Heart of the Family: 10/01/2004

Saturday, October 30, 2004

Fun Preschool Activity -- Pots and Pans and Numbers

TEACHING OBJECTIVE/BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Matching numbers is a great way for your pre-schooler to learn
their names. As you roll the dice and count the spots on each of
the six sides he will soon be counting from 1 to 6 with ease.
Then as he matches the number of spots with the written
numerals taped to the pots and pans he will begin to recognize
the numerals quickly each time the die is rolled. When he has
mastered all six numbers you can add six more as he rolls both
of the dice and adds them together by counting the spots on both
of them and then finds the right numeral written on one of the 12
pots. Of course it will take lots of practise to throw the beanbag
into the right pot every time he rolls the dice. But as you play the
game over and over his recognition of numbers will become
easier and easier as will his skill in getting the beanbag into the
correct pot. An added benefit to playing this game is the fact that
your child will actually be adding numbers together as he counts
the spots on both dice.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Dice

Six or twelve pots and pans

Small pieces of paper

A magic marker

Tape

A bean bag or small soft ball

ACTIVITY STEPS

1. Count the dots on each of the six sides of one of the dice

2. Write the numbers 1 to 6 on separate pieces of paper

3. Tape one of the numbers to each one of six pots

4. Roll one of the dice and match the number that comes up to
the printed number on the pot

5. Stand a few feet away from the pots which you have placed on
the floor and see if your pre-schooler can throw the beanbag in
the pot that has the number on it that matches the spots on the
dice

6. Continue playing the game taking turns with your child to see
who can match the most numbers as the dice are rolled

------
Get more free activites to do with your child. Visit
www.preschoolplay.com. Also, check out our great new "Just for
Mom's page!" Join our free newsletter at
http://www.preschoolplay.com

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Get Ready for Fall Fun!

By Deborah Shelton

Put down the remote control and get ready for some
serious fall fun with your family:

* Go for a nature walk! Collect leaves, small twigs, nuts,
colorful rocks and other items to decorate for fall.

* Decorate a wooden or papier-mâché picture frame with
found treasures from your nature walk.

* Practice letter and number recognition with a leaf hunt.
Trace and cut leaf or pumpkin shapes from orange
construction paper. Make 26 shapes, one for each letter of
the alphabet. Write a letter in uppercase on one side, and
its lowercase match on the opposite side. Place the leaves
in various places around a room: propped against pictures,
on bookshelves, windows, etc. Make different games: Call
out random letters and ask your child to find them; cut out
pictures from magazines and ask the children to find the
letters that spell that word. This game can be adapted for
any season or holiday. For instance, use hearts for
Valentine's Day, clovers for St. Patrick's Day, and so on.

* Collect coats, warm clothing, blankets, and food items to
donate to homeless shelters and emergency relief shelters.
Winter is right around the corner, making this a much-
welcomed and appreciated gesture.

* Make leaf pictures. Draw an autumn scene on a piece of
construction paper. Outline your picture with glue and
sprinkle crushed leaves on top to decorate.

* Load the family into the car and visit a pumpkin patch!
Spend time choosing just the right pumpkins: different
shapes and sizes, some for carving, and some for painting.

* Fill the house with pumpkin heads! Decorate miniature
pumpkins with paint, markers, glue, googly eyes, and yarn
for hair. Anything goes!

* Make feeders for squirrels and birds. Make simple pine
cone feeders by spreading a mixture of suet and birdseed
onto a pine cone. Tie a piece of string to the cone and
suspend it from a low tree branch. For a different type of
feeder, fill a small wicker basket with nuts, seeds and
corn feed, and attach it to a tree in your yard.

About the Author:
Deborah Shelton is the author of The Five Minute Parent:
Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones. Visit
The Five Minute Parent for fun rainy-day activities, family
links, and a free email newsletter filled with craft ideas,
guest articles, contests and so much more!
http://www.fiveminuteparent.com

This article provided by the Family Content Archives

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Halloween Painted Rocks

by Amanda Formaro
http://familycorner.com

If you are looking for some inexpensive, easy crafts for your kids this
Halloween,
head out to your backyard to start the fun. Have the kids hunt around
for different
shaped rocks. Long, slender rocks for ghosts, oval shapes for spiders,
and just about
any stout rock will make a great pumpkin!

PUMPKIN

stout, roundish rock
orange tempura paint
black marker
small amount of raffia
3-4 silk leaves
tacky or hot glue
3/4" piece of green chenille stick
bits of Kleenex tissue

You've found one! To enter the Awesome Autumn Scavenger Hunt, click
here!
The texture of the rock for the pumpkin can be smooth, bumpy, or even
jagged,
as was in our case. Before you begin, stand the rock up in the position
you would
like it to be when your craft is complete. Ours was a little tricky, we
just leveled
him off using the raffia and tissue.

Paint the rock orange and let it dry. Using a black marker, draw on
pumpkin's face.
Glue silk leaves to the bottom of your pumpkin. Using bits of Kleenex
for leveling and
bunches of raffia, glue rock onto "straw bed". Top off your pumpkin
rock with green
chenille for the stem by folding in half and gluing on top of pumpkin's
head.

