by Carrie Spencer | Teaching Blogs
Bored and restless kids can result in a chaotic household. But as the seasons change and the weather gets colder, this can be hard to avoid. Here at KinderMomma, we understand this challenge all too well, so we’ve come up with a game plan to keep your kids entertained at home—and keep your stress levels low while you’re at it.
Consider the following:
Sneak in essential learning.
Ideally, you want your kids to be productive and keep learning while they’re stuck at home. However, this is easier said than done.
The secret is in making learning so fun that they don’t even realize that they’re getting an education in the process. “Parents” explains that it’s therefore important to choose activities that fit these criteria.
Arts and crafts is always a hit, especially among younger kids. This can be a wonderful opportunity to get messy—but not too messy for you to handle. The best part is, you can often use items you already have at home, so there’s usually no need to spend a fortune on materials.
STEM activities are also great for the same reasons, but with the added bonus of adding to your kids’ academic knowledge.
These are just a few examples of the many engaging yet educational activities that your kids will enjoy at home. If you need more ideas, check out our free worksheets and other printables.
Squeeze in physical activities.
Even when stuck at home, there is a need for kids to stay active. Not only does this help expend their pent-up energy, but it’s also the best way to boost their immune system and physical development.
In fact, Startwell advises that experts recommend at least 180 minutes of physical activity daily for preschoolers and a minimum of 60 minutes for older kids and teens.
When it’s too cold for kids to play outside, you do need to get creative. However, it’s still possible to clock in some quality movement indoors, even with limited space. Consider firing up YouTube for kid-friendly exercises or for a fun dance party.
Obstacle courses, pillow fights, and jumping on the bed work just fine, too. You can even loosen up and join in on the fun—your kids will simply love it.
Some tech use is okay.
These days, tech is probably your best bet in keeping home-bound kids entertained. However, too much screen time is known to have negative effects.
Because of this, you need to set limits on your child’s gadget use and media consumption. Your supervision is equally important to ensure the quality of the content they’re consuming, as well as keep them safe from predators and other online threats.
Stay sane.
Don’t forget to take action in maintaining your sanity, as well. Dealing with bored and restless kids can be very challenging, so you need to give yourself a little extra TLC to avoid stress. Make time for self-care in order to decompress and relax, so practice yoga, meditate, or do something you enjoy.
It can also be as simple as keeping yourself cozy throughout your days. Case in point, comfortable clothing is a must when you have your hands full with the kids, so invest in soft and breathable garments like a wireless sports bra or tank top that lets you move with ease and comfort.
Ultimately, there’s no need for your home to descend into chaos because of the cold weather. Instead, you can make it a cozy and enjoyable time spent with your kids. With the right activities and tools, this is more than possible. As a bonus, you can even keep your family productive in the process. That’s definitely a win.
Photo via Pexels.com
by Carrie Spencer | Parenting Blogs
Nearly 50 percent of parents feel their kids are addicted to their cell phones, and a staggering 62 percent of parents say their children have even used them to watch inappropriate videos on YouTube.
These statistics don’t just represent teens, either. “Tweens” aged 10 and under were also included in this research. What makes this even more disturbing is that the evidence from these studies suggests this electronic connection can cause depression, a decrease in attention span (which can elevate symptoms of ADD), and obesity.
A poll conducted by the Nature Conservancy in the US indicates 49 percent of kids don’t go outside because they aren’t interested in nature — but as a parent, it’s your responsibility to get your kids more excited about spending time outdoors. Here’s how you can do just that.
Install a Swing Set in Your Backyard
Installing a swing set or play-set is a great way to lure your kids outdoors while keeping them active and promoting social interaction with others — it can even have a calming effect!
There are several models that have additional bells and whistles such as slides, rings, and playhouses, so if you want to keep your kids from becoming bored, this may be a good direction to go.
Go for a Family Bike Ride
Making outdoor time a family affair can emphasize bonding time instead of making your kids feel like you’re forcing them to spend time outside.
Riding a bike is a great way to see a lot of territory quickly, so you can choose a different route each time to keep things interesting. However, if everyone doesn’t own a bike, you can adopt the same ritual by walking or rollerblading.
