Happy Holidays!

We at CKC would like to wish all our subscribers and readers a wonderful, blessed festive season!  May you have loads of happiness, love and fun during the holidays.  We will be back just after new year.  Enjoy!

Holiday fun ideas

The December holidays are around the corner and you will need loads of fun ideas to keep the little ones busy!  Here are some fun ideas to keep them entertained:


1. Make some blow-painted silly faces

Mix some paint with water to make it extra runny.  We used paper plates and drew some fun faces on them before adding some drops of paints as hair.  Use a straw and blow the paint into streaks to form some silly hair!  For older children:  ask them to blow without a straw first, then blow with a straw, when you blow out air normally the air spreads out and loses pressure quickly and you cannot make streaks with the paint.  When using a straw the air is forced through the narrow gap increasing pressure and you can spread the paint easily.

2. Slimy fun!

Mix half a glass of cornflour with a quarter glass of cold water, add a few drops of foodcolouring too!  Stir using a metal spoon, then mix thoroughly with your hands.
Now for the fun part!  punch the slime in the bowl, roll it into a ball, hold the ball and see what happens!
The slime will feel solid when you punch it or squeeze it, but runny when you hold it.  When you hold it the little pieces (particles) that makes up the slime spreads out and the slime turns into a liquid, when you squeeze it or punch it you apply pressure and the little pieces (particles) forms a solid.


3. Window decorations

We absolutely love contact paper, it is such a wonderful versatile medium!  Stock up on some this December holidays for loads of fun.  Create a fun window decoration by cutting two pieces of contact paper.  Stick one onto a flat surface, like a table top, with some press stick, sticky side up.  Give your child some mosaic items, for example - feathers, tissue paper pieces, coloured rice, cut pipecleaners, pieces of paper, glitter or any other fun item that you can find.  Ask your little one to create a mosaic with all the items on the contact paper.  Once finished cover with the extra piece of contact paper to seal the master piece!  Now you can stick the finished art work in the window!

When using items such as tissue paper you can explain to an older child why light can be seen through the different items, highlight terms such as see through, transparent, translucent, opaque.

4. Bubble wrap painting

Save those pieces of bubble wrap for bubble wrap stamping fun!  Simply let your child paint the bobble side of the wrap with some paint and then turn it over onto a piece of paper to create beautiful stamps!

For older children you can explain that the raised edges of the bubbles are the only piece in contact with the paint and paper.

For more fun activities why not subscribe to Clever Kids Club?  Will make a great "stocking filler"  for Christmas!

Maths and your toddler

I am a firm believer in making maths and learning fun from an early age.  This does not imply that you should push your child into doing complicated maths, but rather foster an environment where learning is fun and your child enjoys doing maths.

Important factors for your 2 - 3 year old:

• They should learn through play and routines (keep it fun!)
• They can recite simple counting rhymes, but have no understanding that numbers have values
• Most 2 year old toddlers knows the numbers 1 and 2, and can distinguish between 1 object and 2 objects, but will refer to anything more than two as many.
• The average 2 year old will be able to match shapes
• Most 2 year old toddlers are able to build puzzles with interlocking sides (anything from 2 - 10 pieces, 8 being the average)
• The average 2 year old can sort items into groups, for example farm animals, wild animals, hard toys, soft toys, etc.

Important factors for your 3 - 4 year old:

•  Most 3 year old toddlers are able to count to 3 and know that there is a value / quantity attached to the number
• Most 3 year old toddlers in the second half of the year will be able to count up to 5 and be able to identify 5 objects placed in front of them by using one to one counting.
• Some 3 year old toddlers will be able to identify and name a specific number if asked, you need to name some numbers before, for example:  What comes after 1, 2, 3, 4 ?  Without this start only a very few toddlers will be able to name a specific number between 1 - 9.
• Some 3 year old toddlers will be able to learn to read one number digits, for example identify the number 3
• Most 3 year old toddlers are able to build puzzles with interlocking sides (anything from 4 - 15 pieces, with 10 being the average)

Important factors for your 4 - 5 year old:

• Most 4 year old toddlers are able to count to 4 and know that there is a value / quantity attached to the number
• Most 4 year old toddlers in the second half of the year will be able to count up to 10 and be able to identify 10 objects placed in front of them by using one to one counting.
• Some 4 year old toddlers will be able to identify and name a specific number if asked, you need to name some numbers before, for example:  What comes after 1, 2, 3, 4 ?  Without this start only a very few toddlers will be able to name a specific number between 1 - 9.
• Some 4 year old toddlers will be able to start counting backwards from 10

 Remember these are only guidelines, every child is different and will develop at his / her own pace!  We also need to teach our children critical thinking, there are more than one answer or solution to a question / problem.  Teach them to think.

