Spring Foam Fun

  It's spring time and that gives us a chance to take a closer look at little creatures and appreciate colors and flowers.   I thought it would be nice to make our own spring scene on the window.

  I thought about what spring meant to me.  Flowers, sun, birds, clouds, ladybugs and spiders.  I am working on a couple more pieces that I'll add to it and I'm sure I will get special requests.

  I cut out pieces out of foam and colored some of them to fit my image.  I had foam on hand from separate purchases at The Dollar Store and Walmart.

  I was busy cutting and making details on like things like spots for the ladybug and legs for the spider to list a few.  It didn't take that much more effort but sometimes it makes me feel better when things I make can be identified without questions.

For these to stick on the window they need a little water. To minimize mess I added a small amount of water into a medicine cup and added a paper napkin. Just dip your finger in.

The medicine cup is just the right size for little fingers.  Dip your finger in the cup then wipe the water onto the foam.

Stick the foam piece on the window. It's all about the placement. So of course the clouds are getting placed in the sky.

This is a super inexpensive way to keep your kids constructively busy.  I will be using this as a learning tool for my son.

What color is this flower?

How many legs are on the spider?

What are the leaves attached to?

What shape is the sunrays?

We have previously played with foam pieces in the bathtub as well check that out here.

Next up I will be making a foam garden with vegetables! It will probably do better then a real garden tended by me. 

Letter C preschool

Each week I try to keep it as simple as possible.  There's really no point in stressing myself out or my son.  If we are the learning process will not be productive.

He knows the desk will change with different objects.  I ask him throughout the day what objects start with that letter and I want him to look for the answers.  

He can find the answers on the desk.

In his little letter book.

Or his workbook.

I only ask him for 3 items.  We go over this daily and and then I randomly ask about the other objects.  He thinks he's slick.  His answer for A is apple tree, applesauce  and apple.

We worked on more worksheets this week and worked with a lot of hand eye coordination exercises.  Cutting, tracing and coloring.

We did a lot of free style number activities as well as color recognition.  These are easy things to do.  Pick a number and have the child bring that number.  Bring me something green or bring me 4 green items.

Bottom line make it fun.  If your having fun and making it a game the child will have fun and enjoy the interaction providing better results.

Young chef is back

Today she made granola.  She did assist me in cooking soup as well but her real focus was on the granola.  She is gradually getting better.  You take advantage of your knowledge in the kitchen but teaching someone is entertaining.  We talked about pots and frying pans and cookie sheets.  I pointed out the different measuring utensils again and she nods her head as I go through everything.

We discussed what we were making.  She ran around the kitchen to get the items she could reach. Introduction to the cookie sheet.  I guess it looks different without cookies.
 

We always start with washing our hands and she gets her stool out to reach the counter and to turn the oven on.  I show her the degrees to set the oven and she has to punch the number so set the temperature.   She also needs to set the timer after I show her what that is.  I let her grease the pan. That will take some practicing.

This recipe needed two ingredients melted together which I watched on the stove.  She mixed and added her dry ingredients.

Squeezing wasn't too bad.  But I needed to remind her over the pan.

 She has stirring down.  Meaning everything stays in the bowl.

She tasted coconut and decided it was good enough to add to our granola.

She then dumped it onto the tray and leveled it out! Slowly is the key word.

We added chocolate chips to the granola after I took it out of the oven.  The granola was still warm so they melted into the mixture and we may add more to it along with craisins for some more texture.

She sampled it and declared it good.  I know she will eat it with some yogurt tomorrow.

You know I am about easy recipes, so don't be intimidated.  Give this a try and make a parfait.  Good with a bowl of milk too I'm sure.

Recipe credit: crunchy-peanut-butter-chocolate-coconut-granola