Exploring Creative Tools

Little ones want to examine everything within their reach. This time of discovery leads the to the tools for expressing their creativity. Placing some paper or whiteboard on their level and some drawing/painting tools ready for use will allow your child to discover his/her ability to leave a mark. The first time my son scratched a pencil on paper he giggled with joy. It was a powerful experience for him to see that he could make something happen from what he was doing. 

I say their level for  little ones because you can sit comfortably with them while they move with their work and explore. Big chairs and tables can hinder the free flowing experience. Any option that brings the tools to their level will work. Little ones (I mean two and under ) seem to like putting their whole body into it.  As children develop an understanding of the use of cause and effect tools and refine their motor skills they will tell us stories using these tools. They can show us their joy and imagination. They can draw from their hearts and mind things they might not yet be able to fully express in words.

The prompting of this gift and supporting your child in the creative process is in my mind as valuable as teaching them to read and write. They are opening a channel of expression that allows them to share more of their heart with others.   Describing their artwork to you opens up a new world of discussion. Listening to their sweet little descriptions of their artworks is very uplifting Enjoy!

By Janine Georgiou-Zeck

Artist Educator 

www.jzartstudio.com 

Art classes age 4 and up

Sent from my iPod

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Good 'Ol Fashioned Birthdays Parties and Potential HARMFUL Risks You May Not Have Thought About

As an event planner by profession and fellow mom, of course my head is always spinning with new event ideas and ways for the kids to have a fun time.  Recently I had to plan to party which would have many children ages 0-6 years.  I must have been stuck in some type of time warp the last few years, because what apparently the things we all grew up with at birthday parties as children (and still likely do in our homes and experience when we go to other birthday parties) are now not considered "safe".  In fact, they are FORBIDDDEN in many places.  

I am sharing this information with all you fellow parents and "party planners" out there in case you, like me, had no idea.  And please don't feel bad about it!  Because I totally beat myself up (and likely still am, hence this blog rant post) because I felt like "I should have known better" or that I was a "bad mother" or "bad event planner" because of it.  The fact of the matter is that information changes all the time and sometimes we don't even realize such things until we become a parent and experience it hands on to learn about it.  Of course we all want the best for our children and when caring for other children we especially want to ensure their safety as well.  So although you (like me) may find some of these things a little "extreme"; after thinking about it some more you may see that they do in fact make sense.  Just be aware of these recommendations and decide what to do in your own home for your own parties and with your own children - and don't be surprised like I was if a 3rd party place you chose to host a party at will absolutely just not allow certain things in their facility.

Allow me to elaborate on just some the dangers: 

1.     Balloons.  Apparently now HUGELY forbidden. I had some that I was going to blow up for decoration at a party but apparently they are a huge choking hazard for children (both un-inflated and inflated).  I must have been naive to think that birthday parties generally have balloons?   The last dozen of parties I've been to with my son recently have had balloons?  I never thought twice about it.   But yes, it's true (see links below to Canadian Red Cross).   Balloons are totally a thing of parties past. 

2.     Most Candy & Chocolate.  It's not challenging enough (but at least it's very common knowledge now) that we need to be extremely careful when it comes to Nut Free treats.  This is generally an accepted principal across the board now and "common knowledge".  However in going through my Piñata recently almost 100% of what was in there proposed some type of danger per the resource links provided.  Whether it be a dangerous due to a "stick" (i.e. lolly pops), too hard of candy, too chewy of candy, the shape, the size, etc. -- the fact is that most candy you can get today is just NOT RECOMMENDED.  So scrap the piñata all together I suppose?

3.     Popcorn.  Yup!  They serve it as part of the kids meals at movie theatre and will sell it to you at any children's show (I just bought some for my son at Disney On Ice), but also extremely not advisable. With its sharp edges and kernel flakes, popcorn is one of those foods that can even get caught in an adult's throat, causing gagging and choking.

