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Preschool activities and crafts to help put some fun
into winter!
Keep
the good times rolling for your preschooler!
January
2005 - Issue 10
Quote Of The Month When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang up my first painting
on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I
wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be
kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When
you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed
there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't
looking,
I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could
be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I LOOKED....
and wanted to say thanks
for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
~Thanks to
Connie Back Return to top
Editorial Welcome to a new year! Winter
is such a delightful time, isn't it? If only I were the type of mommy who loved
to take my children outside to build snowmen and snow forts, who always knew where
the best sledding hills were, who knew how to make the biggest and best snow angels. But,
alas, I'm not. No, I'm an "indoor" mom. I leave all the outdoor
stuff to my husband, who is always properly attired for that sort of activity. That's
not to say that I'm not a fun winter mom. I am! I can find all sorts of things
to entertain my cold children after they come in from outside freezing their little
tushies off after a great snow ball fight with daddy. I'm the kind of mom
who serves up the hot chocolate, makes fresh hot cookies, and has towels warmed
from the dryer all ready to entice my children back indoors to keep me company.
And, once in, I can find plenty of things to keep them active and not glued to
the television every waking moment. It's a bit of a challenge with my children,
since they are 6 1/2 years apart in age. Preschoolers and Junior Highers do NOT
always like to do the same things. I have the best luck with projects that require
some different skill levels. Reece, my 11 year old, loves to be the responsible
one that can handle the harder parts of the projects. Ian is happy to have the
opportunity to "help" his big brother by doing the stuff he can do.
I get to be the project manager...making sure that they have the necessary items
to successfully accomplish their desired end result. Since I work from home
when not teaching Kid Rock, this gives me the chance to get some things done while
my sons are actually doing something that resembles enjoying each other's company
and companionship. I like to work with them, but I have recently found that they
would rather do things together. And who am I to complain about that?? It's
very easy as the weather gets colder to start relying on the television to entertain
our children. But there are so many other things that your child could be doing...with
or without your participation. Just because you need to clean the house or do
the laundry doesn't mean that your child's only available form of entertainment
has to be TV. My 5 year old, Ian, asked for a doll house for his 5th birthday.
Ian is a very boyish boy, so I thought it was an odd request, but one that I fulfilled.
Boy, am I happy I did! Ian has a blast playing with his family. He has planned
a fire escape route for them. They have rather elaborate campouts. They contract
huge additions to their house which Ian happily creates for them with his building
blocks. He can sit in his room and play with his doll house for a couple hours...an
amazing feat, if you knew Ian. In this issue's article, Nicole Dean shares
some great "Old-fashioned Ways to Inspire Children". This is a must-read
for the "stuck in the house with nothing to do" families. I'm not saying
that you should never allow your child to watch TV or play a video game. Just
remember that electronic entertainment should always be served out in moderation.
Although Dora the Explorer can definitely help teach your children Spanish among
other great things, notice that Dora herself is NOT sitting in front of the television.
Neither is Blue, who is much too busy playing games and leaving clues. The Wiggles
are taking their big red car and driving away from their television to play with
a pirate, or a dinosaur, or an octopus, not to mention all the practice to play
their instruments and wiggle around as they do! You get the picture. I have
some great things in store for you in this issue that you and your child are sure
to enjoy! Our recipe this month might even have you wishing for snow! And, if
you haven't yet had the opportunity to try out our craft recipes from our "Kids
Craft Recipe" ebook, now might be a great time! Since the Craft Recipe book
is only for subscribers, I have included the download link again for you in the
email you received announcing this issue. And if you aren't a subscriber, just
sign up and you will find the download link in your welcome email! Best
wishes for your brightest and most wonderful year yet! Sincerely,
Mari Return
to top
Reading Rocks!
