Puzzles are fun for all ages!

Puzzles enhance math, spacial relations, problem solving and social skills....to name a few.

MATHEMATICS
K2.K.1 Identify attributes used to sort objects.
K4.K.9 Sort and classify objects by color and shape.
3.PK.1 Compare objects by size to determine smaller and larger.
4.PK.2 Identify positions (in front, behind, next to, up, down, inside, outside, on top, ordinal positions).

We always have at least 3 levels. Easy, medium, hard. This meets and reinforces self confidence levels too. If a student is having an "off day" they can pick up an "easy" puzzle, work it with ease, and it re-fuels their subconscious tank of "I am good at...." "I am successful"...."I can do it"....which helps them socially and emotionally feel better, and may even have some left over to be used later when they get in a tough place again. Another reason why they need to hear our positive acknowledgements10 times more than our corrections.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
1.PK.3 Re-engage in a task or activity after experiencing disappointment, frustration, or failure.
1.PK.2b Acknowledge actions and accomplishments verbally and nonverbally.
2.PK.3b Clean up or put away toys and material when finished.
4.PK.1d Demonstrate problem-solving skills (ask for help from an adult, talk about problems, talk about feelings relating to problems, and negotiate solutions.)
5.PK.1a Play independently.
5.PK.2b Take turns with teacher support.
6.PK.1a Attend to a task for at least 10 minutes.
6.PK.1d Demonstrate ability to delay gratification to complete a larger task.

Living Love & Logic Tip #80

Summer vacation can be deadly.

A survey completed by the Love and Logic Institute found 75 percent of American adults believe teenagers today face more serious, potentially life-threatening decisions than a generation ago. These decisions, combined with a strong dose of hormones and the vacations and parties that come with summer, can challenge the most sensible teenagers. Fortunately, there are some simple, time-tested tips for parents who want their teens to make cool decisions as the weather gets warmer.

Tip #1: Don't fall into the trap of thinking teens no longer need their parents.

Because their adolescents are becoming more independent, many parents believe it's okay to leave them without supervision for hours on end. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Wise parents understand this, and they recognize teens need a watchful, yet friendly eye.

Tip #2: Set enforceable limits.

Teens need and want limits. However, instead of telling your teen what they should do, experiment with telling them what you will do or what you will allow. Instead of, "Be home on time," experiment with something like, "I share the car keys with those who come home on time." Instead of, "Don't hang out with Steve. He's trouble," try, "Feel free to see Steve when I know there is adult supervision."

Tip #3: Hold them accountable with empathy and logical consequences.

Parents who provide consequences with anger create teens that think, "When I make poor decisions, it makes others really mad. I better not get caught." Parents who replace anger with a genuine dose of empathy or sadness raise teens who know, "When I make poor decisions it makes my life really sad. For my sake, I'd better make wise ones!"

Tip #4: When you are too angry or worried to think - delay the consequence.

If your teen does something that throws you off balance, buy some time by saying, "I'm going to have to do something about this. But not now …later…try not to worry." Take some time to calm down and get some ideas from friends.

Every day, parents around the world are finding their lives made easier with these tips. One parent commented, "I came home from work to find my 16-year-old daughter and six of her friends had scattered pizza, chips, and dip all over my new carpet! I was furious. Luckily, I remembered the advice from Love and Logic and how to delay consequences. All I managed to say was, 'I'd better calm down first. We'll talk later. Try not to worry.' By the next day, she already had a good plan for selling enough of her things to hire some carpet cleaners!"

Our audio CD, Hormones & Wheels, includes plenty of ideas for setting enforceable limits, providing effective consequences, and dealing with other common challenges that arise during the teenage years.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay
To read more from Love and Logic click HERE! This site is LOADED with so many useful tools for parents!

Cooking in the Sun

Cooking class was outside this day. Circles we can eat!   

Students identified small medium and large circles, then drew their own interpretation of the activity.

