May 12th, 2009 Carnival of Parenting Podcasts No.24 Posted by Melitsa in Carnival of Parenting Podcasts, Media, play activities, Podcast

Welcome to the 24th edition of Carnival of Parenting Podcasts

It’s a place to share and find some new parenting podcasts from the podcaster and recommendations from those who listen to podcasts.

..Not sure about Podcasts? Try this ecourse.

Top 10

Send in your favourite podcasts of the month.

• Rolemommy Radio: Is creating a separate review blog a good idea? Does having a separate ad-free review blog really add value to the products and services bloggers review? Bloggers have been talking about it, but now it’s time to hear from the “other side”.
• Giggle Talk Radio #2:Judy Masucci of A Mother’s Boutique joins us to give her tips on successful pumping while working.
• Ask MomRN Show – Tamara Walker, R.N: Today Show producers Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo share their advice and answer your questions about how best to survive your first year as a mom in their new book, Today’s Moms: Essentials for Surviving Baby’s First Year. Join us to discover why their book, full of great advice, helpful tips, & real-life anecdotes from several Today Show contributors, is the new “must-have” guide for new parents!
• Parenting for humanity:  Mud Pies and Sand Pits
  Lisa Stroyan and Amy Makice talk about ways to create outdoor activities- creating hours of fun on a budget.
  Mom-to-Mom Radio Show: Fill-R-Up! Taking Care of Mom with Cindy Rushton Anybody tired? Weary? Parched? Needing to FILL-R-UP? Today’s show is JUST FOR YOU!. Join Cindy as she shares her story and some thing that have worked for her when her cup has been empty.
• Frugal WAHMs Talk Radio Interview with Book Author Jenna McCarthy
• Family Radio: Teaching kids strength
  Mental toughness, not something we parents normally tackle with our kids. Dr. Timothy Wakefield is author of “Mental Toughness: Understanding the Game of Life,” explains why we should.
• Green and Gorgeous : Raising Baby Organically It can be hard to tell why it’s important to use organic cotton bedding for your baby or understand why using BPA-free bottles is the best idea. We’ll help you learn the intricacies of green motherhood, particularly for infants and toddlers.Upcoming episode: 5/13/2009 6:30 PM
• Parents and Kids Talk Radio:Clothes for Teens – Parents and Kids Talk Radio #49 Clothes for teens. What’s your preference? Hollister? A&F? Gap? The PKTR hosts have some thoughts on all of them. But first! Swine flu and some Wii games.
• TechMomsTalk : RSS in so many ways.. How do you keep up?
  Pingie, Feedburner, Google Reader, email, and custom home pages. Just a few ways you can follow your favorite RSS feeds. What’s important to you? How do you decide how you want to receive your information? Talk to Lucretia, Monica and Guest Ryan (Monica’s Hubby) about some other RSS gettin’ ideas!

Send in your recommendations to be included in the top 10 favourite podcasts of the Month.

Thinking about podcasting …? Try this guide.



• What’s your favourite parenting podcast?

   If you like what you hear don’t forget to tell them about it. Subscribe to their podcast.



 

• Next edition: 9 June 2009

Technorati tags: carnival of parenting podcasts, blog carnival.

Technorati Tags: Carnival of Parenting Podcasts, podcasts

May 8th, 2009 Sibling dice game Posted by Melitsa in Education, play activities

Games that endure the test of siblings. We played this game a lot with the BG. Now his brother ( MO) loves to play. They play together- sometimes it goes well, sometimes we have to move the dice to get the numbers we need and this does not go down well. In general, it’s a peaceful, enjoyable game….. remember this game?

My son stumbled across this game as it was out in the toy shop in Cambridge. As we were browsing through the fun toys. He stopped and then I did………….for a while. So I decided to buy it.

It comes with plenty of instructions and variations.

This is how we play it.

1. Roll the die. Count the dots.
2. Flip the corresponding number up.
3. Next player repeats 1 & 2.
4. Do this a couple of times. ( so only numbers 1-6) Note: Make sure you get No.1 flipped.
5. Use both dice. Count the dots. ( so numbers 2-12) are available
6. Continue until all numbers 1-12 are flipped.

So far we’ve found 11 and 12 take forever. We roll 3 times only if we’re waiting for those ones or any ones that seem to be taking forever. Or my son tries to distract me and turn the dice to show the right answer.

Why we like this play-activity?

• Fast and fun rolling the dice
• His toddler brother rolls the dice and is included in the game and turn taking.
• Older son counts everyone’s spots and loves it
• He recognises the patterns of spots so is able to look and say 5 without counting every time. Although he still likes to count- no problem.
• We all turn take and commiserate when we get the same number again and again and again.
• We celebrate anyone getting to flip
• Flipping is fun.
• He likes to give a commentary and tell us which numbers we have left.
• You can start and stop the game at any time
• He loves to play it by himself or with others.

The game is called Shut the box

.

Not quite sure how that title works…..one explanation here.

*********Do you play dice games?

What’s your favourite dice play activities?*************

May 5th, 2009 Everyday play opportunities for babies Posted by Melitsa in Good reads, play activities, Roundups, Sites to visit

Is your child on track to reach their milestones?

When do I need to worry about their development or just wait?

My child is developing just fine- why would I need this?

Born learning has produced an Ages and Stages pdf. There are ten Pdfs from birth to 5 years that helps answer those questions.

Why should we look at these Ages and Stages articles?

• These are helpful reminders about what our children should be doing by people that know.
• Helps us keep on track with introducing activities and opportunities to progress and learn.
• Although thinking maybe your child is ok or not ok here’s a more objective measure than a comparison.
• Evidence to take to your Dr. if your suspect a problem.

The early years is a very important foundation time for little minds. Having the right knowledge gives us the chance to help and nurture our children.

Have you downloaded yours?

Technorati Tags: milestones, Born learning, Ages and Stages, early years