Posts tagged Preschool
Review: Counting Fun Fruit Bowl From Educational Toys Planet
Jun 30th
I received a Counting Fun Fruit Bowl from Educational Toys Planet for review, and my son really enjoys this toy. This educational toy, not only helps young children grasp the concept of counting. The counting fun fruit bowl focuses on number learning. The fruit bowl comes with 5 fruits, and each is segmented into quantities between 1 and 5. The fruits can only be assembled in the appropriate order and are held together with magnets. Which help the child learn quantity, colors as well as teaching counting. They can also count the number of fruit, as well as add and subtract the pieces of fruit, as well as segments of each individual fruit. This helps in developing future math concepts.
Mr. Toddler loves this toy, he tells me he is cooking the fruit. He likes to assemble the fruit together, and then pretend play in his kitchen with the fruit. He doesn’t even realize he is practicing counting and math skills while playing.
The Counting Fun Fruit Bowl is very reasonably priced at 19.99.
I received this toy for review from Educational Toys Planet, no other compensation was received.
Mr. Toddler’s Santa Wish List
Nov 15th
Mr. Toddler’s favorite toys really are anything that deals with things that move! He loves Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. We have plenty of Thomas the Trains, Hot wheels, and Disney Cars characters. So I am trying to find things fun yet educational for him for his Santa Wish List.
Here are a few items from my list that are sure to please my little man!
SMALL WORLD TOYS CAT TAKE APART DUMP TRUCK:
PLAYSKOOL ALPHIE: I remember playing with something very similar as a child and loved it. I like this toy because it is fun yet educational!
MATER TALL TALES DVD: Since he loves the Disney Pixar “Cars,” I am sure this will be a big HIT too!
CLICKSTART LEAPFROG THOMAS THE TRAIN GAME:
LEGO DUPLO CARS MACK’s ROAD TRIP
V-Tech Kidizoom Digital Camera: Since he absolutely loves playing with my digital camera!
So these are just a few of my ideas…WHAT IS ON YOUR TODDLER/PRESCHOOL child’s SANTA wishlist this YEAR?
Ghost and Spider Halloween Crafts
Oct 28th
Mr. Toddler has a few Halloween parties to attend, and I wanted him to be able to make something to give to the other children. And while this is a super easy idea, it is perfect for my 2 and 1/2 year old to do with my help. He definitely enjoyed making the ghosts, and of course having a lollipop too!
What you’ll need:
- Kleenex
- Suckers
- White yarn
- Scissors
- Black marker
How to make it:
- Cut a small length of yarn.
- Center the Kleenex over the top of the sucker.
- Tie the yarn in a bow right under the sucker.
- Draw on eyes and mouth with black marker.
- Give as a party favor.
Tips:
Quick and easy is the key to this favorite classroom favor. These make up so fast you can create them for all your trick-or-treaters.
Here is another super cute Halloween Craft to do with your little one! I found this idea on Kaboose too.
- 9″ paper plate
- 4 black chenille stems
- Three 36″-long pieces of green yarn
- Black, white and light green acrylic paint
- 3″ x 5″ piece of orange construction paper
- Black marker
- White craft glue
- Scissors
How to make it:
- Paint paper plate with black paint and let dry. (See photo.)
- Fold paper plate in half and cut along the crease. (See photo.)
- Pipe glue along the rounded edges of the two pieces of plate and stick the plates together, unpainted sides should be facing each other. Do not glue the cut sides; this is the opening of your plate pocket. (See photo 1, and2.)
- Cut chenille stems in half. (See photo.)
- Set aside two of the chenille stems. Bend the ends of the remaining chenille stems, about 1″ at each end. Bend one to the left and the other to the right. For the remaining two chenille stems, bend one end about 1″ and the other end about 2″. (See photo.)
- Place plate pocket in front of you, with the open end at the top. Glue three chenille legs on the left (glue to the underside) and the other three on the right. (See photo.)
- Take the remaining two stems and glue the 2″ bend under the plate about 1/3 of the way down from the left, and 1/3 of the way down on the right. Allow to dry.
- Make eyes from white construction paper, or paint a section of any color construction paper with white paint. Use a black marker or black paint to draw in the pupils, then glue eyes on the body. (See photo 1, 2.)
- Paint a wiggly smile on the front of the plate using green paint. (See photo.)
- Write “Happy Halloween!” on the orange construction paper with black marker. Glue the paper underneath the spider’s “hands” so that it appears that it is holding the sign. (See photo.)
- To make the handle, line all three pieces of yarn up together and tie one end in a knot. Braid the strands together and knot at the other end.
- Open the pocket and pipe some glue into the creases then press the ends of the yarn handle inside and let dry.
- Fill with candy or other treats and hang.
Top 30 Preschool Songs CD from Kiboomu Review and Giveaway
Oct 15th
Closed
Children develop a love of music at an early age. I remember watching Mr. Toddler’s eyes light up, and he would smile as an infant when we would play music at home. Mr. Toddler is now in preschool, and learning fun songs, so when I was asked to review The Top 30 Preschool Songs CD from Kiboomu, I was excited to check it out.