Practical tips for making learning maths fun:

• Make or purchase some numbered bean bags.  The possibilities with these bean bags are endless.  Place A4 sizes of paper with numbers on each on the ground (for example 1 on a sheet, 2 on another sheet,etc.)  Ask your child to throw the corresponding numbered beanbag onto the sheet of paper.  Name the number each time and it is also a good idea to have some items handy that they can count, for example some apples.  If your child needed to throw the number 3 bean bag onto the number 3 page, name the number 3 and count the corresponding number of apples out with them.  For more ideas or where to purchase these sets email me on admin@raisingcleverkids.com
• Complete both size sequencing and other sequencing games with your child, click here for a free download for a fun game.
• Draw some shapes on a sheet of paper, count the sides of each shape, name the shapes, count the number of angles each shape has, etc.
• Calender time is super important, it teaches days of the week, number of days per week, etc that will help with certain math concepts later in life.  Contact liesbet@kinderwerf.co.za for details on the awesome Kinderwerf calender.
• Save all your milk bottle tops!  They make excellent counting pieces!

Ask your child to place the corresponding number of items on each top, for example on a top numbered 1, add one of the objects

• Always start teaching your child counting from zero onwards, this will help with math concepts later in life.  I made this easy set from craft foam, great for matching, counting, etc.
• Most off all, all children need loads of love and loads of hugs!  Praise throughout and enjoy your little one!

Have a wonderful math filled November!

Trudie

Reward chart

Still looking for a super cute reward chart after reading our post on Reward charts and Ideas?  We have the following super cute reward chart for sale for only R20.00!

Practical list of daily chores that needs to be done with a week by week tick box system to make everything run smoothly and make it easy to understand for little learners.  This is a digital only version and you will receive it via email. Simply print and use!  Remember you buy this little chart once and re print it as many times as you want!  You can also laminate and use dry erase marker on it to prolong the use of the chart.

More ideas for your Lubi the Dragon reward chart:

•  the daily chores section is not just for physical chores - use it to encourage developmental milestones as well.  Examples:  sleeping through the night, potty training, learning to put on own shoes, etc.  
• daily chores can also include eating all your veggies, playing well with siblings, tidying up after play, getting ready for bed and brushing of teeth
• remember that kiddos can help with house hold chores from an early age, my 3 year old "makes" her own bed, yes, I need to remake it afterwards, no I don't force her to do it, but she at least knows that someone has to pull the duvet up!
• draw small pictures next to the actual wording of the daily chore for non readers
• use colourful stickers or another coloured dry erase marker to clearly mark off the achievement boxes, let your little one count the amount of stickers, etc each day - sneaking in some maths!

What chores can you expect a normal 2 - 4 year old to do?

• help with dusting
• help make bed
• help to set the table
• clean up after play and putting away of toys
• help to feed pets
• help to put dirty laundry in laundry basket
• mop and sweep - with help!
• wipe up messes

What chores can you expect a normal 4 - 7 year old to do?

• help with dusting
• help make bed
• help to set the table and clearing the table
• clean up after play and putting away of toys
• help to feed pets
• help to put dirty laundry in laundry basket
• mop and sweep
• wipe up messes
• water plants
• help to load the dishwasher or do dishes
• help to water the garden
• help to put away shopping
• cooking and preparing food
• taking out of trash

Remember that you need to show them how to do each chore and help them in the beginning until they are able to do it on their own.

If you would like to order a CKC reward chart please email us on admin@raisingcleverkids.com.

Have a blessed day!
The CKC team :)

Reward charts and Ideas

As a mother I'm constantly re thinking and re planning my reward system.  I was looking for a system that works without too much hassle, something that was easy to stick to and implement.  Here is what works for us and what I have learned.

1.  You need to be consistent - decide before hand what rules and behaviour is acceptable in your home and stick to these rules.  This is a tough one and I also find myself being more lenient at stages, but stick to the basics!

