ParentJam: Tips for New Kindergarten Parents

Kindergarten is a learning experience for both parents and children.

Kindergarten has started. It is a time both children and parents have waited for with fear and excillaration.  Here we are, seeing our children off to their new lives as full time students. It is a transition that can be difficult for all parties.  We may not realize it on the first day, but there are a some things we parents will be learning this year too. 

First, Kindergarten is not the end game.  Since the moment of her birth, I was obsessed with my baby’s developement. Her father and I diligently observed her milestones: sitting up, crawling, walking, first words. Then we moved on to preschool skills: prewriting, social play, self help skills.  With every step of the way, kindergarten readiness was our goal.  At the time, we failed to realize that although this preperation was important, it was not going to end with the first day of school.  In reality, getting ready for kindergarten was not the goal, it was just the beginning. 

Second, teachers need our support and respect.  We may not understand it right away, but when the Kindgarten teacher insists your child pack his own backpack, complete homework everynight night or sit quietly until it is his turn, then we need to support her. If you truely feel that your child and teacher are not a good fit, then go directly to the school and work with the staff.  Talking poorly about school faculty infront of your child is not setting a good example. 

Furthermore, like every grade, kindergarten is not a joke. Look up your school’s local standards.  Every school district has set goals and expectations for all instrutors to teach the class. These are subjects your child is expected to learn.  You may think that your child’s classroom is on an unrealistic instruction pace, or perhaps you feel it is to slow. Either way, you are your child’s best teacher. Advocate for your child’s needs and support her developement at home, but do not make excuses and do not blame the teacher. In most cases, the teacher has your child’s best interest in mind and is also on a strict schedule that she must adhere to because her job is at stake.

Finally, there is more to school than the classroom. The culture of a school will be your child’s culture. Social situations are less regulated in elementary schools than you may have become accustomed to in preschool. The ratio is larger and most elementary school staff are not paid to regulate social situations (see the state standard link above). Lunch, recess, riding the bus and other transitons will be the times in school that your child will find important. These are times your child may be vulnerable to bullying or learning about subjects you haven’t introduced. As scarry as that is, they are also times your child will be empowered to make friends, include others and develop social maturity.  The more you get involved in the school and your child’s life, the deeper you will be involved in your child’s new school culutre, and will be able to support, explain or correct what you feel necesarry. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and it takes a parent to choose the right village.

Be supportive. Be involved. Volunteer when you can. Do homework with your children.  Go to after school activities.  Ask your kids questions like, “How was your day?” “Tell me about recess.”  “What questions did you ask today?”  You and your child are starting a whole new chapter in life.  It is an exciting roller coaster you have just climbed on to. Put your hands up and enjoy the ride.

SafetyJam: Keeping Your Children Safe in a Crowd

Carnivals, Parades, State Fairs. . . Summer is a time of celebrating.  Unfortunately, all of these fun events mean crowds, and crowds and preschoolers don’t mix.  When your child is to old to enjoy a festival from the safety of your baby carrier, but isn’t old enough to join the big kids on her own, its time for some basic crowd safety rules.

Rule #1

“If you can’t see me, I can’t see you.”  Give the power to your preschooler. Your child wont understand if you tell her, “I can’t see you,” because to her, you are an all knowing, omnipotent being.  Instead, teach your child to have her eyes on you, and make it clear that if she can’t see you, then you can’t keep her safe.

Rule #2

Stranger Danger Rule of Three.  When my daughter was 3,  we went to Disney Land. I caught her talking to a stranger in the lobby. I told her she should never talk to strangers and she said, "He's not a stranger. I saw him yesterday." OH NO! That's when I created the Stranger Rule of 3: You need to know some one's name, their mommy and where they live. If you know all 3 of those things, chances are they are close friends and they can be trusted. If you know none of those things, they are strangers and you shouldn't talk to them, follow them or be alone with them. If you know 2 of those things, you can talk to them, with permission from a parent or the adult in charge.

