Share the love

We often think of Love as something we share with our families, friends and those close to us. But how can we share the love? How can we extend the love outside our circle? How can we get our children involved in doing the same thing? Well a very special teacher has decided to share her love. Share with those less fortunate, those in bad situations, those who wouldn't ordinarily get much love on a regular basis. Showing our love doesn't have to stop on Valentine's Day either. Simple acts of kindness on a daily basis can touch anyone. How can we do this? Well, let that person who has less items than you cut in front. Help those who are elderly or infirmed to get things from their carts. Hold doors open, even a smile and hello can help someones day. The little child who comes to school and is really quiet, a simple hug and how are you can show a child so much. How can we get our children involved? Have them come with us if we go to a shelter. Let them pick something to donate. Tell them why you are doing it and ask them how they feel. As parents and teachers we lead by example. We should be showing love all year. It will make us feel good, our children will learn compassion and giving.

Play dates for Parents??

        This weekend my son has a friend coming over.  He and I have been doing nothing but going over what to have for dinner, what movie to watch before bed, and what the following days activities should include.  There has been a serious amount of planning going into this 24 hour window of time approaching this weekend, and why not??  It's a big deal! Playdates are fun, there will be lots of laughter and memories made. 

       Think about the last time you planned a play date for one of your kids, and then think about the last time you planned a play date for YOU and one of YOUR FRIENDS.  The last time I went out with one of my girlfriends, the only planning that was involved was a phone call, and the words, "Lunch, maybe the mall?"  Why do we plan our kids social engagements down to the minuet, and then just leave ours open to a big question mark?? 

      So here we go fellow parents, my challenge for you is to plan a play date, either with your spouse or a friend, as meticulously as you would plan one for your kiddos.  Be thoughtful, have an adventure, make memories, and have FUN!! 

      

Fine motor skills in preschool

The benefits of doing fine motor activities with preschoolers are very important. It helps develop their motor skills in their hands and fingers. Fine motor skills also helps strengthen the dexterity in their hands so they are able to better write on paper with a pencil, crayon, and markers. Fine motor skills are also needed to correctly use scissors. Using scissors at the preschool age is very difficult and takes  lots of practice. Making activities fun and exciting for your children will make the experience enjoyable.

Letting your preschooler do the activity independently, while giving them guided lines to cut on will help makes using scissors easier. Don't worry if it is not perfect, they will learn from practicing. 

If you notice the way this child is using the three point grip on her marker and the way she is holding the marker at an angle. Our class practices every day on fine motor activities and it pays off. 

Fine motor activities are not only cutting, it's also manipulating pieces of paper and putting them in order.

This child is sequencing or classifying, arranging these items in specific groups.

Preschoolers also benefit practicing thier fine motor skills by doing everyday self help skills. Like this child, helping his friend botton up his sweater in dramatic play.

This child Is using her small muscles in her hands to turn the pages in the book she was reading.

Practicing with your preschooler on their fine motor skills will allow them greater independence and benefit them in their school age years.

Make and take Monday

It's raining...

It's snowing...

It's cold...

I'm bored....

The list goes on and on for why winter gets us down, so switch it up and make it a Memorable Monday so much that Fun Friday gets jealous.

Try this easy and "cool" Monday Make it, Take it activity. It's sure to cause a blizzard of snowy ideas and an introduction to other cool science experiments.

"It's Snow Fluffy" Stuff 

(Sorry the Despicable Me movie has one of my favorite quotes every....)

Ingredients:

1 container of Shaving cream

2 boxes of Corn starch

Mix the 2 parts of corn starch to one part shaving cream together (2 boxes to one container.) 

Here is a few of our kids helping to add the corn starch. Then we asked each child how many squirts until we got to the end of the container of shaving cream...because we all know that to be good scientists you have to make predictions and test for outcomes. Also is helping with the much needed math skills.

Then mix together until the mixture is completely mixed and can make a firm ball shape when pressed together. 

We started with a spoon but sometimes you just have to get hands on and have fun with the process. This would be a great time to let the kids help with the mixing.

Now the fun begins...children can explore the snow fluffy stuff at their will and make the most of their homemade snow stuff.  

No messy roads or slick ice needed just hit the store that is a little more than $ 0.99 and let your dream snow flow for your sciencists and snow bunnies.

Have a memorable Monday from Ms. Gen and Ms. Kelly

Super Bowl Sunday

It's that time of year again, Super Bowl Sunday. I know for those of us who love the sport of football, we have our own eats for the big game. This year I thought I would try some new ones. I think the Sloppy Joe Dip will be easier for little ones than the traditional sandwich. Of course I will have other items as well, this is just three new recipes I thought sounded yummy. I have also included a healthy snack as well. It doesn't matter if you watch the game or not, I think this would be a great quick easy meal. You can also get the kiddos involved, let them be the ones to "dump" the items in. It's also a great time to talk with them about kitchen safety.  So, enjoy the game, the people you watch it with, and the food you eat. Remember to eat in moderation! I am looking forward to the commercials. 

Sloppy Joe Dip

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef chuck
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
11/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes with their juice
1/4 cup ketchup
11/2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

Salt and freshly ground pepper
Tortilla chips and sour cream, for serving

In a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook over high heat until browned, about 7 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the jalapeño and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and celery seeds. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the dip to a bowl and serve hot with tortilla chips and sour.

Salted fudge brownies

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes


Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9-inch square metal cake pan with foil, draping the foil over the edges. Lightly butter the foil.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over very low heat (Or in microwave on 50% power for 30 second intervals, stirring between each one until chocolate is melted). Remove from the heat. Whisking them in one at a time until thoroughly incorporated, add the cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the salt into the batter.

Bake the fudge brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes, until the edge is set but the center is still a bit soft and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out coated with a little of the batter. Let the brownies cool at room temperature in the pan for 1 hour, then refrigerate just until they are firm, about 1 hour. Lift the brownies from the pan and peel off the foil. Cut the brownies into 16 squares. Serve at room temperature.

I have not tried the below recipe, but think I may give it a shot tonight. We have to have something healthy to eat! 

                                            Crispy Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

Serve bites with a combination of Greek yogurt, lemon, and chives, or serve with your favorite dip.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon melted butter 
2/3 cup hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, water, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk together until smooth.
2. Toss cauliflower into  batter, making sure to coat each piece completely, then place battered cauliflower on a lightly greased, nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
3. In the meantime, combine melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl, regularly stirring. When cauliflower is done, remove it from the oven and gently toss it in the hot sauce mixture. Place cauliflower back on the baking sheet and cook for an additional 25 minutes until it becomes crispy. Allow cauliflower to cool for 15 minutes before serving.