A Smashing Good Time

Trying to beat the heat and find a great activity for your kids?!?!  Get them outside and active with this simple and inexpensive water balloon pinata! 

Materials
Balloons
Water
Heavy string or fishing line

How To
1.  Fill as many balloons as you would like with water!  Hint: The more full the balloon, the easier to pop!

2. Tie off balloons and add a piece of fishing line or heavy string.

3. Hang the balloons from a jungle gym, monkey bars or even branches from a nearby tree.

4. Form a line making sure kids are safe!  Have 1 child at a time hit the balloons with a bat to see if they can make them pop!  For added fun, try blindfolding the batter!

5. Be ready to be the most popular parent on the block!

7 Tips for Summer Reading

School may be out for the summer, but if you want your kids to be in teachers' good books come fall, don't forget about summer reading.  Children should be reading summer-long in order to maintain their skills and gain a love of reading. Try the following tips from PBS Reading Experts:

1. Pick a program: In order to keep kids motivated and on track, Ernst suggests participating in a summer reading program.  Most local libraries have engaging, interactive reading programs with positive reinforcements to keep kids reading!

2. Time it right: Children in lower grades should be reading 20 to 30 minutes a day and part of that time can include a parent or caregiver reading to a child, experts say. Children in the upper grades should be reading 30 minutes to one hour a day.

3. Quiet down: To facilitate reading, give kids a quiet place to relax and read.  Keep the space free from TV and other distractions so they can have uninterrupted reading time.

4. Mix things up: Provide children with reading material in a variety of genres. Elementary-aged children should be reading fiction and non-fiction books that cover a range of genres, like science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction. 

5. Many materials: Summer reading should include reading material of all lengths, from chapter books to short stories to magazines. There are times when you want to read something short so you pick up a magazine to read.  Kids should have the same things available for them.

6. Talk about it: Take time talk to kids about what they're reading and about what you're reading, too. If the parents are talking about books they are reading, then the kids see reading as being worthwhile. Let your children see you reading and enjoying it, and they're more likely to want to read, too.

7. Write it down: There is a strong reciprocity between reading and writing.  Children should be given opportunities to write, whether it be email or letters to grandparents or friends, so their writing skills continue to grow along with their reading skills.

Hanging Bird Feeder Craft

Feeding and watching bird is a simple and exciting way to connect your kids to nature.  This homemade project from www.formulamom.com not only helps develop observation and science skills, but uses recycled materials and is easy enough for children of all ages to complete!

What you’ll need:

• bird seed
• canister or paper roll
• peanut butter
• string/twine
• sharp pointed tool

What you do:
1. Remove paper from canister to expose the cardboard. Remove lid and discard. Using sharp-pointed tool, poke a hole in the bottom of the canister.

2. Cut about a yard of twine and string twine through canister. Tie off at the top.

3. Set out the peanut butter and seeds so that it’s easy for your child to assemble the bird feeder. Grab a plastic knife or spreader for the peanut butter and place the bird seed into a container or on a paper plate.

4. Let your child spread the peanut butter all over the canister sides. Be careful not to get covered in peanut butter by holding onto the inside of the canister on the open top.

5. Once the peanut butter is covering all of the canister, roll the canister into the seed. Place your (or your child’s) hand into the container to apply pressure. This will maximize the amount of seed that adheres to the canister.

6. Hang the bird feeder up on a sturdy hook or post and wait for some feathered friends!

YOU are Your Child's Best Role Model

Parents are the biggest influence in their children’s lives. Children are always observing their parents’ actions and words. As a parent, you have an opportunity and the responsibility to be a role model for your child. Here are 6 ways to have a positive effect on your child:

1. Reading and success in school. Children do better in school when parents read to them often. Show your child that reading is important to you by having reading materials around your home. If your child sees you reading regularly, it shows you think reading is important.

2. Parental involvement. Be involved in your child’s school. Children have better academic performance when parents are connected to their children’s school in meaningful ways and know their parents and teachers have regular contact with each other.

3. Getting along with others. Children develop good social skills when parents spend time with them. Set guidelines for behavior and supervise your child when he plays.

4. Self-esteem. Spending time with your child helps him build self-esteem.

5. Behavior. Behavior is affected by circumstances at home. A supportive, loving family will provide an atmosphere that promotes positive behaviors.

6. Stability. Children who are exposed to extremely stressful situations can have physical symptoms related to both social and emotional issues. Provide your child with your time and emotional support. A stable family is crucial for your child’s healthy development.