Rule #3

Stranger Danger is all well and good, but you may want to consider teaching your children about "Tricky People." Pattie Fitzgerald, creator of "Safely Ever After," teaches that tricky people do things like ask children to keep secrets from their parents.  No child should EVER keep a secret from his parents. Ms. Fitzgerald goes on to point out that not all strangers are dangerous.  If your child gets separated from you, they should go to a safe person like a mom with kids. That is the kind of person who will help a lost child. 

Rule #4

Give your child a way to contact you.  If your child does get lost, she will need some basic information to be reunited with you, like the first and last name of the adult she is with.  Having a contact phone number is even better.  These bracelet with your cell phone number on it 

Click Here for Directions

 or these home tattoos 

Click Here for Directions

 can come in handy. If all else fails,  writing your number with a pen or sharpie on the inside of her arm.

Rule #5

Easy to find clothes.  You can custom order easy to spot family t-shirts like these:

www.customink.com

 Or make your own with iron on paper and a pack of Hanes undershirts.  You can also tie die matching shirts, or just pick a bright color to dress your children in.  Be sure to take a full body picture of each child before you start your day. This will help you to 1. Remember your fantastic day at the carnival and 2. Make it easy to identify your child in case of an emergency.

Carnivals and Fairs are family events and are meant to be enjoyed. Don't let this safety advice deter you from having fun.  But following these simple steps will keep you and your children safer and happier.

Keep Jammin!

This Land Is Your Land

On this 4th of July, remember that our country- its natural beauty, its people and the laws we create to protect them- are our gift to our children. Treat them well, preserve them, respect them and enjoy them. Happy Independence Day!

7 Child Friendly Steps to the Scientific Method.

Science Fun for Everyone!

Children are natural scientists.  They love to explore, are curious and want to learn about the world around them.  Summer is a great time for encouraging your little one. Referring to the scientific method during your outdoor experiments will empower your little ones to view themselves as scientist.  If you think that your child isn't ready for the scientific method, keep in mind that it is the process of learning that counts and not the content. Follow these 7 basic steps that closely follow the scientific method, but that emphasizes the young child's skills set.

1. Observe: Use as many senses as possible and give children ample time to observe as much as they can.

2. Compare: Make connections, talk about similarities and differences.  

3. Sort and Organize: Did you discover something that can be categorized more than one way?  Are the rocks you found round and smooth?

4. Wonder, Predict, hypothesize: Use what you learned to come up with an idea you can test.

5.Experiment, test, explore: Test your hypothesis! Do you get the results over and over? Give your child lots of time to experiment and opportunities to return to the experiment.

6. Infer and record results to show understanding: Use graphs, drawings or charts to show others what you have learned.

7. Extend, expand, apply: Think creatively! Encourage your child to use this new knowledge in other ways and continue discovering!

Most importantly, have fun! 

CookingJam: Ice Cream in a Bag

Do you love to eat ice cream in the summer?  Of course you do! For a healthier and cheaper alternative to the local ice cream parlor, try making home made ice cream with your little one.  It’s fun and easy to do.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
• Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
• 1 pint-size ziplock bag
• 1 gallon-size ziplock bag

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.

• Make shaking the bag a game. Sing songs while one child has a turn shaking and then pass the bag. The person passing gets to pick the song the next person will sing while she shakes.

Home Made Felt Boards

Homemade felt boards are easy to make and a unique toy to add to your child's play room.  Using felt board puppets can help your little one practice interpersonal relationships. It will definitely give your child an opportunity to develop language and social skills. Plus it’s super easy and wont take you out of your crafty comfort zone!

Follow these simple steps:

• Glue a whole piece of felt to a recycled cardboard. Part of a moving or shipping box will be best because of it’s thickness. You can make a large board for your playroom wall, or make a smaller travel size for the car. 

• Cut out pictures of family and friends.  Glue felt pieces to the back of the pictures.  Don’t forget to add pictures of your own children so they can be part of the story!  

