Crafts: Household Items
Which Websites Work Best For Preschoolers?
July 27, 2009
My daughter has been using a computer since she was very young, we are big technology freaks in our house. She's learned to be quite self sufficient with a mouse and navigates her way around the desktop with ease. Children feel empowered when they can print out a picture they drew, interact with familiar media characters or select an audio book to listen to--all on their own! Finding quality websites that aren't chock full of advertising or questionable content can be a chore. Here are three websites that are sure to delight any preschooler!
1) Up to Ten This website scores high points for having a massive amount of content for ages 0-6. With over 1341 games, stories, crafts and activities, Up to Ten can be a welcome diversion for young children. The site is easily personalized and friendly animated hosts Boowa and Kwala recognize your child and even respond to emails. Up to Ten has games, short animated films, printable crafts, coloring pages and stories. Each activity on the page has an educational element, whether your child is learning about symmetry or learning fine motor skills as they cut out a paper craft. Website is free, but membership can be purchased that eliminates sidebar of advertising (which is very low-key) Games and activities update weekly and children can save their work or bookmark favorite games online.
2) Starfall Preschoolers love to interact with the ABCs and cheerful interactive graphics on this site, and parents are impressed with the skill building. Pre-readers begin with letter recognition and move on to sight reading simple three letter words. There is also a component that teaches sign language and simple songs reinforce literacy concepts. Children can work their way up to sounding our short books, or enjoy classical pieces, tongue twisters and poetry. Seasoned readers will be enthralled by the selection of Greek myths, folktales or Chinese fables. Best of all, parents can print out worksheets for added fun and the website is free!
3) Space Station 42 is an amazing clearinghouse of printable paper crafts, models and projects. Great for a rainy day when you're stuck indoors with a bored kiddo, this website has links to just about anything you would ever want to make out of paper. Make paper mice complete with high fashion outfits, historical paper dolls, or a cardstock steamroller. These crafts promote creativity and keep a sick preschooler comfortable when they're stuck on the couch. Once you get started with paper models, you'll be hooked!
Parents should always use caution and supervise their child when they're navigating websites with external links. Have regular dialogues regarding what web content is ok in your family: Do you do Disney or would you rather get ideas from homeschooling sites?
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Neighborhood Night Life!
July 13, 2009
In Portland, the summer is a beautiful yet fleeting time. All too often, the brilliant sunny days turn to drizzle and gloom. Oregonians like to take advantage of every walking hour of sun and during the longest days of summer, we all are usually found outside up until 9:45 or 10pm. Our neighborhood is full of children (nine on our block alone!) , most are outside playing until the sun goes down and we're always looking for new ways to keep them busy when they get tired of digging with sticks, chasing flying beetles, or drawing with chalk. Here are some creative ways for children and their families to play after dark!
Glow for it! Outfit kids with glow in the dark rubber bracelets to play tag or loop bracelets together to create silly creatures. Find a glow in the dark frisbee or ball for even more outdoor excitement! Oriental Trading has an immense selection of glow in the dark necklaces, bracelets, and glow sticks. You could even use glow in the dark paint and stickers to create one of a kind costumes and have a parade at dusk!
Light it up with lamps! Older children may have a good time creating luminarias (paper bags with designs cut out, illuminated by candle but for use with kids, use flame-less tea lights, LED battery operated torch). Use paper punches with fun designs or print out photos of children on paper so they can each have a turn "in lights"!
Play around with puppets! Borrow an idea from Balinese shadow puppetry (called Wayang) and everyone in the family can take part in putting on a show (invite the neighbors over!) Hang up a white sheet against the house, and make some simple puppets with paper and brads (or just use your hands). You could even make up some songs to go along with the scenes!
Try a tent! Eat your dinner outdoors, then after a run through sprinklers instead of bathtime, set up a tent and sleep under the stars! Bring out battery powered lanterns and read stories while you snuggle up! Smaller children may not want to spend the entire night outside so be prepared to transition back to regular beds depending on their comfort level. (Or, if you don't want to brave the crows that seem to wake up at 4:00 and want to let everyone know, you can sneak everyone back in the house after they fall asleep.)
Kids may also enjoy a good old-fashioned sing along, or a free for all rock and roll jam session (depends on what instruments you have at your disposal)! Gaze at some constellations and make up stories about the stars, have an impromptu bike/trike parade or fashion show! What about a water balloon toss or make small, edible decorations to hang in the trees for birds/other small creatures?
Whatever you do, remember that children playing near the street at dusk/dark can't always be easily seen by cars and you should play safe at all times!
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Holiday Rituals I'm Looking Forward to This December
December 01, 2008
Every year I enter December with such high hopes. All the new rituals I'll begin this year, all the ones I won't leave until the last moment. And yet, every year, I find myself 'round December 20th wondering where the time went and oh my God what am I going to get my kids for Christmas?
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More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in portland
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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