Podcast: Technology Use With Young Kids
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A few decades ago, electronic media for young children meant little more than Captain Kangaroo, Mister Rogers, Sesame Street and Saturday morning cartoons. Today children are awash in different kinds of electronic media at a very early age – from DVDs to game-like apps for tablets such as the iPad to interactive children’s books on devices like the Nook. Families are increasingly eager to use interactive media with their children, and some early educators – especially in elementary schools – are curious to see how or if they might help children learn. But teachers and parents struggle to determine whether a product, show or game is really worth a child’s time.
Click Here to listen to the Podcast: Grappling with Guidelines for Technology Use with Youngs Kids
Enjoy!
Operation Christmas Child
Now that fall is officially here, it’s time to start thinking about the holidays.
This year ACA will participate in Operation Christmas Child! For those of you who haven’t heard of it, every year thousands of shoe boxes, filled with gifts and a story about God and His love, are shipped across the world to kids in need to help bring joy and spread the word of Jesus. We will be asking each child to donate a box. We feel each child should learn the gift of giving as well as receiving and this is certainly an opportunity to do so.
Getting Started:
1. Use a standard size shoe box or small plastic container.
2. Determine what age and sex of the child: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14
3. Fill with gifts: Please also include a note to the child and a photo or your family. If you include your name and address the child may write back. Some suggestions: school supplies: pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, markers, stamps and stamp pads, writing paper, solar calculators, coloring & picture books. Toys small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, etch a sketch, jump ropes, harmonicas, kazoos, toys that light up or make noise with extra batteries, slinky, etc. Hygiene Items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap in a plastic bag, comb, washcloth. Other: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights with extra batteries. DO NOT include: used or damaged items, war related items like toy guns or knives, military figures, chocolate or food, out-of-date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snow-globes or glass containers, aerosol cans.
4. Include a $7 donation or more for each shoe box to help cover shipping and other project costs.
If you would like more information, please visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/.
As always, we are so proud to have such generous parents to partner with us against the fight for underprivileged children. Thank you!
Keeping The Gainesville Preschool Kiddos Busy This Summer!
Sweet Summertime is almost here! It is our first official “Summer Vacation” with our kiddos this year. As much as we dreaded them starting preschool this year, we have gotten use to the nice little 3 hour break 2 times a week. Now it is time to put on the creative thinking caps and keep them busy!!! Here are some simple and Savvy ideas that we found entertaining and fun for kids of all ages!
We love Martha Stewart for so many reasons! Here are a few ideas we found from her 60 Days of Summer Activites . 1. Get the kids in the kitchen and whip up some cool treats. These Ice pops made from your kids favorite pureed fruits are the perfect Summer treat. Use yogurt containers or milk cartons for the molds for fun shapes! 2. The outdoors and Summer go hand in hand! Keep your kids busy by creating an Obstacle Course made from hula hoops, buckets, cardboard boxes, balloons, whatever you can find that is kid friendly! 3. Taking a trip or two to the beach? Bring home extra shells and get crafty! Create a Shell Wind Chime using string and sticks. 4. Water balloons are always a fun way to cool off, but try thisSponge Ball idea made from cut up sponges and string that will last longer than balloons too! 5. Decorate your front porch or your 4th of July celebration with these simple Holiday Lanterns made from construction paper. 6. Invite the neighborhood kids over and set up a “Sprinkler Party” for instant fun!
Have a camp out in your own backyard! Gather up your tent, sleeping bags, board games, flash lights, and snacks and have a “stay-cation” a few feet from home! Keep the kids busy with a scavenger hunt, sleeping bag races and of course S’mores! Don’t have a fire pit handy? Have your kids help bake up these yummyS’more cupcakes ahead of time. Find more camp out activities here.
We all will hear it one time or another this Summer……”Mom, I’m bored!” I was shocked the other day when I heard that from my 4 year old. Shocked first of all that it has started so young but also shocked that a whole entire playroom sits there and she was still “bored”. We came across this great idea from Somewhat Simple when you happen to hear those nails on a chalkboard words! The “Mom I’m Bored” jar is what very well could be the perfect solution to that problem!
