Preparing Kids For The Big Move

By Carolina Pichardo
published at www.relocation.com

Although adults can deal with the stress and changes that come with moving into a new home, children will probably tell you a different story.

Their toys, furniture and clothes are missing. They’ve said goodbye to everything that’s familiar to them, including best friends, parks, school and the familiar surroundings of their neighborhood. Depending on the age of the child, this could all be a very frightening and stressful period.

One of the simplest, and probably easiest way to prepare and facilitate the transition for your child is to connect their moving day experiences through a story. This will not only change their perspective, but can answer several questions and allow them to relate to someone their own age who had a similar experience. Whether it’s a concern about making new friends, or what to do with the ones they’re leaving behind. Also, understanding that moving away doesn’t mean that they’ll have to change anything else about themselves.

Surely, there’s a lot that your child will like to talk about. So before the moving companies arrive, why not be ready to start your new adventures with the following books.

1. “Moving” by Fred Rogers (Ages 2-6): If it has to do with neighborhoods and friendly neighbors, Mr. Rogers has it covered. This book helps kids understand the process of moving and eases their worries and fears by showing them the bright side of everything that’s happening, from the confusion of packing, saying goodbye to the people and places they love, to making new friends.

2. “I Want to Go Home” by Sarah Roberts (Ages 3-5): “Sesame Street” is where the air is sweet and friendly neighbors meet, which is what Big Bird misses the most when he goes on a trip to the beach to visit Granny Bird. It seems that everything reminds him of his friends back home, until he meets a boy named, Wally. Wally has his own special cave, which reminds Big Bird of his friend back home, Mr. Snuffleupagus. After a while, Wally and Big Bird begin to share more moments together and enjoy the rest of the vacation playing games, sharing a popsicle, and becoming the best of friends. Certainty a sweet tale for younger kids as your family gets ready to move.

3. “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day” by Stan and Jan Bernstein (Ages 3-6): When it comes to anything pertaining to kids, these bears are the specialists, and moving day is no different. This book marks the beginning of the family’s move to their new and now very famous tree house. Although it’s an exciting time for everyone, Brother Bear is hesitant and not sure if he’ll be able to make new friends.

4. “Maggie Doesn’t Want to Move” by Elizabeth Lee O’Donnell (Ages 5-8): Third-grader, Simon doesn’t want to move. He doesn’t want to leave his friends, favorite playground, old house or his understanding teacher. However, instead of telling his parents exactly how he feels, Simon decides to blame it on his little sister, Maggie. He then places her in his little red wagon and runs away to his friend’s house. His parents realize what’s going on and give the kids a tour of their new neighborhood, including the beautiful country park. Simon enjoys this very much and decides that he, er—Maggie, does want to move after all.

5. “Hey, New Kid” by Betsy Duffey (Ages 8-11): Being the “new kid” is a lot of pressure of a child. Children often ask themselves questions about whether they’re cool enough, or have the right skills? Will their ordinary life be exciting enough to fit into their new school? This is what happens to the new student, Cody. He decides that being a regular kid isn’t enough, and prefers to be Super Cody. He tells his new friends at school that his father is FBI agent, his pet emu, and of course—his great rollerblading skills. The kids are fascinated with his stories, and Cody doesn’t think much about it. That is until someone decides to throw a skating party!

Moving is hard and adding anxious and scared children to the mix doesn’t make for a pleasant transition. With these books and a lot of open communication, your kids will understand the move better and probably even be excited about their new area, new home and new set of friends. It is also important to tell them that just because you are moving, it doesn’t mean their old life is gone…only that new experiences await them.

Top 5 Summer Science Experiments for Kids

by: Kelly Wilson - Teaching Resource Center

Summer is traditionally a time for kids to run and play outside in the sunshine. Sometimes, however, kids decide they’re bored and have nothing to do.

In order to avoid this with my own kids, I came up with my top 5 science experiments that are disguised as summer fun, with no need for special teaching supplies.

The Nuts and Bolts

If you want your kids to keep track of the different science experiments that you do together, there are a few simple elements to write down on a sheet of paper.

· Question: What question do you have that you want to test?

· Hypothesis: This is your “best guess” about you think will happen, or how you think your question would be answered.

· Procedure: What are the steps to completing the experiment?

· Observations: Sentences and sketches that describe what happens during the experiment.

· Result: What is the outcome of the experiment?

