preschoolers Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Talk Like a Pirate Day – Preschool Pirate Treasure Crossword

Paula — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:35:20 +0000

Word games can be such a great way to build early literacy skills with children. This simple pirate treasure crossword is fun and easy for kids who are just learning to read and write. They need a basic understanding of alphabet, spelling and printing to figure out this adorable pirate treasure crossword, but they don’t really need to be fluent readers yet. So here’s a cute Pirate Treasure Crossword for your kids. If you homeschool, or have a daycare facility you can help with the printing if need be. Argh Matey, I thought this year it could be fun to run a couple of pirate themed games and colouring pages close to Talk Like a Pirate Day. FYI Talk Like a Pirate Day is in September every year. This year it is September 19, 2018. So dust off your Pirate growl. Arghh and Ahoy Matey and share this cute Pirate Treasure Crossword with a preschool child you know. After all, pirates are serious currency with preschoolers. My kids were very into pirates when they were small. Pirates are mysterious and fun and they are forever having adventures. What’s not to like about that? What will you do for International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Maybe you could start by printing this colourful pirate_treasure_crossword off. Click on this PDF link and it will open a new page. Then print it out for the kids. Have fun! Oh and don’t forget to check out my free printables on Pinterest for more ideas. This post contains an affiliate link to help you shop. If you buy something I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game for Ages 3 and up.

Paula — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:33:45 +0000

It’s coming up to Earth Day. I don’t know about you but these days I feel more urgency than ever when it comes to Earth Day and changing some of our family habits. Are we greener than we used to be here? Yes, I believe so. Do your kids turn lights off, pick up litter and sort recycling? It’s never too soon to start teaching some of the recycling basics and this Trash Or Recycle game will help. The parent in me loves that schools in Ontario do a better job than ever of teaching energy conservation and environmental issues to kids. Frankly I still recall being a child when we started the recycling system in Guelph Ontario. It was a steep learning curve. But kids are the quickest ones to learn and adapt to change often. [tweetthis]Use this simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game to teach the basics – ages 3 and up. [/tweetthis] This Earth Day, I thought it would be a great chance to share some fun printables for kids. This Earth Day Trash or Recycle Game is geared at younger children so even a preschooler at age of three can start learning how to care for the environment. To print this out just click on the image and save and print from your computer. Also if you are interested in more printables about Earth Day I have a few ready to be shared here: Earth Day word search and an Earth Day Crossword Puzzle too. And don’t forget to read the Earth Day Facts You Did Not Know post. I hope this simple Earth Day Trash or Recycle game in a matchup style will help your kids to categorize and make some sense of what we can do to help. What do you do to encourage recycling in your home?

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HEXBUG Toys for All Ages #TMMGG16

Paula — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 13:27:11 +0000

HEXBUG toys are a huge hit among kids. These vibrating little toys roam around the table or floor, mesmerizing kids as they go. With HEXBUG toys, kids have fun watching their little “bug” friends roam about. With the available habitat set, kids build an entire world that bugs can live in and explore. Kids love movement. No matter their age, all kids love toys that have a mobile aspect to them. HEXBUG takes full advantage of that. Their line of toys have been popular for a long time now, with everything from original HEXBUG to HEXBUG Nano and now HEXBUG Nano Junior. They make the perfect gift for any child, from birthdays to Christmas. HEXBUG Toys are Now for All Ages HEXBUGS used to only be for older kids, but now that’s changed. With HEXBUG Nano Junior, kids as young as 18 months of age can enjoy the fun of HEXBUG. HEXBUG Nano Junior is a macro-sized version of the extremely popular HEXBUG designed with very young children in mind. [tweetthis]With HEXBUG Nano Junior, kids as young as 18 months of age can enjoy the fun of HEXBUG. #TMMGG16[/tweetthis] These toys are oversized to prevent any choking hazards, and they feature 12 rubberized legs and a variety of colors that any child will enjoy. HEXBUG Nano Junior scurries all over the place, delighting the little ones for super fun play time that’s as safe as it is enjoyable. Little ones won’t even know the toys rely on Vibration technology and robotics to come to life. HEXBUG Nano Nitro is strictly for the bigger kids. And the HEXBUG Nano Nitro Habitat Set allows the kids to watch their favorite HEXBUG toys roam around in their own little world. It comes in a base model with add-on kits that allow your kids to build the ultimate HEXBUG experience, with features like tracks, gates, and tubes for hours of fun with their HEXBUG toys. This year we are giving these to my nephews. They are small so they don’t google or read this blog yet. 😉 [tweetthis]Put Hexbugs on your list this year and give to someone special #TMMGG16[/tweetthis] HEXBUG Toys Make Great Gifts Whether it’s a birthday or the upcoming holiday season, HEXBUG toys make great gifts, and now they make great gifts for all ages. With the HEXBUG Nano Junior, even the littlest of littles can enjoy the scurrying fun of HEXBUG. My daughters both enjoy this line of toys and have for several years. If you have kids on your shopping list, give them one of the most popular kids’ toys out there, HEXBUG toys.

