Hot Toys for Kids for the 2013 Holiday Season

For toys to be awesome hits for kids and parents alike, they must be fun to play with right out of the box, but also having staying power to last as well. It's also important for toys to educate, entertain, and hold a child's attention for a good length of time. Most of this year's toys will also appeal to adults, so join in on the fun and enrich your child's playtime. Here are a few to consider.

VTech has launched the InnoTab 3S, which is a Wi-Fi enabled children's learning tablet. Just like the parents' electronics, this communication device allows kids ages three to nine to be connected with their parents and friends through both tablet to mobile and tablet to tablet communication with the Kid Connect app. Just think, your child can make you a special drawing or note and you can download it on your smart phone at work and you can reply back to them. This package, at around $100, comes as a kid-safe web browser along with a rechargeable battery pack and AC adapter. VTech's Learning Lodge app store has a plethora of age appropriate content and curriculum to download plus 20 free apps with this package. It's never too early to start children on computers as technology is the key to future learning.

Understanding the importance of imaginary play, Playmobil has launched its new toy PopStars Stage. Pretend to be rock stars and belt out your favorite tunes in concert to a crowded audience. This toy is MP3 compatible so you can create your concert where your songs are accompanied with drums, guitar solos and flashing lights. Four figures are included (as your band) along with accessories such as drum sets, guitars, microphones, speakers and two preloaded tunes to get you started. This toy is a must for musically inclined kids ages four to ten who yearn to be singing sensations. It's retailing this holiday season at $39.99. Later you can add to this theme with the PopStars Tour Bus and PopStars Keyboarder.

And for the younger set, why not let your youngster play with miles of learning with VTech's Go! Go! Smart Wheels Airport Play Set? The airport helps young children strengthen their fine motor skills and builds their imagination through play. The little airplane teaches letters and sounds and there's a control tower that turns its antenna to fly the plane. Children may also be interested in this company's other sets including the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Train Station and Go! Go! Smart Wheels Construction Play Set. These stations range from $25 to $35 in retail stores. You can pack a few Go! Go! Smart Wheels vehicles in a child's holiday stocking for $7.99 with an assortment of 12 different vehicles to choose from. With a push of a button, they light up, talk and play music.

Is your child a foodie? VTech has the 2-in-1 Shop and Cook Play Set, which transforms from a shopping cart to a kitchen in a matter of minutes. The cart responds with cute sounds and phrases and then when the child is ready to cook, there is a pretend cutting board, stovetop, oven, and sink. For children ages two through five, this play set encourages learning about food, colors, numbers, following directions and much more. This toy retails at just under $50.
What a fun year for the toy industry and for the entertainment of your children. Take time to enjoy your children's company and play with them. You'll be directing their development and absorb the thrill and amusement in their playtime activities.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor was given a gift or sample to inform this content.

This content was originally posted on Yahoo Voices

Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers

Take time to read a variety of books with the children during your preschool storytime. Books can help children to learn about their world, visit new places, and practice skills needed for future learning.

This article will discuss the different kinds of books you can be reading with your group and suggested titles for Thanksgiving.

Traditional Children's Books

Think about fairy tales, folk tales, fables, myths, and legends from around the world and across the ages of time. Through these beloved stories, children become familiar with many different times, cultures, and traditions. Here are some Thanksgiving favorites.
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting [Sandpiper]
Cranberry Thanksgiving by Harry Devlin
Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' by Eileen Spinelli [HarperColins]
Over the River and Through the Woods by John Steven Gurney [Cartwheel]
My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola [Putnam]

Concept Books  

These books teach skills, such as counting, colors, and shapes. They may teach about things big and little or opposites like in and out. Many themes are taught in books where children can experience the farm, learn about animals, transportation, food, families, and feelings.
Thanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons [Holiday House]
The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross [Random House]
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston [Cartwheel]

Repetition and Pattern Story Books

Books with a 'catchy' phrase that is repeated become favorites with young children. They will pick-up the pattern and may be able to "read along." This lets them experience the joys of reading.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson [Puffin]

Rhyming Books

These books often include rhymes and repeated verses, which is why they are easy to remember and recite. These are especially appealing to young children.
'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey [Scholastic]
Turkeys Never Gobble by Joan Holub [HarperFestival]

Books About Different Cultures

These books have characters and situations both similar and different to those in the children's lives so they can learn about the world.
Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley [Scholastic]
How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting [Sandpiper]
Thanksgiving at Obaachan's by Janet Mitsui Brown [Polychrome]
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas [Thomas Nelson]

Books and stories open the world of learning to children. Enjoy preschool storytime daily with your group and this month concentrate on Thanksgiving with an assortment of holiday titles.

