Nov 18, 2016

Apps on the News: Bedtime Math, Fiete Sports

Just in time for holiday travel, I'm doing a little end-of-the-year catch-up and posting all of the news segments that I somehow missed posting earlier.  Maybe you'll discover a new favorite!

Here's my written review of Bedtime Math. 

And here it is on the news!





Here is my written review of Fiete Sports.

And here it is on the news:




Nov 16, 2016

Toddler Art Class: Just Paint



Sometimes simple is best.

Art Project: painting 
Supplies:
paint
thin cardboard sheets
paintbrushes

Book:  

cover art The artist who painted a blue horse / Carle, Eric


Last summer, during the Wild Rumpus events, it became clear to me that kids, in general, LOVE to paint.  And that parents, in general (myself included), are reluctant to dig out the paints at home.  As I'm wrapping up this Toddler Art Class series that I've done for years, I'm circling back to the basics.  Yes, I can do fancy variations and paint on foil or do edible paint or paint with popsicles or branches or over tape resist, but the truth is.... kids just want to paint.  Especially toddlers.  So it's back to the basics for me and I'll carry that through next spring when Toddler Art Class will be replaced by AnjiPlayDate which incorporates art but also so much more.  I can't wait to see what this new program will produce and I'm excited to take you, dear reader, along on this journey with me.

 What Kids Did: 




Please note: "Anji Play,” refers to a specific philosophy and comprehensive approach to early education developed by Ms. Cheng Xueqin in Anji County, China. I use the term "Anji Play" to describe my programming and throughout this blog with the explicit permission of Ms. Cheng because our programming has been developed as part of a close collaborative relationship with her and her team of Anji Play educators. If you are interested in learning more about how you can bring Anji Play to your community, please visit www.anjiplay.com

Nov 4, 2016

Toddler Art Class: Playing with Foil

Shiny, noisy, scrunchy, easy to tear, fun to sculpt with.... foil is so much fun!


Art Project: Playing with Foil
Supplies:
aluminum foil (I used less than 3 rolls for 25 kids, but if you had someone who wanted to mummify themselves in foil you might need more. It's cheap, buy lots!!)

Book:

cover art A squash and a squeeze / Donaldson, Julia

Nov 2, 2016

Toddler Art Class: Playing with Tape

Sticky (usually forbidden or at least rationed) tape is very exciting to play with!

Art Project: Playing with masking tape
Supplies:
masking tape
construction paper (optional)
crayons (optional)

Book:  

cover art Hands off my honey! / Chapman, Jane
*note: I wasn't crazy about this book as the choice for this topic, but I was struggling to find a good related title for this topic....*
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