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5 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Preschool Teacher in Your Life

Paula — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:14:48 +0000

5 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Preschool Teacher in Your Life Preschool teachers do so much to help our children grow and learn. They are the educational force that helps prepare our kids for grade school, high school, and beyond. In the context of my younger daughter’s entire education so far, the preschool teachers might have had the greatest impact. My younger daughter, as some of you know, has some special needs. I talk about that here from time to time. When my daughter was very small she had a lot of trouble with socializing, so all of her helpers, the therapists and doctors and social workers too, stated clearly that she needed to get started early in preschool so that she would grow the skills needed to help her succeed socially in school. In these early years her preschool teachers worked beautifully with the entire team of specialists to help our girl succeed. This was so valuable to her, and to us, that we would have given anything to these teachers for helping her, and sometimes loving her as if she was their own child, or grandchild. From time to time even our little one wanted to show the teachers how much she appreciated their help. So we would make little notes and pictures and things that were simple but heartfelt. As the school year slowly draws to a close, I know many parents and children will be wanting to show some affection and gratitude to these special educators. These handmade gift ideas are a great way to show our preschool teachers how much they mean to us and to our kids. Handmade Gift Ideas the Kids Can Make Handmade gifts are so much more special than a card or a gift basket. These handmade gift ideas tell your child’s teacher that they’re important enough to warrant some actual time taken out of the day. Handmade Cards Nothing is quite as cute as child’s handmade card. From their creative – if sometimes indecipherable – drawings and writings to their color choices to the big hugs that always come when they gift it, a handmade card pulls at the heartstrings like nothing else. Paper Plate Crafts Our kids’ preschool teachers love to remember their students at this adorable age just like we parents do. Why not give them the granddaddy of all homemade gift ideas. The paper plate/hand print combo. Just get yourself some washable paint, a paper plate, and have your little one leave his or her hand prints in center of the paper plate. You can then put a nice saying like “You’re the best teacher. Hands down” on it to add to the cuteness. A Personalized Video In this electronic age, a handmade gift can be more that paper plates or drawn cards. Why not take a video of your child giving the teacher a sweet message and then transfer it to a thumb drive so his or her teacher can have it forever. You can combine the thumb drive video with a card for a one-two gratitude punch! A Finger Paint Masterpiece Finger painting is a big part of preschool, so I think that makes it a winner on the handmade gift ideas front. You could have your child finger paint a masterpiece of his or her teacher’s favorite movie, pet, animal, or any other personal touch you can think of. It’s an instant keepsake that your child’s preschool teacher will treasure forever. Photos from Your Child Recently, children’s cameras have become a big thing. We see them in stores and online all the time now. Why not have your child take their little camera to school and snap pictures of their favorite activity area, friends, and of course, their favorite teacher. You can then put all of those pictures into a nice album for the teacher. It’s always fun and interesting to see the world through a child’s perspective, and it’s a great personalized gift. My Personal Favourite – a Scrapbook I hope you’ve gotten some inspiration from these handmade gift ideas for preschool teachers. Between reinforcing the interpersonal lessons we’re already teaching our children at home and preparing them for the K – 12 years by giving them a strong basic foundation, our preschool teachers deserve to be honored. These homemade gift ideas for our preschool teachers are a great way to do that. Do you have any great homemade gift ideas for preschool teachers? I’d love to hear about them.

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Dora The Explorer Live Show in London April 13th

Paula — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:18:11 +0000

Dora The Explorer Live Show in London DududududududDDDDDDORA!! Even now with a teenager and a tween, I still hear that catchy Dora tune! Hard to resist. What did I love about Dora, as a parent? Well, Dora was a cute, smart and curious little girl. I am a parent of girls and I nurture curiosity. So I loved that. Dora was a polite character without all that snark or sarcasm that is sometimes on television. She is wholesome. I know that’s a strange, and maybe inadequate, word for what I am describing, but Dora was, and still is, a child I would invite over to my home. I had no concerns about letting her into my living room. I wouldn’t worry about my kids, or even my nieces or nephews, picking up negative habits or words from her as a playmate and she always taught them something new while also nurturing another language. I loved that show, and since I controlled the remote (when they were younger) Dora was always a welcome playmate in our home. I see the same love of Dora a good decade later when I visit my niece and nephews in Toronto. Kids still love Dora. So, parents everywhere will be happy to know that Dora The Explorer Live Show in London will be here soon. Dora The Explorer Live, Search for the City of Lost Toys, is on tour and their children can be entertained in person at the live theatrical show. This coming week Dora The Explorer Live swings into Centennial Hall in London, Ontario. On April 13th Dora The Explorer Live Show in London will entertain, amuse and thrill your little ones. There is still time to buy tickets. PSSTT..this is the event you as an aunt or grandparent, or godparent, need to buy tickets to, because it will secure your spot in any child’s heart as the favourite aunt, and it will build those happy memories with grandparents that are so incredibly special and cherished throughout a child’s life. Check the link below, or the ad in the side bar of Thrifty Momma’s Tips to see when and where she will be next, or to buy tickets immediately. Dora The Explorer Live Show in London was one of our first live shows that we ever saw, and it was also one of our first TV shows that the kids watched. Love that she is still making a mark on kid’s imaginations in 2015. She teaches them Spanish, and English and a love of solving a mystery and finding clues. The gentle repetition of words is brilliant and helps reinforce new vocabulary with young learners. Dora The Explorer Live, Search for the City of Lost Toys is coming to Centennial Hall in April. April 13, 2015. You don’t want to miss this! You can order your tickets here: http://tickets.centennialhall.london.ca/ Tell me: Have you ever seen Dora The Explorer Live? I am working with Koba Entertainment and this post is sponsored which means I received compensation. My opinion is all my own.