· Conclusion: How was your question answered? Was your hypothesis right?

An alternative to writing everything down is to discuss each element with your kids while completing the experiments.

Sprouts

This particular science experiment’s results will take a few days to actually see. The fun part is that you can turn it into a necklace for your children to wear while you’re waiting.

Question: What will happen to a bean or seed when soaked with a cotton ball for three days?

The procedure is simple. Wet one cotton ball with water and put it into a small, snack-size Ziploc bag with a bean or seed. For a fun necklace, make sure the bag is sealed, punch a hole in the top, string a length of yarn through the hole and tie a knot. Check on the seed or bean each day to keep track of what’s happening.

Healthy Habits

This is a great experiment for opening a discussion about food choices with your kids.

Question: What will happen to a paper bag when a Bugle is placed inside?

For this experiment, place a Bugle in a small, lunch-sized paper bag and fold the top down. Watch the progress each day as the grease leeches into the bag, eventually destroying it (don’t tell your kids that this will happen!). For fun variations, try different pieces of food in separate paper bags to see what happens.

Bubbles

This is a great experiment for kids of all ages.

Question: If you put food coloring into bubble solution, will the bubbles you blow be that color?

Gather your bottles of bubble solution and all of your bubble-blowing tools. Start with adding a couple of drops of food coloring to the bottle or dish of bubble solution and blow some bubbles. Increase the amount of food coloring slowly, keeping track of how many drops you put in and if the bubbles are colored or not.

Chart The Sun’s Travels

This science experiment is easy, but it will take some diligence during the day.

Question: How far will my shadow be lengthened by the sun during the day?

Choose a spot on your driveway or patio and mark a large “X.” At the same time each hour, have your child stand on the “X” and trace his/her shadow with sidewalk chalk, writing the time down next to it. At the end of the day, take a look at your unusual artwork and talk about when your child’s shadow was the longest.

Water Balloon Test

This is a fun experiment for those unbearably hot days. There are two possible questions, depending on how many different kinds of water balloons you want to buy.

Questions: Are water balloons of certain colors stronger than others? Which brand of water balloons is the strongest?

For the first question, fill water balloons of different colors and choose something to throw them against, like the side of the house or the driveway. To make the experiment fair, the balloons need to be thrown the same way every time.

For the second question, the test is basically the same except you’ll need to get a hold of three or more brands of water balloons!

Avoid the blues with these easy and fun summer science experiments for kids of all ages!

Kelly Wilson is an editor with Teaching Resource Center, a that provides quality educational materials at discount prices.

www.trcabc.com / Kelly.wilson@trcabc.com

11 Free Summer Reading Programs For Kids

#1 - Half Price Books Summer Reading

Half Price Books FREE reading program begins June 1, 2010 and runs until July 31, 2010.

Kids ages 14 and under can earn a $3 Half Price books shopping card for each week they read at least 15 minutes per day. Limit one per week per child.

Simple Steps to Participate:
1. Get a Feed Your Brain reading log at your local Half Price Books. or
Click here to down load and print your weekly reading logs.

2. Check off each day you read for 15 minutes or more.

3. Fill out your reading log, and have your parent or guardian sign it.

4. Bring your completed and signed log to your local Half Price Books.

5. Get a Feed Your Brain Reading Reward:
$3 Shopping Card good at all Half Price Books locations.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 every week through July 31, 2010.

Click here to find a Half Price Books location near you.

# 2 Borders and Books Double Dog Dare Summer Reading program


if you have children 12 or under you will want to check out this fun Summer reading program
- Read 10 books of your choosing.
-Download and print the Double Dog Dare form
-List the books you have read on the form
- Bring the form into any Borders and Books store for your FREE book by 8/26/10.

Click here for additional details

#3 Barnes and Noble Books:

Here's How It Works:

1. Kids read any eight (8) books of their own choosing.

2. Kids use the passport to Summer reading to tell us their favorite part of each book. A parent/guardian signs the journal when it's complete.

3. Children bring their completed passport to Summer reading to a Barnes & Noble store between May 25th & September 7th, 2010.

4. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE book! They choose from a list of exceptional paperback titles.*

* Eligible books will be listed on the coupon. Choices must be made from available stock. No special orders. Limit of one (1) form per school-age child (grades 1-6), please. Incomplete forms will be ineligible for free books.

