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Sunday, January 27, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Science
FEBRUARY 18 – Cow milked when flying in airplane anniversary, Battery day, Pluto discovered, President's Day
Got Milk? Well, this poor cow did! In 1930 Elm Farm Ollie, was the first cow to be milked while flying in an airplane! She was milked and the milk was sealed in a container and parachuted down over St. Louis. To commemorate Elm Farm Ollie’s bravery, drink a glass of milk together. Add some cookies for dunking!
Where would we be without batteries? Help your child understand how batteries work with the classic science project. You can do this one at home.
Both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are said to have been very honest men. Lincoln’s nickname was “Honest Abe,” and legend has it that Washington admitted to his father that he had chopped down a cherry tree, even though the truth was going to get him into trouble.
Play a truth game with your child today. Make a statement, and ask your child to guess whether it is true or false. Then let your child have a turn. (E.g.: Your daddy has a beard; A cow can jump over the moon; Your baby sister likes to roller-skate. etc.) This is an excellent means of finding out what information your child has absorbed from the world. Be prepared to be surprised!
Today commemorates the discovery of the planet pluto. Take a visit to your local observatory and enjoy a planetarium show. Use this Planetarium Directory to find one near you. Of course, Pluto is also the name of one of my favorite Disney characters, Mickey Mouse's pet dog. He made his debut in Disney's animated short, The Chain Gang in 1930.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 by Shelley Miles
Parenting, February Activities, Languages
FEBRUARY 21 – International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the UN to promote the preservation and protection of all the languages in the world. Today, so many languages are being lost through assimilation, globalism and policy. And along with the loss of language goes a loss of cultures and heritage.
Take a few moments to introduce your child to the languages spoken by your ancestors. Sing them some songs and tell the the stories of your families. Look up the holidays celebrated and see how your family celebrations and rituals are the same - and different from the ones your ancestors celebrated.
Make a book together with some of the words from the languages spoken by your ancestors. Write down the names of the places where they lived. Put a map, showing your ancestral home along with pictures of the place in the book. And, don't forget to put in pictures of your relatives. It's a gift that lets a child know where they came from.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 by Shelley Miles
Book List, February Activities, Science
February 27-Polar Bear Day
Polar bears live in the circumpolar north, including Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Norway. Their Latin name means “sea bear,” and indeed these mammals are uniquely adapted for both land and water. Polar bears are excellent swimmers—they have webbed front paws—and have insulating fur and blubber to keep them warm, both in and out of the sea. Though their fur looks white, each shaft is actually clear and hollow. Males can weigh between 700 to over 1500 pounds, while females tip the scales between 300 to over 500 pounds.
Today, cuddle up and read Little Polar Bear with your child—and be thankful you don’t have to swim in ice cold water just to pick up something for dinner! with your child—and be thankful you don’t have to swim in ice cold water just to pick up something for dinner!
For more info on polar bears, go to: Polar Bears International
Sunday, January 27, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Crafts
FEBRUARY 28- International floral design day
It may be the middle of winter, but there are still some places you can go to smell the roses! Head to a local florist shop or the floral department of your supermarket and buy some spring flowers to brighten up your home.
Or create a bouquet of tissue paper flowers that will last for months. Simply stack 4-6 rectangles of tissue paper (about 5” x 7”) in different colors, then accordion fold on the long side. Twist a green pipe cleaner around the bottom to secure, then gently separate the layers to make your flower “blossom.”
Saturday, January 26, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Dance
FEBRUARY 7 - Wave all your fingers at the neighbors day, Ballet day
Have fun greeting your neighbors with a five or ten finger wave. This is a good time to forget about the broken windows and barking dogs.
There is more to ballet than tutus and pink slippers. Introduce your children to this beautiful form of storytelling without words and some amazing athletic feats. Some favorite ballets to introduce to children: include Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Rodeo, Petrouchka, The Firebird, Coppelia, Swan Lake.
The Butterfly lovers - a Chinese ballet will leave you wondering - how do they do that?
Saturday, January 26, 2013 by Shelley Miles
Book List, February Activities, Science
FEBRUARY 11-National inventor’s Day (Thomas Edison's Birthday), Don't cry over spilled milk day
There’s an inventor lurking in even the youngest among us! Today, spread an array of everyday items on a table. Then challenge your child to invent something using what’s available, and ask him or her to explain what the invention does. Inventing can be as simple as looking at a familiar object and coming up with an alternative use for it. For example, a sponge can become a trampoline for a small doll or figurine; two empty toilet tissue rolls taped together can be a pair of binoculars.
