education Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Setting the Stage for Success: Preschool Patterns and Shapes

Paula — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:34:00 +0000

The first day of kindergarten is a landmark occasion. For children, it’s a big step into a wider world of friends, learning, and independence. For parents, it’s a mix of pride, excitement, and a little bit of anxiety. I will never forget my children’s first day of school. One was more than ready but the other definitely had separation anxiety very early on. In fact, they couldn’t have been more different in that regard. We were of course teaching our kids many of the skills they’d need, from preschool patterns and shapes to letter recognition, but they also each had their own personalities and needs. My oldest could read early and was happy to go to school. My youngest child with sensory processing disorder needed a bit more support to feel safe. And that’s okay we aren’t all the same and we don’t all progress at the same rate. We all want our kids to walk through those classroom doors feeling confident and ready to succeed. While the academic journey officially begins there, the true foundation for school success is built in the precious years leading up to it. What is Involved in School Readiness? As early childhood educators and parents, we often think about pre-reading and number recognition, but schol readiness is much broader. It’s about a set of skills that allow a child to navigate a classroom, engage with a teacher, collaborate with peers, and follow directions. Think of it this way: a child can know all their letters, but if they are unable to sit for a five-minute story or ask for a turn, they will struggle to show what they know. Before we dive into our fun new Preschool Patterns and Shapes worksheet packet, let’s talk a little about some of the core skills little ones need to thrive in a kindergarten environment. The Basics of Kindergarten Readiness A child entering kindergarten should be developing skills in a few key areas: 1. Social and Emotional Development This is the cornerstone of all learning. Can your child manage big emotions, play cooperatively with others, and show empathy? Social skills like sharing, taking turns, and understanding others’ perspectives are essential for a positive classroom experience. At this age, readiness means a child can, with support, solve a simple conflict with words and manage their frustration when they can’t get what they want immediately. 2. Fine Motor Skills Strong hand muscles are essential. In kindergarten, children will be expected to use a pencil, handle scissors, and open their own snack containers. Activities that develop fine motor skills—like molding playdough, using tongs to pick up small objects, and, yes, completing activities on worksheets—build the strength and dexterity needed for printing and writing. 3. Cognitive and Pre-Academic Skills This is where the excitement for learning can grow. Children begin to observe their world and make sense of how things work. They will start to count, recognize their name, and grasp basic spatial concepts such as like over, under, and beside. Crucially, this is the stage where children develop patterning and shape recognition skills. This isn’t about memorizing labels; it’s about a foundational understanding that the world has structure. They are learning to observe, categorize, and predict. They see that a day has a predictable order (morning, noon, night) and that a shirt might have a simple blue-white-blue-white pattern. This logical thinking is the gateway to both math and literacy, where recognizing patterns in numbers and sounds is essential. Introducing the Preschool Patterns and Shapes Matching Series I am excited to introduce this new, free printable worksheet packet designed for exactly this purpose! This playful collection focuses on two key readiness skills: shape recognition and pattern copying. With bright colours and friendly, age-appropriate illustrations, your child might not even realize they are “learning.” Each worksheet is an invitation to explore. They’ll get to search for matching pairs of shapes, identifying everything from simple circles and squares to more complex stars and hearts. We’ve also included a variety of pattern activities. Your child will practice copying a given pattern (like circle, square, circle) and then, in the next step, predict and draw what comes next. This simple task is a cognitive workout. It requires logic, sequence prediction, and fine motor control. Get This Preschool Patterns and Shapes Activity Now These worksheets can be more than just a passive activity. Use them to sit with your child, to talk about what they see (“What colour is that square?”), and to celebrate every moment they recognize the pattern and draw the match. It’s about making learning a joyful, shared experience that builds their skills and their confidence, one matching shape at a time. Get Your Content Here: Please remember these are for your use. They are not for reprinting on your own website or other publication. Don’t miss my Common sight words for kindergarten and preschool Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchases made via qualifying links may mean a small commission for me. Don’t forget these handy supplies you need to make your printables last: Printer paper helps. Yes, it is pretty expensive these days. This Amazon Basics paper is pretty good. Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is excellent. Highly recommend. And bonus it doesn’t take up much space in your family room or your home office. Use it for some of the printables like the word search and search and find projects and then hand them out with erasable markers. Reuse over and over. Happy Crafting and Camping and Word Games and even Back to School! Stay Tuned – There are more worksheets to come.