Cruise through a forest preserve or park (national or local) if you live nearby to one, and pause for a picnic. Use this time as an opportunity to discuss the various elements around you, such as the different types of trees and birds.
Get a Dog
When you own a dog, there’s no escaping the outdoors. Install a fence in the backyard and encourage your kids to play with the pooch — just make sure you get a breed that’s good with children.
If you have teenagers, encourage them to take the dog for a walk. Alternatively, take one together as a family if you have little ones.
Just keep in mind that owning a pet is a big responsibility, so make sure you’re ready to commit for the long term before bringing a furry friend into your home.
Fly a Drone
What better way to combine the fun of tech with being outdoors than piloting a drone with your kids? Drone flying has educational value as well because kids can improve their risk-assessment and fine-motor skills.
Look for kid-friendly models because not all drones are suitable to be operated by children.
Head Out at Night
Outdoor time is not reserved for daytime alone. Head out at dusk and capture a sunset. Monitor what’s happening within the solar system and view the moon or a meteor shower — or get a chart and try to identify the constellations.
Create Activities
Whether you stay in your own backyard, go camping, or head to a nature preserve, get creative by presenting your kids with some educational, yet fun, outdoor activities.
For example, leaf and bug identification, birding, observing different flowers, etc. Providing you’re not in a protected area, let your kids collect various items so they can make a collage at home.
In an effort to make it easier for you to encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors, establish rules about electronics — but make sure you follow them, too.
Scheduling tech-free family activities can help with this transition. Once your children get into the groove, you’re liable to see improvements in their personality and health. Just remember to make sure outdoor time is coupled with proper sun protection.
by Carrie Spencer | Parenting Blogs
Are you an educator looking for creative ways to improve literacy in your classroom? Or, perhaps you are a parent who wants to help boost your children’s reading skills?
Music is the perfect way to help children enhance their reading and communication skills while having fun learning about one of society’s favorite forms of art – and the best part is, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Below are some wallet-friendly ways to improve literacy through music, as well as the benefits it can have on their entire lives.
Connect Music and Literacy
You may be surprised at the ways in which music and literacy are connected. Lyrics to your favorite songs are actually a form of poetry, weaving a story with every word.
Music is also used in movies to help tell a story, further connecting literacy with music. Ask students to participate in listen-alouds, where they can draw parallels between lyrics and stories.
Also, have them listen to a song and describe how they feel. You can even suggest some new words to help them with their descriptions. Getting children to use words in a tangible way like this will help them develop better verbal communication skills and a stronger vocabulary.
You can also ask kids to read lyrics to popular songs to deepen the connection and improve literacy through music.
Playing an Instrument can help.
Listening to music is a fun way for students to work on their literacy skills, but playing music may be even better for their brains. One study suggests that learning a musical instrument improves reading and language skills, especially for disadvantaged students.
The Northwestern University neurobiologist running the study, Dr. Nina Kraus, previously discovered that affluence greatly impacted students’ ability to learn, with lower-income students having more learning difficulties than their wealthier peers.
But, when those same lower-income students were given music lessons, the learning playing field became much more level. In short, no matter the income, learning an instrument is good for children of all incomes and backgrounds.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot of money to introduce kids to instruments. You can watch tutorials for free online, or visit a local symphony or philharmonic, many of which perform free concerts during certain times of the year, to let them experience music in a live setting.
Find the right tools.
So, how can you harness the power of music for your own students or children?
To start, you will want to pick up some essential gear. Speakers, instruments and other tools can make your music lessons more fun for kids.
But, buying additional supplies can get expensive, especially for already underpaid educators or budget-conscious parents. Luckily, many retailers, like Walmart, offer deals and sales that can help alleviate some of the costs.
You can save even more at Walmart by earning cash back by signing up for a Walmart MoneyCard or shopping through Rakuten. If it’s a musical instrument you are looking for, consider searching at a local music shop or looking for a used instrument.
It’s also smart to begin by renting musical instruments, especially for children who have not quite figured out what they want to play, or for younger kids who change their mind often.
Provide positive encouragement.
Whether it’s struggling to read or picking out their first tune on a guitar, children can benefit greatly from a lot of constructive feedback.