• Add to the scene by making background pictures such as hills, trees, sun, clouds and some flowers out of felt, or by cutting them out of photographs like you did with the people.

• Decorate a shoe box to keep all of your special new felt toys in!

Home made felt boards can be a way for a young child to relive a special day, remember a loved one who lives far away, or prepare a child for an upcoming move.  Felt boards are concrete and tactile tools that help children understand stories and concepts, much like illustrations in books.  Plus, they make wonderful personalized gifts!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Upcycle!

Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd!

What does upcycle mean?  It’s when you use a seemingly useless item and change it to into an extremely useful, and more valuable thing.  For instance, instead of throwing away your old wool sweater, use it to create  a sock puppet, pot holders, baby hat or whatever else you can find on Pintrest.    

KinderJam's Facebook page is full of ideas for reducing spending by reusing things you already own.  This type of repurposing is good for the environment as well as your wallets.  

You and your child can celebrate Earth Day on Aprill 22, by doing an upcylce project together.  Instead of buying a doll house at the store, work together and paint an old book shelf to look like one.  You can find the old furniture from your house, the thrift store, or (if you want to be really environmentally friendly) from bulk trash (available on base for many Military Housing areas around the world).  

Even if you choose a less complicated project, like covering cereal boxes and turning them into giant blocks, the more you involve your child, the better. Children love projects, especially when shared with their primary care giver.  Showing your children how to upcylce teaches them innovation, encourages creativity and may even feed their entrepreneurial spirit (goodbye lemonade stand. Hello pop top jewelry business!)

Another time honored Earth Day celebratory activity is to plant seeds.  Make a fruit and vegetable garden, plant a tree or simple potted flowers.  Don’t buy planters at local store.  Reuse water resistant cardboard like milk cartons, ice cream containers or juice boxes. Add scrap paper and old craft supplies to decorate your container, cover it with Modge Podge and Viola! You have a decretive planter.  Teach your child how to care for the newly planted seed and by Mother’s day, your child will have a great gift to present to you.

Don't forget to continue to repurpose things in your home long after Earth Day passes.  Practicing environmentally friendly habits everyday models good citizenship for your children. And that deserves a Woo-Hoo!

Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids, Healthy Teeth!

There are a few basic things we as parents should teach our children about oral health.  Brush and floss your teeth after meals.  Avoid sugary foods. Don’t put things in your mouth or try to open things with your teeth.  Go to the dentist for regular check ups.  So if we all know these basic facts, why are childhood cavities the number 1 chronic childhood disease? Let’s examine these “basic rules” a bit further.

 Brush and floss your teeth after meals. Many parents do not realize this applies to infants as well.  Wipe your babies mouth with a wet cloth after feedings.  This will clean harmful bacteria and also introduce a habit of "brushing". As your child grows, encourage your little one to brush for 2 minutes.  Buy a minute timer or an hour glass to make brushing for 2 minutes fun, or lead by example by brushing for with your kids. 

          
How to Lead By Example: Carry "to go" brushes and floss in your diaper bag and use after meals.  Give tooth brushes as presents in Christmas stockings, Easter baskets and other special occasions.  

Avoid sugary foods. This includes fruit juices, especially in sippy cups. Encourage toddlers to drink water as much as possible and save milk and juice for meal times.  Follow this simple rule: If you wouldn’t want to find it in the back of your car in 6 days, don’t put it in the sippy cup. 
     
 How to Lead By Example:  Show your children that water is important by making it your #1 liquid of choice.  Ask for it when you're playing restaurant.  Buy special cups and call them "water bottles" instead of sippy cups. Make it clear that only water goes in them.

Chewing is for food, not for nails, pencils or opening things. Also, make a goal to wean pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups after age 1.  Transition to cups with spouts or straws to avoid spills and begin to teach young children how to drink out of open cups shortly after the first birthday. Thumb sucking is controversial, but absolutely no thumb sucking after your child looses her baby teeth.