Zucchini, summer squash, onions and garlic with a few other spices.  YUM!

First the students sprinkled spices on the circles; second, stirred in the garlic and olive oil; third, baked in the sun oven at 350 degrees for 30 min; and last, melted mozzarella cheese on top. Mmmmmmm!

With our cooking classes and our solar oven we have baked things from corn bread, muffins, and beans, to Mr. Logan's birthday cake. It is very safe as the outside gets no hotter than the Children's toys. The inside is not accesible to the children and has a thermometer to make sure foods bake at the correct temperature. We can put it behind the chain link fenced area when the children are on the patio.
The children are learning to save energy as well as the effects of solar power.

SCIENCE

P.PK.5 Identify hot and cold.

KP.2.C.2 Students know that objects can be described as hot or cold relative to another object.

KE.PK.3 Students understand that the sun, moon, and stars can be seen in the sky.

KE.2.A.3 Students know weather changes from day to day and seasonally.

KN.2.A Students understand that science is an active process of systematically examining the natural world.

MATHEMATICS

4.PK.1a Identify 2-D shapes (circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares) regardless of orientation.

K2.K.9 Sort and classify objects by color and shape..

 

Facebook

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. 

If you use Facebook, go to Handson4kids and like it. You will then get light updates on the children's activities.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us! 

Truly, 

Ms JoAnn

Bubble Bubble Bubble POP!

Children love bubbles!  They do!!  We discovered bubbles from store bought solution in a bottle and the children had fun blowing their own bubbles. 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

6.PK.2 Demonstrate the muscle strength, dexterity, and control needed to manipulate items (scissors, writing utensil, paint brushes, play dough, buttons/snaps, etc.)

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

5.PK.1a Play independently.

5.PK.1b Play in pairs and small groups.

1.PK.2b Acknowledge actions and accomplishments verbally and nonverbally.

Some students experimented with shaking soap in a container, squeezing sponges, water falling into buckets, and water falling into puddles in the sand.

One student demonstrates for her new friends how to blow bubbles. Welcome!

Be sure to ask your child about a bubble POP! greeting, bubble songs we sang, and bubble stories we read!

Living Love & Logic Tip #79

Are you a service/product provider instead of a parent? If so, your children are your consumers, not part of the family team. Many homes operate this way. While parents work hard to provide the best, their ungrateful children expect more and more, while making little effort to help. These children live like honored guests in the home.

This parenting style robs kids of the basic human need for being an important member of a group. It breeds hostile dependency, not loving appreciation.

Make a list of all the jobs it takes to keep your family going. Continue to add to this list and keep it on the refrigerator. This long list should include jobs like earning the money for the family, paying bills, etc. Have your children add jobs they like you to do for them. This will be an eye opener for everyone.

Once the list is finished, divide up the jobs and make everyone in the family part of the team for family survival. If you don't know how to get the kids to do their chores, listen to our audio, Love and Logic Solutions, and discover some simple rules that can change your life.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Jim Fay
To read more from Love and Logic click HERE! This site is LOADED with so many useful tools for parents!

It's Just Dirt...

Have you heard your children talking about recycling, our composter, or lizards?  These are things we talk about and observe pretty much on a daily basis at HO4K.  Lately we've been learning about the science of plant life and the need for water, soil, sun, and air. We've been sorting different types of soil.

SCIENCE
N.PK.3 Use tools safely to observe and explore different objects/environments.
E.PK.4 Identify and sort different natural objects (rocks, soils, etc.)
L.PK.5 Identify the basic need for air, water, and food.
L.PK.4 Use the five senses to explore and investigate the natural world.
L.2.C.1 Students know plants and animals need certain resources for energy and growth.
L.2.D.1 Students know plants and animals can be sorted by observable characteristics and behaviors.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

6.PK.2 Demonstrate the muscle strength, dexterity, and control needed to manipulate items (scissors, writing utensil, paint brushes, play dough, buttons/snaps, etc.)

