Moving is stressful and these moving tips for kids will hopefully help with a smooth transition. Summer time is often moving time. School is out and we want to get our kids settled before it begins. We moved our family when our girls were 4 and 6 years old. We worked hard to make them feel prepared and at home in our new house. The following are few tips that we used when we moved. Plus, fellow bloggers friends have shared their moving tips too!
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Why is sensory play such as finger-painting, play dough, sand, mud, and etc important to a child’s development?
When engaged in sensory play children use all of their senses. It promotes sensory integration which is the ability of the body to integrate and process all of the information it receives via the sensory modalities of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and vision. As children pour, dump, build, scoop, and explore they are learning about spatial concepts (full, empty). They learn pre-math concepts along with language and vocabulary. Messy play can be calming to children. It is not just about making a mess and getting dirty; it is an essential component to learning that encourages exploration and discovery through play.
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Work together to build a sandcastle.
Play ball.
Write your name in the sand, in a very big way!
Hunt for shells in the surf.
Try to catch them (or take a picture) before they work their way under the sand as the water swishes over them.
Watch and listen to the birds.
The way the sunlight sparkles across the water is beautiful! Relax and enjoy.
If you are out in the morning or evening, notice how you can play with shadow.
Bond with the the grandkids,
and the family…
Watch your sandcastle be swept away by the surf.
Here is our oasis and bit of shade on a very hot beach.
We enjoyed every refreshing moment in Galveston, Texas. Thanks ya’ll!
Where is your favorite beach?
What is your favorite beach activity?
We are pleased to be linked to these sunny sites:
I am happy to report that soon we will be traveling to Texas to attend a wedding and enjoy the beach on the gulf coast. It is a 15 hour drive to the nearest coastline so beach time is something I anticipate and enjoy. That is why traveling is on my mind. 🙂 Here are some travel tips for adults:
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Valentines Day is just around the corner. Often this is a day of romance, flowers, and candlelit dinners for those in love. However, this is wonderful time to teach your child to have thoughtfulness, compassion, and kindness toward others.
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1) She reads the blog. 🙂
2) Being a teacher, she has several of the books that are mentioned and sometimes has more than one copy. Teachers love books! (Books can also be purchased used on Amazon.)
3) She purchases the prepaid mailing envelopes or boxes at the post office; gathers the book, supplies and mails the activity to her granddaughter. Her granddaughter (who is around two years) happily recognizes that the packages are from Grandma when they arrive.
I love how she is staying connected to her grandkids!
That is the point of this blog, connecting with the little people in your life: your children, your grandchildren, the kids you babysit, your nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbor’s kids.
Grandparents ~ Today it is likely that you do not live near your children and grandchildren. I encourage you to make the effort to develop and maintain a relationship with your grandchildren. Take a moment to pick up the phone and call them, text them, send them a card, email them, Facebook them (We know some of you are on Facebook!) or send them a package of goodies like Sue. It is up to you to begin and maintain the effort. I encourage you to take initiative.
Grandparents sometimes say, “I don’t know what to say”. Ask them questions about their life and what they are doing. When grandkids are older, grandparents say, “I don’t want to bother them.” If you don’t ‘bother them’ every few weeks it can be misinterpreted that you don’t care. Just a few minutes on the phone to ask them what is happening in their life shows concern and caring for them.
Our world is complex, and often our family relationships are complex and difficult. I understand. But again, I encourage you to connect with the children in your life.
Sue ~ Thank you for sharing your story with me and with others!
My wonderful daughter and awesome grandmother…connecting!
John Medina is a developmental molecular biologist. He is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University.
I have read his book Brain Rules. While I don’t agree with his basic evolutionary premises, I thoroughly enjoy reading the research and the practical application of his findings. I will soon be ordering his book Brain Rules for Babies.
Here is John describing some Baby Myth Busters:
Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs is a practical summary of seven researched based life skills that children need to be successful and to reach their full potential. Ellen Galinsky describes in-depth research and provides simple activities that support the development of these skills. The seven skills are: 1) focus and self control; 2) perspective taking; 3) communicating; 4) making connections; 5) critical thinking; 6) taking on challenges; and 7) self directed, engaged learning.
This books encourages me to reflect on my practice as a parent educator. Activities can’t be just ‘cute’. They need to teach a skill or concept that will support learning. A component of my role is to explain to parents how and why a certain activity is important. Mind in the Making is a reminder that the ultimate goal is for a child to become a well-rounded and productive adult. The great thing about children is that they learn from independent play and interacting with others. Providing simple activities and time together are building blocks to learning.
Added 1/9/11
Focus and Self Control
This video of Walter Mischel’s The Marshmallow Test is an example focus and self-control. Studies show that if a child can delay gratification and manage frustration at 4 years they are less likely to become involved in drugs, bullying, have a higher level of education, and have a higher self-esteem. More details can be found in the video.