How to Lead By Example: NEVER use your teeth to open something and if you do, loudly exclaim, “Oh my, that was such a bad example!”  Be strong when it comes to weaning your child from the pacifier or sucking his thumb.  Give your toddler an open cup full of water to help him practice until he can drink without spills.

Regular Check ups, starting no later than 6 months after the first tooth or by baby's first birthday. Use the dentist as a resource. She can answer questions like: How do I brush my fussy toddler’s teeth? How can I wean my child from the pacifier? How bad is thumb sucking, really?

How to Lead By Example: Make going to the dentist fun! Children usually leave a dentist office with at least a sticker, and many offices have flat screen tv’s on the ceiling.  Be sure to make yourself an appointment so your child can see how going to the dentist is a positive part of adult life.  If you dislike going to your dentist, ask around until you find a practice that is the right fit for your family. 

Keep these 4 simple lessons in mind. And as always, remember how you can lead by example.  Your children are watching, and copying, your every move!

KinderJam Salutes the Military Child

KinderJam was created for the military child, one specific military child.  El Brown’s story isn’t unique in the military community.  Her 18 month old wasn’t developing speech while her husband was deployed in Iraq.  Contrary to being unique, her story is quite common. 

Many stay at home mothers report “forgetting to talk" to their infants during the day.  In a typical 2 parent home, adults are able to model fluent speech for young children.  This is just as important as speaking directly to your baby because it shows how language is used to communicate.  However, when one parent is deployed, the opportunities to hold a back and forth conversation are limited.  Add the stress of a deployment and the isolation of a new PCS move, and you have created the perfect storm for delayed speech.  This story is so common in the military community, the doctor’s assured Mrs. Brown she had nothing to worry about.  Her son would develop speech, eventually.

But those doctors didn’t know El Brown, or her son.  Most military doctors do not have the opportunity to get to know their patients the way civilian doctors do.  It’s not that military doctors give inferior care, but they only service their patients for an average of 3 years. A civilian doctor may care for the same child, and his siblings for over 18 years.  Ricky II was just another military kid with a deployed parent whose mom was having a hard time. He’d start reaching bench mark milestones, eventually.

But El knew better.  She had experience as a DOD teacher, educating military children living over seas.  She was aware of their struggles.  The frequent moves. The inconsistency in education and medical treatment. The time spent away from parents, extended family and the constant shifting of friendships in a transient community.  

She knew all the odds that are stacked against the children of our Armed Service Members. She knew that although her son might catch up eventually, that this wasn’t something that should be left to chance.  She knew that her baby deserved more, that all of our babies deserve more.

And so KinderJam was born.

And became one of the many opportunities available for the military child.

Because despite the odds, our children are amazing.  They are more than just resilient.  Military Children understand the world in a way that most of us can not comprehend.  They see the world as a small place, full of people that are more alike than they are unalike.  They can adapt like chameleons.  Their social skills rival the most skilled of diplomats.  Our military children are  living examples to America that sacrifice, although difficult, yields great rewards.

They deserve the best we can give them.  Everyday, all the time. April is the month of the military child.  Celebrate them. Treat them to something special. Give them more hugs than they ask for.  

The KinderJam family would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere hand clap to your military children.  Woo-Hoo!

Spring All Around!

KinderJam hopes that Spring is bringing wonderful weather and the start of many happy warm sunny memories to you and your family.  If your region is warm and sunny or still covered in snow, here is a spring time action rhyme for you and your child to do together:

Spring straight  up 

and side to side

Close your eyes and pretend to hide.

Jump up high

Squat down low

Now spin in a circle nice and slow

Speed it up

As fast as you dare

Fall to the ground

and smell the air

Do you smell flowers? Grass and trees?

Do you see butterflies, bugs and bees?

New surprises, 

The sun will bring

Give 3 cheers

It’s time for Spring! 

