before you embark on your adventure, write out a picture list of things to find. Draw one pinecomb, two rocks, three feathers. You could also search out shapes or colors. Give this list to your child, she'll be in charge of finding the items and crossing it off.
5. NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER - Give your child a disposable camera and let him take pictures of anything he likes while on your walk. You could also invest in either a traditional camera, or a kid friendly digital version. Bring it out on these special occasions. You'll marvel at what he captures. It's amazing to look at the world through the eyes of a child.

WHEN YOU GET HOME:

You will no doubt be touting a bagfull of nature into your home. Here's what to do with it.

1. Make a collage. Set out as big of a piece of paper as you've got (or cut a grocery bag so it lays flat) Set out the glue and all your findings as well as some paint and brushes.

2. Window Art: Get out your clear contact paper. Cut a large piece. Tape it down to the table or floor, sticky side up. Have the kids place seasonal flowers on the contact paper. Now press the sticky side against a window, sliding doors work well since they are at a child's eye level. These flower power pictures bring beauty to the room, and last a surprisingly long time.

3. If your child took pictures with a camera then have the film developed or print out the digital pictures. Give these to her. She can tape them to the walls in her room or glue them in her nature journal, she might even add them to her collage.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Trucks, Motorcyles, Etc....

2007-03-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Does your little one love anything with wheels? Can you name at least 15 specific types of tractors? Are you versed in all the proper train car names? Engine, coal car, cattle car, flatback piggyback car, caboose, etc. etc. etc. How often do you sing 'The Wheels On The Bus?' or 'Little Red Caboose?'

Wow. That much huh?

Then try out the following activities:

1. MASKING TAPE ROAD - get out the masking tape from your craft cupboard. You are going to construct a road with your child. He'll be the engineer, you'll be the busy worker. Pick a starting point. Place the edge of the tape down. Now have your child lead you around the house. Any which way is good. Now you're at the end. Detach the tape from the ring. Whew! But wait! You have to complete the road. Go to the stopping point. Place the edge of the tape down an inch or two from the original line. And back you go again. Now let your kids get the little cars and trucks out and explore the best stretch of highway this side of the family room. VARIATION: try making a whole town with tape outlines of buildings and parking lots, or a train track.

2. LAUNDRY BASKET IMAGINATION: It's a laundry basket. No, wait. It's a boat. No, it's definitely a race car. Did you see that? It turned into a fire engine. Oh wow! When did it turn into a rocket ship? Hey! Now it's a choo-choo train. Let's fill it up with our stuffed animal friends. I have this string, I'll tie it on! Do you want to pull the train? Wow. You're a good engineer.

3. LITTLE CAR WASH - Lay out the beach towel in the kitchen because you're about to get to work at the car wash! Fill a food storage container with some nice warm, soapy water. Place it on the towel, gather up all the tiny trucks and cars strewn across your home. You could cut up some paper towels into tiny strips. Show your kids how to scrub the cars, get them nice and clean. Let them splash around. Wow. Who knew working could be this much fun!

4. TRIKE WASH - It's a beautiful sunny day. Let's put on our swimsuits and get some buckets filled up with soap and water. Then we'll get out our wash clothes and big sponges! That's right it's a Trike Wash! Ok. Let's get this trike nice and clean (this is great if it's particularly dirty and muddy to begin, luckily that's something your kids know all about) Scrub it down, and then get out the hose and let your little ones spray the tyke down (WARNING THEY MAY ALSO SPRAY YOU HAHA)

5. CAR PRINTS: Raid the craft cupboard for a shallow tray. A paper plate will do in a pinch. Pour a little bit of tempura paint onto the tray. Spread the paint around so it thinly coats the bottom of the tray, if you have more than one tray or are using paper plates set out several colors. Get out the largest piece of paper you kind find. Tape it down to a covered table (newspaper works well) You could also do this on the floor. Help your child gather several different kinds of cars. Pay attention to the wheels. Do you have any with tread marks? Fat wheels? Skinny wheels? Get a good variety. Now show your child how to roll the car in the paint (just like in the mud!) and then show them how to move it to the paper and make some car prints. Remember it's the process not the project, and your kids will appreciate this expansion on the already beloved past-time of playing cars. BONUS: this makes great wrapping paper.

Those are just a few ideas. I'm sure that you'll discover more along the way. In the meantime, keep on truckin! (as if you had any choice in the matter)

Like Walking On A Cloud...

2007-03-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a sanity saver for your next rainy day.

It's a rainy day. Are your kids: jumping off the walls, whining incessently, complaining of bordom, a little blue, bickering constantly? If any of this is happening you may be willing to do the following:

Grab your sofa and chair cushions. Grab your throwpillows and bedroom pillows. Grab a queen/king FITTED sheet.

Now push back the furniture against the walls. Clear out lots of space.

Arrange the cushions and pillows in a bed formation. Large cushions first, softer little ones on top of those. Now stretch the fitted sheet over this pseudo bed.