This CD, which is available via iTunes, contains thirty tracks of child-friendly music that range from loved classics and nursery rhymes worked into more modern children’s melodies. Your child will definitely love this CD, and you will recognize several of the songs. Many of the songs are educational, and children will learn as they listen. I like The Days of the Week, I Love Colors, and One, Two, Buckle my Shoe. Mr. Toddler loved listening to some of his favorite children’s songs like The Wheels on the Bus, BINGO, If You’re Happy and You Know it, and his favorite, Ring Around the Rosie! We listen to the songs in the car, and he asks me repeatedly, to play his favorites over and over again. It is a great addition to our car rides to keep him occupied! Even when we are not listening to the CD, I find Mr. Toddler singing his favorite songs around the house.
The Top 30 Preschool Songs is just one of the many CDs that Kiboomu offers. The company focuses on providing age-appropriate music for children that is fun, and educational. Your little one will love any one of the CD’s offered by Kiboomu. Kiboomu also offers several fun iphone applications, check out these Kiboomu’s apps.
Buy It: To purchase The Top 30 Preschool Songs, check out iTunes today
GIVEAWAY: I have been given the opportunity to giveaway three copies of the iTunes CD to my readers!
Mandatory Entry:
Visit The Top 30 Preschool Songs and tell me what songs your littles love!
Extra entries:
1. Follow my blog.
2. Follow me on Networked Blogs
3. Like Life of A Modern Mom on Facebook
4. Follow Lifeofmodernmom on twitter
5. Tweet about this giveaway(may be done once daily)
6. Grab my button (3 entries)
7. Enter my other giveaways(2 entries)
8. Blog about this giveaway and link it back to me (5 entries)
Giveaway ends 10/29 at 1159 CST. Winner will be chosen by random.org, open to US and Canada.
Thanks to Kiboomu for providing me with the CD from iTunes to review. No other compensation was received, all opinions stated are my own.
Winners # 2: Lara
# 10 Tomi
# 18 Kristin
Congrats to my winners!
Story Time For Me Children’s Book Giveaway
Sep 28th
StoryTimeForMe.com is a great website designed for toddlers and children in early elementary school. The site, allows the children to read and listen to enjoyable, online interactive children’s storybooks. StoryTimeForMe.com also offers a personalized book.
What is exciting it that Story Time For Me is offering two options for my readers to receive free online books.
1) 2 free online books, or
2) 10 free online books
Please see information below for more details!
Here is a video from StoryTimeForMe.com:
My Review:
Mr. Toddler was very excited to sit with me at the computer and read the online children’s books. We read the preschool/toddler book together, and he loved the animation and music of the online book. I liked that it highlighted each word as it was being read. He asked for the book to be played, “Again and Again!” The fact that it left Mr. Toddler asking for more, I know we are onto a good product, and that makes me happy when it is EDUCATIONAL! Please check out StoryTimeForMe.com!
How to GET FREE ONLINE BOOKS:
1) 2 Free Online Books: Email info@StoryTimeForMe.com stating they would like 2 free books from Life of A Modern Mom in the subject line. In your email please include your first and last name, email address, and child’s first name and child’s birthdate. You should then receive confirmation within 1 days of sending the email for your free books, from info@StoryTimeForMe.com.
2) Receive 10 free books by referring your friends. Usually 10 books retails for $24 dollars so this is a great deal! All you have to do is visitwww.StoryTimeForMe.com/10.doc, save the word document and fill it out. You’ll see on the form that you only have to refer 10 ‘unique’ friends that have not yet registered at Story Time For Me. Please contact your friends and ask if they want to participate in the offer for 2 free books. It only counts if they follow through with the email verification.
Once you confirm your email, you will then be prompted to create a password and can begin selecting which books you’d like to add to your library. It’s that simple! And FREE!
You can also check out Story Time For Me on Facebook!
I hope you enjoy your books from Story Time For Me!
Make a Preschool Yearbook!
Sep 15th
Mr. Toddler is off on his great adventure to preschool, and really enjoying it! I am so glad that he is settling in to this routine, and making new friends.
I just came across this great idea on education.com, and thought this is to cute not to share! After all, they grow so much in these first few years– to be able capture the progress is just GREAT!
The article below is from the education.com website.
By Danielle Wood
Kids love to hear about themselves. And reading about themselves is even better! This personal yearbook will help them gather and record all the important moments and facts about their lives, as they make the march towards kindergarten. Plus, it makes a great keepsake.
You may think you’ll always remember the first time your child writes her name, draws a picture with facial features, or counts to 20 unassisted, but although it may seem fresh in your mind now, with time, it’s easy to forget the details. As your child works on her yearbook, she’ll be practicing reading, writing, and math. And you’ll have something to look back on later when preschool is a distant memory.
