Toys are often called the “learning tools” of children, but children seem to get bored with their toys quickly, yet never want to put them away. What’s a parent to do? If there are toys overflowing the toy box, falling off the shelves, and constantly underfoot it’s time to for…
I know this may stir up some drama, but I can’t tell a lie: I put food items in my sensory table. Ducks and covers. Some early childhood teachers don’t have a problem with food in the sensory table, while others think that playing with food is disrespectful, irresponsible, even…
Ever since I changed my child care space to be more natural I’ve wanted to get some natural wood teethers. I browsed Etsy several times, but every time I started to click the Buy Now button a little voice in my head would scream “What are you doing, you crazy…
The old saying “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is true. Research supports the idea that breakfast is the one meal children (and adults) should’t go without. A nutritious breakfast can provide children with about one-fourth of their daily nutrition needs. Children who don’t eat breakfast may…
One of the things I love most about Facebook is the great ideas I get there. I love Pinterest for the same reason, but this idea came from a Facebook friend. A family child care provider friend posted a photo of the “Sickness Season Survival Kits” she’d made for her…
College Boy and Irish Girl are great at thinking of creative birthday presents that the recipient will really love, and this year they hit it out of the ballpark with Teacher’s birthday present. At first we were a little puzzled when Teacher reached into the bag and pulled out…
Spend any amount of time on Facebook and you’re likely to come across someone complaining about kids who want more and more but give less and less. And it’s not limited to kids; many adults grow with a case of the “gimmies” – always looking to get something for nothing,…
My family has a tradition who brings what for Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Ike and Aunt Elle’s. We always bring, in Uncle Ike’s words, “The weird stuff that only your family eats.” Like Aunt Betty’s Stuffing, squash, Drunken Cranberries, and Drunken Sweet Potatoes. We also bring pumpkin and cherry pie,…
When I was a kid my grandma and grandpa had a huge Cortland apple tree in their back yard. To me nothing tasted better than those apples, except maybe Grandma’s Great Apple Dessert. Like Big Meat Bake Dish, this recipe probably has an official name, but we’ve always called it…
You know those family recipes that you aren’t sure where they came from or what their real name is? This is one of those kinds of recipes. I grew up on Big Meat Bake Dish. It was such a staple in my family when I was growing up that I…
