Naturally Educational » All Ages
Pancakes from Scratch
At another Mommy & Me at Garden of Eve, Eve led us in picking wheat, threshing the wheat to separate the grain from the chaff, grinding the wheat (in a blender..though my kids have stone-ground grains at some local colonial-themed events), stirring in the eggs, sugar, baking powder, and milk, and frying up the pancakes. Unless you have a field of wheat growing in your backyard, you may need to take a few shortcuts–but making a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), All Ages, Bodily-kinesthetic, Featured, Home Arts, Taste
Jam, Jelly, and Preserves
We have the good fortune to live near an organic farm (Garden of Eve) owned by young parents. The mom runs a summertime “Mommy & Me” that includes a circle time and a farm “chore”. One week the children picked blackberries and turned them into jam! The process was fairly simple: Pick the berries Wash and dry the berries Meanwhile, sterilize glass jars in boiling water Crush the berries in a bowl Add mixture to a pot and pour … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Featured, Home Arts, Science, Summer, Taste
Ewww…Oooo! Insects and Other Bugs
We went for a program at a local nature center and it was a great reminder that a lot of our negative reaction to insects and other bugs is a learned response. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t recoil when I see our friend, Rosie… The educator at the nature center urged kids to exclaim “Oooo!” instead of “Ewww!” and I think that she has the right idea to encourage the children’s sense of … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), All Ages, Ecology, Featured, Summer
Father’s Day Gift: Mosaic Coasters
We like to make homemade, crafty gifts for the family and for this Father’s Day, the kids made mosaic coasters. Materials: metal jar lids plaster of Paris sea glass, seashells, smooth pebbles, mosaic tiles, broken pottery, letter beads or tiles or scrabble tiles to spell names or words felt scissors glue Directions: Mix plaster of Paris Pour into the metal jar lid. If your “mosaic” pieces are much thinner than the lid is shallow, you might want to allow the plaster of Paris to start … Read entire article »
Deliciously Educational – Maple Sugaring
If you live in certain regions of the United States or Canada, March is a perfect time for an outdoor activity that is as delicious as it is educational – Maple Sugaring! Find a local Maple Syrup Festival or take a road trip! If you are heading to Vermont, check out Find & Go Seek’s listings of Vermont Maple Festivals. My family headed to Benner’s Farm for their annual Maple Sugaring event. My children had an … Read entire article »
Filed under: All Ages, Ecology, Home Arts, Science, Smell, Spring
National Bird Feeding Month
As we reduce birds’ natural sources of food, they come to rely on our bird feeders, especially during the winter months. Like many children, my daughter is fascinated by birds–their spectrum of colors, array of tuneful songs, and familiar yet wild presence in our yard. We’ve read her books on birds, taken her to the bird rescue at the nature center, and fed our local feathered friends. In honor of National Bird Feeding Month, we went to a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Science, Sight, Sound, Winter
Holiday Crafts and Gifts
November and December have been very busy months here but, before it is too late, I wanted to share some holiday crafts and homemade gift links with you. Each year, we craft homemade gifts. Last year my daughter made glass paint-swirl ornaments. This year, we plan to paint mugs for the family. Here on Naturally Educational, I have directions for an Apple Pomander–perfect for potpourri baskets or hanging around the house during the holidays. Veronique at Little Elephants, one of my favorite craft bloggers, has a huge round-up of Christmas Crafts, including recipes, gifts, and decorations. We’re planning on trying the snow globes this year! No Time for Flash Cards has categories for both Christmas and Hanukah. Michelle at Scribbit has Gift Crafts Children Can Make as will as another post on Homemade Gifts. Homemade … Read entire article »
Filed under: All Ages, Interpersonal
Theater Games for Preschoolers
Kinesthetic learners will jump right in when given the opportunity to play theater games. Even the simplest games can build a child’s confidence and skills. Theater games utilize two of children’s biggest assets, imagination and energy, to build on their ability to focus, creatively problem solve, and cooperate. Before today, I had worked with teenagers and children as young as eight, but since I have a 3 year-old, I decided to try some theater games with her … Read entire article »
Filed under: All Ages, Bodily-kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Musical, Performing Arts and Theater
Cooking with Kids
Cooking with kids is a great activity. You can do it rain or shine. You use mathematics to measure and calculate and listening and reading skills to follow directions. Science helps you understand what is going on. Recipes may be seasonally or culturally themed and even provide fascinating insights into history or literature. And then there is the satisfaction of a job well done. Home baked goods can be shared, donated, or sold to raise money, … Read entire article »
As Seen In…
Find Me Writing At…
