Monday, March 31, 2014

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Monkey Preschool Craft & More!

These cute monkeys are a fun preschool craft, and they go perfectly with a jungle theme or the awesome book we read for Poppins Book Nook.



Monkeys live all over the world and come in all sorts of colors!  Did you know that some monkeys are silver as adults and orange as babies?  We learned all sorts of fun things about monkey colors in the book below, and we used paper towel tubes to each make a monkey.

Simple Supplies:

  • paper towel tube, cut in half
  • face and ears cut out of paper
  • wiggly eyes (optional)
  • paint and paint brushes
  • glue

Easy How-To:

1.  Let your kiddos paint the paper towel tube (and face, if they want!).



2.  Let them attach the face and ears.  I had one child do this by drenching his papers in paint and sticking them on his wet paper towel tube.  The rest used a low-heat hot glue gun.  You can also use school glue, but we like the hot glue gun.



3.  Let it dry!  While we waited we graphed information from a map in the book showing how many monkeys the book talked about from different continents.

Ta da!!  Super cute, fun, personalized monkeys!

I especially liked making them with our book (Monkey Colors) because it provided a platform to talk about how everyone's art is different, and that is wonderful!  Preschoolers tend to compare their work to each other, and I loved pointing to the picture with a dozen colorful monkeys and talking about how they are all different.  Then we looked at the monkeys the kids made, how they were all different, and I told them that that is one of the wonderful things about art projects like this: everyone's monkey looks different, and they are all awesome!!

So, here are their awesome monkeys:





And, of course, here is the fabulous book we read with this activity: {picture is an affiliate link}



This post is part of the Poppins Book Nook, a virtual reading club for kids!  Each month bloggers post activities based on a book that ties in to a theme.  This month's theme was Where in the World.  Be sure to visit these other bloggers for more books and learning fun:


Also, Poppins Book Nook has a giveaway each month!  Here are this month's details:



Poppins Book Nook Giveaway! Every month the Poppins Book Nook group will be offering readers a chance to win a brand new storybook that ties in with our theme for the month. This month one lucky entrant will win a copy of  Where in the World?: Around the Globe in 13 Works of Art (Bob Raczka's Art Adventures)!  The winner must reside within the United States. This giveaway is brought to you by the company Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, who is owner and founder of the Poppins Book Nook. By entering this giveaway you are also acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the Rafflecopter terms & conditions as well as Enchanted Homeschooling Mom's disclosures found here {http://enchantedhomeschoolingmom.org/disclosures/}.  Just enter the Rafflecopter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have a Where in the World post to share?  Link it up below!




To learn more about the Poppins Book Nook, click here!




I may share at any of these parties!
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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Messy Play, BIZ Challenge, & Coupon!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Biz Stain & Odor Eliminator for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Children learn more about their world through play and hands-on experimentation than any other way--they are fabulous little scientists!  Messy play particularly helps children create frameworks to understand their world and become faster learners in the future.  Just last year, a study* was published in Developmental Science showing distinct cognitive advantages to messy play!  

Messy Play

Engaging in messy play activities is usually easy to set up and loads of fun!  If you're looking for ideas, try this Magic Rainbow FoamLeaf Print PaintingsFizzing Dinosaur Eggs, or a Construction Sensory Table!  And, like the study suggests, you can always let your kiddos touch their food with their hands!

The problem, of course, is "What do we do with all the messy clothes after the messy play?"  Fresh berries especially seem to stain well, and yet my littlest preschoolers always grab them with their fingers!  Enter Biz Stain Fighter!

I was very excited when I received the opportunity to take the Biz Challenge!  I had never tried it before, and now I love it!

Biz Box

Isn't that pretty?!  The logo and colors are a new look for Biz, and to celebrate, they're giving you a $1 off coupon!  Details are at the bottom of this post!

My absolute favorite thing about Biz is the smell.  It may seem silly, but there are a lot of smells associated with laundry that I do not like.  The smell of Biz, however, had me smiling as soon as I opened the bottle.

