fine motor skills

Our family has longtime been a fan of the fondue night. It’s a tradition for us to make this dinner on New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day, and often the kids will choose to have fondue for their birthday dinner …

    I’m always on the hunt for fun ways to keep my kids engaged and interested and thinking creatively. And when I find something that works, and it’s unplugged, creative fun, it’s a serious win. Today after school, while …

The following Rockstar Sunday guest post is written by a woman whose third language is English and who has two little ones and two rockstar blogs.   Birute Efe writes Playtivities which is full of fun toy-making, learning, and creative parenting …

The following Rockstar Sunday guest post is written by one of the coolest gals on the planet, Becky Morales.  Becky is a mom, teacher, and creator of Kid World Citizen, where she shares activities that ‘help young minds go global’. …

I just shared a cool series over at the Scholastic Parents Raise a Reader blog, and I think it will be of interest to many parents. It’s all about first steps to writing and what parents can do to help …

The following rockstar guest post is written by Barb of  A Life in Balance. Barb has a ton of awesome ideas, and you should totally check out her blog.  Gallon bag activities. Plastic bag activities. Ziploc or Ziplock or Glad or store …

This post about fun with food and fractions is written by Jen of Beyond Traditional Math. Hopefully after reading it, you’ll never look at food quite the same! Thank you, Jen, for your time, effort, and expertise! ____________________ Fractions with …

It’s been snowing a whole lot over here for the last few weeks, and in fact, this week, about 15 inches of the white stuff were dumped on us. So this mama has had to pull out the stops when …

Any time we can use recyclables for learning or play, it’s a win in my book. So each year as New Year’s Eve approaches, we clean out our recycle bin and put some of those small containers to use for easy, …

The following guest post is written by the amazing Devany LeDrew. Devany is a former Kindergarten who now shares adventures with her children–most often playing, learning, and remembering–on her blog Still Playing School. Check it out. ——————————— Our 10 month …

    The following guest post is written by the incredibly busy Theresa of Capri + 3.  Theresa is a mom of four toddlers, and her family’s story is an amazing blessing. Her blog chronicles their adventures. —————————— I am …

    The following guest post is written by Christie Kiley. Christie has the job I find amazing and awe-inspiring: an Occupational Therapist.  The work of these professionals is absolutely incredible. Christie is an O/T and mom of two teeny-tiny …

We’re week three into our tabletop surprises, and this week, we rocked some sneaky math, literacy, and creative thinking. The kids woke up to some easy activities and ones that required more thinking—and two that required more movement. Sign language …

    What happens when you put a bar of Ivory soap in the microwave? Really. Ivory soap. Plain ole sweet-smelling, plain-jane white bar o’ Ivory soap? In the microwave. Try it. Your kids will think you’re a rockstar, and …

    Summer is kicking us hard over here. Actually, swim and dive are kicking us hard over here, like always.  And at five weeks in, between meets, practices, relays, pep rallies, and team events, our family has run a …

It’s actually hard for me to type this title after years and years and years of math drills that made my elementary-school head want to explode. Can learning math facts be fun? Is it possible that learning these facts can …

While we were at the craft store this past weekend, picking up some supplies for Maddy’s after school club and for Cora’s Butterfly Birthday Playdate this weekend, we stumbled upon this AWEsome springtime craft. Beautiful, easy homemade flower barrettes. So …

It’s Spring Fair time, Science Share time, Reader’s Tea, Poetry Share, and International Night time at schools all around the country. Kids are sharing their learning, and they’re learning about sharing. Or at least they could be! My kids are …

It’s that time of year when hearts and love and pink and hugs and candy and kisses are in the air. So the kids and I have been busy making Valentines for their classmates—one of our favorite holiday traditions. This …