We made a big decision regarding our kids schooling this year. This year it is vitally important that we follow some back to school parenting tips to get organized for the school year. Whether you homeschool, send your child to private school, a charter school, or public school, back to school parenting tips help us all get organized. We need to use our time wisely to support … [Read more...]
6 New Language Learning Apps for Kids
{Guest Post by Jennifer Monahan} How much do you remember from your world language classes in school? If you’re anything like me, probably not a lot. I remember feeling pressure to take a language class, but not much of what I learned has stuck with me over the years. That’s not the case for kids today, who are faced with a growing global economy where knowing a second … [Read more...]
Hands-On Division Activity
My second grader has been learning more about multiplication and division. I wanted to give him a hands-on division activity to explore. I was teaching him that multiplication and division are opposites. They are both focused on how we group numbers together. As a former teacher, it is exciting when I get to use activities I once created for my students at home with my own … [Read more...]
Easy ABC Poster and Alphabet Learning Game
This ABC poster and alphabet learning game is an easy one to create with your children so that they can see you writing each letter and work on pre-reading skills. You do not have to be an artist to do this. How often for your kids ask you to draw a picture for them, or add a special drawing to their artwork? My preschoolers have always enjoyed when I would draw something on … [Read more...]
Gardening in a Small Backyard
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro Gro-ables. All opinions are 100% mine. Last year I tried to start a container vegetable garden, and with the demands of being a mom and the water restrictions we had going on in California, it did not turn out well. This year I am determined to create a garden with the kids to teach them about self-reliance, get … [Read more...]
Teaching Preschool at Home for Non-Crafty Moms
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of M is for Monster - Preschool in a Box. All opinions are my own. Please view my disclosure. Teaching preschool at home for non-crafty moms can be intimidating. You read kid blogger network blogs and think to yourself, “I am not crafty enough to create this!” All the crafty moms sharing the beautifully photographed kids … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Encourage Reading and Writing Skills in Young Children
[Guest Post by Janis Cox] With 7 simple tips, you can encourage reading and writing skills in your children. Studies are showing that the earlier children are shown words, the earlier they will make the connection between symbols and language. Early squiggles from children are important – … [Read more...]
Alphabet Fridge Magnet Letter Match
I created a really, really simple alphabet fridge magnet letter match activity that can be used on the front of the fridge with alphabet magnets. You only need 3 supplies to create this. There is also a simple no-stress assessment that works for checking your child’s letter knowledge built in. I know assessing preschoolers causes much debate, but I do it in simple play-based … [Read more...]
Learn Numbers with Don’t Break the Ice
Do you have the game Don't Break the Ice®? We have had it for a while and take it out during the winter months especially for a little fine motor fun. I modified our Don't Break the Ice game to create a simple preschool activity for learning numbers. My preschooler enjoyed this the first few times we played and when we recently pulled it out again I was so amazed at how her … [Read more...]
Family Challenge: Collect Box Tops for Your School {Free Printable}
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine. Teaching my children to give back to their community in ways that are appropriate for their ages is important. We pick up trash in our neighborhood, we participate in food drives, and we collect Box Tops™ to donate to my son's school. The Box Tops program is such an … [Read more...]
Preschool Homeschool Activities: Dr. Seuss Apps
This post is sponsored by Oceanhouse Media, Inc. All thoughts are mine. If you need more information, please see my disclosure. Since we have started our preschool homeschool activities, I am trying to find ways to incorporate activities that my daughter will enjoy but that will be educational as well. She loves (I mean loves) the iPad. I think she loves it way too much, so we … [Read more...]
Exploring Dinosaur Footprints Activity for Kids
How much do children love dinosaurs!? I don't know about your children, but I think my children engage in pretend play with their toy dinosaurs on a daily basis. Since dinosaurs are such a great way to get children learning about science and history at an early age, I am excited to share this simple art and science exploration activity that teaches children all … [Read more...]
Complete Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms: Kids Activities
This BIG collection of simple-to-prep kids activities includes hundreds of activities for infants, toddlers and preschool as well Montessori activities and free printables. These activities for kids will help you engage your child at home in learning and fun without spending a lot of money or time preparing! Engaging your child in simple-to-prep kids … [Read more...]
Complete Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms: Homeschooling Resources
We have made the choice to homeschool our children 2 days a week and have them attend a private Christian school 3 days a week. It is a change for our oldest who has been in school out of the house since Kindergarten. I chose to do homeschool preschool with my second child-and really I have always homeschooled/supplemented at home from the time my children are born. I have … [Read more...]
Book-Based Activity and Craft Kits for Kids
This post contains affiliate links. This post was sponsored by Ivy Kids, LLC. Please view my disclosure. Finding the right gifts for kids, within a budget, can be hard. We want to give our children things that they want and at the same time we want that to be money well-spent. How we spend our money is important. My children have bins of toys, and we sort through them … [Read more...]