# 4 Chuck E. Cheese Kids Rewards Calendars

Looking for a fun way to reward your kids for their accomplishments? Download and print free reward calendars to help your kids develop in areas that are some of the most common challenges of parenting.

1. Download and print out the calendar
2. Mark the days off with a pen or sticker as your child accomplishes their goals
3. Bring it in completed to Chuck E. Cheese's and receive 10 free tokens as a reward

Tooth Fairy Award NEW

Getting Dressed NEW

Reading Rewards NEW

Active Kid

Homework Helper

Potty Training

Sleep All Night

Magical Manners

Doctor/Dentist Good Patient Award

Stop Thumb Sucking

Clean Your Room

Teeth Brushing

#5 BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS -

- Every Wednesday at 10:00 am beginning July 7th for six weeks. A fun and rewarding summer reading program developed to encourage young children to read during the summer months. BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS entitles kids to free admission to a select children's film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. Click here for more information.

#6 - Pottery Barn Kids - Book Club


Kids of all ages are invited to join the Pottery Barn Kids story time every Tuesday 11:00am to 11:30am. Members receive an official Book Club Card at their first story time, and a special gift after attending five story times.

To locate a store near you click here.

# 7 Sylvan Book Adventure

A FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. Book Adventure

# 8 Scholastic Summer Challenge

Scholastic has a free online reading club for children which kicks off April 30. 2010 Scholastic Summer Challenge Campaign Uses Online Games and Community to Get Kids Excited About Reading "4 or More" Books This Summer. Children ages eight and up can log on to to read for fun, play games, and help read for the world record.



# 9 Book-It Summer Reading Program

This summer, BOOK IT!® invites kids across the country to take part in the Summer Break Reading Challenge Sweepstakes! From June 15-August 15, kids who were in grades K-6 during the 2009-10 school year and who meet the challenge of reading five books, will be eligible for a chance to win a slammin' summer prize package including swim gear, books, games, gift cards, and more!

Click here for more Book It information.

# 10 Old Spaghetti Factory Summer Reading Program


Old Spaghetti Factory Rewards of Reading : Children who read five books are eligible for a free kid's meal. Click here for more details.



# 11 Library Reading Programs: Check with your local Library for their summer reading programs. check out www.summerreading.org for great resources.

Count Down To Christmas Day 7

Day 7 - Counting down the days until Christmas with daily activities and surprises in our home.

Today our countdown fun is - Frosty, Chilly and Yummy.....Floating Ice Cream is so yummy in our Rootbeer.

Day 7 - Pick-up some Rootbeer and Ice Cream and make simple Rootbeer floats. This is the perfect count down activity on a busy day.

Count Down To Christmas Day 6

Day 3 - Counting down the days until Christmas with daily activities and surprises in our home.



Today our countdown fun is - Tonight Saint Nicholas arrives but only if you leave your shoes outside filled with reindeer treats.



( Saint Nicholas day is December 6th and children put there shoes out on December 5th across the world , but in our home it has become tradition to do it on Saint Nicholas day).



Day 3 - Have your children place their shoes out on your front porch. Then fill them with a small gift or treat. ( I use an item that I've picked up on clearance or the dollar store etc. Nothing extravagant)

Count Down To Christmas Day 5

Day 5 - Counting down the days until Christmas with daily activities and surprises in our home.

Today our countdown fun is - Bright Lights, Ho Ho Ho and hot and sweet chocolate. We will head to our city Tree lighting event this evening and enjoy Hot Co CO, Santa and watching the tree light up all for FREE.

Day 3 - Check what local Christmas events are happening in your city that are FREE.

Count Down To Christmas Day 4

Day 4 - Counting down the days until Christmas with daily activities and surprises in our home.

Today our countdown fun is - Lights, Camera, Action it's time to snuggle and watch a movie together....with plenty of snacks to eat.

Day 4 - Purchase or rent a Christmas movie, gather up some snacks and don't forget the popcorn - it's family movie night. For an extra special treat stop by your local candy shop ( grocery store, drug store) and allow your kids to pick out one treat. I also wrap up the movie and treats if I bought them ahead.

Tip Talk - 10 Tips for Summer Learning fun.

Today's TIP TALK on 24/7 MOMS Live, we shared 10 TIPS to Keep kids Brains Engaged over the Summer.

Tip #1 - Engage their Hands - Practice handwriting/spelling with variety of tools- magna doodle, crayons, sidewalk chalk, paints, etc. Have them write and keep the grocery list or weekly menu.