GHOST

long, slender rock
white tempura paint
black marker
handful of cotton batting
tacky or hot glue
white glitter glue

Paint rock white and let dry. Draw face onto ghost with black marker.
Glue cotton
batting to the bottom of the rock to give the appearance of a ghostly
trail following
him. Smear white glitter glue down the sides of the ghost.

SPIDER

oval rock
black tempura paint
pair of wiggle eyes
6-8 12"-long black chenille sticks
red glitter glue
small piece of paper plate or white paper
scissors
tacky or hot glue

Paint rock black and let dry. Wrap chenille sticks around body to
secure legs
in place. Bend sticks to form legs. Glue chenille sticks in place on
the bottom
of the rock. Glue on two wiggle eyes. Cut little fangs from paper plate
or paper
and, using red glitter glue, glue onto rock-face, underneath wiggle
eyes. use
red glitter glue to create a few drops of blood on fangs and paint
around mouth
to finish up.

Editor's Note: Be sure to keep these cute crafts out of the reach of
small children
under the age of 3 years. Wiggle eyes can be easily removed and
swallowed, or
worse yet, choked upon.

Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children.
She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at
http://familycorner.com
where you will find recipes, crafts, family activities, parenting
advice, home & garden, and plenty more. Be sure to visit
the bustling message board community to make some new friends!

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Halloween Pages

Halloween pages on Heart of the Home site and blogs:

Happy Halloween (15 Halloween articles)
http://www.angelfire.com/rings/ladypp/
happyhalloween.html

Getting Great Pictures of the Kids
This Halloween
http://ladyppparty.blogdrive.com/
archive/18.html

Quick And Easy Halloween Decorations
http://ladyppparty.blogdrive.com/
archive/17.html

GLOWING GOBLINS
http://ladyppparty.blogdrive.com/
archive/12.html

Savoring the Season
http://ladyppparty.blogdrive.com/
archive/10.html

Have a Fun, Frugal Halloween!
http://ladyppheartofhome.blogspot.com/
2004/10/have-fun-frugal-halloween.html

Fun & Healthy Halloween Treats
http://ladyppparty.blogdrive.com/
archive/19.html

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Trick or Treating Safety

by Samantha Olea

Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids and adults alike, so
its important that we take some precautions to keep it that way!
Here's my list of trick or treating tips for your family.

Wear comfortable shoes!!
Carry a flashlight
Wear something with a reflector on it (you can even find reflector
tape and paint at your local home improvement store.
Go out before dark-especially for little ones. The big kids tend to
flood the streets later at night making it hard for little ones to
trick or treat.
Never go into a strangers house, even if they ask you to come in
while they go and get some candy.
Throw away all homemade or unwrapped treats. I know some people work
hard on making great home made treats, but in this day and age its
not worth the risk!
When walking down the street, have the adult walk closest to the
road, and the children closest to the houses.
Do not run ahead of the adults-its very easy for children to get
carried away and accidentally run into the road.
Do not pet strange animals while trick or treating. Though you
really shouldn't ever pet someone's animal with out being invited to
do so, you especially shouldn't during trick or treating where your
costume or other costumes may be irritating or confusing to the
animal.
Do not eat candy as you go.
Always be nice, even when people do not have any candy to give out.
Do not knock on doors where the lights are off.
Watch where you step!
Have a plan before you start. If you are walking in an unfamiliar
neighborhood, it is easy to get lost.
When you approach a treat giving house, make sure to yell "Trick or
Treat!" very loudly!
When you get home, check all of the candy before allowing children
to eat any of it.
You are looking for:
-old worn wrappers
-torn wrappers (even with the smallest hole)
-home made treats
-unwrapped treats
-toys with small parts that may be a chocking hazard
-money (change)
-fruit
-any candy that looks like it may have been tampered with.
-for small children, remove any hard candies. They tend to become
slick once in the mouth and can quickly become a choking hazard.
-lickable stamps
-glass or sharp objects

If you find any of the above mentioned items, its best to discard
them-trust me, there will still be plenty of treats to go around
afterwards!!

Have a safe and Fun Halloween-and take lots of pictures!

Samantha Olea is a designer, business woman, wife, and most of all
Mother of 2! Samantha founded a free parenting resource at
http://TheBestMoms.com hoping to help every mom be the very best mom
they can be! Samantha is also the owner of her own web design,
graphic design, and hosting firm at : http://getwrappedup.com and
AWU Gifts: http://Gifts.GetWrappedUp.com , where she helps Moms work
from their homes.

Creative Costumes for Halloween

By Amanda Formaro

As the years have come and gone, parents and children have become
more and more creative in selecting costumes, from the adorable to
the unusual. Here are a few to choose from!