Celebrate Parent Education Week

May 19th- 25th is National Parent Education Week!  Being a parent is a 24-hour-a-day job, and it’s normal for parents to feel overwhelmed sometimes. When we’re busy taking care of others, one of the first things we neglect is taking care of ourselves. Happier and less stressed moms are linked to a healthier and happier family overall.
When we’re over-stressed, our children also become stressed. Remember, time spent taking care of yourself is not selfish. Taking care of yourself helps you be a better parent. If you think stress may be affecting the way you treat your children, or if you just want some extra support, try some of the following suggestions:

Carve out personal time, cut back on your load of responsibilities, and incorporate activities that bring passion and happiness into your life. Ask yourself what you want out of life, and don’t go by what other people say or think.

Talk to someone. Tell a friend, healthcare provider, counselor or leader in your faith community how you feel. Or, join a support group for parents.

Get babysitting when you need a break. Some parents trade babysitting with another family, so each parent gets a break.

Reach out to other parents. You may find parents with children the same ages as yours at a local
playground, your church, or your child’s daycare or school.

Talk to your child’s school. Teachers and school counselors often can point you to other places or resources that can help.

Take a class for parents. You can always learn new skills to care for your children. Classes for
parents on discipline, school success or child development can help you build on what you already know about raising a happy, healthy child.

Perfect Projects for the 1st Time Gardener

There are dozens of studies highlighting the benefits of involving your children with gardening.  From an increased willingness to try new foods, to discovering the rewards of delayed gratification, there are a number of reasons to get your kids planting!  However, if you are intimidated by vegetables, or limited in space, try one of these fun grass projects.  With some simple supplies, you can create a fast-growing, nearly fool-proof, and most of all fun, growing opportunity for your family!

1. Grass Heads

Materials: Clear Cup, Potting soil, Grass Seed, Paper/Glue for facest

1. Have your child help you fill your cup approximately 3/4 full with soil.
2. Sprinkle top surface with grass seeds and cover with a light layer of dirt and water.
3. Dry the outside of your cup and use colored paper,  permanent markers or other craft supplies to create a face.
4. Water when dirt appears and feels dry.  Do not over water.
5. As your "hair" grows, have fun snipping and styling.

2. A Very Hairy Caterpillar

Materials: Knee-high nylon stocking, colorful pony tail holders, small cup, potting soil, grass seed, craft supplies for face, etc

1. Combine potting soil and grass seed in a small bowl
2. Cut the bottom of the paper cup and stick into the opening of the nylon (like a funnel).
3. Pour or spoon some dirt into the stocking and then secure with a colorful pony tail holder.  Add more dirt and secure with another pony tail holder.  Repeat this process until you have made 5 segments.  Knot the end of the stocking and cut any remaining.
4. Submerge your caterpillar in water and then let it sit in a plastic bag overnight.
5. Use google eyese, pipe cleaners and various craft supplies to decorate your creature
6. Set your caterpillar on a plate in a sunny window and water every other day.  He should begin sprouting hair in 4-5 days.

10 Naptime Tips Worth Reading

Getting a tired toddler to take a nap can feel like war instead of the peace that it’s meant to bring. If you’re one of the many tired and frustrated parents of sleepy, non-napping toddlers out there, here are ten time-tested napping tips that can help you turn naptime from a hostile situation into a peaceful experience. This is one short, quick list from www.parentingtips.org that you’ll find yourself coming back to time and again.

Tip #1 – No heavy foods before bedtime.

Tip #2 – No sweet drinks before naps.

Tip #3 – Stop rough play 30 minutes before naptime and read books or listen to calming music.

Tip #4 – Go for a run or walk one hour before naptime to help your toddler get rid of her extra energy and get ready for a nap.

Tip #5 – Don’t do anything but read or sleep during the first 10-15 minutes of your toddler’s naptime. A quiet house will help him fall asleep.

Tip #6 – Rub down your toddler’s face, arms, legs and back with a warm washcloth before naptime to help her calm down.

Tip #7 – Take your toddler for a quick car ride to help him fall asleep if he transfers well from the car to his bed.

Tip #8 – Put your toddler down to bed on time at night. Getting enough sleep at night will help her take better naps during the day.

Tip #9 – Several minutes before naptime, turn off the lights and music and close all the curtains. Make the house a quiet place where nothing interesting is going on.

Tip #10 – When your toddler gets up without napping, put him back in bed without a word. After the third time you’ve had to do this, put him in time-out for 1 to 2 minutes.  Keep doing this until the allotted nap time is over, or he/she stays in bed.