This blog is for parents, care givers and teachers who need new ideas, places to turn or just want to investigate something different for children 0 to 4 years old.
Come on in, look around and please leave feedback.
If you have a site, book or other resource that should be here, please email me or leave feedback so we can add it.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Healthy-Family.org
A delightful website that looks at first glance to be simply about staying healthy with sugar free candies, gluten free bread products and parental controls for Kindles and computers. But a deeper look reveals links to a tremendous amount of resources geared towards parents who want fun and educational websites for children.
The kids' central button brings up numerous links to age divided pages, some of which I have also noted on this list. From there children of all ages can go pages for fun activities and learning. There are also plenty of links to various websites for allergy prone children, how to treat them with avoidance diets and links to plenty of food brands for allergy sufferers. A discussion forum allows parents, teachers and/or caregivers to ask questions or discuss concerns about a variety of topics.
This is a great website that can be perused for plenty of resources.
The kids' central button brings up numerous links to age divided pages, some of which I have also noted on this list. From there children of all ages can go pages for fun activities and learning. There are also plenty of links to various websites for allergy prone children, how to treat them with avoidance diets and links to plenty of food brands for allergy sufferers. A discussion forum allows parents, teachers and/or caregivers to ask questions or discuss concerns about a variety of topics.
This is a great website that can be perused for plenty of resources.
Healthy-Family.org | Staying healthy in a modern world . (n.d.). Healthy-Family.org | Staying healthy in a modern world . Retrieved December 6, 2011, from http://healthy-family.org
Naked Reading: Uncovering What Tweens Need to Become Lifelong Readers
Okay, this may seem like a very odd book to have on an infants and tots list BUT let me assure everyone that this book is in my top 5 items for parents, teachers and child care givers of the preschool set. Please don't let the name fool you, it simply describes such a deep love of reading that not even being soaking wet mattered.
In short, the author, Teri Lesesne, discusses ideas and philosophies behind turning tweens into lifelong readers. The only disagreement I have with her is that becoming readers starts long before a child becomes a tween. By then for many children it may be too late. Building a love of books should start at birth or even before.
Please pick it up!
In short, the author, Teri Lesesne, discusses ideas and philosophies behind turning tweens into lifelong readers. The only disagreement I have with her is that becoming readers starts long before a child becomes a tween. By then for many children it may be too late. Building a love of books should start at birth or even before.
Please pick it up!
Lesesne, T. S. (2006). Naked reading: uncovering what tweens need to become lifelong readers. Portland, Me.: Stenhouse Publishers.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The New Read-aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
This timeless treasure provides ideas and inspiration for parents, teachers and care givers who want to read aloud to the children in their lives but are hesitant or already are reading aloud but need new excitement. Each edition is full of wonderful ideas and resources but the 6th edition has some great new "discussion" about handling non-reading influences like television.
The format of the book is easy to read and the second half of the book is stories to enjoy with children of all ages. This is a wonderful resource for every parent or teacher.
The format of the book is easy to read and the second half of the book is stories to enjoy with children of all ages. This is a wonderful resource for every parent or teacher.
Trelease, J. (2006). The new read-aloud handbook. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Friday, December 2, 2011
PBSKids.org
This site is provides games and activities both on-line and off line for children of primarily 3 years and older. For the younger group, the website revolves around the television programs that PBS airs throughout the week and helps to extend the ideas learned during the shows.
Since some of the PBS shows revolve around classic stories, by integrating shows, the books and the activities on the web, the children are receiving the same characters and story through different mediums. Even if parents are leery of the use of computers at such a young age, each activity provides non-computer ideas to go along with the episode.
While not in my top 10 website, this one is definitely in the top 20 for its integrated approach to learning and the appropriate shows it provides.
Since some of the PBS shows revolve around classic stories, by integrating shows, the books and the activities on the web, the children are receiving the same characters and story through different mediums. Even if parents are leery of the use of computers at such a young age, each activity provides non-computer ideas to go along with the episode.
While not in my top 10 website, this one is definitely in the top 20 for its integrated approach to learning and the appropriate shows it provides.
PBS KIDS: Educational Games, Videos and Activities For Kids!. (n.d.). PBS KIDS: Educational Games, Videos and Activities For Kids!. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from http://www.pbskids.org
All about coloring website
This website is just fun and frivolous for parents, teachers and caregivers. Printable coloring pages for themes of all types, with numerous pages in each category this website will provide hours of fun for toddlers and preschoolers of all ages. I even know adults who have been coaxed into coloring a few holiday pages for a window or two.
