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The Parent Place
Suggestions and Advice for Family Fun and Educational Support 

Making the best of family road trips

10/31/2019

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​As Thanksgiving approaches, many young families are looking forward to visiting relatives, both locally and far away.  For those planning road trips that are a bit farther than just “over the river and through the woods,” there is likely some worry about how to keep the kids entertained on the journey.  Although it’s tempting to lift screen time restrictions for the sake of everyone’s sanity, why not try some of these games and activities to help make the most of family time in the car?
 
Grab Bags:  Surprise grab bags along the way can add some excitement to the seemingly endless miles. Fill colorful paper bags with special snacks, crayons and a small notebook, a new stuffed animal, and other surprises to delight your tiny travelers.  Pull them out during traffic jams or other tense moments that are bound to occur.
 
Flash Card Trivia and Mad Libs:  Tried and true, these games will hold the interest of young and old. Mad Libs will break up the monotony of any car ride with bouts of laughter.  What more could you ask for?
 
Magnetic Car Games:  Games and puzzles designed specifically for car rides and flights offer all the fun without the frustration of dropped pieces.  Check out the following link for a great variety of these sanity savers:  https://www.amazon.com/customerpicks/Explore-magnetic-travel-games-for-cars/bcf43691d101920e94f3
 
Podcasts:  There are many podcasts that are recorded specifically for children and families, many of which are even interesting for the adults in the car.  The following two links have some great information on where to find podcasts that will appeal to the whole family:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/the-best-podcasts-for-kidsand https://www.fatherly.com/play/the-best-podcasts-for-kids/.
 
Punch Buggy Hunt:  Scanning the highway for Volkswagon Beetles was a road trip staple back in 70s. These days, the Beetle has been renamed the Bug, but the car’s still distinct appearance makes it easy for even young children to pick out of a crowded line of cars.
 
I Spy:  “I spy with my little eye (you fill in the description).”  Even adults enjoy a little bit of I Spy now and then.  Pick out an object in the car, give it a brief description, and let the kids take turns guessing what it is.
 
Opposites and Rhyming Word Games:  Pick a word and see how many rhyming words your little linguists can come up with.  Or, play opposites, starting with easy choices and gradually increasing difficulty.
 
Most importantly, keep your sense of humor.  With some patience and a little planning, car rides, especially during the holiday season, can offer family time and family fun.
​
Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at 
www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.
 
 

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The Benefits of cooking with kids

10/14/2019

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Family life is busy! And with young children, mealtime can be one of the most hectic times of the day.  Keeping little ones safely entertained while preparing a healthy meal that they will actually eat isn’t easy.   But rather than turning on TV or pulling up YouTube to occupy the kids while you cook, why not enlist their help in the kitchen?  You might be surprised at the benefits.
 
Counting skills:  Cooking involves a lot of counting.  Whether you’re adding eggs, cups of flour, or tablespoons of oil, you have to count. Not only will your child hear the sequence of numbers, they will get a visual of “how many” that number means.
 
Measuring and fractions:  One-half, one-quarter, two-thirds…fractions are confusing for kids. Introducing them to measuring spoons and cups when cooking will help them to see what a fraction, or part, of a whole actually is.  Rather than fractions being a complicated concept in their math curriculum, they become a tool with a practical use.
 
Gaining an understanding of food as fuel: Cooking with your kids provides an opportunity to talk about how food fuels their bodies.  It’s a great way to teach them about healthy food choices, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
 
Following directions:  Following a recipe teaches children how to follow directions.  It goes without saying that this is one of the most practical skills anyone can learn!
 
If they cook it, they will probably eat it:  When we help with a project, we’re more likely to be excited about it.  It’s human nature.  If your kids help with dinner, they’ll most likely be more open to trying something new or eating the vegetable du jour.
 
Time together, new skills, and a healthier understanding of food are just some of the benefits of cooking with your children.  Yes, your kitchen will be a little messier after your little chef helps prepare dinner, but your heart will also be a little fuller, and the plates might just be a little cleaner at the end of your meal!

Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at 
www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.

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The Benefits of Family Exercise

9/27/2019

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We all know that exercise is important to a healthy lifestyle.  However, the demands of family life often make it difficult for parents to make it part of the daily routine. Getting a sitter so you can go to the gym isn’t always possible, and even if you have workout equipment at home, it can be hard to keep the kids entertained while you use it.  Below you’ll find a few ideas that will keep you fit and also show your kids how to incorporate fitness into daily family life.
 
Take a Nature Walk:  Although walking around your neighborhood might not be your child’s idea of fun, a nature walk probably will be.  A quick Internet search can show you wooded walking trails near your home.  Have your child bring a bag to collect interesting rocks, sticks, or leaves along the way, or make a game of looking for squirrels, birds, or other types of wildlife.  You’ll get at least some of your daily steps in, and your child will learn about the great outdoors.
 
Pump Some Iron:  Invest in a few weights for yourself and grab up a couple of half pound or pound weights for your child.  Small weights are available in multiple colors, so let your child pick his/her favorite.  There are even plastic dumb bells available for very young children.  You can get your lift in together while setting a healthy example for your little one.
 
