RockIt Times AmuseLetter
Spring into Springtime!
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Preschool activities and crafts with a fun spring theme.
 Keep the good times rolling for your preschooler! March/April - Spring 2007 -- Issue 32
Contents
Quote Of The Month How true Daddy's words were when he said: "All children must look after their own upbringing." Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. Editorial Hello and welcome to the spring issue of the RockIt Times AmuseLetter! Did you notice the long gap between the last issue you received and this one? Well, we made the executive decision to change the publication to six times a year instead of twelve. This means that our issues will now come out as January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. Our Kid Rock classes are so popular that my teaching schedule no longer allows me to spend as much time in front of the computer! I, for one, am seriously looking forward to spring! It made my spirits soar a bit to put together a great spring issue for you, because it reminded me that the nicer weather is just around the corner. I enjoy getting outdoors with my children; nature walks, fun trips to the zoo, bike rides....I'm even determined to learn to roller blade well enough that I can sort of keep up with my kids! I hope you enjoy your own spring season and whatever adventures it may bring your way! And don't forget to create your own exciting moments with your child! It can be as easy as helping him or her make a beautiful spring hand bouquet for you. Best wishes! Mari Reading Rocks! Recommendations
Kid Rock "Party In The Spotlight" The Wiggles Nothing like the Wiggles to get your little one tapping their toes and shaking their tushy! Welcome spring by inviting Kid Rock to your next party! Your Wiggles party may include the following songs:
Reserve your party date today! Email to parties@rockitkids.com or call us at 847-961-6584. Craft Of The Month Hand Flowers
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/ Snack Of The Month Banana Pops Ingredients:
Directions:
Music Rocks! Recommendations
Motor Activity Of The Month Springtime Song My eyes can see it springtime, it's springtime, it's springtime. My ears can hear it's springtime, it's spring time, i'ts springtime. My body can feel it's springtime, it's springtime, it's springtime. Special Guest Article Super Market Super Fun! What could be more routine than a trip to the grocery store? Before you had children, you did it hundreds of time without giving it much thought. Now, you have an inquisitive, demanding, hyper, and at times cranky companion along for the ride. Hopefully you are not expecting to get through your shopping in record time, as you did before. If you think you will be making the Olympic shopping team this year, you are bound to be disappointed and annoyed. The trick to getting through the shopping trip with your youngster is to view the experience as an adventure. (Which it will be.) This will set you in the right frame of mind. Making shopping fun for your youngster can actually be an easy task. It just requires some extra time. I know time is limited for everyone, but in the long run the extra time will be worth it. You will both leave the store feeling less stressed. 2. Running into acquaintances can sometimes be fun. But on your shopping adventure it could be disastrous. Your youngster will get bored and it can throw your whole trip off. So, tactfully explain to your friends and acquaintances that you need to get to your adventure. If they have children they will fully understand. If they don't offer to explain it (Some other time!). 3. Be sure that your child is safe at all times. Shopping carts can be dangerous. According to securityworld.com an average of 21,600 children ages 5 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with shopping carts each year. Here are a few tips to help keep your child safe:
4. If your preschooler has their own child size shopping cart, let them bring it to the store. Before your shopping adventure, you will want to discuss some basic shopping cart rules. If your child is over-active and you fear they will hurt themselves or other shoppers, this might not be an option for you. 5. If you are taking your shopping adventure with a young preschooler and you have your child in the cart (buckled of course), be sure to roll the cart down the center of the aisle. This prevents hearing what every parent dreads… “Clean up on aisle 5”. 2. Now if you really just don’t have the time to make a shopping list for your child, then try matching with your coupons. When you get to the aisle where the cereal is, give your child the coupon and have them pull off that cereal. Most coupons have a picture of the product for easy identification. Of course you will still need to check for size and variety to make sure the coupon is usable. 