A bonus to the site are the links provided on other pages. Some are downloadable games for older children but others are on-line games for young children. Still another page leads to a variety of educational websites available to anyone. All you need to do is check the websites and see if they are appropriate or useful for your child/ren.
While definitely more of a fun site, coloring.ws has pages for all skill levels and promotes dexterity and motor skills, color recognition, understanding of various holidays and themes all while having fun (and perhaps eating a few crayons).
A bonus to the site are the links provided on other pages. Some are downloadable games for older children but others are on-line games for young children. Still another page leads to a variety of educational websites available to anyone. All you need to do is check the websites and see if they are appropriate or useful for your child/ren.
While definitely more of a fun site, coloring.ws has pages for all skill levels and promotes dexterity and motor skills, color recognition, understanding of various holidays and themes all while having fun (and perhaps eating a few crayons).
All About Coloring. (n.d.). All About Coloring. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://coloring.ws
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Bright Hub! Early Childhood Education website
I like this website for the fun poems and rhymes for toddlers you can find. Poems are great for learning while doing actions but the kids just know they are having fun. This website is geared for preschool teachers of probably toddlers through pre-k age and it does have a Christian base to it but provides secular options throughout.
Parents should not feel intimidated by the thought that this is teacher site, everything on here is user friendly and enjoyable for all children. In fact some of my favorite songs the transition time songs on the website and these can be used by anyone! Even children at home can use a funny transition song and these are incredible.
The entire website is worth using on a regular basis for everything. But for the 0 to 4 group, make sure you click on the early childhood button.
Parents should not feel intimidated by the thought that this is teacher site, everything on here is user friendly and enjoyable for all children. In fact some of my favorite songs the transition time songs on the website and these can be used by anyone! Even children at home can use a funny transition song and these are incredible.
The entire website is worth using on a regular basis for everything. But for the 0 to 4 group, make sure you click on the early childhood button.
. (n.d.). Bright Hub! Early Childhood Education. Early childhood education articles, preschool teaching tips. Retrieved August 12, 2011, from http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood.aspx
Tumblebooks Library
Tumblebooks library website employs bright colors, interesting books of all levels, the newest technology and plenty of options for "reading" to entice learners of all ages to dive into stories for fun. This website is one I had not used until about 6 months ago and now that I found it, we are using it at our house. The books for school age kids give the accelerated reader levels which is helpful but more important for the younger set are the the books that read to you!
Under the story books tab are picture books for young readers. These books are read longs, with wonderful readers who tell the story as the child watches the pictures and can follow the words. For early readers, parents can set this up and let their child read several stories to practice reading. But even pre-readers will love to listen to the stories and see the pictures. These early experiences with books will enhance pre and early readers positive experiences.
Under the story books tab are picture books for young readers. These books are read longs, with wonderful readers who tell the story as the child watches the pictures and can follow the words. For early readers, parents can set this up and let their child read several stories to practice reading. But even pre-readers will love to listen to the stories and see the pictures. These early experiences with books will enhance pre and early readers positive experiences.
Tumblebooks - eBooks for eKids!. (n.d.). Tumblebooks - eBooks for eKids!. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from http://www.tumblebooks.com
Your Babies First Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics
The third edition of this encyclopedia of infant care, is updated with the latest information on vaccines, diseases, disabilities, in addition to basic facts on health and growth. A huge resource at 800 pages, this book is inexpensive and can be an asset to parents and caregivers alike.
The coverage of injuries, diseases and illnesses is in depth which is one of the reasons I recommend the updated version for caregivers. Having a guide to scan or search when a child is symptomatic helps determine the immediacy of contacting parents during the work day versus over reacting to something as simple as a running nose or normal ear tugging.
As with any resource, nothing can be all seeing and apply to every child. That is the nature of children, they are all individual and special with patterns of learning unique to themselves.
The coverage of injuries, diseases and illnesses is in depth which is one of the reasons I recommend the updated version for caregivers. Having a guide to scan or search when a child is symptomatic helps determine the immediacy of contacting parents during the work day versus over reacting to something as simple as a running nose or normal ear tugging.
As with any resource, nothing can be all seeing and apply to every child. That is the nature of children, they are all individual and special with patterns of learning unique to themselves.
Your Babies First year (3rd ed.). (2010). New York: Bantam.
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