Naturally Educational » Winter
8 Favorite Christmas Picture Books
Last minute trip to the library? Check out some of our favorite Christmas picture books including classics and new favorites! A Christmas Carol: The original is, of course, by Charles Dickens. This version, illustrated by Brett Helquist, is short enough for reading in a single night with my four year old and retains the fascination of the original. The illustrations are perfect for capturing a young child’s imagination. As most adult readers know, Scrooge’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Winter
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
As an early Christmas gift, here is my daughter (age 4) playing Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. She had just started learning the song so her playing is a little halting but she wanted me to record her. I think it is a sweet little record of what she is doing now and I hope you enjoy! … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), Featured, Music, Musical, Winter
Beaded Snowflake Ornaments
My children handmake gifts for friends, family, and teachers and ornaments are often part of that. One of our favorites is these beautiful snowflakes. My daughter loves to sit and make these and delights in knowing that, just like real snowflakes, they are all unique. There are plenty of kits available for making these but the materials are also fairly simple to find. My son has a little less patience and focus than my daughter did at … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Science, Weather, Winter
Christmas Tree Ornament – On Pins and Needles!
Every year, my daughter makes homemade ornaments for our tree and for family and friends. This year, my toddler joined the tradition with the simple glass globes. I’ll be sharing last year’s beaded snowflakes later this week. This year, we made a whole Christmas Tree! We used a kit purchased from Oriental Trading but these are materials you can easily find nearby if you are short of time or prefer not to order. I just find … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts, Winter
Simple Ornaments: Have a Ball!
My kids make homemade gifts for family, friends, and teachers. Two years ago, my daughter (age two and a half at the time) made these very simple ornaments that even a toddler can make. Materials Glass globe ornaments* Paint * We tried with plastic this year but the paint really did not stick. I am going to experiment with mixing glue and paint and seeing if that works better. If you have tips, please let me know. Directions 1. Take … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Featured, Home Arts, Winter
Songs for Four Seasons
We like to sing songs while our crafts dry. For our Four Seasons of the Apple Tree Craft, we used these songs. The lyrics for the first are of my own composition. If you use it, please attribute it to me and if you post it on the Internet, please link back here. The others I found without attribution (unless otherwise noted) on various listserves. If you are the author … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), All Ages, Ecology, Fall, Musical, Science, Songs, Sound, Spring, Summer, Weather, Winter
Four Seasons of the Apple Tree
A chill is in the night air, children are returning to school, and another season is turning. Fall is perhaps my favorite season of all. Children seem to tap into the change in the seasons. They pick up on the weather and the rhythms of nature and enjoy exploring all the new wonders. We created a “Seasons of the Apple Tree” craft. Materials: White or blue sheet of paper Glue Scissors A cotton ball Brown non-toxic paint Green paper for leaves Pink tissue paper for … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Ecology, Fall, Featured, Science, Spring, Summer, Visual-Spacial, Weather, Winter
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
As we enter the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it is a great time to talk with young children about the weather. Last year, we used a calendar “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” project to explore the concept of the changing weather. March Lion and Lamb Calendar Directions Print a blank March calendar. Print/photocopy Lion and Lamb clip art and cut so each animal is on its own square. … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Mathematics, Science, Spring, Weather, Winter
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
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About the Author
Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.
While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.
Contact Candace via e-mail, read her full biography, or connect with her using the social media icons below or on Google.
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