Free Father's Day Gifts, Cheap/Free Activities to Do With Dad

Looking for low-cost Father's Day gifts? (Hint--it's the third Sunday in June, don't forget!) Why not do something with dad instead of buy him something? Here are 26 free Father's Day activities from A-Z. Don't limit it to just dad. Remember all special men this holiday--brothers, uncles, grandfathers, step-fathers, Godfathers, priests, rabbis, ministers, scout leaders, teachers, friends.  Free Father's Day Gifts, Do-With-Dad Activities from A-Z

Keep Preschool, Toddler Children Busy With Free Activities

 As a 10-year homeschooling mom of four, I know about multitasking with kids. The hardest age of child to keep productively occupied is toddler. Maybe I should rephrase "productive" to "occupied in parent-approved ways." Our kids were always productively employed, at least in their minds. From a parent's view it looked like mess-making. And during the holidays it only gets worse. More work, antsy kids, abnormal schedules, added events make it more challenging to keep a toddler in check. Here are parent-friendly, child-minder holiday activities. For free printables to occupy kids, click the "printables" keyword on this blog or check out my link blogs. You'll find enough printable games, crafts, cut and paste toys and educational activities to keep an army of kids busy! Toddler Child-minder Activities for Busy Parents

Ways Kids Can Help with Holiday Preparations

Let's be honest, in holiday party preparation, children may be more of a hindrance than a help. Parents may find Christmas not so merry and Thanksgiving not so thankful, if they're juggling shopping, cooking, party planning, housecleaning and childcare. Here are easy ways kids can help with holiday party planning (and keep them out of your hair!) Making Kids Thanksgiving Helpers (not Hindrances!)

Montessori mom: At-home preschool practical life learning center

I'm a certified special needs teacher and a former home school parent. I also taught in a Montessori school. Both Montessori and special education follow a learning center-based classroom model. Learning centers (also called areas or stations), engage children in hands-on, multisensory tasks. Each center focuses on different activities: reading, math, science, building, gross motor, art, dramatic play and practical life. When I taught our kids at home, I brought the learning center concept into our home. If you've got preschool kids or are a home school parent, why not try the learning center approach? Here's how this Montessori mom set up a practical life learning area.  At-home preschool practical life learning center 

Recycled Halloween, Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

With older kids going back to school, little ones get bored. And bored preschoolers means parents must entertain or face consequences. Here are fall and Halloween-themed preschool crafts to occupy preschool children. These are great for a Halloween party, too. Easy, inexpensive crafts using recycled materials. Eco-Friendly Recycled Halloween and Autumn Harvest Craft Ideas 

Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping, Get Free Haircuts

As summer winds down, parents and kids are gearing up to go back to school. For parents, kids returning to school means back-to-school shopping. In 2012, the Detroit News reported that families will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Detroiters, if you’re looking to save money on back-to-school purchases, here are places in the metro area to do it. Here are ways to get free haircuts, free school supplies and save money in any city. Read on Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping

Best Free Online Spelling, Vocabulary Games for Busy Moms

Need to keep an energetic kid busy while you work? Maybe you need some rainy day fun activities? Here's an idea--educational video games. I have a confession to make--I love online word games. For all the articles I write warning parents and kids about the dangers of obsessive game playing, I admit that there are advantages. Playing word games helps boost my visual tracking, perceptual acuity and typing skills (or so I tell myself). Mostly, I use them as a brain break from writing and research.  Best Free Online Spelling, Vocabulary Games to Boost Reading Skills 

Printable Thanksgiving Calendar, Craft Activity

Countdown calendars are a great math teaching tool for children to help them learning to organize, count and measure time. Here's a free printable countdown to Thanksgiving calendar. Fun craft activity keeps children productively occupied as the countdown the days to the Thanksgiving holiday. Read more

Sleep Schedules, Bedtime Rituals for Kids

Causes of Tiredness and Exhaustion in School-Aged Children I've been a teacher in various educational settings for over 25 years. There's an increasing and alarming trend among school age children: tired, sleepy, lethargic children who can't pay attention in class. Why is 'Sleep student syndrome' so prevalent? Read More

Safety Organization Checklist to Plan a School Group Field Trip

Safety Checklist for Teacher, Parent, Homeschool and Volunteer School Field Trip Coordinators Field trips provide an hands-on, real world learning experiences. One of the primary goals for field trip organizers should be safety and security of students. Be prepared for emergencies and issues on field trips by planning ahead. Read More

Cheap Kids Party Organizer

Cheap Kids Party Organizer Need ideas for holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide! Compiled by a 25-year veteran teacher, it's loaded with timesavers, money shortcuts and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that everyone, even parents, will enjoy. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday parties. View more »

Multi-tasking and Simplify

Multitasking Tips for Moms of Many This article covers a wide range of ways to save time by learning how to do several things at once, what tasks to combine and how to do them efficiently. View more »

How to Shop Wisely for Childrens' Clothing

How to Outfit Children A complete guide for kids' clothing buying. How to shop for childrens' clothing: what to buy. What not to buy! Where to shop for great prices! How much to buy. How to care for clothing! View more »

How to Organize a Party

How to Organize a Holiday Party for Kids of Any Age! Need ideas for holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide! Compiled by a 22 year veteran teacher,and loaded with time, money and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that every one will enjoy (even you!) View more »

Multitask: Get Your Work Done and Entertain Your Toddler

How to Occupy a Toddler and Still Get Work Done Great multitasking tips and ideas for ways to entertain and occupy a toddler and still get your housework done. View more »