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Why I am Celebrating Finishing the Pandemic School Year

Paula — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 19:15:45 +0000

Kudos to all the university, college and high school kids who finished this challenging pandemic school year. Here’s why I am celebrating that achievement. Pandemic learning was a huge challenge this year as was school in general. Socially, I feel like we haven’t given our kids enough credit for getting through the volatile and discombobulating pandemic school year they just had. Imagine being a teen or even an elementary child adapting to all of the stress and change that’s been thrown at them this year. If anything, I am surprised so many kept going to the very end of June. What I am Celebrating Last month, my oldest daughter finished her first year of university done during a pandemic and my youngest finished grade eleven. I know many of you parents know what I mean when I say well that was a year like no other. This past school year was chaos to say the least. Many high school students went back and forth all year. Two to three months in class and then boom back to at home remote learning through no fault of their own. Then when Covid-19 numbers dipped again some slid right back into the classrooms where smaller numbers of kids had been in cohorts. Finally, back to school and whoops suddenly Wave 3 of the pandemic hit in Ontario. The Only Constant Was Disruption The pandemic school year was nothing if not disruptive. At times, we nearly gave up here on high school because the pandemic school year was more than uphill especially since all supports vanished and suddenly I was basically doing the IEP here while juggling a full time job too. Ontario students of all ages had a year like no other. Parents did too. I know how hard that was and think it’s worth noting. Parents and students made the greatest sacrifices this academic year. But it’s over. Now let’s stay safe this summer, wear masks and get your second vaccines so school can return to some version of normal in September. We all owe that to kids and families in Ontario. For my University Student What a first year it was! She was literally on campus three times, two of those times were in the fall of 2020 for a social distancing paint night with masks on, to pick up something from the campus bookstore and join a study session. She hasn’t physically been on campus at all in 2021. Learning from home started as a huge adjustment and it was lonely at first but over time and by second semester it was clear she found a rhythm. Our University Year While people often took jabs at college and university students for spreading the virus, and there were numerous outbreaks in residences at Western University, this was not our experience. I don’t think a lot of students actually fell into the partying irresponsible group. The actual lived experience of many university and college students was pretty hobbit like and anxiety provoking. A lot, like Payton, were home learning all of their subjects from a corner of their bedrooms all year. Some students made it physically on campus two to three times to buy books or get their student activity card printed. Anxious Moments Anxiety impacted sleeping. My oldest worried often. So working on school all day in her bedroom was not conducive to restful sleep at night. And Yet They Adapted While it took several months for Payton to find her footing, she eventually did. Pandemic learning was less than ideal, but still she did it. By semester two I noticed a change mentally. She was reluctant and a bit depressed in September. As in, this is not what I signed up for but by January she was in the groove. Honestly, I was proud that she was making the best of it. Meanwhile in High School Here in our school district and province they segmented students into cohorts for consistency and size of classes. My youngest went to school some weeks for a whole two days, four hours each day. Ridiculous. For the rest of the week, classes occurred on Microsoft Teams or via Zoom style remote learning. By the end of the year they had given up. So, I decided we could drop the last course entirely. For a kid who loves sports, conducting all the sports at home online was a huge hurdle. It just wasn’t going to end well. My kiddo with FASD is a black and white thinker, and that’s part of the disability. So, doing sports without the team portion of it in person was a non starter. But We Did It So ultimately while both experiences were very different, we did it. We made it through the school year. Some of us emerged a little stronger and wiser and maybe more resilient. Some parents lost jobs as a result of the need to teach. Believe me, this is nothing I would wish on any parent or student. But here’s to making it through! ONWARDS to the Fall I am hopeful September is an entirely different and consistent school experience. Our kids deserve it and need it. Frankly, we do too.

