Category: Education

2019 Valentine's, Education, Gift Guides, School, School Gifts, Tips and Tricks

5 DIY Valentine’s Gifts for the Classroom

Erin Sluka

Our youngest is 10 and even in 5th grade the kids still love the holiday gifts that arrive for celebrations. I showed up to the classroom on the last day before the Christmas holiday with donuts from the grocery bakery and you would have thought I brought a movie star with me!

“Whoa! Do we all get 1 whole donut?”

“Thank you so much!! The donuts are our favorite”

They were so excited I kind of felt guilty. Other kids brought in so many great sweets and treats and the kids were drooling over these donuts like it was all they needed. Then as they got their donut and the rest of the kids handed out there items, there was another popular treat.

The only handmade item (the rest were typical store bought cookies and cupcakes) was a boys homemade cookie treats and the kids began admiring those. They weren’t store bought and they were unique so the kids were intrigued. Even at grade 5, the kids still appreciate the effort and uniqueness of DIY class gifts.

So, I have not totally made up my mind of what to send with Anthony for Valentine’s Day but here are my favorite DIY Valentine’s Gifts for the Classroom right now I have saved into my bookmarked pages.

1. Fruit Snacks Valenties

I found these on Domestic Executive Online and in her Free Valentine’s Printable post she has this fun idea for fruit snacks. Cheap and easy!

2. Goldfish “Hooked On You” Valentines

This is so fun and also very inexpensive. All you need is some goldfish crackers, baggies and the instructions from Frugal Coupon Living’s post for these fun free Valentine’s printables!

3. Capri Sun with Cupid’s Arrow Messages

Like I mentioned above, I attended my son’s 5th grade class holiday party and with 30 kids who brought treats, no one brought drinks and us adults were running for water for very sugar-high thirsty kids! This is a fun idea I found from Joy’s Life for this fun drink Valentines printable.

4. Crayon DIY Printable

Boxes of crayons are a great non-food gift for the kids of all ages. I found this free crayon printable for this Color My World Valentine from Dreaming in DIY.

5. Peel the Love Valentine

Want to bring the healthier treat? This is a fun free Valentine’s printable from Happy Money Saver for cuties oranges

2018 Holiday Gifts, Education, Reviews by Anthony, STEM Learning, Toy Reviews

Kiwi Co. The Glow Lab STEM Science Kit

Erin Sluka

Kiwi Co. The Glow Lab STEM Science Kit

2018 Holiday Gift Guide Feature: The Glow Lab

The Glow Lab is one of the project kits from KiwiCo and will be a hit in homes. In this lab kit you get everything you need to complete 3 experiments: fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence. It is rated for ages 14+ but I tried it (supervised) with Anthony who is 10 1/2 and here is a video below:

At Kiwi Co there are STEM kits and projects for ages 3-teens! The most popular choice are the Kiwi Crates. These are monthly subscriptions you can send once or every month for years. Pick an age (you can change that age at anytime) and they get a new kit every month and the longer you order your subscription for the more you save and even getting science kits sent for under $20!

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If a subscription service is not your thing, then you can shop their kits by age and category.

Shopping for Science Kits

Available at Kiwi Co along with more science its for all ages.

Need more gift ideas? Visit the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!

Books Reviews, Education, Healthy Living, Kids, Parenting, Tips and Tricks, Wellness Wednesday

Fun Ways To Teach Hygiene To Your Children

Erin Sluka

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A few nights ago I sent my son in for his pre-bedtime potty and to wash his hands. He is the child that at age 4 ALWAYS washes his hands after using the restroom as Daycare and myself have installed that method into his head. I noticed he came out of the restroom way too fast. “Hold on, Mister…did you wash those hands?” I got a “Huh?” look and he shoved his hands in my face and I smelled soap.  It then hit me….we tell him to wash his hands and he knows to put his hands under running water, use soap and rinse but I have never actually given him any concept of why or how long. At 4 1/2 he is perfectly capable at comprehending the concept so I thought fast about all those books and articles I have come across on creative ways to help him learn and to not just wash his hands or brush his teeth, but to CORRECTLY wash and brush! Here is what I found and will use from now on with my own son……

Click for photo source
Click for photo source

Washing Hands

Facts

  • 80% of germs are transmitted by hands
  • CDC protocol is to wash hands in warm, clean & soapy water for 20 seconds.
  • The proper sneeze etiquette is to sneeze into your sleeve, NOT your hands.