(jump in the air as you say Spring)

Action rhymes are a great kinesthetic learning tool. New rhymes like this one can be found in children’s magazines like Highlights, or as  traditional nursery rhymes like Ring Around the Rosie or 1,2 Buckle My Shoe. 

Children naturally love to act things out and use their imagination.  Doing the movements in the poem will not only increase their physical strength but will also help your young child to connect the words and movements, increase vocabulary and expressive language skills.

So get out and enjoy the weather.  Keep moving and Keep Jammin’!

Celebrating Easter, Military Style

Picture found at www.sheknows.com

If your like most military families, your Easter Sunday probably looks different every year. One year, you might be stationed near extended family and spend the day celebrating in a large family gathering.  Another year, you may belong to a strong spiritual group and spend the day with them.  One time, our active duty member deployed on Easter Sunday, so we got dressed up and took pictures at the airport.  As parents, we try to create family traditions for our kids that make the day special, but it can be hard when every year brings new challenges and opportunities.

Both religious and secular people celebrate the holiday, and Easter brings different meaning to each household, much like Christmas.  However, during Christmas, many military families have leave and are allowed to travel, vacation or simply spend a few days with the family.  Because Easter falls on a Sunday, with no leave associated with it, traditional Easter activities such as traveling to see family or having a large celebration isn't always possible.

If you're having a hard time planning your Easter Sunday, here are a few things to do with your children that will make the day special, no mater where you are.

Get involved in a church community.

No matter where you are in the world, a Christian community will most likely have something planned for children on Easter.  This is a time that many people who don’t usually attend services make an effort to go to church.  Don’t worry about attending Easter celebrations if don’t already belong to a community.  Most Christian churches are happy to see new faces and will welcome you and your children.

Organize a neighborhood egg hunt.

If you live in a military neighborhood, you're not the only one who is missing family and big Easter celebrations.  Don’t be afraid to host an egg hunt or Easter picnic.  The rules are simple.  Everyone brings 15 filled eggs for every child they bring plus one pot luck dish to share.  Even if you are not close with your neighbors, you can post fliers on your street.  No need to open your house to strangers, you can plan the event to be at the local park or other common area. 

Easter Skype Dates

Thanks to modern technology, family is just a video call way! Plan to Skype with family during a morning egg hunt.  You can plan for your caller to give hints of where some special eggs are hidden, or just let them enjoy the children having fun.

Decorate your house

Use ideas found on the KinderJam Facebook page or Pintrest to decorate your house with child made decorations.  This will get your children in the spirit of celebrating.  

Visit your Library

If you are new to the area, you might not know where to look for Easter activities in your community.  Your local librarian is a wonderful resource and will direct you to local papers, groups and community activities.  

Where ever you are in the world, Easter is a time to celebrate.  Don't let frequent moves or distance from family keep you from enjoying this wonderful holiday.  Happy Easter and keep Jammin!

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Rainbows, good luck, pots of gold, the color green, What’s not to like about St. Patrick’s Day? There are plenty of things to do with children that celebrates the religious meaning of the day. Many American's celebrate today's contemporary meaning of St. Patrick's Day that focuses more on using your imagination with your kids. 

Get into the spirit! Leave Leprechaun feet around the house with green paint or by mixing flour and green glitter.  You can make small messes around the house like dropping books off the shelf or spilling sugar near the foot prints.  Make green colored food left by the little magical fellow or make a rainbow fruit tray to eat at lunch. Decorate your house in rainbows and shamrocks, go on a treasure hunting geocach (check online or create one using your backyard and a hand made map).  For more St. Patrick's Day ideas, go to www.spoonful.com, Disney's blog page. 

Traditions are a great way to model using your imagination with children. Being playful with your little one is important because according to National Association for the Education of Young Children play is not inert.  Children are born with the desire to explore and discover but play itself is observed and mimicked.  In a world where theme songs are replacing nursery rhymes and children spend hours in a daycare room with children their own age, there are less and less opportunities to observe productive play by older children or adults.

