Playing with Playdough

Moms, it is so easy to make playdough!  The recipe below took no more that 15 minutes to make and now we have HOURS of playdough fun!  (FYI - double the recipe if you have enough ingredients.)

My son enjoys "cutting" the playdough with his plastic knife.  I took out random length straws and he stuck them in all over.  This particular creation is a cake with candles that need to be blown out and it includes a straw to drink juice.  It looks like our dog is taking a sip. 

COOKED PLAY DOUGH
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1Tbsp. Oil
½ cup salt
1 tsp. Cream of Tartar
Food coloring, colors for cake icing and scents added as desired.
Add the colors and scents to the water.

Mix all ingredients together in a sauce pan.  Cook over medium heat until mixture
pulls away from sides of the pan and becomes play dough consistency.

Kneed until cool.  Store in an air-tight container.
*thank you Luciana for this easy recipe!*

Last Minute Review

School starts in a few days and parents are afraid their children have forgotten EVERYTHING over the summer!  No fear, check out these easy, fun ways to review.

ABC Match:
Write the alphabet in CAPITAL letters on a large piece of construction paper.  Write the lower case letters on post-it notes.  Place the lower case letters out of order on the wall.  Have your child put the lower case letters on top of the CAPITAL letters.

Stick Writing:
Kids love using colored popsicle craft sticks to practice making letters, sight words, name, or creating fun designs.

Do-A-Dot Art Markers:
Another great way to practice name writing or sight words.  Kids can "dot" out words, names, numbers, etc...

Countdown to School!

Here are a few fun ideas you can do at home to prepare for that first day of school!

1.  Make a "Countdown" road to school with your child.  Find out how many days are left before school starts.  You can write or print out numbers and have your child glue them in order from the biggest number down to number one.  Draw a line to connect the numbers to make your path.  At the end of the "path" have your child draw a picture of their school.  Take a post-it note and put in on the biggest number.  Each day, have your child move the post-it note one number until you reach the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 

Here are some things MOMS can do to prepare for your child's first day:
*adjust their body clock to fit their new school schedule
*talk about healthy choices for lunch/snack
*make sure your child's name is on their backpack and lunch box
*check supply list
*find classroom and playground
*have your child say their new teacher's name 3 times (when you find out)
*discuss drop-off and pick-up procedures
*don't forget to take a first day of school picture

*SMILE and have a great day!

It will be a great year!