Visual Timer App for Understanding Time Duration

Posted by

0

The Skinny: This is a nice, simple visual timer system for kids to see how much longer they need to work on a task and get a break, or even as simple as how long it takes to bake the cookies.  It helps my kid understand when I say, “Give me 5 minutes” and he is…

Visual Timer App for Understanding Time Duration was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Things you may not know about Charles Dickens

Posted by

0

Since I just launched Dickens’ Oliver Twist for Kids, I thought this blog post was quite appropriate!

sarij's avatarThe View From Sari's World

I’ve updated an older post in honor of Dickens’ Birthday.

Charles-Dickens-007

Charles Dickens was born on this day in 1812. Though his work is still highly praised, his personal life is ignored. While we shouldn’t judge a man’s work by his personal life, we must admit biography does sometimes bleed into writing. Let’s look at the complex man who shaped our modern view of Victorian England.

As with many beloved men in history, Dickens had a dark side. He was a very strict father, and left his wife because she had lost all “warmth and tenderness”. Yeah, Chuck, you try being witty and sexy after having 10 children and being left home with them. Dickens left his wife for a young actress who in turn left him when he was too old to be much fun. Karma baby!

I offer you:

“Things may not know about Charles Dickens”

The name “Dickens”…

View original post 681 more words

Toontastic for Language and Story Sequencing

Posted by

0

The Skinny: This particular app has already been given Apple’s “App store Hall of Fame” status. So you know it’s pretty good. Toontastic is an amazing game that you can use to build language and story sequencing. It is simply designed to show how a story goes from beginning to climax to the end. They even integrate music so…

Toontastic for Language and Story Sequencing was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Mr. Potato Head for Language and learning body parts

Posted by

0

The Skinny: Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head are great open-ended activities prompting language, learning about body parts, and practicing pretend play skills.  What it is: Mr./Mrs. Potato Head  (any version)  What it’s used for: Language – teaching requesting,”more”, body parts, and colors, following directions  Ways to use it: Language: Withhold Potato Heads parts momentarily to prompt your kid to…

Mr. Potato Head for Language and learning body parts was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Shakespeare and the show Friends – great English Class Video

Posted by

0

Although Shakespeare used a lot of words we may not understand, and a lot of words people and kids will think are “big”, what’s clear is he was an artist with language.  Now, not many of us are ever going to be 1/8th as good with language as he was, but we will at least be…

Shakespeare and the show Friends – great English Class Video was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books

Shout Out Shirt for Language Development and Spelling

Posted by

0

The Skinny: Okay, I think this is one of the simplest, yet coolest products out there!  It’s very simple in the sense that your kid can wear a different message every day.  But, the best part about it is it allows your child to enjoy playing with language.  See some of the pictures I took just playing…

Shout Out Shirt for Language Development and Spelling was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Djubi for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination

Posted by

0

djubi for motor planningThe Skinny: I came across this very clever toy that is great for motor planning and hand-eye coordination, as well as it is really fun to play!  It is called Djubi (pronounced Joo-bee).  As you can see from the picture, it’s a net with a hook on it.  You simply shoot the ball (similar to a sling shot, but easier) to your friend and they catch it with their net.  The ball is soft, so it doesn’t hurt if it hits you, and you can do it very softly to build confidence.

What it is: Djubi (Joo-bee)

What it’s used for: Motor Planning and Hand-Eye coordination

Ways to use it:

  • Motor Planning:
    • As you can see from the photo on the lower right, it takes a bit of motor planning to launch a Djubi.  And with this game, I would build up to it in two steps:
      • Just throw the ball to your friend, and let them catch it.  Start with the simple piece of underhand and then progress to “step-and-throw” overhand.
      • After they have that figured out, then move to the sling-shot action.  On the top of each of the nets is a little hook.  This hook is used for hooking the rubber band from the ball on.  Then, pull back and let go!  It’s pretty simple, but can be a bit tricky if you have some challenges.  Keep going until you get it!
  • Hand-Eye Coordination:
    • This is the other side of the game.  Catching the ball.
      • Start off slow, just underhand it to your kid to have them watch the ball into the net at slower speeds.
      • Increase the distance until they can catch it from across the yard.  Many kids have a difficult time with items coming directly at them.  Teach them to catch it off to the side, to alleviate some of these challenges.
      • Once they have the underhand in control, then move to sling-shotting the ball to them.  It will be farther distances and faster speeds, so it’s important to progress up to this level.

And don’t forget to HAVE FUN!!!

djubi for motor planningWhere to find it: Find Djubi on Amazon.

The Source: Found it in a toy store in South Bend.

Djubi for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Propeller for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination

Posted by

0

Hand powered flying propeller for motor planning and hand-eye coordinationThe Skinny: This is an inexpensive, yet very fun toy for kids to play with.  It may take a bit of practice to get the coordination to get the propeller to lift off.  But, once you have it down, it’s a lot of fun.  It’s also a great feeling to know that your own power can get something to fly! (You can see my kid doing it below…)

What it is: Hand powered propeller (dragonfly)

What it’s used for: Motor planning and hand-eye coordination

Ways to use it:

  • Motor Planning:
    1. You can start with either 2 or 3 below, depending on where you feel your kid is developmentally ready.
    2. I would start off with mom or dad just flying the propeller in the air and having your kid catch it.
    3. Have your kid just spin the propeller to get it to lift off, don’t worry about catching it till later.
    4. Lastly, have them both spin and catch the propeller.  It takes a bit of practice, but it’s a lot of fun, and once you do it a few times, it’s very rewarding to know you have accomplished it.

Where to find it: With over 180 ratings at over 4 stars, here on Amazon

The Source: Just watching my kid!

YouTube Preview Image

Propeller for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Shakespeare and Music

Posted by

0

Shakespeare music bandHave some kids in class that are musically inclined?  Give them a great challenge, have them create a Shakespeare song.  Perhaps this is to one of their favorite characters (ohh, what would a Puck song sound like… I’m thinking Nirvana…) or their favorite play (I can hear a nice Halloween melody running for Titus…) or anything associated with The Bard at all.

I was inspired for this by watching the following YouTube vid on a song created and inspired by Richard II:

YouTube Preview Image

Pretty cool, huh?  Thanks to the @BookshopBand for bringing this to my attention.

I worked with a teacher once that did a bunch of music for Midsummer for Kids, you can read about that here.

Shakespeare music and foodRemember, the point is to get kids engaged with Shakespeare, any way possible.  What a great Shakespeare challenge.  When you have a musical performance ready, please send it my way so I can enjoy and share with others!!!

Have fun and let me know how it goes!

Brendan

Shakespeare and Music was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books