These challenges offer our children the opportunity to develop their own problem solving strategies. The power of trial and improvement will undoubtedly be used to arrive at solutions. ******************************** THREE BY THREE Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level Arrange three red, three blue and three yellow counters into a three-by-three square grid, so that there is… Read More
Ah…the wonders of a beach walk. This charming book delights in many ways. First, the entire story is told with s-words, adjectives, verbs, and nouns: scruffy, slosh, and, best of all, standstill, as the two beachgoers, a mother and a child, encounter something special. *************************** SEASIDE STROLL Charles Trevino – Author Maribel Lechuga – Illustrator Told with only… Read More
At a time when kindness, friendship, and community are more important than ever, author Nina Laden brings us her incredible book, You Are A Beautiful Beginning. It is a celebration of self-love, friendship, and community. Inspired by the timeless adage, this book is meant to empower our little ones and help them find their self-confidence and… Read More
Venn diagrams allow children to sort data into two or three circles which overlap in the middle. Guess My Rule gives our children the opportunity to explain their thinking and justify their reasoning. *************************************** GUESS MY RULE 1. Some shapes belong in the circle, and some shapes do not. There is a rule to decide… Read More
In this story the author reminds us about the pitfalls of making snap judgments about pets — or people. It’s a tale about finding the good in something you didn’t know you wanted. ************************************** NOT NORMAN A Goldfish Story Kelly Bennett – Author Noah Z. Jones – Illustrator Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little… Read More
Hedgehog searches for her lost friend, Mutty. The cast of creatures she meets during her journey each contribute to the search in their own special ways. Soon, Mole, Beaver, Hen, Owl, and Annika Mae teach Hedgehog that when you are going through tough times, the ones around you can offer strength, connection and perspective. ***************************** Sometimes… Read More
These activities focus on finding all possible solutions while having a bit of fun. Support your children to work in a systematic way. Your youngest ones will enjoy working together as they attempt to discover all the possibilities. ************************ BUILD A ROBOT Robots Parts to Cut Out *********************************** INSIDE TRIANGLES Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level… Read More
This is a perfect story to share with our children at any time, but especially with a little gardener at springtime. Perhaps it will inspire you and your little helpers to plant your own perfect garden! *********************** BADGER’S PERFECT GARDEN Marsha Diane Arnold – Author Ramona Kaulitzki – Illustrator It is spring. Badger has dozens of… Read More
This book is a celebration of the wondrous variety, colors and sounds of the avian world. It is sure to have our children grabbing their binoculars and heading outside to explore. A veteran birder invites our young readers to look for the birds around them. 🙂 **************************************** HOW TO FIND A BIRD Jennifer Ward – Author… Read More
Use today’s activities to introduce your children to problems that can have more than one solution. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to explore different ways of recording their thinking and different methods of solving problems. ****************************** LOTS OF LOLLIPOPS Tim and Patty were given a bag of lollipops They shared them out evenly… Read More