2.  Make a list that can be displayed with your rules on - this makes it so much easier for all the family members as they know what is expected of them.  This does not need to be a fancy list at all, here is our list:

 In stead of just writing down all the house rules I've also drawn little pictures for my little non reader.  All the rules are written on an umbrella, because they protect us from the storms that will follow if they are not adhered too.  :)  You can read more on our poster here.

3. Decide beforehand what qualifies as a reward, this can be something small.  We have a little basket in our home that contains sheets of stickers, hair clips, small, cheap toys, etc that she can choose from whenever she qualifies for a reward.  I never spend more than R40 a month on this, cut up sheets of stickers for example to stretch the pack or separate hair clips to add more to your basket.  Rewards do not have to be a physical item, it can be a visit to your local park or a treat as well.  Decide what will work for your family.

4. Have a physical reward chart or system that they can see.  We use a clothes peg system which works great.  She needs 10 pegs in order to qualify for a reward, each morning we count the pegs as well sneaking in some maths!

This beautiful Russian Doll was made by a dear friend, contact her via email if you would like to order one.
You can also download this freebie to use as a reward chart.

5. Praise any good behaviour, even if it is super small!  Children thrive on discipline and praise and just saying something as simple as "Mommy noticed you share your sweeties with your friend, that was so big of you and I'm so proud of you" can make a huge difference.

6. Try not to make the reward system to complicated - for little ones keep the amount of stickers, pegs, stars that they need to achieve to qualify for a reward to a minimum for 2 year old and up you can start with as low as 7.  For younger kiddos you can even make it as low as 2 - 3.  This will encourage them as they see progress.

7. Enjoy it with your child and see this as a tool to help them learn and grow.  Remember nothing is cast in stone!

Any ideas on reward systems?  Please feel free to share with us! 

Children Learn what they LIVE

Photo Credit

I just love the following poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, she sums up the essence of being a parent in this one poem!  Each second you spend with your child is precious, each word you speak can influence his / her future.  Always guard your tongue and speak words of encouragement, comfort and grace filled words to uplift your child.  Above everything else, enjoy each precious second with him / her, because they do grow up much to fast!

Children Learn what they live by Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism

He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility

He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule

He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame

He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerace

He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement

He learns to have confidence.

If a child lives with praise

He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness

He learns justice.

 If a child lives with security

He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval

He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship

He learns to find love in the world.

Happy learning and growing for the rest of the week with your little one! 

Boost your child's self confidence

It is so important to boost your child's confidence in herself and her skills. here is a few quick tips:

* Smile when your child enters the room.
* Listen when your child is trying to talk to you. Don't pretend to listen, if you are busy at that moment, rather tell your child that you really want to hear what she is saying and that you just have to quickly finish what you're doing, and then you will give her your full attention. (then obviously do what you said)
* Keep your promises no matter how difficult.
* Spend time with her and do something she wants to do.
* Give her age appropriate choices and support her choice.
*Ask her opinion.
* Hug her often!
And enjoy your child!
A nurtured, loved and respected child will have confidence in herself and her abilities and she will be well on her way to being well rounded happy, self motivated adult!

Long Weekend Fun!

I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the upcoming long weekend! Not only for Easter celebrations, but also a fun, relaxing time with family and friends!

We have a special gift for you to help you entertain your little ones over the long weekend, simply download this free pack to enjoy!  The download link will expire on Monday, so be sure to download it asap!

We hope that you have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Welcome to CKC!

Welcome to the Clever Kids Club!

What is Clever Kids Club?

The fun and affordable way to raising (super) clever kids!

The Clever Kids Club is for parents and teachers of preschoolers (ages 2-6).

Join our Clever Kids Club for under R26 / $5 a month!

Club members join for a year and receive the following:

• A gift sent via email when registering.
• A weekly fun pack consisting of the following:
  • 5 activities to do with your preschooler.
  • Flashcards. During the year we will cover the alphabet, numbers 1-20 and colours.
  • A fun worksheet / game / colouring picture.

Download our first fun pack for FREE and see for yourself that this is an opportunity for your child that you can't miss out on!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FIRST FUN PACK HERE FOR FREE!

How does it work?

• Fill in the online registration form.
• Pay your first 3 months of the club (R75 / $12).
• After we've received your payment you will immediately receive your welcome gift.
• Your first fun pack will be sent in the beginning of the following month after registration. I.e. if you register and pay on the 5th of March, you will receive your first funpack in the first week of April.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter in our right sidebar.  We will email you fun ideas and activities to do with your kiddos!

Join us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates!