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Preschool activities and crafts with a family fun
theme!
Keep
the good times rolling for your preschooler!
November
2005 - Issue 20
Quote Of The Month One of the things that my parents
have taught me is never listen to other people's expectations. You should live
your own life and live up to your own expectations, and those are the only things
I really care about it.
~Tiger Woods Return
to top
Editorial
As the weather turns cooler, at least here in the Midwest, we start realizing
that we have less and less to do outside and more desire to stay in where it's
warm. What better time for families to reconnect with each other after a busy
summer and fantastic fall! I'm not much of a television watcher, but I do
always spend an hour or so after I get the kids in bed relaxing with the television
on. Recently, I have seen tons of ads for "The Family Table" with a
variety of stars sharing how the family table is important to them. After years
of TV-dinners, where the media was encouraging us to have our meals together while
watching our favorite shows, it's very refreshing to see a focus on eating at
the table with our families. The family table gives families a chance to regroup,
rebond and connect. Dinner discussion also helps your children learn the dynamics
of conversation. But why limit the family interaction to the dinner table?
Make sure you are taking the time to connect in fun ways with your family every
day. Read a book as a family, work a puzzle, or play a game. Go on a family field
trip -- even if it's just down the block. How about a craft or some cooking? Children
grow up so quickly. Don't let any of it slip by you! One of my family's
favorite activities is story telling. My children and I have an ongoing theme
that was started years ago. Instead of making up new stories, we just add on to
it! Part fact, part fiction -- my sons and I take turns bringing more depth to
our story. I'm also fortunate enough to come from a rather verbose family,
filled with people anxious to tell their stories! My Grandmother, who was born
in 1890 and lived to almost 102, had some of the most interesting. I like to share
these with my children, as well, to give them a connection to their ancestry. I
am happy to welcome guest author, Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, back to the RockIt
Times AmuseLetter. Mark will be sharing his views on the importance of
sharing stories with your children. Bottom line for this month is...have
fun with your family!! After all, families ARE fun! Best wishes for family
laughs and love!
Mari Return to top
Reading Rocks! Recommendations
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No Matter What
by Debi Gliori Reviewer: D. Simpson (Chattanooga,
TN) - I love this book! It is a beautiful story about the unfathomable
love every parent has for their child. I love the way the author has illustrated
unconditional love in a way children can easily understand. Your child will smile
and gain a feeling of reassurance, as does Small, when Large meets every grouchy,
hypothetical scenario with a resounding, "I'll always love you, no matter what!" |
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Don't Grown-Ups Ever Have Fun?
by Jamie Harper Reviewer:
Lane Young "Teacher and Librarian" (Highland Park, IL) Narrated by a young
girl, this book asks why parents are so boring. Brightly colored illustrations
accompany the narration which is from a child's perspective. The two parents have
more than enough to deal with from their three, energetic, fun-loving children.
Readers will delight in the satisfying conclusion to this book as the parents
learn to have a little more fun. | Return
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Kid Rock
"Party In The Spotlight"
Sesame Street Friends Sesame
Street gives us a great example of what "family and family" really means!
This fun theme is perfect for a younger friends playgroup or birthday party.
This
party may include the following songs or other Sesame Street music: - Sesame
Street Theme
- A Little Bit Bigger
- Zig, Zag Dance
- Somebody Come and Play
- Keep
the Park Clean
- Rubber Duckie
- C is for Cookie
Reserve your party date
today! Email to parties@rockitkids.com or call
us at 847-961-6584. Return to top
Craft Of The Month Rock Families Materials: Directions: - Take
a walk and have your child collect four or five different sized rocks to make
a family.
- Bring them back home and paint them.
- Then let your
child play with their family! Encourage your child to make up stories about their
rock family. They might like to name each of their rocks and tell what each rock
likes to do for fun or for a job. Help your child to expand their story by asking
questions about their family or helping your child make up different family outings.
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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 Honey
Milk Balls In honor of our families and friends this month, let's make
a yummy snack that can be shared! This is a great opportunity to talk about measuring
and textures with your child. I recommend that a grownup or older child does the
initial mixing, then let your preschooler knead. Encourage conversation by asking
how the mixture feels at various stages of the kneading. This is a wonderful activity
to develop fine motor strength. Ingredients: - 1/2 cup honey or
corn syrup
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2
cup raisins
Directions: - Combine all ingredients
in a bowl.
- Mix well; then knead by hand until blended.
- Shape
into small balls. Makes two dozen balls.
WARNING: Honey should not be
used in beverages or uncooked foods for infants under one year.
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Music Rocks!
Recommendations
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Family Playground [ENHANCED]
The Music Workshop for Kids Reviewer:
A music fan I've come back to buy this CD as a gift for a friend with a two month
old baby. My daughter listened to it extensively as a six-to-twelve month old.
The lyrics are clever, it is light and fast-paced, it teaches values, and an adult
won't be driven crazy by it. Most people haven't heard of this CD, but I think
it is a cut above Kenny Loggins, Nicolette Larson, John Lithgow, et al. It's best
for a baby. | | | |
Julie And Friends A Kid's Review -
Nadya, Stefan, and Katalyna
Lorick My favorite song is Drip Drop, but my mom's favorite is 5 Little
Monkeys. My brother and I like how the music sounds and the words are easy to
learn. My big sister's favorite is Capakaloo Zoo. She laughs every time she hears
it. This music is great, it makes the car rides so much more fun. |
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Motor Activity Of The Month Families Some
families are large. (spread arms out wide)
Some families are small (bring arms
close together)
But I love my family (cross arms over chest)
best of all! Return
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Special Guest
Article Ten
Reasons to Tell your Kids Stories
By: Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art of telling their stories
to their kids. Here are some reasons why these stories are so beneficial, both
for you and your kids:
1. Use them to teach lessons about life.
Stories will stimulate conversations with your kids more effectively than
lecturing, or "trying to get them to talk." There are a lot of issues
happening for your kids these days, and stories give them a chance to reflect
on them.
2. Stories connect your kids with previous generations.
In a society that seems to have families spread out all over, it's vitally
important to have ways for your kids to feel connected to their extended families.
3. Stories stimulate your kids' imagination.
One of the best
ways to prepare your kids for the world is to engage them in vivid stories that
stir their imagination. Kids who are exposed to these kinds of stories will be
the creative problem-solvers of the future.
4. Kids who are exposed
to stories will continue the tradition with their own families.
Knowing
that your family traditions and stories will be carried on by future generations
is very comforting, as well as a great benefit for your children's children.
5. Stories can encourage your kids when they're discouraged.
Childhood
can get pretty discouraging sometimes. Kids are encouraged when they know Mom
or Dad have experienced the same kinds of things, and they've survived.
6.
Telling your stories helps you remember your own childhood.
Telling
your kids about your childhood is a great way for you to remember and reflect
on what was important about your past.
7. Telling stories helps to
create depth and soul in your kids.
In a TV and media-crazy culture,
telling stories can capture and hold your kids' attention, and convey real meaning.
It's a way to show your kids what's really important in your life.
8.
Telling stories to your kids tells them they're worth the time.
Is
there anything more important than showing your kids that you want to spend intimate
time with them? They'll remember it forever.
9. Telling stories is
a great chance to convey your values.
Your kids will be getting quite
a few messages from their friends, and from popular culture. Stories are a great
opportunity to sneak in a few of your cherished values for your kids to hear.
10. Well-crafted stories create a wonderful mindset for your kids before
they fall asleep.
Kids will fall asleep faster, and with healthier
images, when you tell them your stories.
Creating a ritual of telling
your stories will create a lifetime of memories for your kids. It will deepen
your relationship, and show them how much you care.
And, it's never too
late to start.
Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC,
coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life and improve their family relationships.
For a FREE twenty minute sample session by phone; a FREE ecourse, ebooks, courses,
articles, and a FREE newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com
or
email him at mark@markbrandenburg.com.
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Subscriber Talk! 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
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Great Links and Freebies Check out these great
links for parents and caregivers! - Featured Links -
WorldVillage
Kidz Games
Kid friendly games and links to family sites.
Sesame
Workshop
Join the Sesame Street family for fun interactive games, stories,
art and much, much more!
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- Learning
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Software only $4.95 each
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- Personalized
Children's Books
- 2Blockheads.com
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crafts and more.
- 21 jigsaw puzzles that encourage creativity in all budding young
artists . . . only $9.99! Check
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- Free
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- Join free at
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- As a believer in holistic and natural remedies,
I was thrilled when I found this site --
Native Remedies, The Psychologist's Natural Choice. I personally use many
of the products from this site for both myself and for my children. I've been
a regular customer since mid-2004 and have loved everything I have purchased from
them.
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Mari Peckham
RockItTimes@rockitkids.com
IPRA "Outstanding
Teacher of the Year" Award Recipient
Publishing Editor, RockIt Times RockIt
Times is an opt-in, subscription only AmuseLetter.
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