Biz was kind enough to include a Biz Bag for me as well.  Biz is bringing back their slogan "Just put it in the Biz Bag," and I am happy to tell you about it!  After messy play (or a messy meal, or a messy spill...), just pop the clothes (or bib or towel, etc!) into the Biz bag.  Then, when you're ready, pre-treat everything in the Biz bag. I love this idea because it is the perfect solution to so many of my laundry items that need pre-treating, and don't get it because I just toss the clothes into the normal hamper.  Stains are much harder to get out if they go through the laundry before they get treated!

And how did the pre-treating work?  Here is our blueberry smeared shirt before and after:

Biz Challenge

I poured Biz onto the blueberry spots and let it sit for about 15 minutes before adding the shirt to a load of laundry.  I also added half a cup of Biz to the load of laundry.  Here is the shirt with Biz soaking the blueberry spots:

Biz soaking

Did you know that Biz is the only stain fighting liquid that actually adds enzymes to their formula to fight stains like grass, milk, and baby formula?  It's a brilliant idea, and it makes so much sense...especially for my little crew!  Biz contains more stain fighting ingredients.  I can't wait to try this next time the kids play in the mud, or eat spaghetti, or roll in the grass...

If you'd like to try Biz, use this coupon!  Biz is giving you a $1!  Use this link to get your coupon: save $1 on Biz!!  You can join them on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest for more deals!  And use this link to see where to buy Biz!! 

Have you used Biz before?  I'd love to know!!

Interesting reading about play:
* A study linking messy play with food and faster learning:  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/desc.12147/abstract
* A discussion on play from the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children):  http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/ecprofessional/Play%20references%20in%20NAEYC%20position%20statements_10%2009%20update.pdf



I may share at any of these parties!

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{FREE} Ladybug Count & Clip Cards AND More!!



Today I am at 3 Boys and  a Dog sharing this {FREE} Ladybug Count & Clip Card set, some ladybug information, and one of our family's favorite games!  Do hop over and get your {FREE} cards and check out the amazing resources at 3 Boys & a Dog!

And if you're looking for more insect or bug resources, check out these other FREE insect, bug, and spider printables:



Happy Educating, Carla!
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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Straw Rainbows Preschool Craft

We made this fun Straw Rainbows Preschool Craft as part of our St. Patrick's Day celebration, but you could use the same concept for a spring or summer rainbow activity or as part of a colors unit!





Inspired by the rainbow sensory activity at Mess For Less, I wanted to let the kids invent rainbows and create a take home craft.  These straw rainbows ended up being perfect.

Simple Supplies:

  • colored straws, cut in 1-inch-ish segments
  • blue or green construction paper for the background
  • white paper cut into clouds
  • black paper cut into pots
  • yellow paper cut into coins
  • glue

Easy How To:

1.  Explain that we're making rainbows today!  Let your children choose their background paper and make sure they can reach all the pieces.  I set them out in a tray:


2.  Review how to glue and let your kiddos get to work!

HINT:  When you let your children do a glue project, squirt some glue onto a piece of construction paper and let them dip their papers (or straws!) in the glue, and then place it on their papers.







Ta da!!   All done!  Beautiful Straw Rainbows!!  I love how this preschool craft allows for so much creative expression: my oldest was very particular about building her rainbow in the correct color order while my boys' rainbows were not even in a line!  And since I'm sure you want to see all their masterpieces, here are the rest (the first one is at the top of this post):









Happy Educating, Carla

I may share at any of these parties!
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Friday, March 14, 2014

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Magic Rainbow Foam {Preschool Sensory Science Experiment}

It has been said that play is children's best research, and this Magic Rainbow Foam lets your preschoolers experiment in the most fun way...with a mess!  (Happily, it is easy to clean up too!)




This rainbow foam is so extremely easy to set up, you can even let your kiddos help decide what the rainbow should look like.  The colors appeal to their visual sensory processing while the foam is a unique texture they can experiment with.


The process uses their fine motor muscles and (if you let them add more foam) is a great work out for little fingers!


Creating the foam is easy:  just spray shaving cream into tins for each child.  I usually stock up on shaving cream from the dollar store.  Exercise judgement if your children can be safe with shaving cream: children with sensitive skin may need gloves and babies who eat shaving cream should use an alternate like whipped cream instead.

Adding the colors is even more fun...and it leads us to the "magical" discussion/experiment.

Use small cake decorating sprinkles to add colors.  You can pour them in a line like a rainbow or in colorful rainbow clusters like we did.  I also used a little green cake decorating gel because I ran out of green sprinkles.  :)

So why is it magical?