Check out our homemade face paint here!
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=4467

Flower

green or brown hooded sweatsuit
2 sheets yellow or white posterboard
green felt
2 plastic headbands
craft glue
small stuffed bumble bee

From posterboard, cut out petals. From green felt, cut out long leaves.
Glue petals to one headband and glue green felt leaves to the other
headband.
Put petal headband on head and leaf headband around neck. Glue a small
stuffed bumble bee to sweatshirt. You can fashion one from felt or
posterboard.

Fisherman

flannel shirt
blue jeans
lief jacket
rubber boots
fishing pole (real or made from a stick or branch)
floppy fishing hat
cardboard
silver spray paint
black marker
12" piece of yarn
hole punch

Cut four fish out of cardboard. Spray paint silver on both sides, let
dry.
Use marker to draw an "X" in place of the fish's eyes. Punch hole near
mouth of each fish and string from a piece of yarn. Carry fishing pole
in
hand and sling fish over shoulder.

Artist

red beret or other hat
cardboard
craft paint in several colors
cape or smock
paint brush

Have child wear hat tipped sideways. Draw on a black mustache with
eyeliner or face paint. Cut out an artist's paint palette from
cardboard.
Paint five or six circles in different colors around palette. Hot glue
paint
brush onto palette or hold in hand.

Firefighter

Yellow or red raincoat
rubber boots (yellow, red or basic black)
toy fire hat
cardboard
aluminum foil
stuffed Dalmatian toy

Make an axe out of cardboard and aluminum foil. Get dressed and carry
puppy!

Farmer

flannel shirt
overalls
galoshes
straw hat or baseball cap
plastic pitchfork (or fashion from cardboard)
stuffed pig or chicken

Very simple, just get dressed! Carry pitchfork and stuffed farm animal.

Tired Woman

well-worn nightgown
well-worn terry bathrobe
big fuzzy slippers
curlers
plastic coffee mug

Get dressed. Put curlers in child's hair. Have her carry a coffee mug
and
hang a sign around her neck that says "I'm Not a Morning Person!"

Pretzel

brown hooded sweatsuit
dark brown tights
cotton batting or old pillow stuffing
hot glue
white packing peanuts

Stuff tights with cotton batting or pillow stuffing. Fold into a
pretzel shape
and hot glue in place. Use white packing peanuts as salt and hot glue
on.

Teletubbies

red, blue, yellow or green hooded sweatsuit
2 matching colored chenille sticks
plastic headband
thin cardboard
silver spray paint

Twist chenille sticks onto headband for antennas. Paint child's face
same color as sweatsuit. Cut a tummy sized square of cardboard and
spray one side with silver paint, let dry. Glue to tummy of sweatsuit.

Pizza Slice

2 sheets of red, yellow or orange poster board
yellow, green, red, and brown construction paper OR craft paint

Cut the posterboard into 2 pie shapes (triangle). Then on one side of
each piece, glue on red circles for pepperoni, brown splotches for
sausage,
green squares for green peppers, and yellow strips for cheese. You can
use
pieces of posterboard or construction paper, or you can paint them on.
Then when you are done, use some more posterboard to connect the two
slices, by cutting two long strips and attaching them to the wide end
of the
slice and draping them over the child's shoulders (imagine those signs
that
people where in the city streets, the walking billboards of
yesteryear). Pizza!

Patch of Dandelions

green sweatpants or leggings
light blue sweat shirt
yellow felt
big yellow buttons
green felt
white pompoms
cotton batting or cotton balls

Cut leaves out of green felt and glue or stitch onto green pants. Cut
yellow felt into circles, slitting them to make fringe around the
edges.
Hand stitch on over green leaves with big yellow buttons. Hand sew
white pompoms on to make dandelions that have gone to seed. Glue
cotton batting or cotton balls onto blue shirt for clouds. Cut a large
yellow circle from felt for the sun.

Bubble Bath

white sweatsuit
small white balloons
shower cap
bath scrubby (with rope to hang from wrist)
rubber ducky

Pin small white balloons all over shirt. Put on shower cap, hang
bath scrubby from wrist and carry a rubber ducky or glue him to
the shoulder of the shirt.

Bag of Jelly Beans (or gumballs)

clear plastic bag (dry cleaning bags are great)
balloons, several different colors
bright colored scarf
white posterboard
black marker
craft glue

Have child step into bag to make holes for the legs and arms. Fill
bag with balloons use a bright scarf to tie around the top of the bag.
Cut a square of posterboard to create a sign that says "Jelly Beans
5¢".
Glue it to the front of the bag.

M&M

black sweatsuit
2 pieces of cardboard
craft or spray paint, any color of M&M's
black craft paint or markers
heavy duty string

Cut two large circles out of cardboard. Paint. Draw or paint on "m&m"
onto both circles. Use heavy duty string to attach the 2 pieces
together
and hang over shoulders, sign style.

Table for One

cardboard
red checkerboard table cloth
play dishes
play food
silk flowers
plastic headband

Cut cardboard into a circle, cut out a hold for your head. Put head
into
hole and rest on your shoulders. Cover with a red checkerboard
tablecloth.
Make your head into a centerpiece by gluing silk flowers to the
headband.
Glue play dishes and play food onto the table, add accessories (salt
and
pepper shakers, napkins, menu, etc.).

