I found a very easy envelope template to use for this. I made the envelopes from construction paper of different colors. Gluing the sides and then the bottom (I cut off the top). I made mine 4.5 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide.
You can use colored craft sticks to let your child match them to the envelopes. You can also use these as a counting game by making number cards to decide how many items go into each envelope.
With these sheets, simply print them out to a 5×7 size and either laminate or put inside a clear pocket protector.
Children can use magnetic letters to spell the words or use dry erase markers to write the letters.
All of the words are simple words with only three letters. This is a wonderful phonics activity for Preschool, Kindergarten and even First grade.
While my grandsons were here visiting; the youngest (almost 2 years) needed something quiet and soothing to do.
I found my bag of pom poms, a plastic jar, a spoon, a measuring cup and some large tweezers (found at a Dollar General). He spent a good 30 minutes taking the pom poms from the bag and putting them into the jar and then taking them from the jar and scooping them into small boxes.
Using the large tweezers was not only fun for him, but will help build his fine motor skills. Using the measuring cup and spoon, does the same. He did this a few times throughout the day. This was also a great way to learn about colors and textures!
What you need:
Dried Kidney Beans, Duct Tape, Sandwich Bags (ziplock style), 3 Pool Noodles, 3 Paper Plates
Follow instructions for Dollar Tree Hack for Bean bags. Duct tape each pool noodle into a circle. Write a “5” on one plate, “15” on another plate and “20” on another.
You can arrange the rings in close proximity as shown to one another or space them out in a line.
A while back I made my sister (who is a preschool teacher) some clowns to use for her Circus Theme in her classroom. She came up with a great idea to use a couple of the clowns to help with counting! She would give the child a number and then that would be the amount of pom poms the clown would be juggling.
All I did was print out the clowns, color them with colored pencils,cut and laminate.
What you will need: Sight Word strips, cardstock (optional), glue (optional), markers or stickers.
Cost: Approximately: $1.75
All you do is cut your Sight Word strips to the length needed. There are usually a few in the package that have 2 words to a strip and this is what I use as a template to cut the others to length.
I added cardstock to the back of mine because I used markers to write the word “BOOM!” on 3 cards (you can write it on up to 7 cards. If you choose to use stickers; you may not need to use the cardstock. If you do use cardstock; glue the strips to the cardstock. If you are using markers; use them before you laminate.
You don’t have to laminate; but they will last longer.
A few notes before I tell you how to play: You get about 40-45 words per pack! You don’t have to use all the words in the game at once. Go ahead and switch them up every now and again. The more words; the longer the game. The more people playing; the more words you may want.
How to Play: Shuffle the cards and lay the pile in the middle of the table, face down. Each player takes a card and if he/she reads the card correctly; they get to keep the card! If they choose the “BOOM!” card, they return ALL their cards to the pile and the pile gets re-shuffled. When all the cards are gone from the pile, the person with the most cards is the winner. You can also put a time limit on the game; say 3 or 5 minutes and the person with the most cards at the end of that time is the winner.
Understand that your emotions are there for a reason and releasing those emotions will help you heal.
Our houses may not look like Better Homes & Gardens and that’s okay too. That just means that our kids are having fun. They are fed, clothed, and loved and that is what really matters at the end of the day.
Please don’t punish yourselves when you try something new with your child and he/she doesn’t go for it the first or even the second time. They may alter the way you want the activity to go. That is a good thing! Let them take the reins; they are using their imaginations, they are letting you know that this is too easy or just not interesting enough at the moment. You may have to add an extra twist to activities to make it right for one child that you wouldn’t for another.
Motherhood isn’t easy. That’s why they make chocolate. Seriously!
Chocolate releases endorphins and those endorphins work to decrease stress. There is also a neurotransmitter affected by chocolate which is serotonin and serotonin is known as an anti-depressant.
Say it with a smile and then wait until you get to your car to cry. I’ve done it. Others have done it. Others will continue to do it.
We are parents. We are wired to worry. We shouldn’t apologize for that. We shouldn’t apologize for missing our little ones when they aren’t with us.
But we do need to let them spread their wings and fly. Believe me; they always return…dirty laundry and empty stomachs in tow.
Does your little one have separation anxiety? Try one of these when dropping them off at preschool, the babysitter, when you go off to work, etc.
When they hear the words “Good-bye” it seems so final to them; so let them know that you will be back after nap time, or after recess, etc. Don’t ever give them a specific time; this could set them up for disappointment if you get stuck in traffic or if you have to stay late for work.
And never sneak out without letting them know. I don’t know how many times I have had to calm a child down who was more shaken because his/her parent left without saying anything rather than just saying, “I love you and I will see you soon.”
If at all possible; another thing that you can do is arrive a couple of minutes early and play with your child in the classroom or at the sitter’s for just a minute and talk about the fact that you are going to work and they will be staying at school or with the sitter and doing all sorts of things that day. But you will be back to get them after their ______. Tell them that you love them and you want them to have a fun and wonderful day and you can’t wait to hear all about it when you pick them up. And before you leave; choose one of the phrases below.
Here is your Dollar Tree Hack #3!
This is a great playtime activity and also helps build those fine motor skills!
What you need:
Bulletin Board Accents (36 pc): $1
Paper Cut-outs (if using these, you will need card stock) (32 pc): $1
Hole punch
Shoe laces: $1 per pack (2 laces per pack)
Total cost: $3 for 67 lacing cards and 2 laces! Not bad!
If using the Bulletin Board Accents; they are pretty sturdy on their own; so I just laminate them and use the hole punch to put holes in them. Fewer holes for the younger ones.
If using the paper cut-outs; trace them onto a piece of cardstock for stability; laminate and punch holes. I purchase the shoe laces at Dollar Tree and get the long ones. Go crazy and get colored shoe laces! Tie a knot in one end and let the kiddos sew away.
They have so many different Bulletin Board accents; fruits, animals, vehicles, sports equipment!
Once in a while I can find clear zippered file folders and I get those to keep my activities in. They are easy to see what is inside and easy for the kids to open and close.
Here is another fun thing: If the paper cut-outs or board accents are plain; let the kiddos decorate them with crayons or markers to make them special; making all the fish tropical, writing their names on the stars, etc.
buildingblocksabc.home.blog 