What You Need:
- Markers and crayons
- Family pictures
- Blank book or scrapbook
- Glue
- Tape Measure
What You Do:
The great thing about this yearbook is the fact that it’s personal…it can include whatever strikes your child’s fancy. Start things off with a title page that includes your child’s name, age, photo, and signature. Then, consider these ideas for what follows:
- Self portrait- Preschool brings a lot of change in drawing ability. Her pictures will likely move from cockeyed scribbles, to early human forms that look more like big blobs with matchstick legs, to pictures that are a lot more recognizable. At the beginning of the year, ask your child to draw a self-portrait. Leave a few of the following pages blank, so she can do the same thing at later points in the year. You’ll be surprised when you compare the pictures at year’s end!
- Measurements- How tall is your child? Measure her height, record her weight, and write down her shoe size. For a fun twist, you can also write down more obscure data, like her arm span or the circumference of her head. Leave some room, either below each entry, or on a following page, for updates throughout the year.
- Favorite Phrases and Expressions- Preschoolers say some pretty funny things. The next time your child comes up with a whopper, write it down on this page, with the date next to it. While, “No, I want to do it!” or “Burp-o-rama!” may not seem so charming now, it will be fun to know later that your child used to say these things a hundred times a day.
- Favorites Page- What’s your child’s favorite number? His favorite color? His favorite book and his favorite toy? Who is his best friend? Write down all of the things that make him who he is as a preschooler.
- When I Grow Up- Ask your child what he wants to be when he grows up, where he wants to live, and what he dreams his life will be like. Don’t question his reasoning, just record. If he says he wants to “live on a spaceship and you can come, too” write that down as is.
- Gallery- Not sure what to do with all that art work your child brings home from school? Glue it in for a permanent record of how she expresses herself at preschool age.
- Album- Be sure to include pictures of big events, whether a birthday party, your child’s first soccer practice, a special Valentine’s Day project, or whatever else is a big deal for your child and your family this year.
- Words I Can Write- At the beginning of the year, have your child write down any words he can write, unassisted. This may include just his name, or just his initials, or it may include much more. That’s fine. Leave the next few pages blank. As the year progresses, try this again every 3 months or so.
- Tell Me a Story- Early in the year, have your child tell you a story or a joke and write down verbatim what she says. Do this again several times over the course of the year. If she’d like, she can illustrate her story.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. What you decide to include is up to you, and as unlimited as your child’s imagination!
I am super excited to get started on this project with Mr. Toddler. I think I am going to use a three ring binder with plastic inserts. Great way to store artwork, and other fun things he does throughout the year.
Off to Preschool
Sep 3rd
Mr. Toddler is going off to TWO year old preschool. I have signed him up for one day a week. Part of me can’t believe I am sending my two year old off to school. It is obvious that my precious boy, is no longer a baby. He reminds me of this on a daily basis! It is just so hard to believe that just yesterday he was born, and now he has grown from an infant to this “little being.” I have been with him every step of the way, we have laughed, we have played, we have loved, and we have learned together. His personality is contagious, and he is quite the character, he has his likes and dislikes, and he has energy and curiosity that will lead him to great things! And I of course just love him to pieces. And so I want the best for him, afterall what parent doesn’t.
But that doesn’t make it any easier to send him to preschool at the age of two. I had lots of “ifs,” will my child be ready, can he leave my side and enjoy and learn, is he really old enough to be somewhat independent, but then I listen to my friends, and I realize that preschool is the new kindergarten, and kindergarten is the new 1st grade. Our schools are already incorporating a foreign language into the preschool curriculum! So it became no question on whether to send him to school, and I think my little man is ready, but AM I? I still have lots of “ifs,” and I know that the first few times are going to be quite a challenge. For both me letting go of my baby, and for him taking his first steps at being independent. But I have no doubt that my little man will thrive.
A Toddler’s Nutritional Needs
Feb 19th
Food Pyramid
My toddler is somewhat of a picky eater. He loves carbohydrates(sugary sweet treats), and is not as keen on the meats, fruits and vegetables. I am also struggling getting him to eat fruit that isn’t in a gerber jar. Some days I worry about how much food he is eating, and is he getting the right amounts of food. I did a little research on the food guide for adequate nutrition in toddlers, and thought I would share what I have found.
According to the USDA Food Pyramid, a 2 year old male or female, who is active for 30-60 minutes a day, should consume about 1000 calories per day, from each of the following groups.
Grains: 3 ounces, examples, 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta
Vegetables: 1 cup a day of raw or cooked vegetables
Fruits: 1 cup total, examples: 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 1/2 cup of canned fruit,
Milk (Calcium): 2 cups (16 oz) a day.
Meats (Protein): 2 ounces a day. Example of a serving size: 2 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is considered 1 ounce of meat.
Fats & Sweets: Try to limit empty calories with little nutritional value.
To obtain the USDA’s Food Pyramid Guide for Young Children, follow this link – Food Pyramid for Preschooler’s There is a nice chart to download that will let you track your little one’s intake. Also see more Suggestions for foods in the various food groups.