6.PK.3 Use fingered or tripod grasp with drawing, paint or writing instruments.

At this point the compost is in the "baking" process. This student is observing a shovel full that was dumped under the composter. We have learned:
1- plastic spoons and craft sticks have not changed or decomposed
2- food does; some slower than others
3- paper does; slower than some food
4- there are worms in it that help the process
5- lizards and birds like the worms
6- we like watching the lizards and birds
7- 4 lizards have set up their habitat under the composter and are getting very brave near us when we observe them calm and quiet

The students have loved watching the lizards in their habitats!
SCIENCE
L.PK.2 Explore and identify a variety of animals and plants.
L.PK.6 Identify animals and their homes.
L.2.C.2 Students know a habitat includes food, water, shelter, and space.
L.PK.8 Observe living and non-living things on Earth.

What to do when our children disrespect and lie...

Check out this latest article from Work and Family Life.
It touches on Respect and that children are displaying disrespect for grown-ups at earlier ages now.  It says Children "need to see the adults around them as valuable sources of wisdom and fun, of understanding and acceptance, of support and comfort."
It goes on to explain "The problem is that in some ways we have become more distant and in others we over-manage our kids' lives."
Other problems contributing to respect problems include decrease in family time.  They suggest spending time "hanging-out" as a family and with extended family with older relatives as well.  Lots of great info is in this article, so go check it out!

become more distant and in others we over-manage our

kids’ lives.

them as valuable sources of wisdom and fun, of understand-

ing and acceptance, of support and comfort.

them as valuable sources of wisdom and fun, of understand-

ing and acceptance, of support and comfort.

Living Love & Logic Tip #78 - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Moms…do you ever feel like the weight of the world is resting firmly on your shoulders? Do you ever feel like it's your job…YOUR JOB… to make sure that your kids always do the right thing and turn out well? Do you ever worry that the entire neighborhood is aware and judging you when your kids sneak out of the house with mismatched socks, messy hair and less-than-polite attitudes?

Oftentimes, the most loving and effective mothers take the most heat from others and themselves.

Wonderful moms understand that kids need to make plenty of small, affordable mistakes. They know that kids must experience occasional struggles and disappointments. They also know that constant rescuing or micromanaging just creates kids who need constant rescuing and micromanaging.

Because of this, the best moms often feel a bit lonely and unsure of themselves. They feel lonely because our society too frequently rewards what looks good rather than what is good. They feel lonely because they rarely overhear other mothers bragging about allowing their kids to learn by forgetting a lunch, misplacing an occasional homework paper, or having to pay for a lost coat.

The best moms often feel a bit lonely and unsure of themselves.

It's easy to feel guilty or insecure when you see so many "super hover mommies" acting like pack mules, carrying all of their children's sporting equipment, back packs and other responsibilities. It's easy to lose perspective when your minivan is the only one without an "Honor Student" bumper sticker. It's tempting to waver when the parents next door are working harder completing their child's homework than their child is.

On this Mother's Day holiday, I hope to encourage all of the wonderful mothers who let things fall apart from time to time…who understand the wisdom of providing a rather imperfect world for their kids. When you find yourself feeling insecure or guilty, listen to our audio, Helicopters, Drill Sergeants and Consultants, and be reminded that it's far better for our kids to submit a sloppy science fair project than them seeing us hunched over the kitchen table frantically doing it for them.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

 

Dr. Charles Fay
To read more from Love and Logic click HERE! This site is LOADED with so many useful tools for parents!

SWIMMING SAFETY

It’s Time for SwimmingLessons

Forty Minute classes in a small group

Classes designed to meet individual abilities & build confidence!

Classes taught in 2-week sessions:

Session I: June 17 - June 27

Session II: July 8 - July 18

Session III: July 22 - August 1

Taught by Randee Worthen

CPR, AED, First Aid & Life Guard Certified 

Classes will be available…

- Monday - Thursday during the day (Latest lesson can start at 3:30 pm)

- Two week session, 8 classes total;

  - Divided by skill level

-$65 group; $90 private

For more information

Ms.RandeeLee@gmail.com

Call: (702) 426-0260

 

We had a special guest recently at HO4K to teach the children about swimming safety.  Introducing Rad Tad!...

