When Kids Recycle, Animals are Saved

When my kindergartners were having trouble focusing on being quiet, I pulled out a critter book and we were all fascinated by the amazing facts of animals, insects, fish, and birds. Science was the favorite subject in my classes and we even won 1st place in Kindergarten for our science project which involved squiggly worms. Fascinating - to five-year-olds, plus  it gave my husband a reason to go fishing when the project was finished. So when children are not interested in what you are trying to teach, throw in animals and science and they will pay attention - especially hands-on learning like taking apart owl pellets to see what owls eat (I highly recommend you have plenty of parent volunteers that day) or having races with beetles which have emerged from your mealworms.

SIMPLE WAYS FOR CHILDREN TO RECYCLE:

When we  teach children to recycle, we are helping to protect our earth's natural resources including habitats, critters, and food supplies. It is easy to separate items that can be recycled:

• Aluminum cans: We earn money for aluminum cans or donate them to the Boy Scouts for their fund.
• Plastic: Using material bags instead of plastic keeps more plastic from being deposited in landfills or burned.
• Glass: Some places prefer the glass be separated by color.
• Cardboard: Children enjoy stomping on boxes so they will fit into the cardboard recyclable container.
• Paper: We stopped taking the newspaper (read news on internet) and cut down on junk mail and magazines.
• Metal: We decided to build a home in the country and bought land that was formerly cow pasture. There was a lot of metal left on the property - even an old car with a tree growing in the middle! My husband cut the car into pieces and took it to the Recycling Center along with other metal including cans from soup and vegetables. We were happy to collect several hundred dollars for a trailer full of metal.
• Water: Did you know water is our most endangered natural resource? There is no reason to purchase water in plastic containers. Tap water must undergo more stringent standards than bottled water. It would be cheaper in the long term to purchase a filtering system if you do not like the taste of tap water. Humans need to drink lots of water, but we can use the same container over and over.
• Hazardous Substances: Model for children the proper way to dispose of oil, paint and medicine so that it doesn't end up in our water supply.
• Clothes: My personal favorite - we don't need to wear clean clothes every day - saves on laundry, wear & tear on clothes, and electricity.

Since we recycle and live in the country, we are able to burn what little trash we have left and WE HAVE NO TRASH COLLECTOR'S BILL! But remember, never leave a fire unattended.

 Note water bucket and hose nearby.Yes, those are chickens in the background. They love our food scraps and give us delicious, nutritious eggs.

HOW DOES RECYCLING HELP ANIMALS?

• It protects their habitats.
• It prevents ocean life from being hurt by trash like plastic rings choking fish or plastic littering their water space. Plastic takes hundreds of years to disintegrate and even then the particles are not good for consumption.
• It provides a cleaner water supply.
• The less space used for landfills, the fewer rodents and more room for animal habitats.
• Crafts, gifts, and cards from recycled materials help critters such as bird houses made from wood scrapes, bird feeders made from plastic jugs, or gifts made from natural objects like a Fossil Dough Stick Ornament.
• Upcycling toys lessens the cost of  manufacturing and transportation. Mommy with Selective Memory's children spent hours making and playing with their 3D House Made from Trash around Your Home.
  

Little Buddy loves collecting sticks and berries then

making a Fossil Dough Ornament gift.

MORE IDEAS ON PINTEREST BOARD:
Recycle! Upcycle! Kids Activities & Art

3D House Made from Upcycled "Trash"

Birds enjoy Little Buddy's Birdhouse

Using Less - Means More.

Would you like inexpensive ideas, activities, and games to teach your child through play? See my new book, co-written with Mommy with Selective Memory titled The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn  - or would you like a glimpse into Kindergarten? Both are bestsellers and are also available on Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

What other ways can children help animals?
What do you recycle?

Follow me by:

Play House - Build a Home

Should boys play with dolls? Should girls play with trucks? I was surprised how much has been written about this topic. I consider Pretend Play as PLAY – or a child’s work. Some kindergarten classrooms no longer have the “Drama” center. True, there may be plenty of drama abounding without a center encouraging more. But are the children missing out on important benefits of Imaginary Play? What are the benefits? Just that – children using their imaginations!

BENEFITS OF IMAGINARY PLAY
Children are learning important social, cognitive and emotional skills during Imaginary, Pretend or Fantasy Play. This open-ended play:

• Promotes Social Skills: Children are imitating their parents when they play “house” and are learning how to treat each other. Children playing school may be the future teachers, counselors, principals. Children storytelling may become the next J. K. Rowling. Little Princesses are building self-confidence as they rule over others.
• Develops Language and Cognitive Skills: I have witnessed many children talking, communicating, sharing, listening and bonding while engaging in pretend play. Much negotiation must occur between children sharing toys, deciding who plays whom, taking turns, listening to others, or deciding who's the boss or ruler of the kingdom or home.
• Increases Intellect: Imaginative play is the foundation of abstract thought and symbolic thinking which helps children understand letters, numbers, sounds, and words.
• Supports Emotional Development and Builds Self-Confidence: Pretend play builds friendships, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging. Because a young child is not able to control much in his/her day-to-day life, taking on an adult role can be very empowering. When children develop confidence in their abilities, they will be more determined and persistent when introduced to new skills.
•  Modeling or Role Playing allows children to explore their feelings and gain a sense of control. Playing doctor, nurse, or vet can help a child develop empathy. Children can  feel free to explore the more confusing feelings they experience such as jealousy, anger or frustration. In fact, play therapy encourages children to express their problems through play.
• Teaches Self-Control: Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist,  maintained that "…at 4 or 5, a child’s ability to play creatively with other children was in fact a better gauge of her future academic success than any other indicator, including her vocabulary, her counting skills or her knowledge of the alphabet." Vygotsky believed that dramatic play was the training ground where children learned to regulate themselves and to conquer their own unruly minds. When children follow the rules of make-believe and push one another to follow those rules, they develop important habits of self-control. In other words: Children can learn SELF-CONTROL and to THINK while participating in pretend play!

Listening to a child's phone conversation gives you insight into what they are thinking - or what they hear you say!

CAN PRETEND PLAY HELP OUR SOCIETY?

Allowing children to be creative contributes to novel thoughts, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurs. The highest achievers in societies were encouraged, or at least allowed, to think outside the box. If they weren’t, they stole the time to do it anyway, becoming great artists, writers and scientists. The next time you have the impulse to correct a child's art or stop their pretend play for flashcards, think of Mark Zackerberg (Facebook), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple Computers), Jeff Bezos (Amazon.com) or Stephen Spielberg (movie producer).
 
So is it all right for boys to play with dolls? I think so. Divorce rates are complicated to report due to multiple marriages but between 40% and 60% of new marriages will eventually end in divorce in the U.S. And births to unwed mothers have risen to about 41 percent today or 4 out of 10 children are born to unmarried women. The majority of children living with one parent lives with their single mother. Therefore, it is easy for me to conclude that Playing House is needed to Build a Home. Call me old fashion, but I believe children, and our society, need strong family bonds and support.

Need more inexpensive ideas, activities, and games on how children learn through play? See my new book, co-written with Mommy with Selective Memory titled The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn or for a glimpse into Kindergarten, click my other book. oth have been number 1 bestsellers on Amazon. Also available on Barnes & Noble and Kobo. 

I assure you that the joy, love, and fulfillment experienced
in loving, righteous families produce the greatest possible
happiness we can achieve. That happiness is the foundation
for a successful society. ~ Quentin L.Cook 

What are your favorite memories of imaginative play? 

Follow me by:

MeMeTales Readathon Week 2: How to Be a Friend #readforgood

I was amazed at the level of acceptance and compassion my kindergarten students had toward each other. One minute they wanted to hit someone (and some did) and five minutes later all was forgiven - on both sides. This week's Readathon ebooks are about Friendship. The Stickfiggy books have adorable illustrations and sweet messages providing incentives to help your child read, form friendships and even exercise. These action word stories are designed for word recognition and early reading practice.

Lott's Tea Party
Lott is going to host a tea party. But there are so many things to do! Help your child learn many simple action words as Lott twirls through her chores and preparations: Think, invite, sweep, vacuum, decide, choose, leap and many more. Check out the Action Cards for this book at Carrots are Orange. Also, Putti Prapancha, The Educators’ Spin on It &The Usual Mayhem have great visuals to help you extend the tea party theme into action.

Lott's Tea Party

See more at memetales

Stickfiggy Makes a Friend
This delightful book shows Stickfiggy walking, standing upside down, doing a happy dance, pulling, leaping... Your child could make his own Stickfiggy or friendship book. Jane Marshall, the author of the Stickfiggy series, has made a free printable to help you get started. I still love to draw stick figures and your child will too.

StickFiggy Makes a Friend

See more at memetales

Forming Friendships
Children's ability to form positive relationships with peers represents an important component of social and emotional development. You can help your child develop characteristics of a good friend:

• Share
• Be Kind (can disagree without hurting each other)
• Tell the Truth
• Be a Good Listener
• Be Dependable
• Show Respect
• Accept People's Differences such as culture, religion and disabilities

Children with Special Needs were always welcome in my Kinder class (previously taught Sp. Ed and daughter has special needs). I was often impressed with how easily the "regular" ed. students became friends with children who had handicaps.

Ways to Be Friends with a Child with Special Needs:

• A blind child may need help carrying books.
• A child in a wheelchair may need someone to push the chair.
• A child with Down Syndrome might need a friend to play with at recess or sit with at lunch.
• A child with autism might need a good listener.
• An emotionally disturbed child might need a good role model.
• A depressed child might need a hand to hold.

Young children are more accepting of students with disabilities than some adults. We could learn a lesson from them. 

How to Join this Readathon
You can have access to over 20 free ebooks right now by creating an account on MeMeTales.com only once.Then read together on your preferred platform of computer or apps for iphone/ipad, Android  or Kindle Fire. The books should be available on Nook soon.  For more information and to join click: How Do I Participate in Readathon 2012?   

Pinterest Addresses for More Activities

MeMeTales

Friendship Related Book Activities

Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers (Susan Case)

For every child joining the Readathon, MeMeTales is donating a meal to send a hungry child to school via FoodForEducation.org. Want to help? Tweet using hashtags #readforgood, #MeMeTales, and #kidslit. Last week 1,256 kids read 12,658 books due to this Readathon. Current figures here along with a Friendship Cookie Recipe and links to more participating blogs.

To Have a Good Friend - Be a Good Friend.

You might enjoy my recent guest post Promote Early Literacy through ACTION! For a glimpse into Kindergarten, see my book. Coming soon: The Happy Mommy Handbook. 

Disclaimer: I will be receiving the featured books and in exchange I’ll be sharing activities and ideas related to the theme of the week as well as promoting this program.

PBS Readathon 2012: Week 1 Books & Activities

You will own over 20 ebooks by joining MeMeTales.com. Then starting June 18th, for six weeks, a different set of themed books will be available for you to borrow during that week. The theme for Week 1 is Animals and there are three books you can borrow. These books will be available to read for free all week long. I have activities for each of the books. 

1. The Donkey and the Wolf is a match between brawn and wits. Which one wins? Read this story with your child about a donkey and a wolf to find out.

For free donkey clip art click here.

Comprehensive Questions

• What do you think will happen in this story?
• Which animal was smarter or more clever?
• How did the donkey trick the wolf?
• What did you like about this story?

Vocabulary Words

Gallop, pounce, limp, graze, thorn, hoof, clever, strength, relaxing, peaceful

Extended Activities

• Gallop, pounce, limp, kick, hop, jump, flex muscles then relax taking deep breaths and hold before releasing.
• Do above actions in patterns while counting to 5 or 10
• Read your free ebook The Boy Who Cried Wolf  to compare and contrast.
• Play "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." Children are blindfolded, spun around, and pointed toward the poster holding a tail with masking tape on the back. Reassure the children that the game is just for fun. I was surprised when children cried at my kindergarten Christmas party when we played "Pin the Nose on Rudolph." Some kids thought they were being laughed at when they pinned the nose far away from Rudolph's face. But games are good for teaching children to take turns, share, and have good sportsmanship.

The Donkey and the Wolf

See more at memetales

2. Five Little Ducklings

This rhyming book is wonderfully illustrated and helps to teach reading and counting. Look at each of the ducklings - they all have a little special something about them - the socks, the hat....

Why Rhyme? 
Children enjoy filling in the rhyming word. It is a natural step in reading to either memorize words, rhyme words, or sound them out. Give your child a clue to the first sound of the rhyming word if they need help. Praise them lavishly for their accomplishments.

Extended Activities 

• Print  at. In front of at, print different letters emphasizing the beginning sound to make the words fat, cat, hat, sat, mat, pat, bat, rat.
• Read your free ebook Alphabet for rhyming, letter recognition and sounds.
• Play hopscotch then help your child place the correct number of objects, such as rocks, on the number. Children will be learning through their senses of hearing, sight, and touch. 

Five Little Ducklings

See more at memetales

 3. The Lion and the Mouse

• Expand vocabulary by exploring opposite words: big/little, stop/go, up/down, huge/tiny, left/right, loud/quiet.
• Make My Animal Book. Encourage your child to draw their favorite animals. Underneath the animals, write the name of the animal or write whatever your child says. Slowly move your finger under the words as you read them to your child. Perhaps they can trace over some words making the reading/writing connection.Some children may be able to write their own animal stories with invented spelling or sounding the words out phonetically. Praise increases success.
• Play Follow-the-Leader making animal movements and sounds. Doing this in patterns helps promote math and reading skills. Encourage your child to think of sound, rhythm or movement patterns.

The Lion and the Mouse

See more at memetales

How Can I Read these Books?

You can have access to over 20 free ebooks right now by creating an account on MeMeTales.com only once.Then read together on your preferred platform of computer or apps for iphone/ipad, Android  or Kindle Fire. The books should be available on Nook soon. The PBS Readathon 2012 books will be available June 18th with weekly themes. For more information and to join click: How Do I Participate in Readathon 2012?   

Pinterest Addresses for More Activities:

MeMeTales

Animal Book Activities

Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers (Susan Case)

For every child joining the Readathon, MeMeTales is donating a meal to send a hungry child to school via FoodForEducation.org. Want to help? Tweet using hashtags #readforgood, #MeMeTales, and #kidslit. 

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. ~Jacqueline Kennedy

To help your child maintain their literacy skills, click on PBS Reading Games. For more free educational games, see my right sidebar under "Kids Free Educational Links." For a glimpse into Kindergarten: see my book.

I love comments and will follow.

Disclaimer: I will be receiving the featured books and in exchange I’ll be sharing activities and ideas related to the theme of the week as well as promoting this program.