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June 24th, 2008
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This time last year we were getting used to a new town and country. We had fun investigating new things to see, smell and hear. If you’ve not walked in your neighbourhood what a walk might inspire you.
One year later, we’ve moved again. We have lots of comparisons. Having lived in a rural village, small town and now suburbs of a city it’s great opportunity for the kids to make these links. They are getting to know their local area by walking around and sharing old photos to develop geographic awareness. Where we live and what’s around us grows on us but sometimes you have to be explicit and draw your kid’s attention to it.
We found the book, Where Do I Live?
and have enjoyed getting to know how to explain where we live using appropriate vocabulary.
The language is simple enough to lead the children from where they live in their home. Starting first in their bedroom and expanding through, home, land, street, neighbourhood, town, city, suburbs, state , country, continent, world, earth, planet, solar system, galaxy, universe and back down again. The pictures support the text giving the kids an idea of size and proportion moving from page to page.
My toddler loves to thumb through the book and look at the pictures whereas the big guy likes to substitute himself for the text as we read it together trying out the new vocabulary.
Moving need not feel so disorientating for kids if they start developing a sense of place and home. We have a placemat of the world that we regularly find family and identify new countries.
Two frequently requested books at the moment are Mr. Popper’s Penguins
and Lost and Found
; both feature penguins. Finding Antarctica on the map and the places mentioned in the story is a lot of fun. Understanding time, distance and scale makes more sense after reading the Where do you live? book as does looking at maps in general. I wouldn’t say they understand the concept totally but are getting the idea that we can’t go from Australia and swim to Madagascar ( no doubt to see the animals from the movie) in one day!
We just got a Peters Projection Map
to compliment the Mercator map we’re used to seeing at dinner and everywhere. The Mercator map is the one Universal uses on their films, the one that spins. Representing a sphere on a flat piece of paper is not without its problems. Both maps when used together give a more accurate view of the world. I like the Peter’s projection as it gives a more realistic view of the world and the sizes of the countries.
If you’ve never done it before look at the continent of Africa on both maps. Knowing how big your country is compared to others is an important skill to develop to realise how small or big you are especially as you start looking at politics way way down the line. For more information & debate about the benefits of using different types of maps
We had a fun time finding the same countries on each map.
- Finding where we live.
- Identifying familiar places.
Developing your child’s sense of place is something that develops over time with a little input here and there. Children think of me, me, me and showing them how they fit in the world is an amazing thing to watch as they begin to realise there are so many things other than me.
See the next part to find out some practical play activities to try .
******What activities do you do with your children to promote awareness of their Where they live?******
Popularity: 12% [?]
Technorati Tags: geographic awareness, penguins, Antarctica, map, sense of place, play activities
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May 14th, 2008
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Get moving play ideas?……..
Play activities includes movement. So activities here are not just crafty but get those big muscles going. We all know kids have boundless energy and we wish we could bottle just a bit of it 
There are lots of fun easy activities that help expend some of that energy and encourage the children to master new skills.
Recent articles about movement
Run around to sit still
Play rangers
If you’re a fan of movement and children or want to find out more see our giveaway authors site: The Pica perspective.
Rae Pica also interviews other authors on play, learning, and movement at BAM radio.
If you haven’t done already, tune in to find out more about popular childhood topics using the Play button located in the top right corner of this blog or the home page. See below for example.
Prepare Your Child’s
Body and Mind
for Life!Listen to Body, Mind
and Child on
Play Activities Radio
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There are lots of great books to help kick start your imagination and lead your children to enjoy their childhood job- play. See our recently updated recommendations.
Today’s giveaway
Jump into Literacy: Active Learning for Preschool Children
- Simply leave a comment on my blog during the party on this post.
- Plus a valid email address. Please don’t leave your email address in the comment section to avoid opening yourself up to spam.
- One winner will be randomly selected.
- All winners will be chosen on the last day(Friday) of the blog party. Notified by email.
- Winner: Congratulations Jo!
Join us over at Mommyfest 2008 and meet some new bloggers, enter contests and hear some speakers on a wide range of mom subjects.
Popularity: 26% [?]
Technorati Tags: Rae Pica, play, giveaway, Jump into Literacy: Active Learning for Preschool Children, Mommyfest 2008, contests
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May 13th, 2008
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Welcome to the 12th 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 fortnight.
- Pea in the Podcast If you’re pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, be sure to register to receive our weekly podcast program delivered directly to your email inbox. This way you’ll have access to our personalized week-by-week audio programs covering all 40 weeks of your pregnancy in addition to special in-depth shows on all topics related to pregnancy and childbirth . Week 1: How to improve conception
- Parent report: Answering those questions is THE PARENT REPORT, a radio feature devoted to meeting the needs of today’s parents. Hosted by broadcast journalist, Joanne Wilson, each 60 second report turns to top child care specialists to pass on their advice. Each report features a leading doctor, family worker or recognized specialist in any given field to help shed light on topics of concern to today’s parents. Single Parent Moms Daughters
- Manic Mommies: Erin and Kristin talk this week to a mom puppeteer
Send in your recommendations to be included in the top 10 favourite podcasts of the week fortnight.
Technorati tags: carnival of parenting podcasts, blog carnival.
Popularity: 28% [?]
Technorati Tags: Carnival of Parenting Podcasts, podcasts
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May 12th, 2008
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Stuck for play ideas?……..
Sometimes we get caught up in thinking that getting your child lots of toys is the answer. Here at play-activities we use toys but try and use everyday things we have at home to stimulate, enrich and cause the kids to have some darn good engrossing fun!
There are lots of great books to help kick start your imagination and lead your children to enjoy their childhood job- play. See our recommendations.
Today’s giveaway
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
- Simply leave a comment on my blog during the party on this post.
- Plus a valid email address. Please don’t leave your email address in the comment section to avoid opening yourself up to spam.
- One winner will be randomly selected.
- All winners will be chosen on the last day(Friday) of the blog party. Notified by email.
- Winner: Congratulations Thien-Kim !
Join us over at Mommyfest 2008 and meet some new bloggers, enter contests and hear some speakers on a wide range of mom subjects.
Popularity: 22% [?]
Technorati Tags: play, fun, play, giveaway, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Mommyfest 2008, contests
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