If you are still stumped, the creative Laura Winslow of Laura Winslow Photography has created this FREE and adorable 8×10 printable LOADED with101 Bits of Summer Fun! We are going to make this our Summer Checklist!
Do you have any Summer bordem buster tips or ideas? We would love to hear them!
Have a Safe and Happy Summer!
Five overpriced kids products and their bargain alternatives
Having kids is costly. According to a 2009 estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a parent will spend $160,000 to $369,000, based on income level, to raise a child from birth to age 17. Want to, gulp, know your estimated outlay? Check out the child cost calculator at Bankrate.
Since being a parent is so expensive, we’re always looking for any way to save. Here are five products aimed at kids that are a total rip-off, and what you should buy instead.
Bad Buy: Baby yogurt
Granted, these little yogurt containers are cute—the picture of the smiling baby on the side gets us every time. But there’s no reason the 24-month-and-under set needs a special yogurt made just for them.
Good Buy: Plain whole-milk yogurt
Children under age two need plenty of fat for brain development, but if the yogurt you offer them is made from whole, pasteurized milk, it’s fine if it’s not “just for babies.” To sweeten it, mix in a bit of fresh or frozen fruit, which will cut down on the amount of sugar per serving, along with the cost. Note: Never sweeten food with honey, as raw honey is dangerous for babies under 12 months of age.
Bad Buy: Jarred baby food
Don’t get us wrong. Jarred food is incredibly convenient, created under strict standards in the United States, and perfectly fine from a health standpoint. In short, there’s nothing wrong with serving it to your baby. But a bargain it ain’t!
Good Buy: Fresh fruits and veggies
Making baby food is easy. You don’t have to buy any special tools or stress yourself out brainstorming menu ideas; all you have to do is mash up a banana or some avocado and serve it to your wee one. For a tiny step up in the effort department, steam a sweet potato, scoop out the inside, and mix it with some formula or pumped breast milk to get the correct consistency. You can do the same with cooked apples or pears, or broccoli, or carrots, or squash, or … you get the idea. For the best advice, check first with your child’s pediatrician before starting solids.
Bad Buy: Name-brand diapers
We were shocked to learn from Consumer Reports that parents will spend $1,500 to $2,000 in disposable diapers for each baby! Until your child graduates to underwear, there are a few ways to cut costs.
Good Buy: Bargain diapers
Consumer Reports found a savings of 3 cents per diaper when buying the Walmart brand versus Pampers, which results in $108 over the course of a year—not exactly small change! The magazine also suggests that parents buy the largest-count, economy-size boxes; keeping your child in the smallest diaper size he or she can wear comfortably, since larger-sized diapers cost more; buying in bulk if you’re the member of a warehouse club; and, if you’re willing, using cloth diapers instead, which cost significantly less over time.
Bad Buy: Greeting cards
A present is one thing we’re always happy to spend money on, but we go crazy when we buy our nephew a $15 toy and the greeting card costs an additional $3. Talk about a waste.
Good Buy: Handmade or computer-printed
For adults and older children, a thoughtful note on regular stationery is plenty lovely. If you have preschoolers or older kids, put them to work crafting cards for any and all occasions, which is fun for them and sweet for the person receiving the card, too. We also found reasonably priced computer paper and accompanying envelopes for anyone who wants to send professional-looking cards at a fraction of the cost.
Bad Buy: Juice Boxes
Good things do not always come in small packages (much like baby yogurt). Ounce for ounce, these individual-serving-size boxes are almost double the price-per-ounce than the exact same juice in a larger bottle.
Good Buy: Bottles of Juice
Buy the big bottle and put it in your fridge, then stock up on some handy, reusable water bottles and cups with lids to serve your children. That way you can water down the juice you serve your family, which is a smart idea since experts believe too much juice can contribute to obesity, cavities, and other health problems. It’s also fun to make a drink of half juice, half club soda, a lemon wedge, and plenty of ice—bubbly, refreshing, and a lot better for you than soda or straight juice.