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Bald Eagle Life Cycle Learning Games Booklet

Paula — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:21:00 +0000

The first time I ever saw a truly gorgeous bald eagle in real life was in Alabama actually. We were doing a Segway Tour through the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country trail in Gulf Shores, Alabama and we stopped halfway though for a rest and spotted a nest high atop one of the trees and an eagle was in it. Oh I have seen them on TV and even in zoos, where eagles might be rehabilitating from injury. They are always impressive and majestic. But seeing that nest and the scope of it hit me. I’ve seen them in Florida treetops as well quite a few times and now that I know what to look for, I have even seen them in Canada once or twice. A Few Bald Eagle Facts Did you know that bald eagles are the only eagles that are indigenous to North America? Young eagles are called eaglets. Eaglets are light grey and fluffy when they first hatch. Their feathers turn dark brown when they’re about 12 weeks old and ready to leave the nest. Their bald heads don’t turn white until they are about four to five years old. Bald eagles make their homes in forests often near large bodies of water. This environment ensures good fishing and large trees for nesting. Check out this Bald Eagle Live WebCam, which is perfect right now because many of us still cannot travel. What’s in the Bald Eagle Life Cycle Learning Kit? Here’s what’s included in this cute and free learning tool for school aged kids. Want to Keep the Learning Going? Check out my Solar System Learning Unit. Also, I have a turkey life cycle activity, in addition to the horse life cycle games live here too. a Seahorse Life Cycle activity and finally a Bee Life Cycle activity.

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I am Not Invisible – FASD at School and How to Help

Paula — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:09:00 +0000

This FASD at School post is by my daughter, Ainsley Schuck. September 9th is FASD (International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Day, so we thought we’d share it now as school resumes. I have an invisible disability, but I am not invisible. I kind of want my IEP (individual education plan) to say that. I’m not invisible and I am trying, but I need help. It’s a double standard in the schools and in life that some with visible disabilities are treated differently than others whose disabilities are not so easy to see. Clearly, most people with any disability struggle with perceptions and support in society. But I am also here to say that in my world sometimes certain disabilities are viewed though a lens of disbelief. My disability is hidden often until I reveal that. Typically, that means people don’t seem to understand it or even believe it. It is still a fact. You can’t see it and I can’t see it, but it is still there. FASD at school is sometimes harder than it needs to be. More About Me My disability is FASD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and while you physically cannot see it, it is still there. Until I tell you about it you might not even know. A Typical Day People don’t understand what a typical day looks like for me. Every day a lot of people wake up without much concern or worry, if they are not on the FASD spectrum. However, I often wake up after a nine-hour sleep feeling like I have been awake for days. And then, when I get to school someone will notice that I am late, unfocused, tired and burnt out. Sadly, instead of helping me they choose to bicker and bombard me with obscure comments that are uncalled for. FASD at school doesn’t need to be like that. More Than Aware I am Different I get it. I have FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and I have lived with it since I was born. Invisible disabilities, and FASD at school shouldn’t be so hard. You can help me by reading my IEP (Individual Education Plan). Some teachers do, and they are great, but others don’t seem to and that makes everything harder. If you read it and look it over, that helps me, and we don’t need to quarrel. I don’t need to lose marks or get in trouble. A Picture Frame The frame of a picture holds it together, keeps it grounded, strong, steady and intact. That’s what you can do for me at school. If I get to your class be proud, I am ready to learn, trying to succeed and piece together my future. So please forget if I am running late. If I am there at all that’s good. That’s success for me some days. Do you know that many people with FASD quit school. That shouldn’t happen. Everyone is entitled to an education. I am trying to put my future together. I am going places, but I cannot do that if you nit-pick, get stuck on the past. Trust me, I have gone down that path. So, I may not have facial markings like some people with FASD, but that doesn’t make it okay to hide or ignore. My scars and my disability might be invisible, but they are still a part of me. In fact, I can tell you I have more than you think. Here’s How to Help Next time you meet someone like me please treat them like an individual and not someone who is a problem. Let my story be a lesson because there are thousands of students and adults like me. Put yourself in our spot. Please think outside the box and always assume I am doing my best. Please keep negative comments to yourself. Try to get to know me. A kind, calm demeanour helps. Help Me Succeed Today and Every Day I speak on behalf of myself and kids like me with FASD. We don’t want to get stuck in confrontation. It’s a waste of time and a waste of your breath. So, let us succeed, get going, help us reach our future, never leave us alone and don’t let us get off track. Thank you.