What you will have is a very fluffy, very soft, very inviting pillow bed.

Now for your play options:

1) Jumping
2) Rolling
3) Bouncing
4) Lounging
5) Picnicing

It will be a refreshing change of pace.

Homemade Sensory Table

2007-03-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Toddlers and Preschoolers LOVE sensory tables. And what's not to love? They get to explore a familiar object in depth. They get to do the thing they love most: pouring and dumping! Cause and effect! Over and over!

But sandboxes and sensory tables are usually expensive and cumbersome. Let's face it, once you pour in several pounds of sand into a box you're not about to change it out for beans :)

Lucky for you there is a solution! The homemade sensory table!

This is especially compliant with apartment living :)

'TABLE' MATERIALS:

Shallow plastic storage container with a lid. It's up to you how large. You can have use a plastic shoe box (a great on the go activity when you toddler gets lugged around to soccer games and has to sit completely bored on the sidelines). I prefer the large under the bed containers. They are big enough that the little ones can climb right inside! But they don't overwhelm a small space. For larger kids, or just a different perspective, you can place the containter on a coffee table.
Flat sheet or plastic tarp (if using water). You're going to place this UNDER the storage container. It is always best to do this is an area you don't mind getting messy (that rules your formal all white living room). If you choose to use the messiest fillers: sand or water you are better off in the kitchen or outside. The good news is that the container will fit on a patio, which is more than that monstrosity of a plastic turtle could claim.

SENSORY MATERIALS

Sand
Rice
Beans
Flour
Water
Shaving Cream
Wood Chips

ACCESSORIES

measuring cups/spoons
funnel
spoons
cups/bowls
figurines
small cars/trucks
sifter

Toys That Foster Creativity

2007-03-01T20:24:00.000-08:00

Your kids have toys. That's an undeniable fact. There is definitely no toy shortage in your home. But often times the toys that make it home from the store have bells and whistles but no real staying power when it comes to you child's attention span.

With each toy purchase ask yourself:

Will my child play with this on a regular basis?
Does this toy promote values I am comfortable with?
Can this toy be played with more than one way?
Is this toy age appropriate? Easy toys bore. Difficult toys frustrate.

Teachers supply stores are great resources! Check out the following sites for developmentally appropriate toys:

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com

*TIP - rotate the toys regularly so that your little one doesn't bore of them, or get overwhelmed by too many choices.

Here's a list of my must haves for any home with young children:

MANIPULATIVES

puzzles
train & track
building blocks & figurines
trucks, cars, planes
doll house, fire station, garage
art supplies
sensory table (sand, water, rice, beans)
play dough
sidewalk chalk

MUSIC & MOVEMENT

instruments - whistle, tambourine, bells, drum, piano
scarves
batons
CD player

ROLE PLAYING

dress up clothes
play kitchen & food
cash register
phone and keyboard
tools
stuffed animals
baby doll bottle, stroller, bag
'friend doll'

ACTIVE PLAY

bikes
hula hoops
balls
play tunnel
small trampoline
bean bags

The Well Stocked Caft Cupboard

2007-03-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

A well stocked craft cupboard is the difference between boredom and creative expression.

THE ESSENTIALS

Paper - Drawing, Butcher, Construction
Crayons and Markers
Tempura Paint - Red, Yellow, Blue, White
Glue - Stick, School/Tacky
Paint Brushes, Rollers, Sponges
Child Safety Scissors
Tape - Masking and Scotch
Large T-Shirt (SMOCK)

THE EXTRAS

Liquid Water Colors & Spray Bottles
Dot Paints
Stickers
Stamps & Ink Pad

COLLAGE MATERIALS

Buttons
Pom Poms
Beads
Yarn
Colored Pasta
Colored Sand
Pipe Cleaners

RECYCLABLES

Toilet Paper Rolls
Paper Towel Rolls
Ribbons
Boxes (any kind)
CD Cases
Berry Baskets

PRESERVATION

Contact Paper
Camera
3 Ring Binder & Hole Punch

Play. Create. Explore.

2007-03-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

What would your child do if there wasn't television?

Play. Create. Explore.

Play... bakeshop, restaurant, post office, bank, grocery store, firefighters, policeman, mama, daddy, teacher, farm, zoo, jungle, pirate, ocean, mermaids, office, factory, desert, Egypt, dinosaurs, treasure hunt, pirates, race car, car wash, princesses, cloud jumping, hot lava, robots, flower shop, garden, fairies, fairy tales, forest, astronaut, camping, train, marching band...

Create...drawings, paintings, stamp prints, collages, footprints, hand prints, jewelry, sun catchers, place mats, sand castles, chalk drawings, sculptures, music, dances, stories, gardens...

Explore...museums, libraries, zoos, aquariums, hiking trails, neighborhoods, beaches, forests, farms, parks, backyards, mud puddles...