Fun Ways to Encourage Hand Washing

  • Have your child sing Happy Birthday twice or the Alphabet song..any song, really. It needs to be a minimum of 20 seconds of their hands under water rinsing with soap!
  • Glitter! It is great for teaching hand washing for 2 reasons. First, you can put glitter on your hands. The glitter resembles GERMS. Have them see how easily the “GERMS” spread as you shake there hand, open a door, touch the flusher, etc… Second, glitter is a challenge to wash off. Give your child a paper towel and see them struggle removing the GERMS. Then have them rinse under cool water without soap-better, but still doesn’t get the GERMS. Finally, have them rinse with soap and warm water. The GERMS go away!
  • Buy the fun and colorful soaps for them
Brushing Teeth
Facts
  • It takes 3 years for toddlers to grow their 20 primary teeth
  • 40% of kids will have a cavity by Kindergarten
  • 2-3 years old is when self-dental care should begin-supervising them until about age 6-8
  • Use soft Bristle Brush with Flouride paste
Fun Ways to Encourage Teeth Brushing
  • Mix 3-4 drops of red food coloring in about 2-3 tbsp of water. Have your child rinse and spit out carefully into the sink or another cup. Let them look into a magnifying mirror and see their plaque and germs.
  • Put Tempura paint between your fingers and give them a piece of string. Demonstrate flossing. The paint is a bit challenging to remove resembling the work it takes to floss well.
  • Don’t forget the eyeball catching toothbrushes and toothpaste. Let them be Germ superheros. I did this with my son as I started him brushing his teeth (he brushes after I do it first as he is only 4). We went to the store and he picked out his own toothbrush and paste then he had his “weapons” for fighting the germ monsters that invade his teeth morning and night!
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A great book to use is ‘Germs Are Not For Sharing’. I highly recommend it!
Whatever you do, have fun with it and educate them!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. The link to the recommended book is that of my Amazon affiliate page. Book suggestion is my own.
 
 
Back to School 2018, Education, Kids, Reviews, Toy Reviews

Bring Music Class Home with the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine

Erin Sluka

 I have partnered with VTech for this feature

When you hear the word ‘music’ you probably think about tunes or your favorite radio station. But, did you know that the word music has such a beneficial meaning when you introduce it to children? Not only does music introduce  a new skill that involves the brain and body working together, it ignites all the senses. VTech has the Kidi Star Karaoke Machine that helps bring music class home.

Music helps children learn sounds and word meanings. Dancing helps children improve their motor skills as well as allow for self-expression. Then you also add the benefit of recall and memory skills.

One of the best features of this karaoke machine is the stand opinion. This makes it so easy to share the fun with a friend or sibling. The disco ball is a lot of fun too. Turn off the lights and like me, you will be amazed how well it illuminates around the room on the walls and even the ceiling too.

It is such an easy interface that it is usable for as young as 4 years old. The added computer-like screen adds an element of STEM play when you have to configure and toggle through options to bring our musical creation to life. With options like games to play and to connect to any device to bring the music library you already have created to the speaker is so much fun.

You can add audience sounds like applause, cheering and laughter so it really feels like you’re onstage at a concert! Record yourself for up to five minutes and add fun voice-changing effects, then listen to and enjoy your performance. Visit VTech for more fun and also find the VTech Kidi Star Karaoke Machine at Amazon.