Andrea Pyros lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, where she raises her two kids and writes for coupon site RetailMeNot.com.
Leaving for Vacation? Read this first!
Road-Trips That You Can Remember In A Good Way
Vacations are a fun way to escape the routine of your daily life, but the road trip usually isn’t the best part of a family’s getaway, nor is the packing. What if you forget something? What are you supposed to do to keep everyone safe and happy in the car? This website provides valuable information on necessities to pack, along with fun car games and printouts to take with you. If you’re going anywhere this summer, you can’t afford to pass this up!
Click here to read more…
How to Organize Your Photos
Pictures are everywhere! If you’re like most parents, you document everything your child does with the camera. With camera options on your phone, it’s even easier to snap those pictures. But what are you doing with all of the pictures that you’ve taken? How are you supposed to organize them? Here are two great links to help you organize your photos and provide you with inspiring new projects that you can do with your photos, rather than sticking in the same ol’ boring photo album.
Click here to read more…
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/photography/photo-crafts/
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/photography/organize-your-family-photos/
No More Boring Brown Bags – Lunch Can Be Exciting Again
Try These New Tips Next Time You Pack A Lunch
You’ve decided to start brown bagging it to save some money. Now you’re faced with what to pack and staying healthy. Eating the same lunch everyday gets very boring and the food loses its appeal. You children will start trading their lunches, and then you’ll have no idea what they’re eating. This website offers great ideas for delicious lunch ideas, creative new food ideas, hot and cold recipes, and tips to make sure your child is having a healthy lunch. There’s even a link for peanut free recipes and an option to receive a FREE e-magazine with more great lunch ideas! We hope you enjoy this website, and your child starts enjoying lunch again.
Click here to see more:
Going to the Beach? Parenting Beach Tips
Make Sure Your Beach Trip is Fun AND Safe
Traveling to the beach this Memorial Day? Don’t leave the house without being fully prepared. This website has tips for beach related issues that we never even thought about. There are great game ideas, recommended beach products, tanning, FAQs, and even guidelines for sun damaged hair. The safety related articles are posted in the “Ocean Swimming” category. With over 120 tips, categorized into 19 different, easy-to-locate sections, there’s something in here for everyone and makes this website a must see for any parent!
To see more visit:
Summer Picnics Made Simple for Memorial Day
Don’t waste your whole weekend planning your Memorial Day picnic. We’ve done all the research and found the best website that will help you have a fabulous picnic without the stress and headache. Now you can be the host and enjoy the picnic as much as your guests. This website gives tips for planning the picnic, food, games, and other helpful hints to make sure your picnic runs smoothly.
Click here to read more:
Creative Fathers Day Gift Idea that Dads love
Does the dad in your home already have a closet full of ties, a garage with all the necessary tools, and enough homemade paperweights to last through four careers?
Presents on Father’s Day should come from the heart, and let Dad know that you really value everything he has done. We know that sometimes it’s hard to come up with an idea that can include the children and portray everything Dad deserves without breaking the bank.
Are you trying to think of a fun and creative way to let Dad know that you love him and appreciate everything he’s done? Here is a perfect way to let him know that you cherish the way he always takes care of you:
Materials:
- 1 White Cotton T-Shirt
- Fabric Paints (from local craft store)
- Paintbrush
Instructions:
- Pour some paint into a shallow foil baking pan, and have your kids place either the palms of their hands or their feet into the paint.
- Have them make a print of their hands or feet on the front of the t-shirt. Next to the prints, write either: “I’m in good hands with Dad”, “Best Dad, hands down”, or “I want to walk in Dad’s footsteps.” If you have more than one child, you can change the wording to “We’re in good hands,” etc.
- Have them wash all of the paint off their skin immediately.
- Tiny baby feet and hands are adorable mementos, but you can make this an annual tradition, a clever way to chart the kids’ growth.
PS What do you think about this Fathers Day Gift idea? Do you have any fun and creative gift ideas you can share? We’d love to hear from you!
PPS We also would love to research and post any topics parents are looking to find out about. Let us know if you have a topic you want us to research or provide our feedback on!
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