We're working our way through the alphabet, and I include some sensory fun for each letter. Letter K had me stumped... kite, keys, kangaroo... KITCHEN! I gathered some old items from my pantry, a few bowls and spoons, and headed to the backyard to set up a summer fun activity. Truth: I'm not really a "fun" mom. It's never been my personality to just relax and enjoy life. In ... Read More
5 simple activities for 1 year olds
(This post contains affiliate links.) Confession time. I have been known to groan, "I am going crazy!" at certain moments during the day. Kind of loudly. I guess since I have a house full of little ones (6,4,3,1), the craziness is not a surprise. What I really need is something to keep a certain 1-year-old busy when all he wants to do is hang on my leg and cry big pitiful tears. When I'm trying to make ... Read More
Writing the Alphabet for Preschoolers: the letter W
There are so many ways to practice forming letters for preschoolers. Pencil and paper is just one way, and sometimes that's too challenging. Read on to find a dozen ways we made the letter W! The letter W is a tricky letter. The down-up-down-up motion can be hard to remember. In this list of ways that we wrote W, I'll progress from easy to hard. My kids love to use power ... Read More
Edible sensory play: Ooey gooey worms!
We've been doing a sensory bin for every letter of the alphabet. Letter W gave us so many possibilities: water... water beads... worms! I went with the last option. We put together some pasta and pudding for some edible sensory play. If you've been following my blog, you know that I don't do enough sensory play. And we definitely don't do enough messy sensory play. ... Read More
11 Crafts for Letter W
11 Crafts for Letter W Paper Plate Watermelon Craft My kids loved this craft from Lil' Miss Smartypants. I gave them each half a paper plate, construction paper squares, and watered down glue. Using a paintbrush they painted glue on their plates and applied the squares. My Four was obsessed with leaving not a single bit of white. I won't pretend I don't know where his perfectionist streak ... Read More
The 5 stages of spelling development
The 5 Stages of Spelling Development The Emergent Stage (ages 2-5) Children might recognize their alphabet, but they are just starting to write it. Here's a sample from the beginning of the emergent stage. Writing looks the same as drawing. My just-turned-Three draws and scribbles, but he doesn't write letters yet. The Letter-Name Alphabetic Stage (ages 5-7) Children know their alphabet and sounds - this comes ... Read More
Rhymes for Letter W: Little Letter W Book
We love rhymes and songs, so these mini-books are a favorite of my just-turned-Three. In this free printable book you'll find six rhymes for letter W. Rhymes for Letter W: Little Letter W Book Here are the rhymes and songs you'll find in this mini-book: W is for Woman There was an old womanWho lived in a shoe.She had so many childrenShe didn’t know what to do.She gave them brothAnd lots of fresh bread.Then kissed ... Read More
Learning to write the letter X
My Three and Four are learning to write the letter X: today we found 13 different ways to make the letter! The letter X is a simple letter to make with manipulatives because you just need two straight pieces. My just-turned-Three made an X in a number of different ways: with rulers... with chopsticks... with flatware... and with Q-tips. Then my Four got ... Read More
5 Letter X Crafts
5 Letter X Crafts Handprint X-Ray Fish These x-ray fish are my favorite. After letting our black handprints dry overnight, the kids added fish bones and a googly eye. For this and many more handprint alphabet crafts, visit Red Ted Art. Q-Tip X-Ray This is a popular children's craft which would look a little better with plain white Q-tips. But since they've started telling us not to put ... Read More
Silly dinosaur books
Looking for some books to go along with a preschool dinosaur theme? Here are are favorite funny tales! These books may not teach dinosaur facts, but they're sure to bring some laughs and spark some fun conversations. Add a few of these to your preschool dinosaur theme! ... Read More