en-us Kids-List Blogs http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx 5/18/2013 9:23:03 AM 5/18/2013 9:23:03 AM webmaster@kids-list.com Actieve - Rss Feed Museums are not only educational but visually stimulating and exciting. You can read many books to stir your child's imagination, but visiting a museum and actually seeing some of the wonders contained therein, is a learning experience that cannot be duplicated. If there's a children's museum nearby, you can be assured that all the exhibits will emphasize things kids love, from model airplanes and toys to phosphorescent rocks and dinosaurs. Many children’s museums include interactive exhibits, so watch as your child becomes a part of the exhibit. Find Children’s Museums in Kids-List. Search Community ResourcesMany Children's Museums offer a reciprocity program.  Join one, and you can enjoy the benefits of membership at many others.   Find the participating museums in your area: Children's Museums Catch up with loved ones nearby, bringing a gift that your child has made, a dessert the two of you have baked together, or a framed photo of your little one.  If you don’t have relatives living in your area, honor National Older Americans Month by visiting a retirement home.  Call and check with the staff first to see when the best time to visit would be.  The joy that children and the elderly can bring to each other is truly special! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=30 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Your child can be every performer under the big top on Circus Day! Set aside some time to play “circus,” and let your child play different roles. He or she can be a clown by wearing a silly hat or wig, some make-up, and a funny outfit; a circus animal by jumping through a hula hoop; or an acrobat by jumping and tumbling. You have the important role of ringmaster, announcing your child’s entrance as he or she plays each part. Encourage him or her to “ham it up”; and don’t forget to give each performance a round of applause.  National Boating Safety Day - Find a park  rowboats can be rented. You can each take an oar and try steering the boat together. Most likely, you'll find yourself going round and round in circles. That's all part of the fun. (Make sure you're both wearing life jackets). You can also pretend you're explorers in an unknown wilderness.  If there isn't a park near you, toy boats in a pool, wading pool or the bath-tub can almost be as much fun.  Or, try this simple "soap-powered" cardboard boat. Dog Bite Prevention WeekAccording the ASPCA., 50% of all children will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday. .  And most bites come from dogs that a child knows.   Most bites can be prevented.  Recite these pledges from the ASPCA  with your child.1. I will not stare into a dog's eyes. 2. I will not tease dogs behind fences. 3. I will not go near dogs chained up in yards. 4. I will not touch a dog I see loose (off-leash) outside. 5. If I see a loose dog, I will tell an adult immediately. 6. I will not run and scream if a loose dog comes near me. 7. I will stand very still (like a tree), and will be very quiet if a dog comes near me. 8. I will not touch or play with a dog while he or she is eating. 9. I will not touch a dog when he or she is sleeping. 10. I will only pet a dog if I have received permission from the dog's owner. 11. Then I will ask permission of the dog by letting him sniff my closed hand. Download their free activities sheets to reinforce these lessons.  ASPCA Activity Sheets http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=31 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Strawberry picking day is definitely one of the most delicious days of the year. Native Americans called strawberries "heart-seed berries" and made a bread with strawberries mixed into the corn meal. This bread was so delicious that the colonists decided to create their own version, which became an American favorite, Strawberry Shortcake .There is nothing sweeter than a berry fresh off the vine. Visit a local Strawberry Festival or local farm and pick your own Always call the farm before you go. During strawberry season, large crowds may show up  Ask if you need your own containers – they should be less than 5” deep so the berries don’t get bruised. Leave for the farm early in the morning. On weekends, all the strawberries may be gone by noon.  Don’t forget hats and sunscreen – and snacks.  If there are any berries that you haven’t eaten before you get home, try making my mom's  best and easiest strawberry pie.  It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes.Cooking is the ideal time for kids to learn about weights and measures. While you’re cooking, let them do the measuring. Talk about the measurements – how much is a pint? How many 1/3 cups make a whole cup? Etc. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they’ll absorb the information when it’s leading to delicious strawberry pie. Ingredients 1 graham cracker crust 2 pints strawberries 1/4 Lemon 1 cup sugar 2 envelopes (or tbs)  unflavored gelatin Whipped cream Preparation Wash and drain berries Slice 1 pint of the berries In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together the sliced berries and sugar. Sprinkle the gelatin over the mixture. Stir until mixture comes to a boil. Turn off the heat and stir in the 2nd pint of whole berries and a small squeeze of lemon. Pour the berry mixture into the piecrust. Refrigerate until the gelatin firms up. Serve with the whipped cream. –mmm http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=32 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Help your child become familiar with restaurant etiquette by playing a game of pretend. Set your kitchen table and then seat your child as the guest. Present him or her with a menu the two of you have made together, with some familiar choices (peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chicken fingers, etc.) represented by illustrations. You play waiter or waitress, taking the order, bringing the (pretend or real) food, bringing the bill, and collecting the toy money. Now switch places so your child can see you model proper guest behavior while he or she gets the chance to be a server. Don’t forget to leave a generous tip! Clara Barton, known for taking care of the sick and wounded during the Civil War was known as the “Angel of the Battlefield.” In addition to being the mother of modern nursing, she organized the first American branch of the International Red Cross and then headed the organization until she was in her 80’s. Read a biography of Clara Barton: Spirit of the American Red Cross (Ready-to-Read. Level 3)with your children. Then give them bandages,tongue depressors and cotton balls etc, so they can practice caring for their sick and wounded stuffed animals and dolls. <img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20" alt="" /> http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=33 