February 6th, 2009 Bring spring inside a little early Posted by Melitsa in Homemade, play activities, Seasonal play

We listened to the NWF Green hour activities. I’m hoping it will help inspire me ( us) to go outdoors more. Here’s an activity we just had to do.

Issue #98: Speeding Springtime

Short trip to get the paperwhite bulbs.

• Gather all the equipment

• Add the stones

• Add the bulbs

• Fill with stones

• Water

Wait…..

You can follow @greenhour on Twitter to get more up to date ideas and activities.

Technorati Tags: Green hour, paperwhite bulbs

February 3rd, 2009 Do you have your all-in-one pack? Posted by Melitsa in Education, language, play activities, Roundups, Sites to visit

Practical Preschool magazine have published their annual awards. The 2008 awards…”  identify and reward excellence in educational equipment, childcare, books and toys. All products reviewed are suitable for children from birth to eight years old for use in professional childcare and educational settings. These include: private and state nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, childminding settings, infant schools and after-school clubs.”

Source: http://www.practicalpreschool.com/magazine/awards.shtml

Gold award winner: Journey from Grandpa’s story sack.

In this sack: Cloth sack, Fiction storybook and CD, Non-fiction book, Parent guide and prompt, Fabric Playmat and 9 plush pieces of transport, Spaghetti Junction game.
All items are available separately.

The storysack concept is an innovative one. To combine multiple aspects ( role play, story, music, book and toys) in a themed set along with a parental guide makes choosing and using familiar and new stories even more exciting.

My question: Is there a US equivalent?

Technorati Tags: Practical Preschool magazine, storysack