Recommendations |
Snowmen at Night Every wonder what a snowman does at night? When
a boy notices that the snowman he builds the day before now look a bit droopy
and disheveled, he sets his imagination free to try to discover the reason! Late
night snowman meetings with ice-cold cocoa, snowball fights, making snow angels,
snowman races and more could surely be the cause! The rhythm and rhyme of
this delightful book, along side Mark Buehner's oil-and-acrylic paintings makes
this book a joy to read over and over again. Be sure to check for the hidden images,
as well! This is a book you are sure to love. |
| |
| All You Need for a Snowman A quiet
opportunity to help your children understand that, no matter how small they are,
they can work together to create something bigger than themselves. Reviewer:
A reader
"This book, with its inviting watercolors and wonderful use
of words is a new favorite of mine. A snowman, built very simply yet lovingly
by a neighborhood full of children, is perfect for a warm cuddle with your favorite
toddler. A perfect picture book." | Return
to top
Kid Rock
"Party In The Spotlight" Winter Fun! Warm up your winter with
some energetic indoor fun! Our "Winter Fun" party brings all the excitement
inside, as the children pretend to catch snowflakes, build snowmen and even ice
skate! This party theme may include the following songs or other wintery
tunes:
- It's Snowing
- Winter Wonderland
- Chubby Snowman
- Frosty the Snowman
- Snow Ho Ho Ho
- Ice, Ice Mickey
Reserve your
party date today! Email to parties@rockitkids.com or call
us at 847-961-6584. Return to top
Craft Of The Month 
Potpourri Wreath Materials: - small paper plates
- scissors
- glue
- large bag of potpourri
- ribbon
or yarn
Instructions: - Cut out a wreath from
your paper plate.
- Identify and glue on the potpourri.
- Punch a
small hole towards the edge and thread a piece of yarn or ribbon through to hang.
This
activity will help your preschooler with their scissor skills. You can start by
tracing a circle on the center of the plate. Fold the plate in half and get a
good "start" to the cutting, so that your preschooler can get their
scissors in without too much effort. Working with the potpourri gives you
a wonderful opportunity to talk to your child about colors and fragrances. These
make great gifts and make your house smell wonderful! *Featured wreath created
by Ian, Mari's 5 year old son. Return to top
Having a party? Don't forget to invite Kid Rock! If you are in our
neighborhood, we happily provide stress-free, interactive children's party entertainment
for any function. Or, make it a Kid Rock day no matter where you live, with our
perfectly assembled gift bags and party favors! Visit the official Kid Rock
website at http://www.rockitkids.com/
for more information!
Snack Of The Month
Snow Ice Cream
Blend:
- 2½ cups milk
- 2 beaten
eggs
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon
nutmeg
Cook all ingredients until thickened. Allow custard
to cool completely. Pour custard over one gallon of fresh clean snow. Stir
until thick. Return to top
Music Rocks! Recommendations
|
Preschool Songs
Kids Classics
Reviewer: Michele (Batesville,
AR United States)
This is one of the best tapes for children that I
have come across yet. My one year old loves to dance to it, and it is also great
for keeping him entertained on long car rides. Another plus: It doesn't drive
me crazy. The kids singing the songs are cute without being overly sweet and annoying.
I don't mind listening to this one. | |
|
| Preschool Playtime Band
Kimbo
From ragtime to rock, these melodies will help put a beat in your child's feet!
Help your child learn rhythm as they have fun being a part of a pretend musical
band!
Stop by the Kid Rock Shop
and grab a bag of instruments to add to the fun! | Return
to top
Motor Activity
Of The Month Five Little Snowmen (Start in standing position) Five
Little Snowmen fat, (hands out to show fat tummy)
Each with a funny hat (point
to head)
Out came the sun (hands in circle above head)
and melted one.
(hold up one finger)
What a sad thing was that! (frown)
DOWN,DOWN,DOWN!
(exaggeratedly slow, while melting to the floor) Repeat this 4 more times,
counting down to 0 No Little Snowmen fat, (look sad)
No more funny hats
(shake head)
Down came the snow (wiggle fingers like snow falling)
Out
we did go (walk feet)
And we built more snowmen fat! (hands out for tummy)
Hurray!! (smile and clap!) Return to top
Special Guest Article Old-fashioned Ways to
Inspire Children
By: Nicole Dean
Walk through any toy store
and you will see walls and walls of toys that are loud -- toys that require batteries,
have flashing lights, or that look like your child's favorite movie character.
What is there for parents who want to raise children with imagination and curiosity?
I'll tell you what we do. We choose to fill our houses with some of the following
old-fashioned items.
- Books -- No house can have enough
books. Make sure your house has a representation of great fiction books and non-fiction
books. A mix of the two is very important. Most homes have a deficit of non-fiction
books, so make sure your home is filled with Science, History and Art books. (Find
great children's books here.) Children need to learn to read and appreciate
non-fiction books in order to do well in research when they reach higher levels
of study.