**This article was originally published on Yahoo Voices by Tania Cowling

Clip art

Thanksgiving Songs for Children

Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It's a time of family gatherings, a time for gratitude, history, and turkey. Thanksgiving day has always been a fun time with songs and activities to enjoy. Give kids the opportunity to sing their gratitude this Thanksgiving, but don't forget about some fun Thanksgiving songs for children with a "gobble and wobble" too.

Songs of Gratitude

Gratitude is the action of giving thanks and to show appreciation for kindness. This song is a parody to the traditional song "If You're Happy and You Know It." Children love to do the actions as they sing this holiday song.

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

If you're thankful and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it.

If you're thankful and you know it, clap your hands.

Other verses:

If you're thankful and you know it, stomp your feet...

If you're thankful and you know it, shout "I am!"...

If you're thankful and you know it, do all three...

Discuss that Thanksgiving is a special time to give thanks, just like the Pilgrims gave thanks for their plentiful harvest and food. This Thanksgiving song for children is sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Let's be thankful for this day,

For our friends and our play.

Let's be thankful; let's be glad,

For our food and the things we have.

Let's give thanks for you and me,

And our home and family.

Song of the Pilgrims

The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower in 1620. The Pilgrims and Native Americans worked together growing crops and harvesting the bounty to celebrate their first Thanksgiving many years ago. Sing this song to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

The Pilgrims sailed away,

Far across the sea.

They came to America,

So they could be free.

The Native Americans

Helped them plant the corn.

Then they shared a great big feast,

Thanksgiving Day was born!

To all my readers, I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Tania

 

 **All songs were used in my preschool classes and Mommy and Me sessions. Authors are unknown.

Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved.

How to Make Homemade Musical Instruments

Children enjoy making musical instruments from collecting the materials to performing in a homemade band. Go 'green' with recycled materials for your projects.

The homemade instruments below fall into the category of idiophones and with a few recycled materials, children can make creative rhythm instruments to experiment with sounds and contribute to a classroom rhythm band. The best part of these homemade instruments is that when playtime is over or the child tires of the project, most materials can go back into the recycle bin for a greener Earth.

 

Coconut Clappers

Those who live in the tropics can pick up a coconut, if not this fruit can be found in markets.

·      An adult needs to cut the coconut in half, drain the milk and take out the meat.

·      Help the children sand the outside of the coconut shell until all surfaces becomes somewhat smooth.

·      Children can paint the coconut shell with poster paint and decorate the outside as they wish.

To play this primal instrument, children need to hold a half in each hand. Tap the cut edges together to create unique, hollow-wood sounds. Challenge the kids to guess which animal makes a sound like a coconut clapper. The correct answer is horse and have the children use these clappers to make sounds like a horse is walking and a faster pace like galloping.

Bongos

Simple bongo drums can be made from empty gallon or half-gallon plastic containers, such as bleach containers.

·      To prepare the containers, cut the tops off and make sure both bottles have been cut to the same size.

·      Tape the cut edges with a heavy duct or vinyl tape to protect the fingers.

·      Have an adult staple two containers together side by side for each child.

·      The kids can decorate the plastic bongos with adhesive stickers and/or permanent colored markers.

To play these drums, turn the containers upside down and children can tap the bottoms with their hands. To be authentic, sit on the floor and place the bongos between the knees.

And more ideas to come...

The ideas above have come from "Shake, Tap and Play a Merry Tune" by Tania K. Cowling (available on Amazon.com and from the author on http://www.taniacowling.com)

Visit often to see more crafts and theme ideas. Why not subscribe to this blog and receive emails when a new post is published?

See you next week,

Tania

If Your Kids Pet Animals - Please Wash Your Hands~~

As the weather starts warming up, we tend to take our children to festivals. Please read this post about petting zoos and your child's health.

http://www.bubblews.com/news/289144-if-you-pet-animals-please-wash-your-hands

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Teeth Brushing for Kids: Start Early To Keep a Beautiful Smile

From the time children get their first teeth, it's time to brush, brush, brush for those pretty pearly whites. I've been freelancing with Colgate on articles for parents and children. Take a look at this one~~

Teeth Brushing for Kids: Start Early To Keep a Beautiful Smile

And an article that's full of fun activities related to healthy teeth

Dental Activities for Kids Promote Oral Health Awareness

Keep on smiling!!!!!

Tania

It's a New Year in the Preschool Department

I've started (or actually gone back to) a site where I have developed two channels for preschool educators, parents, homeschooling parents and caregivers. Suite101.com has allowed me to create two preschool channels -- one for everyday themes and activities and the other for holiday projects.

I'm hoping you will find some time to visit these channels, as well as others you may find interesting. You will see articles from me and other educators on these links. Take a peek! I hope you will find interesting activities to share with your children and students.

Preschool Education: Tips, Tools and Resources

Holiday Projects for Preschoolers

If you're looking for crafts, songs, educational activities and more - you have come to the right place!

Until next time,
Tania

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com