Nov
21
Posted by
admin on
November 21, 2008
Free kids games are something that we are all searching for over the holiday season. The television and computer will only stimulate kids to a certain level without truly engaging them. Games that enhance their creativity and imagination are what really inspires and enlivens kids. There are a wide range of free, fun and simple kids games to play these holidays- here’s our Top 5 ideas to get you started!
Top 5 Free Kids Games / Activities for the Holidays
1. Musical Games- Children love a chance to dance and jump around, especially if they are stuck indoors. Put on their favorite kiddy tunes and let them jump and stomp around. It will be even more fun if they have friends and instruments to accompany them. If you don’t have any real instruments, a homemade shaker or lid and spoon will do just fine!
2. Dressing Up Games- For kids the dress-ups box is a fantastic resource for stories, make-believe or any kind of imaginative play. Pretending to be shop-keepers, truck drivers, mums and dads, doctors, or animals, will keep kids entertained for hours. The more props the better so always have a store of blankets for cubbies or tents and assorted boxes for cars, dolls beds or wherever their imagination takes them.
3. Treasure Hunt- A treasure hunt can be set up indoors or out, for a group of kids or just one or two kids. It gets their minds working searching for clues and the excitement builds as they get closer to completeing the task. Just remember to set the clues at the appropriate level for the ages of the children who are playing the game. Clues that are too hard will put children off playing the game!
4. Craft Activities- By using cheap or available materials around your home your child’s creativity will create an amazing array of craft projects. Investing in a kids craft book will keep a ready supply of inspiration and give ideas for materials to be keeping. A store of recyclables like cereal boxes, toilet rolls, candy wrappers, magazines and yoghurt containers will provide a ready supply of resources. If your kids are not interested in glueing and pasting they can try modelling with play dough, plasticine or even paper mache.
5. Indoor Games- A great way to relieve the boredom on a rainy day whether you are at home or away on holidays. Indoor games can include simple card or board games, from matching pairs for younger children, or Scrabble or Monopoly for the older kids. Group games like these help them with numerical skills, taking turns and gamesmanship. Best of all they are easy to set up and can last for hours and can involve all the family.
So get the kids out from being sat in front of the tv or computer and involve them in some great free kids games these holidays!
The place to go for all your games needs for 0-8 year olds is Kids Fun and Games. Educational baby and toddler games, party games, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, festivals and much more.
Nov
21
Posted by
admin on
November 21, 2008
Price : $54.99
Features
- Ideal for teachers and for situation requiring portability and quality sound.
- Includes: 4 Listening First TM blue kids’ headphones
- Includes a blue mini stereo Jackbox with volume control.
- Connects to media players. PC and Apple compatible.
- Ideal and designed for kids and young students, even preschoolers.
Product Description
Ideal for Itinerant Teachers and situations requiring portableequipment with quality sound. Can be used for ListeningCenters, ELD / ELL / Title 3 / Special Education applications,Language Labs and Computer Labs with high student tocomputer ratios. Rugged ABS plastic construction for safety and durability inhigh-use situations PC and Apple compatible1. Four Listening FirstTM headphones whose features include:Adjustable headband, permanently attached cord withreinforced connection, lengthy 10 straight cord with rightangle plug to reduce accidental pull-out, ambient noise-reducingearcups keep students on task and lower outside noise.2. Protective slotted baffles within the earcups preventaccidental damage from prying fingers & foreign objects.3. Mini Stereo Jackbox features include: Silver-plated contactsprevent crackling sounds, individual volume controls, skidresistantpads at each corner wont mar or scrape surface,3.5mm stereo plug with detachable 6 patch cord (not shown)connects with media players.This bright and fun-colored Listening Centerwill encourage your students to participatein learning activities. Designed for use bysmaller sized students, these headphonesand jackbox will help inspire learning!Teacher ReportLooking for hardware that could help tie together several technologies - such as microphones, headphones and computers - to create a learning center for the foreign language department and to help support the district’s goal in encouraging students to use their critical thinking skills, we decided to purchase the USB Jackbox (1216USB) from Califone. The important part is that students are not noticing the technology, since it works seamlessly with the other parts of the learning center, allowing the students to concentrate on their lessons.Aron SterlingSchool-Based Technology SpecialistFairfax County Public SchoolsFairfax, Virginia
Nov
21
Posted by
admin on
November 21, 2008
"Why?" is a powerful question that yearns to be answered. That’s because the "why?" behind our activities always wants to point the way to rewarding and meaningful goals for us. We can ignore its persistent voice, but it will continue to ask, like a child until satisfied with an answer. So, piano students, answer the question. Why play piano? When you do you’ll discover a powerful source of motivation - Your Personal Piano Dream.
A dream is the solution to the question, "Why?" It points the way and gives meaning to our lives. We all need to dream and to believe that one day our dreams will come true. But don’t stop there, because without a plan for success, our dreams are unlikely to materialize. Once you have the Why, it’s time to identify the action steps along the way that will put your dreams into motion. This process is often referred to as Goal Getting.
Keeping a piano journal is an easy way to explore the goal getting process. Even young piano students benefit by imagining how they can bring their musical dreams to life, and what that will take. My Piano Stories, Little Bears Musical Garden and Little Bear’s Piano Goals, share many goal getting insights with children in a fun way that kids appreciate.
Having a Dream provides the "Why" and the "What for?" that gives children as well as adults the purpose and meaning they need to stay focused. Giving young piano students this guidance helps them perfect the goal getting process over time, so that it becomes natural. Just remember to start simply with children by helping them to identify a piano dream they can get excited about today. A page in their piano journal might look like this.
My Piano Dream: (Why do I want to learn to play the piano?) Example: I want to play the piano like my grandpa. He’s awesome!
How do I want to see myself in one year? Example: Playing well at my Spring Recital. Playing in my school talent show.
What can I accomplish toward my piano dream this week? Example: Learn the new piece my piano teacher assigned in G Major.
Are there specific goals that will help me achieve this? Examples: Memorize Five-Finger Hand Position in G;
What are some good habits that will help me get to my goals? Examples: Set aside a specific time to practice each day; Avoid distractions while practicing, such as television; Attend my piano lesson with my teacher each week.
By keeping a piano journal students can see the steady progress they have achieved. Including photographs of recitals and recordings let’s kids celebrate their success. As they grow and gain experience, they learn to set larger goals that take longer to achieve, and go on to reach their piano dreams and other life goals. That’s the beauty of the goal getting process. It’s transferable to all areas of our lives. So don’t wait to give your child the gift of piano lessons and help them to experience the value of a dream. The resources below include examples of children achieving innovative piano goals that take advantage of today’s modern technology.
To learn the best way to share the gift of music with children visit Amazon.com for my Piano Adventure Stories for Children These exciting Piano Adventure stores for children ages 5 to 11 feature the loveable characters, Mrs. Treble Beary and her passionate, new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Children love following along with Albeart to Mrs. Treble Beary’s piano studio in Musical Acres Forest. Here they learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand and appreciate! Piano students laugh and giggle while reading Little Bear’s Musical Garden and Little Bear’s Piano Goals.
For a wealth of f’ree information and piano music online visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources Don’t Wait to Share the Gift of Music!