The main objective is to get your little one to look at the world in new and creative ways. Another great idea for celebrating this day is to take all of those broken toys or parts from broken toys and encourage your child to think up a new use of the parts. You’ll delight in their imagination. Here is a monthly competition for young inventors sponsorted by the National Museum of Education. Student Inventions
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has accidents. It's important for children to learn that making mistakes is ok. . In fact, as author Barney Saltzberg points out " It’s OK to make a mistake. In fact, hooray for mistakes! A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery." He explores how accidents can be wondrous and beautiful in his book "The Beautiful Oops" a one-of-a-kind interactive book that shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. A singular work of imagination, creativity, and paper engineering, Beautiful Oops! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and even an accordion “telescope”—each demonstrating the magical transformation from blunder to wonder." Watch Barney explain the wonder of Oops to a group of kids. Beautiful Oops Video
Friday, January 25, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Hygiene
FEBRUARY 1- Give kids a smile day, Robinson Crusoe day,National freedom day
Nothing brightens your face and your outlook like a beautiful smile. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important not only for teeth, but for overall health. It is never too early to teach children good oral hygiene. Even in a tough economy, don’t skip the dental visits. There are a number of programs through dental schools that provide reduced priced services. Dental Schools
Have fun while keeping those pearly whites nice and shiny. Let your child pick out a couple of great tooth-brushes and let them brush along with you. Until they’ve mastered brushing, you’ll need to finish up the job for them. Let them practice on your teeth – and on their dolls and teddy bear’s teeth. Play the “Brush Your Teeth Song” and brush along. Beware – this one will get stuck in your head too!
Robinson Crusoe was written by William Defoe. Imagine life as a castaway on an island. What things could you make or find on the island to help you live. Use your back yard as the island to explore. Are there tree branches and leaves you could use to construct a shelter? Rocks to use as a hammer? After exploring the island, bring out some delicious Coconut water and pineapple as a desert island treat to enjoy.
National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of the law abolishing slavery that became the 13th admendment to the constitution of the United States. Good resources for talking to your children about this painful chapter in our history can be found at EHow - Teach Children about Slavery
Friday, January 25, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Crafts
FEBRUARY 2-Groundhog day
According to legend, if a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, pokes its head out of its burrow on February 2nd and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, spring is just around the corner.
Your child can make his or her own groundhog shadow without ever leaving the house. Simply help your child cut the shape of a groundhog out of brown construction paper using safety scissors. Attach to a craft stick or straw. Now shine a flashlight on a blank wall, and place the paper groundhog in front of the flashlight to make its shadow appear. Explain to your child that an object that falls in the path of a bright light will cast a shadow. To make a groundhog that can pop out of its burrow, cover a Styrofoam cup with brown construction paper (you can even add cotton balls or white felt around the top edge for snow). Then make a small version of the groundhog puppet above.
Cut a slit the width of the craft stick or straw in the bottom of the cup, then slip the stick or straw through, pulling down until the groundhog is hidden in the cup. Place in the path of light, and “pop” the groundhog out of its burrow by pushing up on the stick or straw.
Friday, January 25, 2013 by Shelley Miles
Songs, February Activities
FEBRUARY 4-Thank a mail person day, Liberace day, Quacker day
Get out your quacker and play along! This is one of the most fun kid's songs ever!
Kids love the arrival of the mail. Make collecting it something the two of you do together every day. You can count the pieces of mail, and sort them into piles for various members of the family. Every so often, send a note to your child, and see his or her face light up with delight upon seeing the envelope. And since today is all about appreciating the person who braves all kinds of weather to deliver the endless stream of cards, letters, catalogs, and magazines to your door, brighten your mail carrier’s day with a thank you card or picture from your child. It’s sure to bring a smile to his or her face all day—even when the dog down the street is tugging at a trouser leg!
Liberace was the 60's answer to Lady Gaga. Enjoy this performance of Malaguena. Then get dressed up in your glitziest clothes and have fun with the piano.
Friday, January 25, 2013 by Shelley Miles
February Activities, Crafts
FEBRUARY 5 – Weather person day
Through rain, hail, sleet, or snow, you can be sure that your local television weather-person will always be there! Take this opportunity to talk to your child about the weather. Tear out pictures from magazines that show the various types of weather and make a weather collage. You and your little bundle of sunshine will have fun making this project together!
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