Sign Language

Do you use sign language with your children? I dont know about you, but I have loved sign language since I was a pre teen when I was introduced to it by a new family that came to our church.  I have never really gotten to use it much growing up, but still love the language.  An article I read said this

"Research shows that sign language hastens speech development, reduces frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves before they know how to talk, increases parent-child bonding, and lets babies communicate vital information, such as if they are hurt, or hungry.  A 2000 study funded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, shows that young children who learn sign language speak sooner than other children (Glairon, 2003)."

I totally believe that...I taught signs to my son when he was a baby, and it was wonderful (but dont ask him to sign to you now...we have slacked a lot), but we will be getting back into this next school year with them.  It is going to be their language for school, cant wait!! Its even great to know when your kids are older....I like to be able to sign to them across the gym at church etc.  comes in handy at times. :)Sign Language will definately be part of our Daycare learning.  Anything that helps the day go smoother!

Summer Playtime

It is important that we play with our kids, no matter how old they get. Those are the memories that they will remember when they are older.  I want my kids to remember that their mom took time out of her day to spend it with them.  So, we are starting something new this summer! A daily activity jar.  We are making a list of things we can do together that are either free or mostly free, using things we already have around the house.  Now I have a son and a daughter so I tried to find things that are gender neutral. And mine are almost 11 and 9, so you may need to think of things based on your kids ages.  We will write our list on slips of paper and put in a jar, and each day they can pick one out to see what we will do that day.  It doesn't have to be big major time consuming things.  Simple sometimes is better.  So the kids and I sat down and brainstormed together, and this is our list so far.....

1. Zoo (that is mostly free for us because we have a membership and need to use it)
2. Pink Palace Museum (again we have a free summer membership)
3. Go to the park (we will put that one in more than once, and go to a different park each time)
4. Go to the drive in (super cheap and you can take your own snacks!)
5. Bake cookies
6. Start a puzzle
7. Play a board game (this will go in there more than once, as we have a ton of games)
8. Make Glow in the dark bubbles (break a glow stick and pour it into the bubbles...haven't tried it yet)
9. Catch lightening bugs
10. Ride bikes on the bike trail
11. Play playdough
12. Set up the slip-n-slide
13. Go to Shelby Farms and check out the new playgrounds
14. Go hiking in Shelby Forest
15. Rent a movie and campout in the living room with smores
16. Wash car
17. Paint with watercolors
18. Make friendship bracelets and give to a friend
19. Play legos
20. Play balloon volleyball in the living room
21. Play soccer outside
22. Have a nerf gun war
23. Feed the ducks
24. Do a canvas painting
25. Make a fort (either inside or outside)
26. Watch silly animal videos on YouTube
27. Water balloon fight
28. Go out for ice cream
29. Paint rocks
30. Paint by number
31. Sand art
32. Make rice krispie treats
33. Make homemade popsicles
34. Alphabet or nature scavenger hunt
35. Toothpick and mini marshmallow art
36. Balloon tennis
37. Yarn maze in the hallway
38. Make homemade lava lamps
39. Make a bird feeder
40. Water gun/sprayer fight
41. Play frisbee or go to the frisbee golf course
42. Obstacle course in the backyard.

This is a work in progress, we will add as we think of them....feel free to add your ideas not already listed, we can always use more ideas!!
The kids are going to love doing this this summer, and we may even continue on through the school year but doing it weekly instead of daily....maybe a Sunday thing???

New Daycare Opening!

I have a new daycare opening up!  I used to have a home daycare for over 10 years.  I took a break for family issues, and now I am so excited to be starting agian!  If you live in the Millington TN. area (or close by) and need childcare/preschool, let me know, we are now accepting children.  This is a Christian home daycare/preschool, I am certified in daycare managment, CPR and First aid.  I have taught preschool, and was the nursery director at my church for a time.

Please be paitent with me as I am just now learning about this blogging stuff. haha.  I hope that this site will be a way to get my daycare out there, for parents to see what we are doing, and an educational blog, with great ideas for your young child and preschooler.

Can't wait to see what God has in store for us.  Wont you join us for this new adventure?