recent posts
February 28, 2012
The 3 years of posts took a long time to scroll through but these 10 are my very favorite we made for FamilyEducation.com since May 2009. I hope you will join me over at my main blog No Time For Flash Cards for new activities almost every day !
Sparkly Starfish
Fine Motor Letter Match
Flower Painting
Monster Gift Bag
Father's Day Stress Balls
Shoe Organizer Art Storage
February 26, 2012
Learning about shapes is more than identification it's about manipulating them, understanding space and how things go together. Hands on activities are great ways to start teaching your kids about shapes.
Shape and Hide
Circle of Circles
Shape Snack
Emory Board Shapes
Open Ended Shape Collage
February 25, 2012
I have a passion for letters, specifically teaching them and I love exposing kids to them through crafts, games and play. Here are some of the best alphabet themed posts I have done here at FamilyEducation.com
Alphabet Soup
Alphabet Clean Up
Find and Stick Letter Hunt
Letter I-SPY Bottle
Candy Letter Match
February 24, 2012
Our last post looked back at some of my favorite book posts and today I continue the trip down memory lane with my favorite St. Patrick's Day ideas.
Mint Playdough
Rainbow Paper Chain Wreath
Shamrock Lacing Card
Pom Pom Rainbow
Easy Glittered Shamrocks
For even more ideas check out this Pinterest board devoted to St. Patrick's Day!
February 21, 2012
At the end of this month I will be leaving FamilyEducation.com . As far as I know the posts that are presently published will remain, but still this chapter is closing and it's making me nostalgic. Over the next 5 days I will be reviewing some of my favorite posts from the past 3 years.
Today is all about Books!
Here are my 5 favorite posts about books. Did you have a favorite?
David Shannon Books
Board Books
Lucy Cousin Books
Books About Manners
Books About Trucks
February 18, 2012
Learning to write can be hard and frustrating for many kids. Forcing them to practice over and over can be counter productive for many who already don't enjoy it. I don't know about you but when we got into trouble in elementary school we had to write lines. I hated it.
Finding real world reasons for them to write and practice words is key. I taught PreK and tutored kids in reading and used exercises like this all the time as class activities and things to try at home for those struggling. You'd think that as my own son struggled with a lack of desire to even try to write that I...
February 17, 2012
When I am cooking dinner my toddler is ready to play. Unfortunately she like her dad and brother have incredibly long limbs and can grab at things and it's simply not safe some nights to have her walking about. So I make little activities for her to do in her boster chair. This is our recent favorite.
Using an old pepper container and straws cut to fit inside she slips them through the little holes until the are all in.
I come and dump them back out ... and repeat.
She loves it, she is safe from cooking dangers and she is working on fine motor and hand eye coordination skills too!
February 16, 2012
Easy shape collages have always had a prominent place in the preschool lessons I have taught. I like including materials like this glitter foam because it adds something special to a basic project.
All you will need for this is some glittery sticky back foam and scissors.
Cut out a large diamond shape.
Cut out multiple small ones.
Collage.
February 14, 2012
I know people say that this holiday was made by Hallmark and isn't real yada yada yada but who doesn't love a day about love?!
Every year we make heart shaped tortilla pizzas, have heart shaped dessert ( usually cookies or brownies cut with a cookie cutter) and bubbly pink lemonade. It's easy and silly and what holidays should be like when you have little kids.
This year though I am adding a new tradition ( isn't it fun getting to make them?) I am going to go through family pictures and find some from when my husband and I were dating, some wedding photos, and a few pictures...
February 13, 2012
This is a fun craft for kids with great scissor skills, I used to do this with a group of after school kids when I worked in a childcare center.
All you need is some paper and scissors.
Fold and cut out half hearts on most of the seams.
Open and voila!
Told you it was easy!
8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Teachers
Aliki
Jessica Efird
Family Education Staff