Mr. Potato Head

black sweatsuit
burlap bag
old shirt or rags
white felt
black felt
red felt
peach felt
brown felt
Velcro fasteners
fiber fill
red clown shoes
white gloves

Fill the burlap bag with old shirts or rags. Using felt, cut out the
eyes
(black and white), nose (peach), mouth (red), and mustache (brown).
Attach Velcro to the backs of the pieces of felt. Use fiberfill to
stuff each
parts. Attach the Velcro backs to the suit.

King & Queen of Hearts

4 pieces of white posterboard
2 pieces of cardboard (from nylon package)
gold spray paint
red lipstick

Draw the King of Hearts face on one side of the white posterboard, then
just hearts on back side. Put a strap (scrap of material) stapling the
two
posters to fit over child's head on to their shoulder. Make gold crown
out
of nylon cardboard. Put a heart of lipstick on child's cheek. Repeat
for the Queen.

Grapes

purple or green sweatsuit
purple or green balloons
double-sided tape or adhesive Velcro circles
chenille sticks or raffia

Stick balloons to clothing. If using tape, twist it around tied-off end
of balloon
and crimp tightly onto clothing. Velcro circles come apart. Each half
can be
attached to a balloon and the clothing. Make a "stem" by twisting
together
brown and green pipe cleaners or raffia and attach to hat. This works
best
as an indoor party outfit and should not be worn by children under five
--
balloons are a choking hazard.

Grape Vine

brown sweatsuit
brown shoes
double sided tape
purple balloons

Cover your body with double sided sticky tape. Then fill up purple
balloons
and attach the balloons to the double sided tape. You may use a garbage
bag tie to attach the balloon to the double sided tape. This is
preferred if
you are going outside in the wind.

A Highway

black sweatsuit
yellow craft paint or yellow tape
small plastic toy cars

Paint two solid yellow lines down the middle of the shirt, or use 2
inch pieces
of yellow tape. Glue on plastic cars.

Laundry Basket

hooded sweatsuit, any color
small round laundry basket
string
odd socks
armful of clothing
empty detergent bottle
empty fabric softener bottle

Cut a hole in the bottom of the laundry basket to fit to child's body.
Attach
twin strings to act as suspenders to hold the basket up. Fill it with
clothes
and empty detergent bottles.

Static Cling

Mismatched clothes
safety pins
dryer sheets
socks
small towels
hair gel

Wear any kind of mismatched clothes, pin one pant leg up, pin dryer
sheets on
you as well as socks, small towels, etc. Use hair gel to make your hair
look like
it has static.

Punk rocker

black pants
leather jacket
colored hair spray
sunglasses
hair gel
hair spray

Use hair gel and hair spray to tease hair into crazy spikes. Color.

Priest

black pants
black button-down shirt
black shoes
white posterboard
rosary
bible

Create a priest's collar from white posterboard and insert into front
collar
area of shirt. Works best if you use a shirt that has the same type of
self-faced
collar as priests wear, or you could tuck under the collar points for a
similar
effect. Add rosary and bible. Especially a cute costume for a boy who
is
constantly in trouble!

Crayon

any color sweatsuit
matching color construction paper or posterboard
black marker

Paint the word "crayon" sideways in black, and use the same color
construction
paper to make your pointed hat. Staple a string on it and tie it under
your neck
to keep it secure, you can paint your face the same color too.

Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children.
She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at
http://familycorner.com
where you will find recipes, crafts, family activities, parenting
advice, home & garden, and plenty more. Be sure to visit
the bustling message board community to make some new friends!

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Cooking with Kids: Halloween Treats

Spooky Eye Treats:

Make Rice Krispie Treats. The directions are on the cereal box. Form
into balls, about 1 or 2 inches across. Use a round candy for the iris
and dot the candy with frosting or gel for the pupil

Nasty Spider Cake:

1 Cake mix
1 pk Green Jell-O prepared
Black frosting
8 Licorice sticks
8 Gumdrops

Take your average cake mix. Bake it up in 2 metal bowls--1 bigger
than the other. Once unmolded, cut the bigger one (the "body") in
half, horizontally. CAREFULLY scoop out an adequate cavity in each
half. FILL with well-whipped set green Jell-O, and reattach the
halves. Frost black, arrange on serving platter. Use licorice sticks as
legs. Use 2 BIG green gumdrops and 6 little ones as eyes. When the
cake is cut into, it spurts green goop, just like a real spider when
stepped on.

Candy Banana Ghosts:

Peel a banana. Cut in half and remove the strings. Melt some
almond bark in the microwave (about a minute). Insert a Popsicle
stick into each banana half and dunk into the melted white
chocolate. Leave on wax paper to cool. Once cooled have the kids
make faces with black frosting on the candied banana.

Jell-O Eyes:

Cool Whip whipped topping
Blueberries or raisins
Any red color gelatin

Make Jell-O in small cups, and set until ready. Place one scoop of Cool
Whip in each cup. Place a berry or raisin on top for the pupil of the
eye.
You can use red food color to draw blood lines in the Cool Whip..
like blood shot eyes.