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Seahorse Lifecycle and Facts – Activity Worksheet

Paula — Fri, 22 May 2020 14:31:00 +0000

Seahorses are incredibly fascinating creatures, which is why I thought this Seahorse Lifecycle activity worksheet for kids could be a great educational post to share this week. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission via qualifying links. Right now, we can all use every extra educational resource we can find. So, here’s a great little seahorse worksheet for you to share with your kids. These tiny swimmers are a natural marvel of the undersea environment. Have you ever seen one in an aquarium or up close while snorkelling or scuba diving? If so, I want to hear about it. But First the Seahorse Facts There are about 40 known species of seahorses. Seahorse males carry the babies, as you will see below. In fact, they are the only species on earth where the male carries the babies. They live in coral reefs, mangroves and sheltered underwater environments that offer natural camouflage from predators. They have prehensile tails….(that means they can use their t ails like a limb, not unlike a monkey tail.) They use their tails to anchor themselves to sea grasses and coral. Also, these prehensile tails mean they can anchor themselves to things when a strong current comes by and they will not be swept away with the current. These adorable seahorse creatures often swim in pairs with tails intertwined. (isn’t that cute?) What’s the snout for? For eating, of course. Lengthy snouts allow them to suck up plankton and small crustaceans. Their snouts act as a vacuum cleaner. Print Out This Seahorse Lifecycle Worksheet Ten More Seahorse Facts: 7. They use the small fin on their back to propel themselves. It moves up to 35 times per second. 8. The lifespan of a seahorse can be 1 – 5 years. 9. Did you know that seahorses mate for life and are very monogamous? That’s a great new word for some of the kids to learn( which basically means mates for life and has one partner for life.) 10. I bet you din’t know that seahorses are fish. They live underwater, breathe through gills and have a sea bladder. 11. Baby seahorses are called seahorse fry. When my kids were small they had a great little book about animals and their babies and it talked about what every animal grouping is called. The coolest one of all was crows….did you know that a group of crows is called a murder. A murder of crows. 12. Eyesight of a seahorse is incredible. 13. There are about 54 species of seahorses worldwide. 14. A threatened species? Many people might not know that seahorses are under threat worldwide. Often seahorses and crabs are taken from the shallow waters where they swim and left to dry out then are made into souvenirs. Sometimes, they are also used in Chinese medicine. 15. Less than 1 in 1,000 born survive due to predators. …Are you into seahorses? Check out this adorable Seahorse print pillow. 16. These clever creatures change colour to match their surroundings and during courtship rituals. Don’t Miss this Eric Carle Seahorse book for preschoolers. It is a classic picture book about fatherhood and of course it has the most amazing colourful illustrations. What Do Seahorses Eat? Plankton and small crustaceans are the foods of choice. Each seahorse can also consume unto 3,000 brine shrimp a day – those are the extremely tiny shrimp that come in those tiny little Sea Monkeys kits that people used to buy. We had one here once and it was actually fun for the kids to watch those tiny critters. Looking for More Seahorse Facts? Check out The Seahorse Trust for more educational and accurate facts about seahorses. You might also consider this – > Seahorses Book from Amazon. To Download this seahorse lifecycle sheet for your use. Click on the link below. This seahorse lifecycle activity sheet is copyright protected. Please do not republish on your site or take the illustration for commercial use. That’s illegal. I love providing these educational activities for you and your kids, but can’t do so if they are stolen and republished.