Thankfully we could sing happy birthday and have a candle for me to blow for the event I had planned.  (I suppose it wasn't unreasonable for me to ask if cutting a cake with a knife or having an "open flame" was an issue after my other new findings?   (--> insert sarcasm here ;) ........ Good thing this was allowed *phew* cause my birthday party plans would have turned into just another day of chaos but with 30 unoccupied kids to entertain and equally frazzled moms.

Thank You,

Connie Berenguer

Founder / Director

Newmarket Goober Gang Play Group

E. connie@connieberenguer.com

W. www.goobergang.yolasite.com

See the following resources for further information:

Canadian Red Cross http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=6884&tid=021

Ontario Public Health: http://news.ontario.ca/mcscs/en/2011/08/public-safety-reminder-from-the-chief-coroner-for-ontario.html

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Tip: to avoid night time flooding

In our Goober Gang group, we already discussed this issue, exchanging tips on how to prevent night time flooding, as babies and toddlers often sleep through the night on their tummies.

I suggested double diapering for the night, which works great. Recently, though, I noticed that double or not, Santino still often wakes up wet. And, its not because the diaper was so full, rather the diapers got pulled down over the night, and the pee escaped from the top. This issue does not depend on the size, make and style of the diaper. I tried various kinds and styles.

It seems, that I found a solution: I put the diaper backwards. It goes up his tummy and stays there, while the front part stays in place on his bum.

P.S. I hear, its something that other moms practice as well, but I wanted to share this tip anyways. Works magic!

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Play date ideas

One of the most important socializing activities of my toddler son, are play dates. I look for the opportunities to get together with other kids, as I want Santino to develop social skills and have fun while doing it. We have attended such amazing Goober Gang play dates with the themes like "salad bar", or "pool party" (its from the recent ones that I attended; other play date ideas, although not mentioned here, were also amazing). We also often meet up local non-Goober kids with their moms for the walks and for playing inside. Santino loves his friends, remembers their names, and often talks about them... Well, he doesn't really talk in paragraphs yet, but he likes to mumble jibberish, pretending he is telling a story, popping in there some familiar words, like "fire truck" or names of his friends.

I often find, that without structure or a theme, a playdate can become rather boring; if not for the kids, but for their moms for sure. I noticed, once kids start enjoying an activity and having fun, moms usually get really involved and become very proud and excited, too.

So for the next play date, consider one of these ideas below. And if these ideas give you a push for another idea, that's even better! If some of these activities look kinda messy, or noisy for a big group of kids, consider more intimate play date, with 2 or 3 kids. At 2 or 3 years of age, when kids become more independent  and possessive sometimes, its better for everybody, when the playdate is kept to smaller kids numbers.

Snacks

One of the awesome ideas I found recently, was to have a muffin tin, filled with various snacks, like cheese cubes and veggie or fruit slices available for the kids to munch on while they play. I find nothing unites them better, then fishing for the fish crackers. 

 

I noticed, that the best time for the snacks to come out is about 20-30 mins after the start. This is when the first excitement is gone and they are looking for more stuff to do.

I tried the muffin tin today when 2 other kids came visiting Santino. This worked awesome! I put various snacks, like veggies and fruits, as well as fish crackers, and they all munched on their favorite snacks, which, surprise surprise!,  was different for each kid.

As for the activities, the first one I suggest to try, actually concerns snacks. The all-time favorite PIZZA! Well, in this case, is a make-your-own pizza. Provide the kids with the flat bread (in our family we enjoy naan bread for this purpose), sauce, cheese, pieces of veggies, some odd things, like fish crackers or cheerios! Have an adult put the pizzas in the oven and enjoy it together at a table or on a blanket on a grass, picnic style.

Activities.

You don't have to wait for the play date to enjoy these activities. It's something fun to do at home any time.

1. Making your own music instruments out of card board boxes, rubber bands, tins, and other similar stuff. The point is not to have a real drum or a real guitar, the point is to spend time with the kids making it, then playing it! If hosting a playdate with this idea, have lots of boxes, paper towel insides, rubber bands ready. Maybe spread the word before the playdate, and have visiting moms bring whatever you are missing.