Download a Yoga App:  There are several yoga apps designed for parents and children to do together. This is a great way to introduce your child to the benefits of stretching and meditation in the privacy of your own home and on your own schedule.
 
Have a Dance Party:  If you need a good cardio workout, play some of your child’s favorite songs and dance along. You’ll both enjoy the music and movement, and your heart will feel great both physically and emotionally.
 
Sprint, or skip, or jump:  Taking your little one on a long jog might not be realistic, but most children LOVE to run.  Take turns sprinting in your yard from one point to another.  You can also skip, jump, hop, or even leapfrog from point A to point B. All of these are great for cardio and muscle development, for both of you.
 
Exercising together is time well spent.  Not only will you bond over a healthy activity, you will both be stronger and healthier because of it.

Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at 
www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.
 

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Read with your chld, but count too!

9/13/2019

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​Most parents are well aware of how important it is to read with young children.  Pediatricians, teachers, child psychologists, and even grandparents have been pounding that drum for years.  And, it’s a good thing because language skills are a foundational building block of a successful life.  But let’s not forget the other side of the learning equation: math skills.
 
If a chill just ran down the back of your spine, you’re not alone.  Although most parents are very comfortable with reading to their kids, many prefer to leave the “math thing” to the professionals.  But strengthening your child’s math skills doesn’t have to be complicated.  Below are a few fun ways to get your little Einstein “math ready.”
 
Sort the laundry:  Accurately placing things in groups according to their properties is an important skill. Have your child place all the socks in one pile, all blue clothes in another, etc.  As your child gains confidence, have him or her sort items based on two or three properties.  In addition to building math skills, this little game will also make folding laundry much more fun.
 
Go for a walk:  As you are well aware, preschoolers like to move.  And, as stated in The Atlantic in an article by Lara Dotson-Renta, research has shown that memory and movement are linked.  https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/05/why-young-kids-learn-through-movement/483408/So, why not take your child for a walk in the yard or down the street, and count steps, rocks, sticks, or whatever interests your child?  You’ll both get some exercise, and counting will be fun.
 
Toss some beanbags:  There’s just something about beanbags that everyone likes.  Grab a bowl, a box, or a laundry basket and let the games begin.  A variation on this activity is to roll dice to see how many beanbags are tossed per turn.  Or, as skills develop, use the beanbags to illustrate counting in groups of twos or threes.
 
Mother May I?:  This is an oldy but a goody.  In addition to teaching counting skills, this game also illustrates the importance of following directions.  “Mother” stands at one end of a room and the “child” stands at the other.  The mother instructs the child to take a certain number of steps in a particular direction.  The twist on this is that the child must remember to ask, “Mother may I?” before taking a step.  If this is forgotten, the child has to go back to the start line.  This game is more fun with multiple participants, and kids get a big kick out of taking a turn at being “mother.”
 
Remember that almost anything can be a learning experience for young children.  Keep things fun, enjoy your little ones, and the rest will follow!

Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at 
www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.
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Fall Family Fun

8/30/2019

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Another school year is upon us, and the freedom and spontaneity of summer is in the rearview mirror, at least for a little while.  But, that doesn’t mean that family fun has to be packed up with your summer memories.  In fact, the cooler temperatures of fall can lend to great activities that might not seem practical during summer vacation.  Below are some suggestions to make this fall fun for the entire family.
 
Plant Some Bulbs
The blooms of summer annuals are drooping, but that doesn’t mean that your green thumb has to wilt too. Take your brood out to the garden and plant some tulip or daffodil bulbs.  They are easy to plant and care for, even for little ones.  And the payoff of early spring flowers is something fun to look forward to, especially when the snow is still piling up in March! Bulbs are a great introduction to gardening for you blooming horticulturist.
 
The Friendly Farm, Rt. 101, Dublin, NH
http://www.friendlyfarm.com
The Friendly Farm is under an hour away from Manchester, and it is much more than a petting zoo. Residents include everything from chicks to pigs to donkeys and horses.  There is even a pair of peacocks that strut their stuff around the barnyard, and a working beehive.  The Friendly Farm is family owned and operated, and it is CLEAN.  Bring your lunch and enjoy their picnic area. Admission is $8.50 for adults and $7.50 for children.  Check their website for hours.
 
A Day, or Afternoon, at the Beach
Seriously, fall is a great time to visit the beach.  Heat and humidity, paired with the often frigid Atlantic, can make summer days at the ocean less than pleasant for little beach combers.  The moderate weather of September and October is far more pleasant for family fun.  Pack some snacks, sweatshirts, and a football or kite for an afternoon adventure. Fewer people on the beach, and horseback riders at Hampton, are additional reasons for adding this activity to your calendar.
 
Star Gazing
Instead of dreading the waning daylight of fall, embrace it with some early evening star gazing. Lower humidity equals clearer skies, and cooler temps mean fewer mosquitos!  Grab a blanket and a book about constellations from your local library and go find the big dipper with your little astronomer.
 
Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at 
www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Programs
  • School Calendars
    • Calendar for 2020-2021
    • 3 Year Old Class News
    • 4 Year Old AM/PM Class News
  • Approved Snack List
  • Newsletter
  • Email Tiny Tots
  • The Parent Place
  • Updates & Events
  • Registration & Forms
  • Movement Songs