For example, have your child help you set the table and count out the napkins or forks. The site also includes a number of ideas for activities you can do at home to reinforce concepts. Both boys were thrilled when their efforts resulted in a print-out prize (a coloring and cutting sheet), which they eagerly cut and decorated. Finley enjoyed the games targeted to the preschool age group as well. The 3 to 5-year-old games were a little too easy for Cooper, but he enjoyed them nonetheless. The boys were delighted with the new games. Or, they can bake a cake for a celebration with Super Why?, forcing them to sound out and spell words along the way. Children can help Gerald from Sid the Science Kid match objects to the climate in which they belong. The PBS KIDS Lab is not limited to math games. Most games eliminate the need to click and drag, relying on clicking only, which makes the games easier for little hands. Or help George count backwards to make his rocket blast off. Go apple picking with Curious George to learn number recognition. You can help Dinosaur Train’s Buddy find and sort gemstones of different shapes and sizes. Many of the games are designed for children as young as age three, so I thought I’d let Cooper and Finley try them out today. These games are absolutely free and challenge preschool and early elementary children to learn math concepts with their favorite characters. With that in mind, I read with delight the news that PBS KIDS now boasts more than 40 new math games on its PBS KIDS Lab site (/lab). The boys don’t typically play a lot of computer games, but I’m a huge fan of Starfall. I swear Starfall is how Cooper taught himself to read. Her key TV and game usage advice is that parents must be aware of the content (what you let them watch/play), context (how and how much you use media) and your child. I’ve been reading Lisa Guernsey’s book, Into the Minds of Babes: How Screen Time Affects Children from Birth to Age Five(Basic Books, 2007). Oh, and I need to get together a submission for Query Tracker’s logline contest. I plan to go through and “Like” or “Follow” all my 12 x 12 in 2012 pals. I’m hoping to finish a critique of another member’s draft today. Since there’s been a marked downturn in wrestling and fighting, I’m revising my January manuscript so I can share it with my newly formed critique group. And there’s always our mountains of LEGOs to build and board games to play.Īs for me, I will try to take advantage of this “slow” day to get some extra writing in. When they are healthy, these things don’t keep them occupied for long. Sometimes being sick slows the boys down just enough that they are game for coloring, activity books or craft activities. We stacked them in a test tube and are awaiting the “sunset” it should produce. Yesterday we grew red and blue polyacrylamide crystals. (Note: We also love Highlights High Five, Big Backyard, LEGO Club Jr., and National Geographic Little Kids, which have lots of activities and puzzles.)Īfter a couple of PBS Kids shows, we have a science experiment to finish up. We’ve snuggled up with several favorite picture books and magazines, like Wild Animal Baby. Normally, I’m pretty strict about how much “screen time” they get, but these are extenuating circumstances. Right now the kids are playing Starfall on the computer. So now I’m contemplating how best to keep two housebound, curious kids entertained until nap time. We had a sleepless night marked by raging fevers and barking coughs. Nobody’s going to school or “Mommy and Me” today.
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