As your children play in it they will notice that the colors disappear!  



Or did they?  

Ask your kiddos to look closely.  Can they find any of the sprinkles?


As a fun extension, you can sprinkle corn starch on top of the cream to make "cloud dough."  Watch how the texture changes and talk with your children about how the change feels.  Be sure to snap some pictures of their surprise and delight! 

What else do they want to mix in?



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Monday, March 10, 2014

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Inspirational Character Lessons From Incredible Olympic Stories

I love to share real-life heroes with my children: real people who overcome challenges, reach across barriers, and do good and amazing things.  The 2014 Winter Olympics may be over, but we can still use these stories to teach our children precious character lessons.




I love to watch a good competition as much as anyone, but the stories that were the most moving for me were stories of people overcoming challenges and displaying the best aspects of human nature.  

These five inspired me:

Noelle Pikus-Pace returns from bone-crushing injuries, child-bearing, and devastating loss to claim a silver medal in the skeleton: http://www.nbcolympics.com/knsd/noelle-pikus-pace-silver-medal-sochi-olympics-happy-family-posnanski?ctx=olympic-journey 

Shaun White, famous for winning gold as a snowboarder, jumps over a barrier to make a 10-year old cancer-fighting fan feel special:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/shaun-white-olympic-moments-and-mettle-without-a-color/2014/02/11/94fa0968-9354-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html

Shaun White, favorite for gold, shows a good attitude and great sportsmanship after coming in 4th place:  http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2014/02/shaun-white-not-medaling-olympics/

Canadian Coach Justin Wadsworth jumped up and provided a ski for a Russian athlete whose ski was broken, allowing the athlete to ski through the finish line:  http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi2014/skiing/2014/02/11/canadian_coach_lends_helping_hand_to_russian_skier_in_cross_country_skiing_at_sochi_olympics.html

Canadian Alex Bilodeau hugs his brother Frederic and dedicates his gold medal to him:  http://www.today.com/sochi/gold-medal-skier-alex-bilodeau-his-special-needs-brother-hes-2D12092198

What about you?  Did you watch the Olympics?  Was there a story that inspired you?  Was there an athlete you used as a role model to teach your children?  I'd love to know!!



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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

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Giant Cat in the Hat Fruit Kabobs

These Giant Cat in the Hat Fruit Kabobs are super easy to make and so fun to eat!



We made them for our Dr. Seuss/Read Across America celebrations and ate them after reading the Cat in the Hat Comes Back!

affiliate link:




To make your own Giant Cat in the Hat Fruit Kabobs, you need kabob sticks, bananas, strawberries, and black frosting.

Slice your strawberries and bananas, then arrange them on the kabob stick, alternating strawberries and bananas.

End with a banana turned for a head.  Draw the face on with black frosting!

Yummmmmm!!!  

We ate ours with Green Eggs and Ham!




I may share at any of these parties!
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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

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Green Eggs & Ham Lunch

As part of our Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day celebrations, we made a Green Eggs & Ham lunch!



Of course, before you present a plate like this, you need to read Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham!  

(affiliate link):



Then ask your kiddos, "What about you?  Would you eat green eggs and ham?"

I had all sorts of wonderful responses like, 

"No way!  I do not like green eggs and ham!"

"Maybe.  Maybe I would try them."

And my favorite:  "I would have to try them.  And after I taste them I would decide if I liked them or not."

Too fun!!


Make your own Green Eggs & Ham:


1.  Roll pieces of ham up and poke a toothpick through them.  Refrigerate them until you're ready to serve.

2.  Make green eggs, boil the eggs, peel the shells, and cut each egg in half lengthwise.

3.  Pop the yolks out and mash them.  Add a little mayonnaise, salt, pepper, mustard, and green gel food coloring to the yolks.  Stir it all together.  

4.  Scoop little spoonfuls of green yolk back into the egg whites and refrigerate them until you're ready to serve.


Ta da!  Green eggs and ham!  We served them with giant cat-in-the-hat-fruit-kabobs--look for a post with a picture tomorrow!



Happy Educating, Carla

Do you have a Dr. Seuss theme coming up? Check out these other awesome book-inspired activities!!



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