Swamp Jell-O:

Make a green colored gelatin in small plastic cups. When partially set
add gummy worms.

Witch Hat Cookies:

1 package fudge striped cookies
1 orange decorating frosting
1 package Hershey Kisses

Turn the Cookies upside down squeeze frosting onto and around the hole
of the cookie.

Place the Kiss over the hole.

Spider Cookies:

Oreo or other sandwich cookies
Black string Licorice
Small tube of white icing
tiny cinnamon candies

Cut the licorice into 2 inch pieces. Open up each
cookie carefully so it doesn't break. Place the "legs"
on the frosting so they will be sticking out past the
cookie. Replace the cookie top and press gently.
Put two drops of frosting on the cookie, and place
a cinnamon candy on top of that. You can also
draw a face.

Monday, October 18, 2004

Movie Review: New York Minute

ASIN: B00005JMXO
Starring: Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen
Director: Denie Gordon

I've watched Mary-Kate and Ashley grow up on television, and expand
into a marketable brand of good, old-fashioned wholesome fun. So I
was a little worried when I watched previews of them running down the
street in nothing more than a towel. Had they really grown up that
much? Were they moving away from being known as the "good girls?"

In a world that finds s-e-x, violence, and rude comical scenes the
best way to make a buck, I was a little disappointed to find New York
Minute using a few of these tactics to help sell this film.

But once you get past the "iffy" scenes (and they really are mild),
New York Minute becomes a cute film about two sisters who forgot what
it was like to be sisters, let alone friends, and through many
misfortunes find their way back to each other. In fact, they learn a
few life lessons along the way.

The outrageous antics that take place in this film won't happen in
real life, but that's okay because our children get enough of real
life on a daily basis. If you're a girl and you're between the ages
of 9 and 13, you'll find this film fun to watch.

Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum.com–where BUSY
parents find balance (http://thedabblingmum.com). She is also the
author of several work-from-home e-books, including one that allows
parents to earn $50 in two hours without joining an MLM or home party
business.

Book Review: One Incredible Dog! Lady

By: Chris Williams
Illustrated By: Judith Friedman
ISBN: 0-9724853-3-3
6 High Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 54
Warwick, NY 10990-0054
845-987-7750
dtinney@moopress.com
http://www.moopress.com

All I can say is fantastic! One Incredible Dog! Lady is a real
treat. The illustrations are done in charcoal sketches which is
great because they don't take away from the important lesson the
author is trying to get out, but at the same time, compliments the
book, beautifully.

In a world where life can sometimes be hectic, and often about self,
it's nice to read a children's book that offers hope while teaching
children the importance of reaching out and touching the lives of
others.

Lady is, indeed, an incredible dog. Her gentle nature nurtures many
back to health through playful acts, but more importantly Lady
reminds us that sometimes, all we need to do is be there for the ones
we love.

While I understand that dogs like Lady don't come by easily, it would
be a blessing if every hospital in the United States could have at
least one such dog on staff!

Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum.com–where BUSY
parents find balance (http://thedabblingmum.com). She is also the
author of several work-from-home e-books, including one that allows
parents to earn $50 in two hours without joining an MLM or home party
business.

Book Review:So What, Saw-Whet?

By Rochelle Frank
ISBN: 0-9746792-0-8
Hummingbird Mountain Press
P.O. Box 127
Midpines, CA 95345
http://hummingbirdmountain.com/
hummingbirdmountain@sti.net

Review 10/15/04

Young children are often fascinated with birds: wondering what they
can do, what they eat, and how they live. But many books on the
subject can be "too much book" for small children, leaving their
curiosities left unanswered. In So What, Saw-Whet, the author holds
a conversation with the owl, itself—leaving children wanting to know
what the owl is going to say next.

My son has been intrigued with the lifestyles of animals ever since
he could walk, so when I heard about So What, Saw-Whet? I just had to
read the book. It's a very cute, simple book that teaches young
children the truth about Saw-Whet owls in a way that isn't
overwhelming or complicated.

The pictures are fantastic! Up close and personal, full of rich
detail, and very lively. What a wonderful match!

Alyice Edrich is the editor of The Dabbling Mum.com–where BUSY
parents find balance (http://thedabblingmum.com). She is also the
author of several work-from-home e-books, including one that allows
parents to earn $50 in two hours without joining an MLM or home party
business.

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Halloween Safety - Old Tricks and New Tips

Julie Joyce
Family Safety 101
http://www.FamilySafety101.com

Well it's that ghoulish time of year again.
Halloween is a fun, creative and adventurous
holiday. However, unlike other holidays,
Halloween can inspire activities and behaviors
which are dangerous, destructive and sometimes
cruel. Here are some old tricks and new tips to
help you and your children to have a spooky
but safe Halloween.

# 1 - Home Safety Tips:
Evaluate your home inside and outside for
fire safety hazards and accidental injury
hazards. Halloween decorations should not be
assembled or operated in a way that will create
a fire risk or accidental injury. Electrical or
candle lit decorations should be monitored
and maintained safely. Keep obstructions
away from the path that will be used by
trick-or-treaters.

