Our stuffed pets got checked over today as we turned our living room into a vet office. Pretend Play is my favorite kind of play and some times it just needs a little help developing. Quick gathering of vet supplies and a few printable later and we had hours of vet office play. Here are a few things we used: Medicine dropper Play Baby bottle Play thermometer ( we used an old real one) Play Stethoscope (we made one) Flash light Otoscope-checks ears We don't actually own pretend doctor tools, so my kiddos found or made items that they thought would work for checking each of the different parts on the animal. Pretend Play made even better when you have to develop your own tools. I made a great little toddler printable that is a simple check list! Check that out below!
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I often tease my older brother about his "free range" raising children methods (in fact I made him that sign to display around his kid haven home) but really I secretly wish for a home where my kids can have the same freedom. My brother has built such a kid kingdom that my kids literally beg to go back to visit. But for now we are just dreaming of the day where we have a back yard so that my kids can be kids, without people in an apartment complex telling them what they can and can't do...sigh. But until then I have come up with ways to let them learn and be kids in nature. Summer is my favorite time of year and provides lot of time outside.( And we take advantage of it) This means that I transfer some of my preschool lessons into activities that we can do out and about. Parks, playgrounds, hiking trails are especially great places not only to learn and explore but to gain life skills such as taking turns and following rules. Here are some ideas of out to take learning outdoors: Make letters and shapes out of sticks Discover water properties with making boats Camera Nature Hike Nature Walk Scavenger hunt Leaf Rubbing Stick Art Painting Rocks or Rock pictures Tree Cookie Stacking Classifying Different Tracks, plants, or Insects etc. Shadow tracing Looking at the Stars Discover the property of Melting Painting with Leafs Cheap or old camera so if anything happens it isn't a frustrating loss. Does it sink or float? Brother actually lost his shoe during this activity and we learned that his shoe thankfully floated and made it back to the shore where I was able to rescue it. Free Scavenger Walk Printable!
With all that is going on in our house we started to miss our friends. No better excuse than to throw a valentines party where we could get together, create and play.
We pulled out all the pink and red paper, stickers, glitter we could find to make our valentines to send out to all our loved ones. Keeping it simple and creative can make this holiday less about "stuff" and really about love.
I needed a reminder of what I loved about my life as a stay at home mom. Extra stress was leaving me a worn out complaining mom...as well as a few other words that aren't nice to hear or read for that matter.... But the reality was I didn't like who I saw in my children eyes. So I decided that the week of valentines we were going to celebrate with a week of love. Acts of service, written notes, special treats and quality time. A much needed change of pace for ME. Since I seemed to be the only one struggling with needing to remember.
I created a simple outline circle that can be filled in to express any thought or acts of service that you might want to add to your week of love celebration. I REALLY need my car vacuumed so I am hoping that I find a coupon for that in my valentines box this week ;)
Need a Preschool lesson: Check out the link belowFree Printable Valentines PDF files below!
Adding fun heart shaped food can also add your valentines celebration. Pancakes, pizza, sandwiches all can be added to a lunch box for a great surprise.
I rolled out the pizza dough for our friends party and let the kids decide on their toppings (most of them just wanted cheese) and we munched away the yummy heart shaped pizza! Here is where I got my inspiration: |
Hello, I'm LindseyA wife to hubby pursing higher education, a mother to three energetic kids, obsessed with all things farmhouse vintage and believer that food always taste better when it is shared. Categories
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