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Wig out! There is nothing funnier than seeing yourself in someone else’s hair. With your child, try on wigs, take pictures and have a good laugh. Many Children’s Museums (search Community Resources in Kids-List) have dress up trunks filled with wigs. And, if you don’t have access to real wigs, try on these Virtual Wigs Teacher supply stores or shopping outlets are a great source for child-sized instruments. Triangles, drums, horns, maracas, rhythm sticks, and tambourines are all wonderful choices for little ones. Kids will love playing their instruments solo or accompanying their favorite CD. Instill a love of music now, and watch it grow in your child through the years. Kids often wonder how parents know what they’ve been up to. Instead of telling the kids about the all-seeing eyes in the back of your head, use Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday as an opportunity to teach them about deductive reasoning and clues. Show them the clues left behind – empty candy wrappers, the lid off the candy jar etc. Happy birthday Sherlock!   http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=34 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Turtle DayAmerican Tortoise Rescue has chosen this date to make the world aware of turtles, tortoises, and their habitats. The turtle is the only reptile that has a shell; used for protection and as a home. These creatures carry their homes around with them. There are about 250 species of turtles and tortoises on earth. For a turtle craft activity: Cut out the shape of a turtle’s body from green construction paper. Now have your child paint the outside of a section of an empty egg carton green. Glue the “shell” onto the turtle, and add eyes and a nose with marker. For an environment for your paper critter, use a rectangle of brown cardboard. Glue on a construction paper pond, clumps of grass (grass standing upright), and few rocks. Have your child move the turtle slowly around its new home. Salt Water Taffy DayDelicious Salt Water Taffy is not actually made with salt water. It got its name when a candy shop was flooded wiht salty Atlantic Ocean water after a storm. When a little girl came to buy some taffy, the owner said he only had "salt water" taffy. And the name stuck. Lucky Penny Day See a penny pick it up All day long you'll have good luck Pass it on to a friend Then your luck will never end Margaret Wise Brown's BirthdayMargaret Wise Brown is the author of some of the most beloved children's books ever. Cuddle up in a chair and share these stories with somebody you love. Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny and my very favorite, Big Red Barn http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=35 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles International Pickle WeekNo matter if you like them sweet or sour, celebrate the pickle! Eat them alongside hamburgers or hotdogs, or add relish (which is basically chopped up pickles, after all) to egg or tuna salad. And you don’t need to fuss with brine and sterilized jars to make pickles at home. Here’s a recipe for refrigerator pickles that will have you enjoying their crunchy goodness within twenty-four hours. Give your child a taste of the cucumbers before and after pickling, and ask him or her to describe the difference in tastes. Peel 3 pickling cucumbers. Slice them thinly, and place in a bowl. Add 1 thinly sliced sweet onion. In another bowl, mix together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup of cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of celery seed.  Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and onions. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 24 hours before eating. International Jazz Day Jazz, a truly American form of music, is at the roots of all contemporary music. Check out this intro to Jazz for kids. Jazz for Kids Morse Code Day .... .- .--. .--. -.-- / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . / -.. .- -.-- Morse code is an alphabetic code of long and short sounds, originally transmitted by telegraph. Each letter in the alphabet has a corresponding sound or series of sounds unique to it. The long sounds are referred to as dashes, while the short sounds are dots. Varying lengths of silence denote spaces between letters or words. Messages were sent by tapping the key in a rhythm of coded letters. Check out the Morse Code Alphabet http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=36 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles National Tap Dance Day is celebrated on the birthday of legendary tap pioneer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Here he dances with Shirley Temple in "The Little Colonel" Tapping dancing is fun. Try this beginning lesson and soon you and your kids will be tapping dance up and down the aisles of the market, all over the house, and anywhere there is a hard floor! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=37 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles In 1983, Dr Sally Ride of Encino, California became the first woman in space on the space shuttle challenger. She has now dedicated herself to encouraging and inspiring girls in science through her many programs at Sally Ride Science  including science festivals, the GRAIL moon cam, science camps and publications. To learn more, visit sallyridescience.com Happy birthday to Sheila Greenwals, author of the "Rosy Cole" Book series. These books are great for 2nd to 5th graders and filled with warm-hearted fun. Add them to your summer reading list: Sheila Greenwald Books http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=38 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Today commemorates the invention of cellophane tape in 1930. I wonder how people wrapped gifts before its invention? When you are in a pinch,and need to keep a little one occupied for a few minutes, try giving them a piece of cellophane tape of about 4" long, attached to itself to form a loop with the sticky side out. The sticky texture will fascinate them. It's sunny and beautiful outside. Make sure you protect your children with sunscreen. This video from HowDini shares tips on protecting childrens' skin.Putting on sunscreen doesn't need to be a battle. Try applying the sunscreen while telling a story (painting a picture, making an animal or clown face etc.) and be sure to rub in the sunscreen until it's full absorbed. Don't forget to reapply often. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=39 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Today celebrate America's favorite food! Whether you love hamburgers, spinach burgers or turkey burgers, there is a delicious burger waiting for you. Check out some of these great kid-pleasing burgers. Classic Burger Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers Healthy Hamburgers Sloppy Joes Turkey Burger Spinach Burger http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=40 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles So how do you teach a child to whistle? Try this. Have your child look in the mirror. Ask them to leave their lips in the shape they make when they say 'Moo" Then, they should put their tongue behind their front teeth without touching their teeth.  Blow slowly. Try not to laugh while you are practicing together! This amazing video of a little girl whistling a symphony will surely inspire you! Today is the birthday of Willo Davis Rogers a popular writer of mystery novels for tweens. Curl up with your child by candlelight and share a good mystery together! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=41 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Mmmm. Ice Cream. There is nothing better than fresh, home-made ice cream. If you don't have an ice cream freezer at home, your kids can still enjoy the delicious taste of home made ice cream with this recipe fo Ice Cream in a Bag If you do have an ice cream freezer, this is my recipe for the world's easiest ice cream. While heating up the mixture to really blend the sugar and cream is better, this easy method produces a great tasting ice cream and the kids can make this without much help!Ingredients 1 pint heavy whippig cream. Trader Joe's has the best heavy cream I've tried. 1 cup of sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp vanilla extract Preparation Mix it all together in a bowl. Pour it into the ice cream freezer and follow the manufacturer's instructions. I like to serve this with a freshly made waffle and some fresh cut up fruit and nuts. Delicious! Hug Your Cat, but remember to teach children to be gentle to the cat - they can bite and scratch.  Let your child give you cat a present - ping pong balls are lots of fun for cat's - they are hard to catch and make a great noise on the floor.Water a Flower DayMay is a wonderful time to introduce your children to gardening - with projects that are small enough for kids and pretty enough that you will be proud to have them in your garden.   Mother and gardening expert, Lisa Ely has recently put out a wonderful book for kids, Kinder Gardens: Growing Inspiration for Children, filled with projects tested by her own kids.  Check it out! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=42 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles All across the United States, families pause today to celebrate their freedom and the men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve it.Create the most well-known symbol of that freedom: the American flag! American Flag Cake Supplies Rectangular cake pan White cake mix (bake according to instructions) White frosting Fresh blueberries Fresh strawberries Whipped cream Preparation Frost a rectangular cake with white frosting. Place the blueberries in the upper left corner to form a square. Place the strawberries in rows to make seven stripes across the cake. Use the tip of a whipped cream dispenser to make little stars on the blueberries. Easy Macaroon Cookies Try this delicious Easy Macaroon Cookies recipe. You can also add a few drops of food coloring for beautiful and colorful treats. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=43 4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles May 1 - May Day, Mother Goose Day, Family Fun and Fitness Day   May Day is typically a day for children to celebrate spring flowers.  Fill a basket with fresh blooms from your garden, or have fun making home-made flowers.  Paint popsicle sticks green for the stem.  For the flowers, use 5 inch square pieces of tissue paper or pretty paper napkins.  Pinch the center of the paper to make a “flower” Wrap tape around the flower, and then tape it to the “stem. ”  Add leaves made of construction paper, and put your blooms in the basket.  Leave the baskets on a friend’s doorstep, or baskets  to a senior center.  I don’t know which will bring more joy to residents, the flowers or the children.   Family Fun and Fitness Day is dedicated to staying fit together - and with the beautiful spring weather, there is no better way than to go outside an play - play catch, hoola hoop, jump rope or enjoy a great game of tag!  When I think of Mother Goose, I only think of rhymes, but according to Wikipedia   the Perrault Fairy tales - Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and others are "Mother Goose Tales"  There is even a mother goose rhyme featuring Mother goose herself:Old Mother Goose,When she wanted to wander,Would ride through the airOn a very fine gander. Jack's mother came in,And caught the goose soon,And mounting its back,Flew up to the moon.Regardless of where they come from, these rhymes are fun to read out loud, and are great for developing language skills - and imaginations.  Which one is your favorite? http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=13 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles May 2 - World Laughter Day.Play the Ukelele Day, Loch Ness Monster sited in 1933. The Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" is one of the most popular residents ini Scotland.  Imagine what color she is with this free printable coloring page. Loch Ness MonsterUkelele music if fun and friendly and takes us right to Hawaii.  So pick up a ukulele and take a Free Online Class with Madeline Pots - or take the fabulous Speak Ukulele Course from Beatnik.Then, enjoy a family mental vacation with a good belly laugh together.  These laughing babies will help you get started!  Now, can you stop laughing? http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=14 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles May 3 - National Wear Two Different Colored Shoes Day, Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike Get out in the gorgeous May weather and ride a bike!  Weather it's a tryke or a tandem, riding a bike is an activity the whole family can enjoy. The International Bicycle Fund offers advice on how to teach your child to ride.Learn to ride Dont forget that everyone should always wear a Bicycle Helmet.  When purchasing a bike helmet make sure it has a label approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation for the American National Standards Institute. And remember to ask the salesperson to help you make sure that the helmet fits your child’s head properly.Bicycle Brakes must be checked yearly.  Take this time to check on the overall condition of your bike, checking tires, seat comfort and height, and bell.  Proper Bike Size is the key to a safe bicycle ride.  Do not buy a bike that your child will grow into.  Your child should be able to place both feet on the ground while sitting on the seat and holding on to the handle bars.  Another sizing tip is that while standing flatfooted over the bike, your child should be able to lift the front wheel two inches off the ground. And to celebrate Wear Two Different Colored Shoes Day?  