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Study the People of Ancient Rome – An Educational Booklet

Paula — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:09:00 +0000

True story. I took Latin all the way through high school. I remembered that just this week when my daughter found an old report card of mine. So Ancient Rome was a topic I learned about routinely and it genuinely captured my interest. The stories about characters that were pivotal to the formation of one of there world’s greatest ancient civilizations are truly captivating. There are very few ancient civilizations that are quite so fascinating. The legends and the myths about Ancient Rome make for incredible stories, sometimes gory and unbelievable but still entertaining. As legend has it, Ancient Rome was formed in 753 BC. by twins Romulus and Remus, sons of the God of War, Mars. Left to drown in a basket on the Tiber by a king of nearby Alba Longa and rescued by a she-wolf, the twins defeated the king and founded their own city on the river’s banks. Rome. But these two twins did not get along and Romulus killed Remus so that, Romulus became the first king of Rome. The city of Rome was named for him, of course. Ancient Rome Facts Rome is the capital of Italy Founded along the Tiber River, Rome was geographically in the right spot because the river permitted trade and commerce. The mountain ranges around Rome were natural barriers to enemies. This protected the city and its people. Ruled by Kings for 240 years. Roman Politics Ruled by kings for 240 years, initially Rome was a Monarchy and it was governed by a King, until the people overthrew the first government to form a republic. Next came Julius Caesar, who was loved by the people and who wrote about his heroic battles. After a civil war which broke out because the senate felt threatened by his power, Julius Caesar won. After Caesar was killed, a second civil war broke out and Augustus, (Octavian) Julius Caesar’s son won that war to become Emperor. The city ushered in a period of peace and it was known as an empire. Romans conquered many surrounding civilizations including Britannia, now known as England. War, and the Roman army, was big business and in fact the Roman Army conquered much of the Mediterranean. Studying History in the Early Grades? Ancient Rome is well known for its contributions to architecture. Many of their epic structures still exists and are well known tourist attractions. Their engineers created orderly cities and they built bridges, coliseums, schools and spas, as well as significant entertainment and sporting structures. Water in Rome In fact, Ancient Rome also had a series of aqueducts and they also used sewers. They created roads and concrete paving the way literally for a system of roadways that is basically what we still use. Ancient Romans spoke Latin and that language has been used for hundreds of years in scientific classifications. Little known fact – they also invented socks. Download this Ancient Rome Booklet Quick reminder that you can easily use this booklet for educational purposes for your kids, or your class. Please do not reprint on another web site though as this is protected by copyright as is all of the content here on Thrifty Mommas Tips. If you liked this, then you might also enjoy – England Colouring and Printing Book and Germany Educational Colouring and Printing Book Also, I loved this video on Youtube about Teenage Life in Ancient Rome.

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Things to Do Before You Start First Year University