Now, after the instruments are made, kids can go crazy, playing them all! 

Bongos. Source

More music instruments ideas here: http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/07/homemade-musical-instruments-for-kids.html

And here: http://www.marthastewart.com/265694/making-music

2. Target shooting!  I found this awesome idea of how to build a flipping target here: http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.ca/2010/12/cardboard-box-nerf-target.html

Basically, using old cardboard box, make a shooting target, and then shoot using Nerf guns, or in the toddler case - throw little balls or balloons. Its hard to throw a balloon, but its possible. I found recently, if the balloon is not blown up to its full "potential", it can be thrown and it follows the trajectory. Much safer choice for young kids.

3. Another awesome card box idea. Making frames out of card box: http://pintalaluna.blogspot.com/2012/02/marcos-de-carton.html, then filling them up with art. Great idea for the outside art project.

4. Dinosaur digging: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2011/03/digging-up-dinosaurs-in-preschool/

This could also be a great idea for the outside, or, if you are brave enough, or able to cover the floor well, then definitely do this at home. Kids love dinosaurs, love digging, and finding little treasures hidden in the sand, is such a thrill! 

5. One of my favorite games when I was little, was "playing post cards". Me and my friends would take old post cards, cut them up in 4 pieces, mix them up, and try finding matching pieces. A great easy and inexpensive idea for matching activities. If puzzles are too early for your kid, try this idea. You can use any pictures, mount them on a card board for durability, then cut up in squares, or other shapes, and here is your toddler puzzle! If the pictures show something the kids are interested in (like a fire truck in our case... surprise, surprise!), then it sure will be a hit!

6. Hit a balloon with a paddle game! Hang balloon/balloons off the ceiling, give your toddlers paddles, or help them make their own, and let the game begin! If you have several active toddlers having fun hitting the balloons, consider giving them long balloons instead. Just an idea.

Santino loved this idea, but I made a mistake first, and hung the balloon too low. He was able to reach and grab the balloon, so he pulled it down immediately, ripping it off the thread. I moved the balloon a little bit higher, and he had a blast, trying to reach it, knocking it off with the little plastic balls and other balloons. The paddle wasn't a hit with him at this time. I am sure soon he will be more coordinated and will have more interest in holding a paddle.

Here is the source: http://blogs.babble.com/toddler-times/2011/08/02/loads-of-toddler-fun-with-a-simple-balloon/#so-she-could-hit-it

7. Bring your walkers/scooters and tricycles, some chalk and have a blast making a road and driving on it. It doesn't need to be as elaborate as driving to a store or a library, but its a chance to use the scooters, so anything else is a cherry on top!

http://innerchildfun.com/2012/05/have-you-been-to-trunki-town.html



There are so many ideas! Once I saw, what people are inventing on the spot, and how beneficial this is for the kids, I became very excited. I stopped being stressed that I don't know what to do with my son, I stopped thinking I should get him more toys, and I realized, that the best activities are often free or cost something next to nothing.

In order to keep this post not-too-long, I decided not to collect an even number of ideas, like 10 or 15. When we explore more ideas, I will post them too!

Join in!

Nataliya

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Bringing up a bilingual child

  I speak Russian and English, my husband speaks English. Since even before Santino was born, I've been researching best practices on how to bring up a multi-lingual child, hoping he would get the best out of both languages and both worlds. I realize that he most probably won't be a fluent Russian language speaker, but I would love for him to be able to read and understand the literature.

I read somewhere that bilingual children start speaking later, although 2 languages simultaneously. I was prepared for Santino to start speaking after 2 years old. Luckily, he started speaking way before. He is picking up on both languages successfully, being more comfortable with English at this time. I worried before, didn't want him to have any preference in language, but later on I relaxed and let him pick up any language he wants, trying to tag the second one along. Santino prefers English words at this time, and I am not surprised, 90% of words he comes in contact with right now are easier to pronounce in English, but he did pick up some Russian words as well.

