Search Results for: blog simple ways to make summer memories with your preschooler

The stages of preschool play

We are blessed to live in a townhouse complex where there are many children of different ages. The children all run around in a central area where they can play outdoors together. They play all sorts of imaginary games together. This sort of outdoor pretend play forms a large part of my childhood summer memories. In the last few years, I’ve watched my daughter go from being a “baby” in these games to a participant. In the last nine months, she’s become an active contributor to group imaginary play. It’s intriguing when a preschooler starts to move into group play, … Continue reading →

Labor Day Road Trip Boredom Busters

Think fast: What are you better equipped to handle on a 5-hour long Labor Day weekend road trip, a flat tire or a bored preschooler strapped to the backseat of the car? Most parents would rather deal with a flat than a car full of whiny children. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with a DVD player or you are embarking on a tech-free vacation, then you might consider the following classic car games to keep things running smoothly: Twenty Questions This car game favorite requires one person to think of a person, place or thing, while each of the … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Preschooler About Good Nutrition

Talking to your preschooler about the benefits of eating a healthy diet will likely do little to change his view on broccoli and cauliflower. However, if you invite him into the kitchen and allow him to work on recipes with you that include nutritious ingredients, your point will probably be better received. Kids love rolling up their sleeves and creating yummy treats so why not take advantage of their enthusiasm? The following tasty recipes are easy to prepare and the best part—-they are incredibly healthy. ORGANIC CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS Ingredients: 1 cup organic peanut butter 1/3 cup honey 2 … Continue reading →

Fun Ways to Make Learning Fun for Preschoolers

Learning doesn’t only have to take place in a classroom. The following simple activities are designed to help educate your preschooler in a home setting. What’s more, the projects are so much fun, your child won’t realize he’s actually leaning important lessons in the process: SHAVING CREAM PAINT Materials: Shaving cream Sponges Paintbrushes Food coloring Popsicle sticks Small bowls Directions: Spray shaving cream into several small bowls. Add food coloring and mix with Popsicle sticks. Moisten sponges and paintbrushes. Allow your preschooler to paint with the shaving cream. Then, have him mix the colors and guess what the combinations will … Continue reading →

Passing Time with Preschoolers

Preschools around here open a week after public and private schools do. For parents with children in multiple grade levels the staggered start means having to keep at least one child occupied while the others are in class. If you are looking for ways to pass time with your preschooler in the days leading up to the start of his new school year, then consider the following fun and educational activities: COTTON BALL SNOWMAN Find different size plastic cups or round containers (you could also use canned goods) for preschoolers to trace. You’ll need three different sizes. On paper have … Continue reading →

More Inexpensive Ways to Keep Your Preschooler Busy

Did somebody say cheap? The following activities are designed to keep preschoolers busy long enough for you to make dinner, fold the pile of clean laundry sitting on your bed, or take a shower without having a 4-year-old clinging to your legs. What’s more, they can all be done without having to spend a dime: Indoor “Snowball” Fight: Get a large stack of old newspapers or magazines and divide it up between two kids. Have them wad up the sheets of paper and start throwing. When they get bored of playing “snowball” fight, place two garbage bins in the middle … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Ways to Keep Your Preschooler Busy

You just dropped a bundle on back-to-school supplies for your older kids and now you’re scrounging around for money to purchase another box of diapers for your infant. Where does that leave your preschooler? You can show him how much you love him without spending a dime. Simply set up the following activities and have fun playing together: Beads: String some plastic beads onto a straw in an easy pattern of alternating colors. Glue the first and last beads to the straw so they won’t slip off. Give your child another straw and have him string beads to match your … Continue reading →

Simple Preschool Pleasures

I cherish the times I get to spend with my preschooler. I really do. Namely because I know in a few years she’ll be more interested in nail polish than her dear, sweet mother, who has sacrificed everything to provide her with unconditional love and round-the-clock care. But I digress. This summer my daughter and I have had the most fun doing simple activities. Sure we had a blast at the amusement park and the state fair, but the following basic (not to mention inexpensive) projects have yielded some of the most amazing summer memories: KIDDIE CAR WASH Materials: Kids … Continue reading →

Simple Ways to Make Summer Memories with Your Preschooler

It was a summer to remember for my preschooler. Not only did she score big during her soccer camp, she also conquered her fear of amusement parks and deep water. She’s now a self-proclaimed thrill ride-loving fish, who can’t wait to share her accomplishments with her new classmates this fall. However, before she heads back to school I have a couple of fun summer activities that we need to complete, including this one: SUMMER MEMORY GARDEN Materials: Large piece of mural paper Paint Markers or crayons Construction paper in a variety of colors Pom poms (various colors) Coffee filters Clothespins … Continue reading →

How to Make Mealtime Fun

Instead of getting upset with your picky preschooler at mealtime, consider getting him involved in the preparation process. If you allow him into the kitchen instead of chasing him out in order to give you more space to whip up lunch or dinner, he’ll become invested in the meal, and consequently he may try new items. Start off by experimenting with old favorites. For example, instead of making the same ol’ PB & J sandwiches, consider creating kid-friendly fruit kabobs, pizza, and quesadillas. Kids love dipping, stacking and rolling up their food into fun treats. Purchase some mini bagels, flour … Continue reading →