Paula — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 09:14:00 +0000

By Payton Schuck Note from Paula – My daughter Payton starts university in September. First Year University! Let me first of all say, we are so proud of Payton and can’t wait for her to start, but also it seems like it was yesterday when I was dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten and here we are almost starting university. She graduated from high school and has been accepted at her top three choices. Two of those are in town and her top choice came through first, so that was exciting to see. Her face lit up that day when she got the first acceptance email and then when the package came in the mail. What to Do Now Before First Year University or College Starts So you have been admitted and you have those letters of acceptance in hand! How exciting! I was over the moon when I got the email that said Congratulations, Payton we are pleased to offer you admission to King’s and then came the one from Brescia!! It felt like a huge load off of my shoulders. And then the pandemic hit and school stopped. Slowly, we have shifted to learning online but there’s a lot fo uncertainty about what Summer and Fall look like here in Canada. That part is hard, especially if you have anxiety as I do. Anyways, there are a few steps you can take now to be sure you are ready when school starts. Fingers crossed the pandemic is under control here soon and life is sort of normal again. I can’t wait to start first year university! Tour the Campus Take as many tours as you can, or as needed; however, online would probably be best at this time. All of the universities and colleges are doing virtual tours right now during the pandemic. Make sure you know the basic layout of the campus to make it easier to get around. Memorize landmarks such as the library, lecture halls, cafeteria and student centre. Talk to Staff on Campus Getting advice from seasoned staff on campus will be incredibly helpful. You can call them or email asking them questions. Talk to Students/Peer Support Students About Campus Life. Getting a feel for campus life and what to expect whether you’re in residence or at home, getting connected and meeting people will create a support system if you’re unsure of anything in your first year at university. Maybe a small group of students from your high school started there a year before you. Connect with them, even if that’s via social media to ask what they like or don’t like. Many will be sure to shower you with advice quickly. Set Good Organization Habits Ideally, you worked on those throughout high school, but if you didn’t do really well that way, then start working on that now. Right now, a lot of you are probably doing online learning, just as I am, so stick to a schedule every day and get used to working independently. That skill will be increasingly important in first year university. Find Out About Parking and Parking Passes if You Have a Car Where is the lot? Is the lot always overloaded? Is it far from your first class? What happens if he can’t get a spot in the lot one day where do you park? What is the back up plan for that? Also, if you were on your own in a different city and you have a vehicle, what is your plan for car maintenance should the car not start one morning or should it be stuck in the student parking lot? Bus Routes or Shuttles or Both How will you get to school every day? What bus route is it on? Is there a shuttle system from main campus to your smaller college or just around the campus? This could be invaluable. Listen, depending on your mental state, your health, your anxiety and such you might consider going and test driving the bus route. That way you will know what to expect. This can help anxious youth and young adults feel less stressed. Get a Planner or Planning App Get a planner or begin using an app on your phone now. (time management is super important, especially during your first year which is often one of the busiest) Meet Other First Year Students Meet other first year students. Fresh week? Orientation? Meeting people in the same position as you will ease your nerves by knowing you’re not alone. And meeting people in your program will give you the opportunity to have à good experience in class and to help each other. Explore Campus and Amenities Nearby Explore campus and surrounding amenities. If you need a bank nearby, a grocery store or a restaurant, you should know where all of those things are. Meet Your Professors (establishing a good relationship is essential) This may not be possible until the first day or week of school for some of you. But, connect with them as soon as you are able and figure out when office hours are and what the email is as well for when you have questions or need clarifications. Set Goals (productivity is key) What do you want or expect out of first year university or college? Have an IEP? Do you have an Individual Education Plan? (an IEP from high school is an individual plan that outlines any disability or learning differences and the needs or accommodations you may need to succeed) Then you need to get that organized, before you get to post secondary, whether that’s college or first year university. Actually, you might need a whole new assessment, so find out when and where and how that gets done. Also, involve your parents because they might have to pay or send to insurance for coverage before you even set foot into a classroom. Clean up Your Social Media Remove anything you don’t want future friends or faculty members to see. Health Care Know where you are expected to go to find a doctor for mental and physical health. Plug-in mental health support right away, if you might need it. (YOU will need it.) First year university or college is a big adjustment, especially if you might be living away from home. Don’t take chances with health. Also, ask your parents what the situation is with insurance. Are you still covered under their plan? Is there a student plan? Budget This is one my mom insists that I add. Speak with your parents about what the budget is and how everything is being paid for. How much money from your summer job goes towards tuition or residence or daily living expenses? How does the RESP work? If you have an emergency expense pop up, what is the expectation? First Year University is Exciting You are about to start studying something you love and want to study. I mean in high school you had to take a few course you had ZERO interest in, right? For me, that was math. Hated math most years. But art, sociology and psychology!!! Happily will read and study these topics all day long. I hope that soon there is some clarification about what first year will look like for you and for me too. Good luck!!

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Inspirational TED Talks for Teens