Taking Fun out of Learning

Joy Out of Learning
April 26, 2013

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
-Dalai Lama

In her TedTalk, "When Education Goes Wrong: Taking the Creativity and Play out of Learning", Nancy Carlsson-Paige from Lesley University shares this message:

"When we watch children play, we understand how central play is to healthy development — to children’s emotional, social, and cognitive health and learning. Through play and hands-on activity, children build ideas and relationships that become the foundation for success in school and life. Today’s overemphasis in schools across the country on standards and testing is pushing down to younger children and resulting in more and more direct instruction at the expense of play and active learning.

"When we drill and grill children, we cut out the powerful natural capacities they bring to the learning experience — their creativity, original thinking, capacity to problem solve and invent new ideas, their natural ability to cooperate, initiate, and persevere. When we take these amazing capabilities children have out of the education experience, we take the love out of learning. We take the joy out of learning. What we have to do is figure out: How do we create an education system in this country that nurtures and develops and builds onto the magnificent capacities children bring with them when they come to school?"

Letter Puzzle

How fun to do puzzles outside enoying the beautiful weather!!  Look at the students matching the tops and bottoms of animals, learning alphabet letter names and sounds including phonetic sounds, and using eye-hand coordination to complete each puzzle!
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
6.PK.1 Demonstrate skills in eye-hand coordination (stacking, sorting, complete six-piece puzzle, etc).
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL
5.PK.1b Play in pairs and small groups.
5.PK.2a Participate in cooperative groups to complete a task.
LANGUAGE
1.K.2 Demonstrate phonemic awareness of spoken words through matching, isolating, blending, segmenting, deleting, and substituting.
1.K.3 Recognize and name upper and lower case letters of alphabet.
1.K.4 Comprehend vocabulary using pictures, sumbols, environmental print.
2.PK.3 Identify pictures to aid in comprehension.
SCIENCE
L.PK.3 Identify humans, animals, and plants.

Living Love & Logic Tip #77

America…land of the free. What a glorious thing! What a fragile thing.

Connected at the hip are freedom and self-control. Like the flower and the honeybee, neither can survive without the other. The blossoming freedoms of our great country were spread on the feet and wings of those who understood that the lifeblood of liberty is self-discipline.

Are our kids learning self-regulation, or are they growing into adults dependent upon external regulation?

Are current educational policies more concerned with promoting self-regulation and self-control, or are they mostly concerned with ensuring that students can regurgitate the right type and amount of information at the right time?

The ability to handle freedom is learned. It's learned largely through…

• the freedom to make plenty of choices that don't affect the welfare of others.

To prepare for the massive choices they will face when they leave our homes and classrooms our kids must start practicing right now.

• the freedom to make mistakes.

The "price tag" of mistakes goes up every day. It's far better that they make them now…rather than when the consequences are life and death.

• being held accountable with empathy.

The seeds of self-regulation, self-control and personal responsibility grow only when children are held accountable for their choices…and only when they feel loved by those doing so.

• experiencing the safety of consistent and caring limits.

Children learn self-control only when adults provide caring, consistent and enforceable limits.

• enjoying the safety and security of calm homes and classrooms.

The brain is far more likely to develop emotional self-regulation and self-control in calm environments. Does your home, classroom or school provide this opportunity for growth, or is it plagued by disruptive behavior and negative emotions?

If you love freedom… and love the idea of creating kids who can handle it… join Jim Fay, Bob Sornson, Ph.D., Foster W. Cline, M.D., and me for three fun-filled, rejuvenating days in Denver, Colorado. I guarantee an amazing experience.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay
To read more from Love and Logic click HERE! This site is LOADED with so many useful tools for parents!