Video Jam: Fun Cheers for Young Children by Dr. Jean

Dr. Jean, an Early Childhood expert, has developed some super fun cheers you can do with your little ones and/or students.  The first time a saw Dr. Jean's cheers was at my son's preschool during outdoor circle time.  I asked his teacher to teach me some of the cheers and I started incorporating them when offering praise and recognition to my little man. (My little guy's favorites are the roller coaster, fire cracker, and gold star.)  Then I had the great pleasure of taking a workshop with Dr. Jean and watching her give examples of exciting ways to praise young children and knew I had to share these fun cheers with our KinderJam parents and teachers!

Switch it up a little bit...instead of the same old "Way to Go", "Good Job", or hand claps...try some of these super fun cheers to show excitement for your little one's efforts.

Commissary/Grocery Store Hunt!

V is for Vegetables!!! Turn your next trip to the commissary or grocery store into a fun learning experience with our KinderJam Grocery Hunts.  Happy Hunting!!!!

For PC: Right click on the image below and select "Print Picture".

For Mac: Right click on the image below and select "Open in New Window". Click on the image to zoom out. Then print.

Craft Jam: Candy Cane Reindeer

Create Santa's reindeer with this sweet candy cane ornament craft for you and your little one.

Supplies:

• Low temp hot glue gun
• Ribbons  
• 1 wrapped candy cane 
• 1 tiny pom-pom for the nose
• 2 little wiggle eyes (or paper eyes drawn and cut out)
• Brown pipe cleaners for the antlers

Instructions:

1. Make antlers out of pipe cleaners, wrap them around the candy cane on the curve.
2. Add two wiggle eyes and a pom-pom nose and ribbon bow tie.
3. You're done!

Tips:

The reindeer can be hung on trees, tied to packages, given in ornament exchanges, or used as table decorations.

Recipe Jam: Super Easy Butter Cookies

These yummy cookies are a holiday favorite in my family.  My Meme used to make them every year when I was a little girl and their buttery goodness brings back such warm memories.  These super easy cookies are a perfect activity for you and your little one.  Sprinkle red and green sugar on top and make a cute holiday treat!

50 Butter Cookies

1 lb Butter

4 ½ c. Flour

2 c. confectioner sugar

2 Tsp Vanilla

Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 mins.

*add ins- walnuts, pecans, M&Ms, chocolate chips, butterscotch

Alphabet Jam: Commissary/Grocery Store Hunt!

U is for Udon Noodles!!!  Turn your next trip to the commissary or grocery store into a fun learning experience with our KinderJam Grocery Hunts. 
For PC:  Right click on the image below and select "Print Picture". 
For Mac: Right click on the image below and select "Open in New Window".  Click on the image to zoom out. Then print. 
Happy Hunting!!!!

Recipe Jam: Grandma Brown's Fruit Cookies

A couple of weeks ago, while I attended a NAEYC conference in Orlando, FL, my son had a much anticipated visit with Grandma.  Every time he goes to Grandma's house, they have daily baking or cooking activities.  On this last visit, they made fruit cookies, a sugar free, bite-sized cookie that my son fell in love with.

Earlier this week, I made a fresh batch of yummy peanut butter cookies (my husband's favorite).  I tried to give my son one of the delicious sugar-filled cookies and he tasted it and said, " No, I want Grandma's cookies."  Wow!!  I emailed Grandma, she sent the recipe, and last night we made these delightfully EASY fruit cookies.  He gobbled them up!!!

Grandma Brown's Fruit Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

11/2 CUPS APPLE SAUCE 

1 3/4 CUPS QUICK OATS

1 1/2 CUPS CHOPPED DRIED FRUIT

3/4 CUP CHOPPED NUTS

1/4 CUP WHOLE GRAIN FLOUR

1/2 TEASPOON SALT

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

DIRECTIONS:

MIX WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS SEPARATELY.THEN COMBINE,STIRRING ONLY ENOUGH TO MOISTEN OATS.

FORM INTO BITE-SIZED COOKIES AND PLACE ON OILED COOKIE SHEET.

BAKE 350 FOR 30-35 MINUTES.

YIELD 28 COOKIES.

ENJOY!

Alphabet Jam: Commissary/Grocery Store Hunt!

T is for Tomato!!!  Turn your next trip to the commissary or grocery store into a fun learning experience with our KinderJam Grocery Hunts. Click on the image below and print. Happy Hunting!!!!

A Veterans Day Poem

Veterans Day

by Cheryl Dyson

On Veterans Day we honor all,

Who answered to a service call. 

Soldiers young, and soldiers old,

Fought for freedom, brave and bold.

Some have lived, while others died,

And all of them deserve our pride.

We’re proud of all the soldiers who,

Kept thinking of red, white and blue.

They fought for us and all our rights,

They fought through many days and nights.

And though we may not know each name,

We thank ALL veterans just the same.

Happy Veterans Day!!!!!