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Seven Best Books About Dads for Preschoolers

Paula — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Reading is such a joy. It’s the thing that open all the doors of imagination and potential for future. So important too cultivate a love of reading early. As a parent reading time can be such a beautiful way to bond and grow. It’s time to nurture the love for books. Dads are every bit as involved in that process as Moms are, and because it is almost Father’s Day I thought it appropriate to share some great preschool books here with Dad in mind. Here are a few books about Dads to opt for at story time. 7 Books about Dads for Preschoolers Are you looking for some special gifts and activities for Dad this Father’s Day? A book about dads is a gift that says “I want to spend time with you!” and celebrates everything that dads mean to their children. Here are a few books about dads that are guaranteed to delight your little reader—and to result in a few hugs and kisses! [tweetthis]Make note of these seven great books about Dads for Preschoolers! [/tweetthis] Daddy Hug celebrates the fact that dads come in all shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common—hugs. This is a sweet, simple book with beautiful illustrations by Jane Chapman. Hardcover. HarperCollins, 2008. Who’s Your Daddy? (Golden Books)invites children to help match animal babies with their daddies. This delightful lift-the-flap board book will entertain little readers while celebrating dads and kids. Board book. Golden Books, 2010. Daddy Kisses features a variety of animals and how they kiss their children, celebrating the affection between fathers and children. Board book. Chronicle Books, 2003. Daddy Hugs (Classic Board Books) by Karen Katz is a delightful board book about counting and hugging. Toddlers will delight in Katz’s bright, sweet illustrations, which focus on father and baby together throughout their day. Hardcover. Margaret K. McElderry, 2006). Why I Love My Daddyis for daddies everywhere as children share what they love about their dads in their very own words. Daniel Howarth’s charming animal illustrations perfectly compliment the funny things kids say. Available in hardcover or paperback. HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2006. Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)by Mercer Mayer, Little Critter goes camping with his dad. There’s the usual Little Critter trouble along the way as he learns about putting up a tent, building a fire and enjoys his time with his dad. Available in hardcover or paperback. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2001. Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)(Read along with an interactive Little Critter movie. The Daddy Book celebrates the differences between dads and helps kids understand that some dads wear suits and some ride a skateboard, some dads are tall and others are short, but all dads love their kids. This easy-to-read book has plenty of fun, colourful pictures. Hardcover. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2002. Happy Father’s Day and Happy Reading Too Order a few of these and give them to Dad. Don’t forget to print out this adorable coupon book as well. These are some simple ways to celebrate Dad this Father’s Day! Oh and if you are looking for a cute personal Father’s Day gift, give this one some thought. This post contains affiliate links to help you shop. If you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Junior Kindergarten Graduation Poem

Paula — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Updated – one of my kids is starting university in September so when this sweet junior kindergarten graduation poem popped up in my memories this morning, I almost cried with how sweet this memory is. Also, seems like maybe five years ago and it’s been almost 12 years!! This Junior Kindergarten Graduation Poem came inside the booklet that my daughter’s teacher helped her prepare this year cataloguing all of her Junior Kindergarten achievements. Kindergarten Graduation is Special Kindergarten graduation is a special and emotional time for MOMs and DADS too. This year we are extending our daughter’s school at the private preschool where she started when she was 2 1/2. So she will do senior kindergarten there too and then the hope is that she will follow her sister to French immersion public school. I adored this graduation poem and thought you might too. The author is anonymous. Here it is: Junior Kindergarten Graduation Poem, by Anonymous Children are like balloons with a message inside. They start out small and we inflate them with something of ourselves. As we pour our lives into them they spread sunshine, give joy, brighten the days of grandmas and grandpas and cheer up the sick. They remind us of being young and that life is fragile. They celebrate living! When discouraged, they are like a balloon that deflates. A simple openness allows us to refill them.. with hope for the future, and a feeling that they are special. Their enthusiasm is like a balloon carried on the wind With never-ending energy, they sway and drift. It’s then that they need our loving guidance, without too much pressure that would cause them to burst. The time comes, sprinkled with tears and joy, when others are able to read the message we have written on their hearts. So we let go of our precious balloons..not the end..but truly the beginning! Pin This Pin Version of the Poem for Later – > Isn’t that Adorable? This actually makes me teary reading it every single time. Have older kids? Heading to university or college soon? My oldest girl wrote this Getting Ready for University post recently. Talk about time flying!!

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