April 2009

What we’re up to…

My calendar is so full right now, just totally stuffed.  A lot of fun, busy end-of-the-school-year activities coming our way.  I’ve got a few projects and crafts to show you, but no photos taken yet…..soon!  Till then, here are some things we are doing or have added to our to-do list. While searching the net [...]

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Emotions + Preschoolers

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 5 Regulating Emotions We’ve made it to the last of this five-part series on social-emotional skills for preschoolers! Today I’m going to focus on the up-and-down emotional world of preschoolers. During this time in their development, preschoolers are learning how to express what they are feeling and what to do [...]

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Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 4 Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution Problem Solving Practice Provide a variety of open-ended toys that encourage creative thinking and experimentation. Talk out loud while you solve problems to model effective problem-solving strategies. Ask questions more often than you give answers. Get in the habit of saying, “What do you [...]

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Listening and Following Directions

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 3 Listening & Following Directions Whenever I talk with other parents, this is a pretty hot topic! There are really two separate issues to discuss when we are looking at a preschooler’s ability to listen and follow directions. The first is about building skill — developing the ability to take [...]

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Initiative, Independence, & Responsibility

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 2 Initiative, Independence, & Responsibility “I can do it myself!” is definitely one of the mantras of the preschool crowd. As children’s abilities grow and develop, so does their drive for independence. Our job is to provide them with a safe, encouraging environment in which to practice, practice, practice their [...]

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Curiosity, Invention, & Imagination

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 1 Curiosity, Invention, & Imagination We’re going to kick things off with three wonderful traits – curiosity, invention, and imagination. Lucky for us, preschoolers usually have an abundance of these three things, so we’ve already got a head start! Since we don’t really have to “teach” these skills, we can [...]

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Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers

Independence. Problem solving. Empathy. Expressing emotions. Preschoolers have a lot going on in their little minds! The preschool years, generally ages 3-5, are a busy time for developing important social and emotional skills. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we have the opportunity to provide engaging, play-based activities that allow children to develop a confident sense [...]

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Rubbing Plates + Glue

Hey everyone! Hope your Easter was lovely. We are getting back into our routine around here – me slowest of all, I think! I have been wanting to try making window clings with colored glue and rubbing plates for a while now. I finally took the time to try it out! I did a test-run [...]

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Pin the Tail on the Bunny

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I was in charge of a game for Natalie’s kindergarten spring party. I made this felt pin the tail on the bunny – it was very simple and only took me about 15 minutes to make. That’s my kind of project! The kids really loved all the colorful tails, too.  A fun addition to any [...]

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Origami Bunnies

Still need some last-minute Easter cards, decorations, or activities? Try making these simple origami bunnies! We followed these directions at Activity Village – they have nice clear photos showing the steps. We used 6-inch squares of scrapbooking paper (regular-weight, not cardstock). My six-year-old memorized the instructions after one time, and continued to make a whole [...]

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