# 2 - Costume Safety Tips:
Choose costumes using care and common
sense. Despite annual reminders, many
children are outfitted with dangerous
apparel. Children should not wear costumes
or accessories that will obstruct their
view, especially their peripheral vision.
Costumes should also not have sections
that could restrict movement or create a
tripping hazard. Any costume props should
be avoided if they could create an injury
hazard.

If you decide to skip the mask and
use face paints, make sure that they
are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and safe
for children.

Do your best to choose flame resistant
costumes. Many homes may have candle
lit pumpkin decorations that could become
a fire hazard to flowing costumes. Make sure
that your child knows to "stop/drop/roll"
if their costume catches on fire.

# 3 - Neighborhood Safety Tips:
As ghosts, goblins and other creatures
converge upon the streets in your town,
do your best to be extra careful while
driving. Children may be wearing costumes
that obstruct their view or create a tripping
hazard. Do your best to keep a watchful
and careful eye as you travel about.

# 4 - Trick-or-treating Safety Tips:
It is a good idea to feed the kids before
venturing out. This will reduce the risk
that they will try to eat some treats before
you have a chance to inspect them for
tampering or other concerns. Make it clear
to your kids that NO treats should be eaten
before you inspect them.

Children should not trick-or-treat without
adult supervision. Halloween can bring out
some ghoulish bullies and behaviors. Your
supervision helps to protect your child from
adult predators, bully pranksters and
potential accidents.

Check with you local town management
to make sure that you are complying with the
authorized trick-or-treat time schedule.
It is best to trick-or-treat only during daylight
hours. However, if you expect to be out after
dusk make sure that your trick-or-treaters
are carrying flashlights, lighted necklaces,
reflective shoes and or reflective clothing.

Plan a safe route for your children. Stay on
well lit blocks that you are familiar with.
Cross streets at corners when traffic is clear.
Avoid alleys, backyard short cuts and
unpopulated areas. Only approach the front
door of homes that are well lit. Children should
never go into a stranger's home to get a treat.
This creates a dangerous situation.

Children should not approach or touch
people's pets along the route. If approached
by a mean looking dog, children should be
told to stay still and act like tree. This will
hopefully cause the dog to lose interest
in the children.

Make sure that you dispose of any treats
that are questionable or unsafe for your
child. It is also wise to ration out the treats
in a limited fashion to reduce the risk
of serious tooth decay. The real fun is
in getting the treats, not eating them.

# 5 - Unacceptable behaviors, tricks and dangers:
It is not unusual for someone (even adults)
to wear a mask that conceals their identity
on Halloween. This creates a frightening
opportunity for a child abductor to approach
and abduct a child that is not accompanied
by an adult. It also makes it more difficult
to describe an abductor who is wearing a
Halloween mask. This is another important
reason for children to be adequately supervised
while trick-or-treating.

It is also possible that children could be
approached by a stranger in a car. They
should follow the everyday safety rule:
never go into anyone's car without your
parent's permission.

Make it clear to your children that it is not
acceptable behavior for them to engage in any
pranks that damage or vandalize anyone's
property. They should also understand that
they should never play cruel tricks on
younger children or be cruel to animals.
How will they know that you do not approve
of this behavior if you never tell them?

Have a happy and SAFE Halloween!

About the Author:
Julie Joyce (the "Super Safety Mom") is a
Child and Family Safety Expert, committed to
teaching parents how to protect their kids.
She is the Editor of FamilySafety101.com and
the "Family Safety Alert" newsletter. Go to:
http://www.FamilySafety101.com
for F-r-e-e copies of Julie's Family Safety Book,
Child ID Kits & other safety resources.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Movie Review-Scooby Doo2: Monsters Unleashed

Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
ASIN: B0002B1628

Alyice—
Scooby Doo2: Monsters Unleashed
What's not to love about a dog that is not only funny, but smart
enough to talk and understand humans? Except, perhaps, the crazy
antics of the Mystery Ink Gang.

As a child, I often found myself excited to flip through the channels
and land on a Scooby Doo cartoon. But it wasn't until I became a
parent that I was able to appreciate the characters: friends who
never allowed their differences to keep them from being friends.
They always managed to build upon each other's strengths and
weaknesses.

So I was a little sad to find the beginning of the movie starting
with petty jealousies that ended years of lifelong friendships. And
yet, the differentiation from the cartoons did have its good points.
It was nice to see Daphne able to take care of herself for a change.
And even nicer to see Velma interested in a man other than Freddie.
But I think the best part was when Scooby Doo and Shaggy learned that
while they may screw up from time to time, they are great detectives,
just like their counterparts. Who said a Scooby Doo film doesn't
have anything to teach our youth?

Overall, I have to say Scooby Doo2 is worth the money. Scooby Doo2
is good, clean fun for the whole family. It'll have you laughing,
and giggling with your kids for days.