Paula — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 11:10:00 +0000

Inspirational TED Talks can be great for anyone, but teenagers, in particular can really benefit from these 18-minute or less talks that can cover almost any topic. Teen years are hard slogging and watching them struggle sometimes as parents is so challenging. If you can remember your teen years, you’ll probably easily recall the angst and fear and general uncertainty. Right now, that angst and anxiety is running even higher for most because of the pandemic. That’s where inspirational TED Talks come in. Inspirational TED Talks to Ease the Teen Years From zits and breakups to proms and makeups, the teen years are arguably some of the hardest anyone will ever go through mentally. Although from an outside perspective, the problems of a teen may seem trivial, when experienced through the lens of raging hormones, they feel like life and death on a daily basis. That’s why I think these TED Talks can be so transformative for teens. While we parents might not always be able to convince our teens that we understand what they’re going through, inspirational TED Talks can. These talks are all about listening, not speaking. Our teens have to reveal nothing to take away powerful lessons and ideas. The Power of Introverts The Power of Introverts is all about the idea that everyone is amazing in their own way, whether they’re a social butterfly or a wallflower. This TED Talk is a powerful one if you have a child who isn’t comfortable being in the spotlight. Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m a Model One of the hardest things for many teen girls is body image. With so many messages out there telling teen girls they have to look a certain way to be of any value, this TED Talk could not be more important. High School Stories We always tell our kids they don’t know how good they have it, but it’s nice to let them hear it from another source. High School Stories is one of my favorite inspirational TED Talks on this list because it reminds teens that no matter how bad what they’re facing seems, it’s not truly that bad. It also encourages them to go out and be vehicles for positive change in the world. Questions Every Teenager Needs to be Asked This makes my list of inspirational TED Talks for teens because its one that benefits both teenagers and their parents. We all know that communication is key to our relationship with our kids, but do we really know how to do it? Questions Every Teenager Needs to be Asked focuses on helping teens realize that their dreams are within reach, and that they have what it takes to make them a reality. Why I Don’t Use a Smartphone Who can remember a time before smartphones? In fact, Why I Don’t Use a Smartphone is probably one of my favourite inspirational TED Talks for teenagers. Why? Because it addresses the fact that you can lead a fulfilling life without having your head stuck in a smart device every second of every day. This talk focuses on the world outside of the screen and what it has to offer people who are willing to look past their Tumblr, Tik Tok and Twitter. Everyday Leadership Everyday Leadership is a TED Talk that focuses on how teens can spread positivity every day. Small acts of kindness turn into big changes in the world around us if we’re consistent. It’s an uplifting talk with a lot of heart. The Danger of a Single Story The Danger of a Single Story is one of the most important TED Talks that any teen can listen to. When we’re teenagers we often view the world in the version that we understand, never realizing, or caring at times, that there could be another angle in which to view the world. This TED Talk is all about how your story and my story may be part of the same book but they take vastly different courses. It’s an important lesson in refusing to be ignorant of the world. What Adults can Learn From Kids This is one of the greats when it comes to inspirational TED talks for teens, and that’s mainly because it focuses on something that every teen has said at least once in their lives: “You never listen to me.” I said it to my Mom, and I’m sure my parents said it too. My own kids have said it to me too many times. What Adults Can Learn From Kids is an important lesson for adults to learn, and when we listen to our teens it lifts them up. How Frustration Can Make Us More Creative Finally, How Frustration can Make Us More Creative is possibly one of the most inspirational TED talks I’ve listed here. As I’ve said in the past, both of my daughters have special needs, and both are extremely creative. This TED talk really spoke to me and my teens, as well. When you live with special needs, whether that’s autism, FASD, or anxiety disorder and learning disabilities, frustration can and does become a part of your daily life. The idea of turning it into a positive really lit a fire in my heart. Inspirational TED Talks to Motivate and Educate Your Teen These inspirational TED talks are great ones to share with teens. These talks are full of heart and passion. They help our kids look at the world a little bit differently. I think every teen can benefit from watching these inspirational TED Talks, and I hope you’ll encourage your teen to watch.

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Embracing Nature with DK Canada on Earth Day

