Summer Fun

MOMMY and ME  and Move and Groove Through the Alphabet (Pre-K) classes begin July 7 at the Talega Clubhouse.  For more information click on the link below

http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-schedule.html

For students going into Kindergarten or First Grade I will be offering a 2 hour workshop on August 24 at the Talega Clubhouse to get them excited about starting school.

Kindergarten -  9:00-11:00  We will be playing games that focus on letters, sounds, numbers, rhyme and name recognition.  We will reading stories about starting Kindergarten and talk about what to expect that first day!

First Grade - 1:00-3:00  We will be playing games that focus on sight words, letters, sounds and number recognition to 100.  It will be a fun way to review what they learned in Kindergarten.  We will discuss what to expect on their first day of school.
Email me for more information or a registration form
dcodaniels@gmail.com

Choo Choo Tracks

It seems like all day, every day I hear some sort of train, plane or automobile sound coming from my two year old.  Today we made some "tracks" from some of his trains and trucks using paint.
You need: paper, paint, old trains or trucks and a safe area to paint.   I recommend using toys that have wide wheels or have some tread.  The 99 Cent Store has a great collection. I used some of my veggie containers from the store to hold the paint.
Directions: Pour paint into containers and watch your child have fun pushing their train in the paint and then onto their paper.  My son really got into his art project.  He was saying "Choo, Choo" as the tracks appeared.
For kids who are older, try writing the letter "T" on the paper first and review the sound.  As they are going over their paper they can make the "T" sound as they make their "tracks" with their "train".

Here is a song we like to sing. 

Clickety clickety clickety clack
Hear the train coming down the track
Chug chug chug
And up the hill it climbs
Listen to the whistle
 blow (4) times

Choo, Choo, Choo, Choo (changes depending on the number you use)

Treasure Found

Looking for something exciting to do outside...go on a treasure hunt.
First you need special binoculars and they are easy to make: take two empty toilet paper rolls and staple them together (side by side).  Then punch two holes on the sides and put string through.  Have your child decorate them while you make your list of items to find on your hunt.

I created a list of items to "LOOK FOR" and items they can "TOUCH" to put in their bags.  This is a great way to develop vocabulary and become more aware of their surroundings.  Be sure to have them use their special binoculars!

"LOOK" items can include: birds, clouds, bugs, flower, water...

"TOUCH" items they can collect to put into their bags.  Some ideas: a big leaf, a small rock, blade of grass, pinch of sand...

 While out on the search, try using other senses too.  Ask your child: "Do you hear the birds? Can you smell the flowers?"  Kids love looking for treasure.  After the hunt your child will love to look at all the items they collected in their bag.