Consider: Starting a journal, diary, or scrapbook: These types of activities encourage children to write, organize their thoughts, and spur creativity. You can start simply with a notebook and pencil. Or for more elaborate journals, craft stores often have a selection of scrapbook materials.

Tip #2 - Engage their Bodies - Create a scavenger hunt, such as look for something that starts with each letter of the alphabet. A scavenger hunt is a great way to focus children’s attention and encourage participation in a collaborative activity. A scavenger hunt can work indoors in a museum or outdoors in a park, and kids of all ages can be involved. Older children can even help prepare for the hunt.

Tip #3 - Engage with a $1-Dollar store - Purchase fun new work books, flashcards, magnetic letters and other learning tools.

Tip #4 - Engage their Eyes - Enroll your children in reading programs . Some may even reward the children with prizes.. Visit the library. Summer can be a great opportunity to encourage your children to read about topics of interest. If your child is into skateboarding, for example, go on a mission to find books about famous skateboarders. And while you’re at the library, take the opportunity to talk about biographies. Share favorite biographies that you’ve read of people whose lives have influenced you.

Don’t forget to set aside time each day to read: Read the morning newspaper with your children or find them a good book at the library. Reading keeps their minds active and engaged and ready to learn when they go back to school.

Tip #5 - Engage their Ears - Using stories on CD's in your car verses DVD’s so kids brains are having to imagine the story. Also playing classical music throughout the day helps develop the brain.

Tip # 6 - Engage the Family - Games/Family game night- use classic games that teach- Play Sudoku , Scrabble, Manacala, Monopoly, card games, Battle Ship, Memory, etc. with your children. These types of activities encourage children to think and solve problems.

Tip #7 - Engage within the Home - Kitchen classroom- cooking and baking- Plan dinner: Learning to cook will teach your kids to be self-sufficient and independent. Preparing meals requires math and reading skills.

Take them grocery shopping: Adding up the grocery bill helps your kids practice their math skills. Let them choose the fruits and vegetables to teach them how to make healthy choices.

Tip #8 - Engage the Outside World - Send your children to summer camps that engage their brains and interest. Space camp, acting camp, computer camp or vacation bible school.

Tip #9 - Engage the WEB - Check out safe, parent-approved Internet sites. There are many that offer a “summer camp” theme — a daily craft activity to do alone or with a parent each day, some brain teasers, awesome video streaming of important world events (volcanoes erupting, the Martin Luther King “I have a dream” speech”), and tons of grade-related math, reading and science work to be checked out in a fun.

Tip #10 - Engage their Interests - Collect stamps, coins, or other historical items: Encourage your children to start a collection that may spur their interest to research facts about their hobby. Start at the post office for stamps. Search through antique stores or your attic for collectibles.

Learning can occur in everyday moments with your Children.

New Years Eve Celebrations with kids

5 New Year's Eve Tips for Families
By: Trish Berg

1. FAST FORWARD - If you have young children, and midnight is way too late for them to be up, try fast forwarding the clock so that it reads midnight at 8 or 9 pm. Celebrate the New Year then with the kiddos, then put them to bed so you and your husband can celebrate at the REAL midnight.



2. BUBBLE WRAP STOMP - We have been doing this a few years now. Go to your local Pack and Ship store, and buy several yards of bubble wrap. Just before midnight, roll it out, and the New Year comes, your kids can stomp and stomp on the bubble wrap, making a ton of noise in celebration. Clean up is a snap. Roll up and throw out.



3. BOARD GAME BONANZA - Have your kids round up all their favorite board games, and make a stack. On New Year's Eve, play one game at a time, and work your way down the stack of games.



4. DUO PARTIES - If you are having a New Year's Eve party for families, you can have 2 parties going on simultaneously. Have the adult party upstairs and the kid party in the rec room downstairs. Adults- Can have fancier food and adult conversation or games. Kids: Can run around, watch movies, play games and eat pizza and pop.



5. HOURLY CHANGE UP - Each hour on the hour, have something fun happen. Draw a name randomly from a jar to win a door prize (that you can pick up at Dollar Tree); change seating positions, or bring out a new food to enjoy.


Trish Berg is author to 4 books, including Rattled-Surviving Your Baby’s First Year without Losing Your Cool and A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Read more of Trish’s columns, tips, and download tons of free stuff to help you simplify motherhood at www.TrishBerg.com.