Alyice Edrich is the author of several work from home e-books, and
the editor-in-chief of a national publication for BUSY parents.
Subscribe to her free e-newsletter at
http://thedabblingmum.com/joinezine.htm to win a free book!

---
Nico, age 13—
This was a really funny movie. It was better than the first. The
comedy was very funny in the somewhat unrealistic or Scooby-Dooish
way. It brought back some classic monsters, and a couple just for
laughs. Ruben, the guest star, was a great addition in my book.

MyKaela, age 9—
Scooby Doo2 is cool, and scary-y-y-y (in a fun way). Scooby Doo is
my favorite cartoon. I watch Scooby Doo all the time so I just had
to watch Scooby Doo2. I think it is a funny family movie, especially
the deleted scenes. I think they are sometimes the funniest part of
the movie.

MyKaela is a child entrepreneur and author. Read more of her reviews
at: http://mykaelaedrich.com

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Games for Promoting Your Child's Motor Development

Rae Pica

If a child is having fun while moving, that child is far more likely
to want to keep moving. What he doesn't realize is that he's also
practicing his movement skills!
Following are activities that help promote the development of
locomotor (traveling) skills:

* In and Around. There's nothing like an obstacle course to provide
practice with any number of skills, including crawling, creeping,
walking, and jumping. Additionally, an obstacle course will offer
your child valuable experience with prepositions such as over,
under, around, and through. Depending on your child's level of
development (you can even use obstacle courses with babies who are
only creeping), set up a course using large empty boxes to move
through, chairs or other pieces of furniture big enough to move
under, jump ropes to move over, or small items to move around. Then
lead your child through the maze. Every time you play this game,
you can arrange the objects differently and even give them different
purposes. For instance, if the jump rope was originally lying on
the floor for leaping or jumping over, you can later suspend it
between two pieces of furniture for creeping under.
* Chasing Bubbles. Want to give children a reason to run and jump?
Take them outside and invite them to catch the bubbles you blow!
They'll let you know when they're tired – but until then, keep on
blowing.
* Jump! Place your child on the bottom of a set of steps – or on
the edge of a low sandbox or a curb, for instance – and stand facing
her. Hold out your arms and encourage her to jump. Repeat the
process as long as she stays interested. When she's ready for
something a bit higher, use sturdy plastic crate or something
similar.
* Ring-around-the-Rosy. If there are at least three people
available (two children and an adult), play this traditional game
for practice with sliding – and sitting. It also offers experience
with the spatial concepts of around and down.
* Follow the Leader. This game offers a great opportunity for
practice of various motor skills. Even if it's just you and your
child, the game is plenty of fun. Just lead the way around the
living room or backyard, performing as many different locomotor
skills as you know your child can replicate. Don't' forget to vary
your movements with the elements of movement, changing direction,
level, pathway, speed, force, and body shape. And you can
incorporate both bound flow and nonlocomotor skills into the game by
occasionally stopping and performing, say, a stretch, bend, twist,
or shake.
* Traffic Lights. For this game you'll need three large pieces of
paper or cardboard – one red, one green, and one yellow. When you
hold up the green paper, the children walk. (You can play this game
with one or several children.) When you hold up the yellow, they
walk in place. At the sight of the red, they stop and wait. Start
with walking until they get the hang of it. Then play it with any
other locomotor skills they can perform.
* In and Out. Place one plastic hoop per child on the floor or
ground. Then invite the children to jump in and out of the hoop,
all the way around. When the children are able to hop, invite them
to hop in and out. (The best way to help your child learn to hop is
to hold her hand and hop right alongside her.)
* Tag with a Twist. A game of tag is a great way to get children to
practice both running and dodging. To be sure the latter is
involved, gradually reduce the available area in which the children
can play!

Rae Pica is a children's movement specialist and author of Your
Active Child: How to Promote Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive
Development through Age-Appropriate Activity (McGraw-Hill, 2003).
Rae speaks to parent and education groups throughout North America.
You can visit her and read more articles at
www.movingandlearning.com.

Thursday, October 07, 2004

DISPLAY YOUR TREASURES

TEACHING OBJECTIVE/BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

This is a great time of the year to look for treasures of nature in
your neighbourhood. As the season changes so do the items
you find outside. Explain to your preschooler what is happening
as the leaves change colors and fall off the trees, the summer
flowers die and fall flowers begin to bloom, nuts and seeds are
swept off the trees, and the grass begins to turn brown. Look for
the beauty of the season as you help your child collect items to
take home. When you help her make a simple case in which to
display her treasures she will have lots of opportunity to use her
small motor skills. Be sure to point out to her which items are
heavy and which are light. You will be giving her a number of
lessons in science as you do this activity with her.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

A bag or basket
An empty cereal box
Tape
Scissors
Glue
Paper
Markers or crayons

ACTIVITY STEPS

1. Suggest taking a walk around your neighbourhood to collect
nature's treasures your child might find

2. Give her a bag or basket to put small items in as you go -
things like pretty colored leaves and flowers or weeds, a special
rock, different kinds of nuts and seeds, feathers, etc.

