Child Passenger Safety Week 2013

September 15 through 21, 2013 is Child Passenger Safety Week. For more details and downloadable information for your group or organization, visit this link.

Make Summer Last Longer

I can't believe it will be the beginning of August in two days. Where exactly did summer go? It certainly seems to be flying by. I thought of one way to make your summer last a bit longer. You can preserve the fun activity of sand castle building with your child by making modeling sand. Here is the recipe:

1/3 cup flour
2T white granulated sugar
1 cup water
6 cups clean sand

Mix the flour and sugar. Add the water and stir well. Cook over low heat, stirring until the mixture looks clear. Cool until it's a comfortable temperature to handle. Mix with the sand. Knead until you have a clay like substance. You can add a bit of water as needed. You can pack this into measuring cup or other containers then invert onto a plate. We layered ours. You can sprinkle on glitter, add seashells, or post a flag as we did. Let it dry, without touching or moving for a day. It will harden and remind you of the 2013 fast moving summer!

Art Contest 2013

Does your child like to draw? Well if so, there is a wonderful art contest going on sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The theme is children's safety of course. Follow this link to read about the age categories and rules. They might just win a super vacation package!

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

That's a question I get asked quite frequently. So here's a wonderful reference for you. Take time to read it as well as all the other great articles provided by this fantastic organization..

Summer Treats

Eating healthy in the summer can be a challege. With picnics, car trips and late nights, the regular menus are easily set aside. Healthychildren.org provides some good tips for food choices when it's just too hot to cook. Here is a recipe I found there for Kiwi ice pops that are a healthy hot weather treat. Enjoy! ++Remember NEVER to leave a child (or pet) in a car in the summer even if only a few minutes! ++

June 2013 Product Recalls

Here's the newest list of recalls. Time to check your purchases!

Craft Ideas For the Fourth of July 2013

I just found this great site that has lots of cute craft ideas. Here's the link for July 4th crafts. Enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July 2013

I hope you are ready to enjoy a great holiday with family and friends. Here in the Northeast, we are hoping for a nice day with no rain! Also, we hope that all our children stay safe. Healthychildren.org had some tips on backyard safety, as well as information on swimming pools, fireworks, and the dangers to children of lawn mowers. Follow this link and make sure you are a responsible adult. Don't forget to explain to the children in your life the historical reason for this meaningful holiday.

May 2013 Product Safety Recalls

Follow this link and check your purchases for recalls.

Sand Play

If you are fortunate enough to live close to a beach, I'm sure you and the kids in your life have learned the fun of playing in the sand. Many of us are not so lucky and visits to the beach are few and far between or not at all. I am always on the lookout from every source for fun ideas for the kids during summer vacation and here is a great one.

Make your own sculpting sand:

Clean play sand (available at most home improvement stores)
corn starch
water

Mix together the sand and cornstarch at a ratio of 3:1 (12 cups of sand and 4 cups of cornstarch for example). After it's thoroughly mixed, add about 3 cups of water. Mix slowly adding water until it is a good consistency and packs nicely. Store in a plastic pail with a tight fitting lid. You can always add more water when it starts to dry up too much or starts to get dirty. Now, build, build, build!


Here are some good books to give you ideas:

Sea, Sand and Me by Patricia Hubbell

Super Sand Castle Saturday by Stuart J. Murphy

Sand Castle Bash: Counting from 1 to 10 - Jon Scieszka's Trucktown Series

Sisters Are For Making Sandcastles by Harriet Ziefert

Sand and Surf by Tanya Provines

Ideas For Teaching Bright Children

There is a new book that was just released that has some really excellent ideas for teaching bright children. There is an opportunity to ask questions of the author too. Follow this link to find out more.

June 2013 Books and Craft

Here are some book suggestions for this month's theme of Butterflies:

From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman

The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco

When the Butterfly Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little

The Lamb and The Butterfly by Arnold Sundgaard

Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle

A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston

Angelina and The Butterfly by Katharine Holabird

Little Butterfly by Happy Books (board book)

Materials Required:

Plastic spoons

Unused coffee filters

wiggle eyes

hot glue

markers

Directions:

1-Color designs on the coffee filters with different colored markers. The filter paper will spread and mix the colors. A slightly damp filter will add to the blending. (Crayons can be used as well but you don't get the blending of colors)

2-Crimp the middle of one filter with your fingers and lot glue to the back of a plastic spoon right where the bowl of the spoon meets the handle.

3-Glue the eyes to the bowl part of the spoon and draw the mouth.

4- Body sections can be drawn on the handle sections too.

5-Spoons can be placed into flower pots for decoration. Hot glue different lengths of cords or heavy thread to the tops of several spoons and tie to a branch to create a lovely mobile for a porch.

These were made by my 5 yr. old grand daughter. She wants to make lots more!