Just do it!  Mine  are turquoise and hot pink. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=15 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles May 4 -Weather Observation Day, Free Comic Book Day Enjoying the springtime weather is something you can do any time of the day – for free.  This is a good time to bring up the differences in temperature.  Talk to your child about the sun, rain, snow, and wind.  Warm and cold - you can teach him the difference between by using a warm wash cloth for warm and ice cubes for cold.   Rain, is wet like a running faucet and finish the fun by making a pinwheel to teach your child about the wind. Free Comic Book Day - Visit a comic book store today and get a free comic.    What could be better?  Free Comics http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=16 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles The funnies are my favorite part of the newspaper. Reading the funnies and telling stories through drawing cartoons helps children lay out a logical story sequence in pictures.  Lay 3 or 4 Post It notes in a row on a pice of paper (the 3X5 size works well for this purpose.)  Give your child some funny story prompts and let them get busy drawing.  Who knows?  Maybe you have the creator of the next Garfield living with you.  In 1961, Alan Shepard was the first American in Space.  Celebrate by taking a blanket and lying out in the backyard and gazing at the stars together.  Find a Planetarium near you and go to one of the shows together.  Afterwards, take a piece of black construction paper and have your child decorate it with glitter and star stickers.  Put it up on the fridge to commemorate your day in space. Although Mexico's official independence day is September 16th, Cinco de Mayo is also considered a day of great importance.  Celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States, this significant day is celebrated by by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.  Have fun with your children by teaching them the Mexican Hat Dance.  This is a traditional dance done around a large hat called a sombrero.  Place a large sombrero on the floor, gather a group of children, and play some of your favorite Mexican music. As you call each child's name, the child goes into the circle and dances around the sombrero to the music. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=17 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Building Day, International Tuba Day, National Teacher's Day - Stack them up, and knock them down! This building block game is a favorite among children. Learning to stack blocks will be easy for you little one. Start out with three or four blocks at first. As children get older they’ll want to see how high they can stack them. You and your child will have a terrific time stacking blocks as high as you can before they go tumbling to the ground. For older kids, blocks are helpful for demonstrating various math concepts (multiplication and fractions) and music concepts (whole notes, half notes, quarter notes) International Tuba Day- I love to watch Tuba’s go by in a parade. They are like the elephants of a marching band with their big bells and low notes. Many city orchestra’s hold Musical Petting Zoos where children get a chance to try out various instrumuents. These events are usually free. Check with your local symphony association Teacher's are so important in our lives. Today is a day for your child to let his teacher know just how special! All teachers appreciate a little pampering! Bring a special drawing your child has made, along with cookies or flowers to your child’s Include a note stating something specific that you appreciate about her or him, and include a quote about the teacher from your child, too! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=19 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles No Socks Day – Aww – the weather is warm. Take off your shoes and socks and enjoy the feel of grass, wiggle your toes in sand, splash them in water and squish them in the mud. Then rinse off those toes with a beautiful smelling soap and warm water and pamper them with a little lotion. And for the younger set, a game of “This Little Piggy “went to market is in order. Miniature Golf Day - Miniature golf is a fun way for kids to learn putting skills, practicing hand-eye coordination, timing while enjoying all the imaginative settings. Take the whole family out to play. Find a miniature golf course near you. It’s not important to keep score – although my kids always love that they usually win. Keep a closed eye on children as they play, to make sure no one gets conked with a golf club. Train Day - Instead of taking the car today, go on an outing on the train and turn the day into a travel adventure. After you come home, make a simple animal train. Read The Little Engine That Could: Deluxe Edition and then make your own circus train! Decorate several shoeboxes with paint, crayons and stickers. Punch holes in each end of the boxes and attach them together with string or yarn. Fill them with animals and dolls.. And for bigger train fans (I’m married to one), visit your model railway museum http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=20 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Pet Day - Dogs, cats, birds, and fish - we love them all! Take some extra time with your little one to do something special for your pet. A walk in the park is great, a bath would be heavenly, and a simple brushing would tame any beast. If you don’t have a pet, you can take a trip to the Humane Society. And don’t be surprised if you go home with a new friend! After all, how can you resist the, “Mommy please? He’s so cute!’ http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=21 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Windmill Day - Wind is the fastest growing source of electricity in the world. It's often one of the least expensive forms of renewable power available. The wind is always blowing somewhere. People have been using windmills for 5,000 years. Then, they were often used to grind grain into flour. Now windmills are more often used to generate electricity. Make these wind chimes out of plastic cutlery and hear the power of the wind. Clean Up Your Closet Day - You can tidy up your closet and keep your kids happy all at the same time. Let them try on all of Mommy and Daddy's old clothes and play “pretend”. You will be surprised how long this will keep them entertained. They can help you sort through your belongings and decide what you're going to keep and what will go to charity or to the ragbag. If they take a particular shine to an old shirt or tie, let them have it for their dress-up box. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=22 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Kids who grow up with healthy food choices will most often choose something healthy and delicious to eat. Give your kids lots of healthy choices.   