3. Back home look at each item, talk about each one, decide
where it might have come from, how it could be used to nourish
animals or trees or grass, what people might do with the item,
etc.

4. Using the empty cereal box make a display case for your
treasures - glue the cover shut and cover the box with plain
paper - carefully cut one large side out and reinforce any week
parts with tape inside the empty shell

5. Ask your child to decorate the sides of the display case with
markers or crayons

6. Glue your collected treasures inside the box - put the heavier
ones on or near the bottom and the lighter ones higher in the box

7. When finished place your treasure box in an appropriate place
to show others as they come to your home

------
Get more free activites to do with your child. Visit
www.preschoolplay.com. Also, check out our great new "Just for
Mom's page!" Join our free newsletter at
http://www.preschoolplay.com

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

What Grandparents Must Know About Driving the Grandkids

by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach

One of the greatest joys of grandparenting is taking the
grandkids for an outing, yes?

And of course you buckle them into their car seats. But
even the best car seat on the market can't protect the
grandkids in case of an accident, so there's one other thing
you need to be doing.

Driver error has been documented to contribute to over 90%
of collisions. Your distractibility is crucial, and once
again one of our best technological advances has proven to
be a very mixed blessing. You might even say a very mixed
curse.

And what is that?

It's the conversation you're having with your friend about
the party next week. Or the quick call to verify directions
or to say you're running late. Or worst yet, an intense
argument with your spouse. ON THE CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

It doesn't matter whether it's hand-held or mounted, and it
doesn't matter whether you're dialing, chatting, intensely
relating, or hanging up. It's dangerous.

And before you read these statistics, you need to know that
according to the National Public Services Research Institute
for AAA, the distraction effect is 2-3 times greater for
drivers over the age of 50 using their cell phones. And
this refers to all tasks - placing calls, simple
conversations, and complex conversations. They increase
response time by 33-38%, and aging affects response time to
begin with.

According to the Fatal Analysis Reporting System, in one
analysis of fatal accidents involving cell phone use, the
cell phone-using drivers were all in what's called "the
striking vehicle." This means they either hit a stationary
object, or left their lane of traffic and struck a vehicle
or obstacle. In these crashes, 75% of the drivers were
engaged in conversation, 13% were dialing, and 13% were
hanging up.

And worse yet - of those engaged in conversation, 1/3 were
using mounted phones in the hands-free mode.

Risk of collision when using a cell is 4 times higher
regardless of your age, driving experience, of experience
with a cell phone, and - get this: the hands-free units
offer no safety advantage.

People using cell phones simply take longer to react, and
miss things that would allow them to avoid collisions. Even
when not at-fault, cell users were unable to avoid
collisions with others because they were distracted.

Your cell phone records can and will be subpoened in case of
a lawsuit involving an accident, by the way.

So why not, when you strap the grandkids into their car
seats, lay the cell phone down on the floor beside them and
turn off the ringer?

Cell phones are great for productivity and personal safety.
Just make sure you aren't using yours to call the EMS after
a car accident caused by the fact you were using yours while
driving.

Go here http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/phon-ndx.htm for tips
for safe cell phone use in the car (if there is such a
thing).

With statistics like this, can legislation be far behind?
But do you need legislation to do what's right?

©Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach,
http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching, Internet courses, and
ebooks around emotional intelligence for your personal and
professional development. Susan is the author of
"Midlife Dating Survival Manual for Women." For free
EQ ezine, mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc with "ezine" for SL.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Crafting with Kids: Leaf crafts

Leaf transfers: Place a leaf on a piece of white paper. Cover with another piece of paper and roll gently with a brayer or press against the paper. This will transfer the dyes in the leafs to the paper. (this does not work with all leaves)

Ink pad leaf: Carefully pat a leaf on an orange, yellow, brown or rust ink pad. Gently lift up the leaf and press the inked leaf on a piece of construction paper.

Powder leaf: Paint the back of a leaf with thinned white glue. Press leaf gently onto a piece of construction paper. Lift up quickly. Place construction paper on a piece of plastic film and sprinkle with choice of yellow, orange, rust or brown dried tempera paint powder. Shake off excess powder onto the plastic film and return to bottle.

Wax paper leaf: Place leaf in a wax paper bag. An adult places the paper bag between two pieces of cloth and presses with an iron until wax has sealed the leaf. Kids cut out the leaf and uses for mobiles or a picture collage.

Leaf rubbings: Place the leaf under a piece of paper. Carefully rub over only the leaf area with a crayon. This transfers pattern of the leaf to the paper.

Leaf critters: Glue a leaf to piece of construction paper. Using crayons, markers or color pencils create a creature or a kid by drawing on head, legs, arms, tails, etc.

Gilded leafs: You will need a sturdy leaf for this project. On a piece of wax paper lightly spray one side of the leaf with spray adhesive. Place the tacky side of the leaf on top of a sheet of metal leaf (found at craft stores in gold, copper and other colors). Carefully tear excess gold leaf paper from your leaf. Run a soft brush along the edges to remove flakes.

Heart of the Family