Just be sure to keep things positive.
Positive reinforcement can go a long way in inspiring children to do their best in school no matter what subject they are studying. This is especially true for students who have learning disabilities that make it harder to read.
Learning disabilities can already make students feel different from their peers. If you are teaching music and literacy lessons to these students, being overly critical or negative could do further damage to their ability to learn.
So, as you introduce lessons to improve literacy through music, keep a positive tone. Use rewards and praise (which you can do on the cheap) to let kids know when they are doing well.
Music can do more than provide a soundtrack for our lives. When used in the classroom or at home, music can help children and young adults learn how to read and communicate more effectively. It may even help spark a new passion.
by Carrie Spencer | Parenting Blogs
The boundless energy of kids can be lots of fun — but on days with bad weather, it can sometimes be difficult to find exciting and educational ways to direct that energy.
Fortunately, even if you can’t let your kids play outside, there’s plenty you can do to bond with them, keep them entertained, and teach them something new.
Read on for four fun indoor activities that will make the day breeze by, no matter what’s happening outside.
Teach Them to Cook
In addition to simply being fun, Healthy Little Foodies explains there are a huge number of educational benefits found in teaching your kids to cook.
This is one of the amazingly productive and fun indoor activities for kids.
Following a recipe tests reading and comprehension skills, and measuring ingredients can be a great way to teach your kids about the real-life applications of math.
Cooking is also a vital life skill; by cooking with them from a young age, you will help your children live a healthier life. They’ll be more comfortable and adventurous in the kitchen and more inclined to try different foods.
Additionally, spending time together cooking gives you an opportunity to have long conversations with your children, helping you bond and ensuring that they are well-adjusted. And at the end of the day, you’ll have something delicious to eat.
To keep cooking time safe and fun, make sure that you teach your child to wash their hands, and always keep your knife block out of reach.
Kids three and up can begin to safely learn knife skills by chopping herbs or soft vegetables with a butter knife. And don’t be afraid to make a mess — put on an apron and let the flour fly.
Set Up a Scavenger Hunt
If you have a few little ones running around, consider putting together a scavenger hunt for an afternoon of entertainment. Scavenger hunts help to build problem-solving skills, teach teamwork, and give the kids a chance to run around a little bit.
They are also convenient, as your players just need to search for things that already exist — you don’t need to spend all day making clues. Customize your list yourself (or print out a pre-existing one), set up teams and a time limit, and get going!
Scavenger hunts are fun indoor activities for kids that can always be changed, and the kids can even help create the lists.
Make Slime
Slime is all the rage right now, and it’s no wonder why — this fun, brightly colored substance is easy to make at home and customize however you want. Slime also offers a multidimensional learning experience; children can learn about chemical reactions, practice their color-mixing skills, and use math to measure out the ingredients.
Basic slime recipes are easy to make and include ingredients that many people already have at home. Simply mix together glue, borax, and water, kneading together until it becomes the right consistency.
Then, you and your little one can add food coloring, glitter, and anything else you like. This is one of the most fun indoor activities for kids. They will agree.
Don’t Shy Away From Technology
While it’s easy to feel like you should be constantly avoiding technology, you can incorporate screen time in a way that’s entertaining and educational.
It’s simply not feasible to avoid technology all the time, and there’s nothing wrong with spending a little screen time with your child. Try watching educational videos or reading eBooks together, either with a service like Kindle or through your local library’s app.
If you want arts and crafts time without the mess, download a painting app so that your child can finger paint. Or, if you want to get even more educational, ScienceNetLinks notes an app like Science360 can provide both entertainment and fun facts.
However you decide to use your device, making use of a waterproof case can help to avoid damage even in the sometimes-clumsy hands of your little one. Look for a case that offers protection while still giving access to your smartphone’s screen and buttons.
Inclement weather doesn’t have to mean a long, boring day. These fun indoor activities for kids will provide many enjoyable moments.
Liven things up with some good eats, treasure hunting, slime, and reading. By planning out a few activities, you can take advantage of the weather to spend some quality time learning and growing with your kids
The author of this blog, Carrie Spencer, can be found at thespencersadventures.