Put out a variety of healthy choices and let them be in charge. Who said "don't play with your food?"  Little ones learn by playing.  Let them touch and squeeze and taste.  (Just keep a washcloth near by.) Have your kids help plan the meal. Choose together what you are going to cook.   Have them participate in the shopping and cooking. Go tasting at the farmer's market together. Things they made ALWAYS taste better. Model good eating habits.  Keep lots of healthy foods available for snacking. Let them see you eating healthy foods. Don't bribe kids with dessert.  It sends a message that the healthy foods must not be as good as the dessert. If they want to eat dessert in the middle of their meal it's ok.  If you don't make an issue of it, they'll probably go back to eating the main course. Always offer new things to try, but don't force them to eat something they don't want.  Even if they say no 5 times, they might say yes the sixth time. Don't make food a control issue.  Kids usually know when they are full. Try to reduce exposure to commercials promoting junk food. Make some wild and crazy healthy snacks togethes- graham cracker frozen yogurt sandwiches, cookie cutter sandwiches,berry frozen yogurt pops Kids love dipping.  Apples dipped in peanut butter, bananas dipped in  yogurt, carrot sticks dipped in hummus, and celery dipped in salsa - all delicious kid pleasers. But since today is eat anything you want day - go ahead and go crazy. After all, it' just one day. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=23 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles The limerick is the only form of verse native to English. And - they are fun and funny to say! Here's a favorite tongue twister: Can you say this three times without laughing? A tooter who tooted the flute,tried to tutor to tooters to toot. Said the two to the tutor"Is it harder to toot, Than to tutor to tooters to toot?" Try making up a few of your own. I have an old dog who is smelly. He likes to be rubbed on his belly. When he hears a good gag, his tail does wag,And he shakes like a bowl full of __________.   It's also School Nurses Day. School nurses provide such a vital service in our schools, yet we don't often see them at open house or back to school night.  Take a moment to say thank you to your school nurse, and give back some of the TLC she showers on our kids.Franci Pilgrim, a school nurse in Bentonville Arkansas wrote  You Might Be a School Nurse If.  Enjoy.You Might Be A School Nurse If... You have been accused of growing head lice and planting them on specific children, just to annoy the parents. You have questioned a child as to what their vomitus looked like (Was it lunch or just nasal drainage?). You provide free day care for sick children who apparently have no parents from 8AM to 3 PM. You don't have to ask a child if he forgot to take his medicine at home before school, because you scrape him/her off your desk, walls, file cabinets, even the ceiling! You use technical terminology like "Does it hurt real bad? You personally know of more than one family that has moved to be away from you and your head lice policy. You have had to explain to administration that there are rules and regulations you must follow that supersede what a principal tells you to do. ("What do you mean, Nurse Practice Act?") You are a lot more patient in September than in May. Children will look at you in Walmart and say, "Look, Mom! It's the bug lady." You have had to explain to a parent that eggs and nits are the same thing. ("My child doesn't have nits, those things are just eggs.") You give out love as often as Bandaids. You wish teachers would understand that you don't really need to see a student with a six day old hangnail, or chapped lips, or sore pierced earring holes. You could possibly earn more working at McDonald's (better tips, fewer crabby parents). You have had to explain to a parent that children do not fake temperatures of 104.3º. You really wish the superintendent/principal would do your job just for one day. You wish you could really tell parents what you think, just one day of the year. You start counting the days till summer vacation while you're home for Labor Day weekend. You cry when you think of what some of your students go home to. You know that you really and truly make a difference in the life of some child.  and that is really and truly why we are school nurses! Mother’s Day - Mother's Day is a good time to show our children how we honor the older generation. Your child will learn to honor you by watching you honor your own Mom – or another special Mom. This gift is something you can make together for your mom. Cut up multicolored paper into strips of approximately 1" X 3". On each strip, write down with your child something you love about the special mom you want to honor. Put the strips in a decorative jar. Add some chocolate kisses. Then read the loving sentiments out loud all together. This is a gift that will always be cherished http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=24 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Celebrate the famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, made famous in Mark Twain's story. After listening to the story, play a few games of Leap Frog And finish up with some delicious Frog Cupcakes! Pretend play is a great way for your child to rehearse manners and social skills. Invite your child and Teddy Bear to a special tea party.  Set out play cups and saucers for the bears and have them sit at a small table or on a blanket. Read stories about teddy bears. Eat snacks. Take pictures of your child and teddy at the Tea Party for the family album. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=25 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles A day not to be missed! And in case you don't know the Chicken Dance, here are some videos to get you started! Chicken Dance and last, but certainly not least, the East Coast Polka Championships Chicken Dance Winners http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=26 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles  Celebrate this day by baking a chewy, chocolate chip cookies and some mouth-watering chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes.Ingredients: 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips divided 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 large eggs Directions: PREHEAT oven to 375° FMELT 2 cups morsels in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. BEAT butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in melted chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. BAKE for 8 to 9 minutes or until cookies are puffed. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Or my favorite in the morning: Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes Ingredients: 1 cup chocolate chips 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 eggs 1 ¾ cup buttermilk (regular milk can be substituted) 2 tablespoons melted butter Whipped cream Directions: PREHEAT and lightly grease griddle MIX the flour, salt, baking powder, flour salt, and two eggs in a large bowl. Mix in the melted butter and chocolate chips. Pour the f batter onto the hot griddle (approximately ¼ cup at a time). Flip when bubbles appear on first side. Cook the other side until golden brown.Serve with whipped cream on top. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=27 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Biographers Day -Reading and learning the stories of famous people is not only interesting and giving children fun way to understand history, but it also serves as an important source of inspiration for children. Who knows who will be a future president, or conductor, scientist or artist? 1000Biographies.com has a broad selection of biographies written for kids. Putting together the life stories of a grandparent, or parent, helps children build bonds with these treasured relatives and preserves their stories for future generations. Have your child ask quesions about a grandparents life using a recorder to capture the stories. Both grandparents and kids will love the extra attention, and being able to pass along their lives experiences. Wear Purple for Peace Day - Go through your closets and drawers and find something purple to wear. It is a great way to learn about colors. For some added fun, make each day A new color day-Monday is green day, or Tuesday is yellow day. This type of activity really helps to reinforce the concept of colors! National Sea Monkey Day According to Wikipedia, Sea-Monkeys is the brand name for artemia, a variant of brine shrimp sold in hatching kits, as a novelty aquarium pet. Artemia enter cryptobiosis, a natural state of suspended animation, allowing their cysts (dormant saclike embryos) to be distributed and sold as a dry powder. When the "powder" is poured into saltwater, the Sea-Monkeys start to come out of their cysts. These are easy pets, for those who don't want pets. And easy to take care of. With proper care, they live up to two years. They are pretty amazing. You can find Sea Monkeys Here Sea-Monkey Orig. Instant Life <img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl=""http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20"" _fcksavedurl="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/noscript?tag=kidslist-20" alt="" /> http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=28 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles Kentucky Derby Day  commemorates the first ever Kentucky Derby race. Celebrate by taking your child to the stables so that they can visit the horses. Some stables provide pony rides for little ones. Walk along side as your little buckaroo mounts his mighty…pony walking an oval track. Here is a national directory of Pony Rides and Petting Zoos http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=29 4/27/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 27—Tell A Story Day Storytelling is an art. Use funny voices and sound effects as well as dramatic facial expressions while you weave your tale, and your child will surely be captivated. Don't be afraid to move around or wave your arms to make your story more vivid. It is also fun to make up stories together. For example, you begin, “One day, (Name of your child) opened the magic door in the back of her closet.” Then your child builds on the story by supplying the next sentence. Then it’s your turn again, and so on. If a story turns out especially well, you may want to write it down, date it, and save it to share in years to come. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=383 3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 28—National Playground Safety Week Take a picnic lunch to the playground today and enjoy pushing your little one on the swings, catching him or her at the bottom of the slide, and digging in the sand. And while you’re there, double-check to make sure that the equipment and environment are up to safety snuff kidchecker.org http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=384 3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 29—Zipper Day, National Playground Safety Week Zippers and other fasteners are not the easiest thing for a little person to tackle. Be patient as you help your little one to practice. One way to help is with a dress-up doll. There are several types - boys, girls, animals. In addition to learning how to use buttons and zippers, your child will be developing their fine motor skills and learning all about cause and effect. Take a picnic lunch to the playground today and enjoy pushing your little one on the swings, catching him or her at the bottom of the slide, and digging in the sand. And while you’re there, double-check to make sure that the equipment and environment are up to safety snuff kidchecker.org http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=385 3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 30—National Honesty Day George Washington, often recognized as exceptionally honest, was inaugurated on this day in 1789. Open a discussion about honesty with your child. Remember though, that a child of four still has some developmental limitations for processing certain things. For example, he is beginning to know the difference between right and wrong, is showing a growing ability to distinguish real-life from make-believe, and will tell tall tales, but cannot always distinguish between honesty and dishonesty. This is very normal. So, knowing this, Ask him or her to explain to you what telling the truth is and what telling a lie is. Gently correct any misconceptions. Remember that the most effective means of teaching your child to be honest is to model honesty yourself! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=387 3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 25—National Telephone Day, Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day  In learning the conversation process, babies respond to how language starts and stops. As your baby tries repeating sounds and says his first words, engage him in conversation. Repeat the sounds and words back and introduce new ones. Though it may not yet be a recognizable conversation, you’re establishing that you hear what your baby has to say, and that it’s important. Take our sons and daughters to work day. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day. Take an couple of hours today to introduce your child to your work place, and to the different kinds of jobs that people do. If your place of work allows it, introduce them to all the different kinds of jobs in your company. Who knows, you might inspire them to become an architect or a park ranger or a computer programmer. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=380 3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 26-National Pretzel Day The word pretzel comes from the Latin word "pretzola," meaning "little reward.” Your reward will not only be these tasty pretzels, but the together-time you share with your child while making them. Pretzels Makes ten pretzels 2 packages active dry yeast 2 cups warm water 1 tbsp. sugar or honey  2 tsp. salt (preferably sea salt) 6 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour or a combination 1 egg beaten, 1/4 cup water Coarse kosher salt. How To: Put the yeast in a bowl with the warm water and whisk with sugar or honey. As the yeast activates, it will give off an aroma. Explain to your child that the sugar helps the yeast grow. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. When tiny bubbles appear and the mixture starts to expand, you're ready to move on. Mix in the flour and salt. Stir with a spoon and finish mixing with your hands as the dough becomes stiff. It's ready when it's a little crumbly and flaky. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead it like you are playing with clay. Continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (up to 10 minutes). Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (1-2 hours). 5 Punch the dough down and knead it again to remove any air bubbles. Divide the dough in half and cut each half into ten equal sections. Form each section into any design, shapes, or letters you desire. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover pretzels with a damp cloth, and let rise for about 30 minutes. Make egg wash by mixing together beaten egg and ¼ cup water Place pretzels on baking sheet, brush on egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=381 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 16 - National High Five Day Sometimes its hard to remember to celebrate our accomplishments – and before you know it, the moment has passed and you’re on to the next thing. Homework done? Give a high five. Picked clothes up off the floor? Helped fold the laundry? Set the table? Tried a new vegetable? High Five.And give yourself a high five too. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=371 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 17—National Car Care Month, Bat Appreciation Day To a small child, spending time at a car wash is almost as entertaining as going to an amusement park. He or she will be fascinated watching the bustle of activity behind the big glass window: suds sloshing, nozzles spraying, giant mops scrubbing. So head out to clean the family car, and get a show for free (well, almost!). And if the weather's warm, wash the car together and see who gets the wettest. Bats are essential to the health of our natural world. They help control pests and are vital pollinators and seed-dispersers for countless plants. There are more than 1,200 species of bats – about one-fifth of all mammal species. They range from the world's smallest mammal, the tiny bumblebee bat that weighs less than a penny to giant flying foxes with six-foot wingspans. Except for the most extreme desert and polar regions, bats have lived in almost every habitat on Earth since the age of the dinosaurs. To learn more about bats, visit Bat Conservancy http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=372 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 18 - International Juggler’s Day Juggling is a fun way to develop hand eye coordination. Today is the perfect day to learn how. I’ve never been able to do this (I'm already juggling - but not balls ;-) Maybe with a little practice... :-) http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=373 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 19—National TV Turnoff Week Instead of losing hours of the week “vegging” in front of a screen, make it a priority to find alternative forms of entertainment this week. Whenever you feel the TV calling, pull out a board game, go for a walk, listen to music, read a book, or start a craft project instead. You’ll be singing, dancing, and playing in no time flat! http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=374 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles April 20 Lima Bean Respect Day  Sometimes kids are so worried about what their friends think, that they forget about their own opinions. What does this have to do with Lima beans? Enjoy one of my favorite books, A Bad Case of Stripes A Bad Case of Stripes read by Sean Astin while enjoying some delicious Crockpot Baby Lima Beans http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=375 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 21—Kindergarten Day, National Teach Your Children to Save Day One day, your child will be going off to kindergarten, but in the meantime, he or she will love “playing” school—especially if he or she gets to be the teacher. This play-acting will give you an insight into what your child imagines school to be like. Take your student role seriously and be sure to do what your pint-sized instructor says! It's never to early to teach kids about money and savings. Kids who learn how to save at an early age, have an advantage in life. There are some fun websites to help. piggybank.disney.go.com Minayanland.com   http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=376 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 22—Earth Day, National Jelly Bean Day On this day honoring the environment and the earth’s natural resources, make a three-dimensional “found art” collage to introduce children to the idea of recycling. Collect items such as newspapers, aluminum foil, plastic cups, and egg cartons, and glue them in an artistic arrangement on a large piece of cardboard. Admire your child’s creation, and congratulate him on recycling “trash” into a work of art. Remind her that everyday is Earth Day.Plant a garden with your child. They will be thrilled to see plants grow and to taste the delicious goodies from their garden. Here are some tips for gardening with kids of all ages. Jelly Beans, inspired by Turkish Delight, were created in the early 1800s. Jelly Beans grew in popularity during World War 2 when chocolate was scarce. Then, they took a huge boost in popularity when Ronald Reagan, as govenor of California wrote a letter that said "we can hardly start a meeting or make a decision without passing around the jar of jelly beans." A few years later, Jelly Belly's were born - and regularly sent to the White House, when Ronald Reagan was President.Today, there are 50 official flavors of Jelly Belly's Jelly Belly Official Flavor Guide How many flavors have you tried? http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=377 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 23—International Sing Out Day It doesn’t matter what you sing, or how well you sing it- your baby loves the sound or your voice. And singing just makes you feel good. Start singing and before you know it, the rest of the family just might join in the fun. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=378 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 24- National Pigs in a Blanket Day Try this kid-pleasing favorite for lunch: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Slice hot dogs lengthwise (but not completely through) and tuck a slice of American cheese inside. Wrap each hot dog in a section of crescent roll dough (available in the refrigerated section of your grocery store). Bake on a cookie sheet for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Get ready for “squeals” of delight! Just remember, for little ones, cut up the piggies into little pieces. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=379 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 1—April Fool’s Day Pranks (as long as they are harmless!) can be lots of fun for everyone. Today is the day to put sugar in the salt shaker, short sheet the beds, tell someone he has a big bug crawling on his head, or call and leave a silly message on the answering machine. Even if you know what your little one is up to, play along; you don’t want to deprive him or her of that gleeful moment of yelling, “April Fool!" http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=355 3/26/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 2 – US Mint authorized by Congress in 1792 National Peanut butter and Jelly Day Kids figure out the importance of money pretty early on in life – usually when you’re in a store and some toy or treat catches their eye. Start by teaching kids about the different denominations of coins. Let them sort coins into different piles, matching up quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Practice counting by ones, fives and tens with coins. The mint has some fun Online Games for kids about money. But where does all that money come from? Watch this fun video of how coins are made. Kids love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—and they’ll love them even more when you cut them into fun shapes. Simply take a cookie cutter and press firmly through both layers of bread to create dinosaurs, flowers, bunnies, or whatever your child chooses. You can use the same magic on other types of sandwiches, too. (Before serving peanut butter to other children, be sure they are not allergic.) http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=356 3/26/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 3 - Pony Express Day From April 3 1860 until October 24 1861, the Pony Express delivered mail between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California , riding across what is now Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. The mail was relayed from rider to rider 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The youngest rider was 11 year old Charlie Miller, known as Bronco Charlie. The fastest delivery of mail by the Pony Express took 7 days and 17 hours. The message was Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address. The completion of the trans-continental telegraph October 24, 1871 marked the end of the Pony Express. Pony Express Game – a relay race game Materials Pony express mail- Create a message for each team to deliver. Each message should be a sentence or joke of an equal number of words. Write each word of each sentence on a separate piece of paper or an envelope to create “mail” Mix up the pieces of paper containing the words of a sentence and put them in a bag. Boxes or baskets – Each team will need a basket in which to deposit their mail. Players Postmaster – a team member who will give the Pony Express Riders the mail to deliver Pony Express Riders – they will deliver the mail Play How to play The Postmaster for each team hands the first rider a piece of mail to deliver. The rider runs to the Postbox, drops in the “mail” and runs back. When the rider returns, the Postmaster hands the next word the the next rider. The first team to deliver all the “mail” and to figure out their sentence wins. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=357 3/26/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 4 - Tater Day, Hank Aaron Tied Babe Ruth's Home Run Record There is no better time to enjoy a game of ball with your little one. Playing catch is one of the first games in which your baby is an active, reciprocal participant. But along with the joy of playing, your child also experiences an emotional dilemma. The game requires your child to give up his or her special ball. He or she thinks, "Will I get my ball back"? By rolling or throwing the ball back, you are saying, “Yes! You can trust me.” According to nutritionists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI),the sweet potato ranked number one in nutrition of all vegetables. With a score of 184, the sweet potato outscored the next highest vegetable by more than 100 points. Points were given for content of dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars and complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Points were deducted for fat content (especially saturated fat), sodium, cholesterol, added refined sugars and caffeine. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food. So, try these sweet potato oven fries for something both nutritious and delicious. Sweet Potato Oven Fries Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper or chile powder1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 large (about 1 1/2 pounds) sweet potatoes How to Prepare the sweet potatoes: In a small bowl, combine salt, and pepper. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Peel potatoes, cut each in half lengthwise, and cut each half into 6 wedges. In a large bowl, combine the cut potatoes, oil, and spice mixture. Toss until potatoes are evenly coated Bake the fries: On a baking sheet, arrange potatoes in a single layer and place on the middle shelf of the oven. Bake until edges are crisp and potatoes are cooked through -- about 30 minutes. Serve immediately. http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=358 3/26/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles APRIL 5—National Read a Road Map Day, National Geographic GeoBee Your child may be too young to read a road map, but you will be surprised how early a sense of direction begins to develop. While you are out walking your favorite route, try asking your child to point which way to go next. Also ask him or her to point out familiar landmarks such as friend’s houses, the local school and the bakery shop. Your child will feel so proud when he or she leads the way home. Try pulling up a map on your smart phone and follow along as you walk home and different places. Point out how the map is a picture of the roads that you are walking on. Once your kids have mastered the geography of the neighborhood, get ready for the National Geographic GeoBee state finals.Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge. Learn more National Geographic GeoBee http://www.kids-list.com/Blog.aspx?blog=359 3/26/2013 12:00:00 AM Shelley Miles