Another reason to create imaginative traditions for St. Patrick's Day and other holidays are the memories they create! Any memory that puts a smile on your child's face is worth making.   So may the wind be always at your back, the sun shine warmly upon your face and your child's giggles be forever in your ears.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

PlayDateJam: Enjoying the Wind

March is in like a lion and out like a lamb.  With the change of seasons, many of us trade our winter wear and snow shovels for windbreakers and picnic baskets.  In many parts of the world, early spring is known for it’s windy weather, perfect for playing with pinwheels, paper airplanes and flying kites.  

Of course, flying a kite is a great way to play with the wind.  You can buy a kite or make one from scratch.  If you find yourself out at the park with no kites in sight, tie the handles of a plastic bag together on a string and viola! you have instant fun. When your out playing, you can always break into song with this verse from Mary Popins:

For more windy day fun, try bubbles. Homemade or store bought, bubbles are a sure winner.  Try chasing down a herd of bubbles, blow one at a time,  or let the wind blow your bubbles for you.  Expand your bubble wand collection by bringing a variety of kitchen and playroom tools (spatula, straw, strainer, butterfly net, wire coat hanger).  Add science to the fun by forming a hypothesis about the shape of your bubbles when using different kinds of wands.

When you’re all done your day in the wind, don’t forget to take some quiet time looking at the clouds.  Windy days are great for observing changing clouds.  No clouds in the sky?  Find some small seeds to blow into the wind.  If March is still to cold where you live to go outside, you can enjoy windy days through the world of books. Check out It looked like It Looked Like Spilt Milk, and The Tiny Seed, during your next Library trip.

AurthorJam: Dr. Seuss

Each year the National Education Association hosts Read Across America week in which thousands of our nation’s schools celebrate children’s literature.  It is a week to encourage reading, create excitement for books and it culminates on Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, March 2 (or the closest school day).

Why Dr. Seuss? Out of the thousands of children’s author’s in history, why do we pick Dr. Seuss as our national icon for reading? He wasn’t the first children’s author and illustrator to create engaging stories.  So why do we single out this one author?

Because Theodor Seuss Geisel’s books changed the concept of modern children’s literature.  

Many of us have grown up with Seuss’ playful characters: The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, the Grinch, Thing 1 and Thing 2.  Geisel carefully created each character to spread simple yet whimsically told morals.  Seuss’ books teach important and mature themes such as responsibility, standing up for what is right, protecting those who cannot protect themselves and environmental conservation to name a few. But imagine a world without colorfully written text and nonsense rhyming words.  Imagine, if instead of seeing a Wocket in your pocket you could only see Dick and Jane run.  This is the world that Theodor Geisel changed for ever.  The Dr. Seuss revolution opened the door to the engaging, imaginative and socially relevant stories we casually read to our children every night.

So celebrate reading with your family! Even if your children do not attend school, make March 2nd a tradition in your home. Here are some simple Jammin’ ideas for your new: 

Seuss   Day  Traditions

Spend a car ride, or breakfast time rhyming real and nonsense words.

Wink while you drink pink ink, aka Lemonade. (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)

 Check out this recipe for  Green Eggs and Ham, or just add Spinach puree to your scrambled eggs.

 Plant a tree or some grass in a homemade green house after reading the Lorax.

 Make up a Tall Tale at the breakfast table like the boy in “To think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.”

 Pretend it’s Christmas in Whoville and exchange gifts (handmade books come to mind)

 Have a family Read-A-Thon.

Go to www.suessvill.com, the official Seuss site.

 Pick 10 words from the dolche sight word list and rhyme them with nonsense words.    

      Make a Seuss-inspired family book.

Create an Oh-The-Place’s-You’ll-Go PCS dream sheet! Have each family member list where they want to move Next. 
Don’t feel the need to limit your list to real bases.  Your 

     little one might want to move to Dinkerville (Hurray For Diffedoofer Day)