While Santino is not putting words in long sentences yet, he picks up more and more words every day, he responds to both languages and points at the pictures when I ask him in either language.

I got lucky, after being the only constant Russian-speaking person in his life (my parents live far away and only get to talk to him once in a while via Google video conference), I met a Russian-speaking family, living in my neighborhood and (yay!) also with a 2 years old boy. I encourage Santino hang out more with them, to hear more of the language and to have more practice speaking it. I hope these little boys can grow up being close friends.

Anyways, back to my teaching strategy. Here is what I've been doing, some tips that I learned on the way, and a start to a conversation on this topic. Please, do pitch in!

1. Being not a talker by nature, I found it very difficult to "talk as much as possible" to my son, especially in the beginning, when he was not as responsive and sleeping most of the time. I couldn't just talk, so I sang. I sang almost non-stop, while washing dishes, while breastfeeding, while walking baby in a stroller. I sang mostly in Russian, and when I didn't sing, I played those songs for him on a radio. I don't know what that did for his language skills, but I hope it gave Santino the feeling of the flow of the language, recognition of the sound.

2. When he grew up a little, I actually started forcing myself to talk more and more, and while I still wasn't able to talk about various things, I decided I can talk about the same thing over and over, only now in 2 languages. So I started commenting on Santino's moves, on the things around us in 2 languages. And when I didn't know what to say, I would repeat the same thing. Repetition is good, right?

3. I tried making flash cards with written Russian words (according to Doman, it was supposed to help Santino learn how to recognize written words), but found that I often couldn't get him concentrate on these cards, he didn't like to be disturbed if he was playing with a truck or a ball. I also kept mixing them up, losing, and in general they were in my way. I adjusted this idea, and created these cards in PowerPoint. Words, numbers, letters, flags, shapes, etc. Pictures were accompanied with the words and my voice recording would clearly say what was shown on the screen. I also added some Mozart music in the background. I heard, that Mozart music promotes memory and concentration, and all and all, is very beneficial for everybody.

So I started to show these flashcards to Santino several times a day, every day for several months, and he suddenly started not only recognize them, but also make an effort to pronounce whatever he hears. I think my voice, Mozart music and repetition really did help Santino to get a push and start trying to say the words out loud.

He still doesn't repeat everything I ask him to (the hardest part for me, is to have him say "thank you" and "please"), but he is much more responsive now, he understands both languages and he loves repeating both of them!

Please do comment and share your experiences teaching your child how to speak and understand in one, two or however many languages.

Nataliya

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Top Teething Toys

How many of you have a 'Sophie Giraffe' teether for your little one? These teethers came out when Liam was little, and I didn't get what all the fuss was about. I bought one for Liam because, I hate to admit it, but because everyone else had one. Once he had it, I still didn't quite get what all the fuss was about. But at least when I heard 'Who's Sophie does this belong to?', I could look up.

I wanted to share my Top 3 Teethers:

1. Ringley Natural Teething Toys

This would be my alternate to the Sophie Giraffe because it is still a 'high end' teether, price ranging from $16 to $25. What I love about these toys is that Baby can chew on either the untreated maple ring or the organic cotton terrycloth. They also come in a variety of designs (seen here ). Oh, and they are Canadian! I have seen these sold at Nature's Emporium in Newmarket.

2. Nuby Bug A Loop Teether

This teether has been a favourite for both my boys. It retails    for around $5! My boys loved all the different textures and colours.
They say it's best for back teeth, but my boys have both loved this teether since their early teething days. Sold at Babies R Us.




3. Teething Bling

Yes this is teething jewelry! Necklaces and bangles you and your baby will love. I love my necklace because I can wear it anywhere, and if I don't have to remember to pack a teether. Necklaces sell for around $20 and gift sets including necklace and bangles sell for around $35. I have seen the necklaces at Once Upon a Child (new not used lol) and can also be purchased online on their website . These products make awesome baby shower gifts!


Are there any you would recommend?

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