Digging in the dirt! Is there anything that kids love more? (Except maybe collecting rocks!) Children bring such wonder back into our lives about things that we had probably stopped thinking about quite some time ago. When my five year old decided to join me this week as I pulled weeds in our flowerbeds it went from a mundane task to one of discovery. My plan to “just get it done” was soon taken over with the tiny world of spiders, ants carrying other bugs, and of course the beautiful dandelions. What a joy each child brings to our lives!
Below you will find some ideas for some more “Creatures” activites and other family resources.
For those of you who will be traveling, I hope you have a fun and safe time. We’ll see everyone else in class!
Happy 4th to everyone!
SuzAnne
Remaining Classes: July 3, 10, 17 (Makeup: July 31–all are invited even if you didn’t miss a class.)
http://www.bravamusic.net/resources.htm We will constantly be adding to this page as we find different activities, vacation spots, recipes, books and etcetera, that are of interest to families. Check back often for fun ideas.
http://www.bravamusic.net/africam.html Check out the Creatures in someone elses backyard! Our family has greatly enjoyed this live webcam in South Africa. We’ve seen baboons, kudus, wildebeests, elephants, and much more. The best time to view this site is between midnight and noon. Be careful! It’s addicting.
www.shiawasseecountyfair.com I have it on good authority (from one of our KM moms) that this is a great fair. Below is the information our KM mom sent.
August 5th-11th. Well worth the $3 adult/$2 kids (6 and up)! Check out the entertainment link for the free shows tent and FREE Draft Horse Pull (on Monday). Great 4-H Barns!!
The Benefits of Sign Language for the hearing child:
Recent studies show that children who use words and signs together display higher literacy rates than children who don’t. Even hearing children who are not exposed to signs until the preschool years go on to display enhanced vocabulary, spelling, and reading skills over non-signing children.
- While the average 12 month old will have 3-5 spoken words, a signing child will have 25 signs and 16 words.
- At 18 months, the average child will have 10-50 spoken words. In contrast, a child who signs will have 79 signs and 105 words.
- In addition, signing children begin to form little sentences at 11-14 months. Compare this to non-signers, who do not begin to combine words into short sentences (e.g., “Da-da car”) until 20 months old on average.
The Importance of Games:
I am not a game person. My children love games, though, and we use them a lot in their schooling and even in their music practice. Playing games within a family allows children to develop social skills in an emotionally secure environment. Games develop good school skills as well. In one study, preschool children taught with games and songs tested 10 to 20 points higher on IQ tests; by age 15 those same children had higher math and reading scores. Through games your children learn the importance of taking turns, sharing, and playing just for fun. Make sure your bunny puppet can be a team player with your child!