Naturally Educational » Entries tagged with "Christmas"
Rudolph and Friends: A Reindeer Footprint Craft
Pin It Holly, a friend of mine, posted this family reindeer footprint craft and was kind enough to allow me to share it with you. Isn’t it adorable? If you are looking for a Christmas or winter craft to do this weekend, just get out your paints and feet and you’ll have a sweet reindeer keepsake–you can even include Rudolph. Materials: brown, black, and red paint white paper frame (optional) Directions: 1. Paint a foot of each family member with brown paint … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Winter
The Twelve Days of Christmas Picture Books
One of my favorite monthly rituals is opening our boxes of seasonal and holiday books and bringing out these classic stories. December is the time for Christmas decorations and our collection of Christmas picture books. Each year we add new treasures to our library and get reacquainted with old friends. It is always fun to see which books capture the children’s interest the most this year and to share our favorites with the baby. Pin It The … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture
How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
Pin It My daughter first made cinnamon applesauce ornaments in her preschool class and I was just so fascinated by them! I couldn’t believe that cinnamon and applesauce together would dry solid and sturdy enough and that the applesauce would not attract pests. Spices are natural preservatives and pest repellents, as I know from our apple pomanders and the dough does indeed dry solid but you need to give it time. Materials: Applesauce Cinnamon Cookie Cutters Embellishments Directions 1. Mix equal parts applesauce and … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts, Smell, Touch, Winter
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
Pin It My daughter filled in the sentence, “During the Holidays, my family likes to _____” with “decorate the Christmas tree”. Eep! With my husband on National Guard duty last week, we haven’t gotten ours, yet! So, here’s are mini trees my kids made from a paper plate and two coffee filters and decorated with a chocolate wrapper. Plus, they got an extra chocolate treat…so it is an all around win! How do you decorate your Christmas tree? … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Winter
Beaded Wreath Ornament
We made this Christmas wreath beaded ornament using a modified daisy chain technique. Pin It My five year-old daughter is really into beading. Most seasons we create beaded ornaments to hang from the chandelier. This year, I thought she might be ready for the challenge of a simple bead-weaving technique. Since we are using pipe cleaners instead of wire or cord, it is even easier–no need to double-back through the beads. Materials: 36 green beads 6 red beads 2 green chenille … Read entire article »
Filed under: 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Winter
Our Handmade Christmas Gifts
My family reads this blog (thank you!) so I did not want to post these until after they had received their gifts. They would still make lovely Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other special day gifts so I wanted to share them! For the grandmothers and great-grandmother and aunt, the children made these votive candle lanterns: Pin It Materials: pressed leaves or flowers tissue paper mod podge glitter glass bowl or candle holder (we got ours for $1-2 at Michaels) Directions: Apply a layer of … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Home Arts
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! Pin It 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, … 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
3 Picture Books That Inspire Children to Give
‘Tis the season for thinking of others and I hope that volunteering and charitable giving become a year-round habit for my children. I’ve posted 9 Expert Tips for Teaching Children About Giving and Volunteering and shared some of the Holiday volunteering I do with my young children. Children usually learn best by doing. Reading age-appropriate stories is a great way to inspire and reflect on your activities. So, here are four picture books that inspire … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Volunteering
Holiday Volunteering with Young Children
We try to do several volunteer service activities throughout the year. Volunteering was a big part of my life before children. Because my young children are usually with me, I’ve had to change things up a little bit. Pin It Feeding People Who Are Homeless In November, we joined Volunteer 4 Long Island in preparing meals for people who are homeless and under-housed. The adults prepare the food and distribute it at spots throughout the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Interpersonal, Volunteering
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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.
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