Morning Chores

Tuesday I took the boys to the Splash Pad. It was fun playing in the water and on the playground equipment. DS decided that he wanted grilled cheese for lunch - so that was the plan. Walking back to the car I noticed a few familiar faces, turned out I knew the whole group of moms and children and we ended up eating PB&J with them.

One of the conversations got me thinking. The mom mentioned that her children had "Morning Chores" another mom commented that her children have them, too. So I decided today was the day to start Morning Chores. I made a list of 5 things that my 4 year old can do independently. I wrote them and drew pictures of the 5 things that he needs to do in the mornings.

Morning Chores
1. Eat breakfast with 1 spoon [bowl and 1 spoon]
2. Get dressed [shirt and shorts]
3. Make your bed [bed]
4. Take out the recycling [drawings of several recycling items]
5. Brush your teeth (independently) [toothbrush]

He did everyone of them this morning without any nagging! I was most impressed with his cheerful attitude. I did not have a chance to look at his bed until nap time - it was made (wasn't perfect but that is okay.) He did it ALL by himself with NO whining and NO nagging! I was impressed! Thanks for the suggestion Moms!

ABC Ideas - part 2

I found my list of ideas and it had 3 more ideas for fun ABC activities to do with children. These activities are fun for preschoolers and school agers!

- Sign language. I began using the ASL signs for the alphabet when my son was 2. When we would sing the song we also signed the letters. Signing the letters helped to make the song an active event. My 4 year old knows his alphabet song. Now he is learning to spell words. We often use finger spelling (the ASL signs) to help spell words.

- A fun game for older children is to draw on their back (or reverse the game for a fun backrub). The drawings can be simple items such as alphabet letters or more complex drawings. This is also a fun way to include touch in a child who needs extra touch or has be come "to old" for hugs and kisses.

- Another fun substance to draw in is shaving cream. Many early childhood centers are going away from using shaving cream because it is not formulated for children's skin. The concept is still fun with other safer substances! Be creative.

Fun Summertime ABC Ideas

Some fun Ideas to help your preschooler remember their letters this summer

*Use ABC magnets to spell out important words such as the child's name, mom, dad or other important words in their life. Magnets are fun on refrigerators, metal doors and even old sheet pans!

*Write letters in the sand

*Foam letters work great in the bathtub - they stick to the wall when wet

*Letters and names can be written in finger paint, or for a yummy solution chocolate pudding!