http://storiesandchildren.com Where Stories come alive and reading is fun Sat, 19 May 2012 10:14:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://storiesandchildren.com/an-efficient-clean-up-method-for-blocks/ http://storiesandchildren.com/an-efficient-clean-up-method-for-blocks/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 10:05:40 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6801 This is an efficient clean-up method which I wish I'd known about years ago. It works really well with blocks such as Duplo or Lego, or any other construction set or small toys. All you need is a large sheet. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/an-efficient-clean-up-method-for-blocks/feed/ 0 http://storiesandchildren.com/the-wonders-of-nature/ http://storiesandchildren.com/the-wonders-of-nature/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 22:12:21 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6793 No matter how many art and craft activities I provide for the boys, they can never compare to the wonders discovered when children have the opportunity to get outside and explore. Recently, the boys were playing in the sand at the edge of a river. Suddenly, there were shouts of delight as a sting-ray swam right past their feet. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/the-wonders-of-nature/feed/ 0 http://storiesandchildren.com/draw-with-light/ http://storiesandchildren.com/draw-with-light/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 01:17:59 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6777 Ever since I read about drawing with light, I've wanted to try it with the boys. Last night, we finally had the opportunity. This is something you really have to try as it's so effective! Better still, it's really easy to organise and do. So grab the torches and the camera, it's time to play! Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/draw-with-light/feed/ 3 http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-art-project/ http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-art-project/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 10:33:02 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6759 Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-art-project/feed/ 4 http://storiesandchildren.com/creating-an-aluminium-foil-collage/ http://storiesandchildren.com/creating-an-aluminium-foil-collage/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 21:02:54 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6743 Creating a collage with aluminium foil was the project for today's art experience. This was a valuable learning experience as it enabled the boys to mould with a material that held its shape - enabling more of a 3 dimensional aspect to be added to the collages. The boys declared the best part of this activity was definitely playing with the aluminium foil. It could be squashed, flattened, and manipulated so that it provided a 3 dimensional aspect to the collage. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/creating-an-aluminium-foil-collage/feed/ 3 http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpilliar-game/ http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpilliar-game/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 04:39:38 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6712 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Game is both a maths and art game. You can make it very quickly and easily at home. It involves using a dice and drawing simply shapes to create a caterpillar. Who knew doing maths could be so much fun! Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpilliar-game/feed/ 2 http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar/ http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 23:19:01 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6703 The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, has to be on the "Must-Read-List" for every child. The story can be used to promote many child-focused learning activities. Here are a few ideas to use when planning for this story. I've found these work well - especially the art display. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar/feed/ 4 http://storiesandchildren.com/sensory-play-playing-with-gelatin/ http://storiesandchildren.com/sensory-play-playing-with-gelatin/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 02:22:17 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6693 Playing with gelatin is heaps of fun. However, there are a couple of things I will change BEFORE doing this sensory activity again. I found the gelatin to be very hard to clean up once it had dried ... but that can be overcome. Was the activity worthwhile? Yes ... just take some precautions for an easier clean up. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/sensory-play-playing-with-gelatin/feed/ 1 http://storiesandchildren.com/playing-with-gelatin-the-preparation/ http://storiesandchildren.com/playing-with-gelatin-the-preparation/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 01:36:10 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6675 Most times, I'll organise a craft or sensory activity for the boys to join. However, when it came to playing with gelatin, we made an activity of preparing for the activity. Sound confusing? It's not really. Instead of me making the gelatin for the boys to play with the next day, the boys made it themselves. Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/playing-with-gelatin-the-preparation/feed/ 1 http://storiesandchildren.com/number-detectives/ http://storiesandchildren.com/number-detectives/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 11:26:59 +0000 Susan http://storiesandchildren.com/?p=6650 Bring out the magnifying glasses. It's time to play detectives! Number Detectives is an effective game to reinforce number recognition. It can also be used to consolidate an understanding of number order. Number Detectives is played using a number line. We used a number line on the floor. http://storiesandchildren.com/images/2012Jan/dect12.jpg Continue reading →]]> http://storiesandchildren.com/number-detectives/feed/ 1