3. Finding letters is not only educational, but can also cure the boredom for a little while. Have your child find 5 letter A’s on a sign, or in a product you plan on buying. In the next aisle do the letter B. Preschoolers love to show you they know their letters. If your child does not know his letters yet, what better way to teach them. There are letters everywhere in a supermarket. 4. Write the words to some songs your child likes to sing (or even some new ones) on index cards and keep them with your coupons. If you child is not shy and loves to sing, he will feel right at home with a store audience. 5. There is always the good old stand-by “I Spy”. Pick something in the aisle that is red and chant “I spy with my little eye something red”. Have your preschooler try to figure out what it is. Don’t make it too hard, because you only have till the end of the aisle till you have to pick a new one. 6. Counting your steps. If your preschooler is not in the cart have them count how many steps it is from the “corn flakes” to the “raisin bran”, etc… 7. Teaching your children about the food groups is always a good thing. But you can help reinforce these skills by asking food group questions as you shop. When you put bread into the cart ask your preschooler what food group that is in. (This is good for older preschoolers.) 8. Another way to get your preschooler involved in shopping is to give them options. Let them pick between “Chocolate or Vanilla Ice cream” “Red juice or Green juice”. Be sure to only give them options on items that you really don’t care what is picked. Don’t let them pick then say “Are you sure, this one is cheaper” or “but Mommy would rather the chocolate.” etc… Let it truly be their choice. 9. Always bring a little “grocery store last resort” bag with you. No doubt seeing all this food might make your preschooler hungry. (Please don’t open food from the store before you buy it, this is stealing. Although you plan to buy it, this is just not something you should pass onto you child. It is not ok to do this.) Pack some snacks, a stuffed animal, and an action figure or two into your “grocery store last resort” bag. Another good item to pack in this bag is a storybook. I know what you are thinking when am I going to have time to read. I have shopping to do. Well, like I said earlier hopefully you are not plagued by the Murphy’s Law curse. But if you are, you could be waiting in the check out line a little while. Why not keep your child entertained by reading them a story. 10. Once it is your turn at the register, allow your preschooler to help you put the groceries on the belt. Just be careful of little fingers. Make sure they are not playing with the belt. Also, little hands and breakables are not really a good idea. Let them put the paper products, cans etc… on the belt. It Didn’t Work: 1. Ignore inappropriate behavior unless it becomes dangerous, destructive, annoying to others, or truly embarrassing. You have to find a happy medium here. While you are trying not to give your child attention for unacceptable behavior, you also do not want to convey that you will allow him to misbehave in public. 2. Remove a child who is out of control. Take him or her to the restroom or out of the store. Tell the child quietly, eye-to-eye that the behavior is absolutely unacceptable. NEVER do this in front of others. That will not make the situation any better for either of you. Try waiting and saying nothing at all until your child calms down. Then ask if he is ready to try again. 3. Go home if the child cannot calm down. If the shopping cannot wait, find a sitter and return alone. 4. Tell your child you will have to leave him at home next time. Then do it. Make sure to follow though or your child will continue the same behavior because they know you will do nothing about it. 5. Don't ever buy your child a treat when he has thrown a fit. 6. If possible, try bringing another adult along on your shopping adventure. Maybe a friend or a grandparent. Someone who may be able to keep your child occupied while you gather the items you need. A Job Well Done: Even with these ideas and hints, you probably still will not qualify for the Olympic team. But making your supermarket shopping a less stressful experience for you both should be reward enough. Happy Shopping!
About the Author: Christa Koch is the proud owner/developer of the website www.preschooleducation.com. She has been teaching preschool children for over 11 years and has loved every minute of it. Christa lives in Pennsylvania with her wonderful husband Mike. 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: Great Links and Freebies Check out these great links for parents and caregivers!
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| Rock-It Kids Creative Movement Chicago-area Children's Parties Children's Instruments and Party Favors | | |||||||||||||
| Preschool themed fun spring party or lesson. | ||||||||||||||