- Felt Boards -- Children love to
tell stories with felt. You'll need a felt board to start. You can make your own
board from a sheet of felt or purchase a board.
Once you have the board,
let the fun begin.
StoryTeller, at http://www.felt4fun.com
, has a great line of products -- felt sets, felt books, and so much more. The
quality of their products is excellent. Visit their site to get a sample and feel
the thick felt yourself. Be sure to check out the dolls with the felt clothing
that sticks to them. My daughter loves these! Also, go to a craft or fabric store
and buy sheets of felt in all colors. Then, cut out shapes in all colors and sizes.
(You'll be amazed at how quickly a child will make an alien, ship, house, or person
out of nothing but a few circles, rectangles, and triangles.)
- Blocks
and Legos -- Children can play for hours building towers, bridges, cities,
creatures, and more with these toys that inspire creativity, patience, and small-motor
skills. When the masterpiece is finished, have your child pretend to be a giant
and smash through the blocks!
- Art Supplies -- Give your
child some crayons, scissors, junk mail, and glue. He or she will be entertained
for hours if given encouragement. Please SUPERVISE closely if you don't want your
child to have a self-induced bad haircut or attach the dog to her artwork!
- Puppets -- Make puppets out of socks, paper bags, felt, cloth,
or popsicle sticks. Make a stage and tell stories. Get out the video camera and
capture your child's brilliance!
- Musical Instruments --
Whether your musical instruments are home-made with a comb and wax paper or store
bought, making music is a wonderful way to spend the day. Teach your child that
music can be made from anything, from an old oatmeal container to scratching two
pieces of sandpaper together. Go on a walk and just listen to the sounds of the
world -- music is everywhere in our lives.
- Dress-up Clothes
-- Get out old prom dresses, big hats, shirts and ties, old Halloween costumes
(or buy extra pieces after Halloween for year-round fun!). Bring out a box of
costumes and watch the shows that your children put on for you. Keep a camera
handy to capture the fun. Also, keep an eye on the pets. Cats don't always appreciate
wearing a sombrero. Trust me, I have the scars to prove it!
- Doll-houses
-- There is nothing more fun than watching your child make up stories as the family
members move around in a doll house. Plus, if it is a wooden dollhouse, there
is the added benefit of decorating it with some wallpaper scraps and carpet remnants!
Your dollhouse could be a family heirloom if you put enough love into it.
- In the Kitchen -- Kids love to play Kitchen, when it is mixing
air, or getting to play with food. Give your child a great time by giving them
safe kitchen utensils to play with in the bathtub. Mixing, pouring, and scooping
bubbles and water entertains my children long enough for them to look pruny. Or
for a fun alternative, give them puffed rice cereal and some bowls and utensils
on the kitchen floor. Just plan to vacuum afterwards as there'll be quite a wonderful
mess!
Nicole Dean is the proud
owner of ShowMomTheMoney.com http://www.ShowMomTheMoney.com
-- a fun and exciting site for Work from Home Moms. Find free ways to help your
business succeed.
Return to top
Subscriber Talk!
I love receiving your AmuseLetters. The tips and book and cd choices
are great. I have purchased several of the cds recommended and have been happy
with them all. Keep up the good work.
~ Rachelle Johnson
P.S. Elizabeth
and I also love going to our Kid Rock classes and playing with Rocky and Rolland.
Happy holidays! Reply from Mari... Hi Rachelle and Elizabeth!
Thanks so much for your comments! I have such a wonderful time putting together
each issue of the RockIt Times and it is great to hear that people are enjoying
and appreciate it. I'm also thrilled that you are both attending Kid Rock classes
and like playing with my good friends, Rocky and Rolland! I hope you have fun
with the activities in this winter issue. If you have a camera around, take some
pictures. I would love to publish them in an upcoming issue!
Do you have
comments or suggestions for us? We love to hear and share what our readers think!
Please send your feedback to us at: rockittimes@rockitkids.com
Return to top
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Mari Peckham
RockItTimes@rockitkids.com
IPRA "Outstanding
Teacher of the Year" Award Recipient
Publishing Editor, Rock-It Times RockIt
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