Paula — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 08:17:00 +0000

Embracing nature is something my family has always done. We love to go camping, hiking, skiing, and just generally be out and about, enjoying the earth. Unfortunately, that’s not really something we can do right now. That’s why I’m loving these books from DK Canada that are all about embracing nature. I received product for consideration here. There really couldn’t have been a better time for these books to arrive at our home. For a family who’s all about embracing nature, the social distancing scenario has been tough. That is especially true for the kids. I wanted to find books that would get them in touch with nature from inside our home since they can’t be outside. Embracing Nature Through Books The three books I picked out are all about embracing nature, from exploring its past to its present and helping to protect its future. All three of these books are filled with all sorts of great information and are thoroughly enjoyable for kids of every age and adults, too. Natural History: The Ultimate Guide to Everything on Earth Natural History is a detailed reference book that covers pretty much every part of the planet and nature. Kids and adults can embrace nature and learn about our planet’s history through the over 6,000 species featured in this book. From the DK Site: A landmark in reference publishing and overseen and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, Natural History presents an unrivaled visual survey of Earth’s natural history. Giving a clear overview of the classification of our natural world-over 6,000 species-Natural History looks at every kingdom of life, from bacteria, minerals, and rocks to fossils to plants and animals. Featuring a remarkable array of specially commissioned photographs, Natural History looks at thousands of specimens and species displayed in visual galleries that take the reader on an incredible journey from the most fundamental building blocks of the world’s landscapes, through the simplest of life forms, to plants, fungi, and animals. Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia is another great way for anyone to explore the natural world. As they did with Natural History, the Smithsonian oversaw this visual encyclopedia aimed squarely at younger kids. I must add, though, that although geared toward the younger set, the photos found in this book will have anyone intrigued enough to turn the pages. From the DK Site: A stunning visual encyclopedia for kids, packed with stunning photography and amazing facts on every aspect of ocean life. From the Arctic to the Caribbean, tiny plankton to giant whales, sandy beaches to the deepest depths, our oceans are brought to life with astonishing images, simple, stylish graphics, and crystal-clear text explanations in Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia. My Zero-Waste Kitchen My Zero-Waste Kitchen is a book I got for the entire family. Embracing nature is about more than skiing or hiking. It’s about respecting our planet. The thing I love about this book is that is shows us all ways that we can reduce waste in our kitchen AND help the environment. It has all kinds of great information on everything from using all parts of our food to composting. Since this is an area that I feel we can all do better with, I am happily browsing this book for clues and tips. This Earth Day, I will strive to get better at the amount of waste we generate here. From the DK site: Live sustainably and embrace the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. In My Zero-waste Kitchen, find creative and unexpected ways to eliminate trash, save money, and give leftovers a new life. Plus, learn how to grow your own vegetables and herbs from scraps, and how to nourish your plants with compost. With 15 nutritious and versatile recipes in which nothing goes to waste, this guide shares the secrets to smart shopping, meal planning, and the nutritional value of often-discarded food products. Turn beetroot peelings into delicious falafel, pesto, or a melt-in-your-mouth cake. Revive produce nearing the end of its shelf life with “flexi” recipes-for risotto, stir-fry, smoothies, and more. Embracing Nature When We Can’t Be Outside I’m not going to lie. My family and I are chomping at the bit for the days when Covid-19 has been resolved and we can get back outside without worry. Until then, however, the books I got from DK are perfect for embracing nature even when we can’t get out there and roam. From learning about pretty much everything on earth to exploring the sea and learning how to reduce waste, we’re learning a lot from the books I got. Embracing nature physically might not be on the agenda right now, but with these books, we can still get our natural world fix.

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Bright Canada Colouring and Writing Book

Paula — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 14:51:00 +0000

A few of you know I am Canadian, born and bred. I have never been more proud to be Canadian than I am right now. Despite a global crisis, I feel like our Prime Minister and Premiers are handling the situation well. It’s not easy and I wouldn’t, even for a million dollars, want their job under the best circumstances. A Little Slice of Canada Have you ever visited Canada? It’s always astonishing to me how many have not been to the Great White North. If you are working on teaching your kids a bit more about Canada right now, or homeschooling them at all, then this cute Canada Colouring Book is just the right thing for you. What do you know about Canada already? Are you familiar with all of the provinces and territories? If not, then here’s my Canadian provinces and territories worksheet. I also have several Canada word puzzles and games for kids. The Canada Day Maze is kind of fun. Some of the Canadian resources and printables that I have shared in the past do really well here. So, I figured you might enjoy this Canada colouring book too. Don’t miss my Canada Day word search too. If you are ever planning to visit Canada, after the pandemic is over, I’d be more than happy to help discuss all the stunning places to visit in Ontario and across the country. You could start with Quebec and go whale watching in Tadoussac, and explore that stunning province, including Saguenay, Outaouais Region and Quebec City of course. To Print This Activity… To Print this Colouring Book Out, download the link below and enjoy! Easy and Fun Colouring and Activity Books to Promote Geography If you liked this one then you will also enjoy the France Coloring Book and the England Coloring Book as well as the Greece Coloring Book. Don’t forget the paper and supplies Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business.

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