Parenting

Why Hands-On Learning Is Best For Young Children

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Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed the provided product. All opinions are my own. Affiliate link included. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “hands-on-learning” in a conversation about education for children. Children are created to use their senses in learning. Whether a child is developing at a normal pace or if they’re developmentally delayed, sensory learning is the best method. Babies naturally put things in their mouth to investigate objects. Later on, babies/toddlers manipulate objects in their hands. This type of learning is play. Playing is learning. Young children need objects to engage with and people to engage with. They learn by observation, but even more if they are touching the objects. Early childhood education experts know this and focus on these types of learning experiences for children. This can also be referred to as experiential learning. Many preschools and daycare centers have an early childhood education specialist who designs the curriculum plans. When a child is at home, parents are just as equipped to provide hands-on-learning for their child. This is a natural way to help your baby and toddler play and learn. Children love playing with regular household objects, such as pots, pans, and a spoon. They love the loud sounds that they can make banging away. Toddlers love playing in the tub with plastic scoops and buckets. Filling up the scoops and then pouring them out teaches them and it’s fun. Parents have unlimited choices when they want to buy a toy for their child. All toys will teach the child something. Some toys are more educational than others, but they’re all designed to teach something. One of my favorite hands-on toy is a flannel felt board. The Tod City Flannel Story Board is one of the cutest learning toys I’ve seen. Flannel boards have been around for decades. I remember enjoying playing with one of these when I was a young child. It made an impression on me and I loved creating different stories with the little felt objects. This Flannel Felt Story Board is a 25 piece set with a large flannel board. The large background board has 4 grommets for hanging. The animals are very cute and the colors are vibrant. It could be hung anywhere, such as the child’s bedroom, a playroom, or homeschool room.  Interactive visual storytelling toys help to stimulate kids imagination and creativity, develop essential skills through play: communication and vocabulary, social-emotional, and fine motor hand eye coordination. It’s also FUN! @2021, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Gifts For The College Student In Your Life

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Affiliate link included. If you make a purchase through my link it won’t cost you anything extra, but my blog could be supported with a small fee. College has started for my son and for many of your sons and daughters. College is such a wonderful time in the lives of our children. They get to explore their passions and become more independent. But, there are so many new things they need to survive in a dorm or apartment. Parents are always looking for ways to make their life easier. I always want to know that my kid is safe and well taken care of. So, let’s look at some products that can make super-helpful gifts for your favorite college student! First-Aid – Everyone needs a first-aid kit, especially when Mom isn’t there to kiss the boo-boos. Desk-Top Power Strip – This power strip has everything a student needs to keep their screens charged. Pepper Spray – It is better to be prepared for any circumstance. LED Desk Lamp – Another good basic need for studying. Air Fryer – This would be great for adding a wonderful cooking tool. Home-cooked meals can be quick and healthier. Hanging Shower Caddy – This basic tool will keep students organized for shower time. Keurig – A single-serve coffee maker with a cool retro look! Cozy Brushed “fur” Throw Blanket – Who wouldn’t love this gift? Neato Robot Vacuum – LaserSmart technology intelligently navigates your home No-Go Lines tell your robot to stay away D-shape design gets into corners round robots can’t Up to 75 minutes of battery life, perfect for homes and apartments Cauldryn Travel Coffee Smart Mug – Keep your coffee or hot drink set to the perfect temperature for hours! Echo Dot – Alexa can be handy in their new home! Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones Wireless Bluetooth Over the Ear Headset with Mic for Phone-Call because roomates are noisy! Gift Cards – Buy them through Swagbucks and you’ll get cash rebates! A gift for them and for you! Tile – Does your college student tend to misplace things? Mine does. This is the perfect gift. What are the top items on your college student’s wish list? Creating a wish list can be helpful when you pass it around to the relatives. With birthdays and upcoming holidays, these are wonderful gift ideas that all young people will love. @2021, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Healthy Back-To-School Snacks That Kids Won’t Hate

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Disclosure: Affiliate link included. It’s time for school! Whether your children are happy about it or not, it is now time to get back in the classroom. It always helps to motivate them with as many positive comments and actions as possible. In my house it is very important to have snacks for the lunch box and for after school. Having grown up with lunch box treats such as Twinkies and Ding Dongs, I prefer to offer something a little more healthy. There’s nothing better than fruit and vegetables, but this isn’t always the number one choice for children. I love having a group of choices that feel like a treat, but are still healthy. Look for snacks that provide fiber, protein, and/or a carb/protein mix. Snacks can help with low blood sugar. Nutrient-rich snacks will help provide energy and make you feel good and happy. Offer a large variety of choices so that children won’t get tired of any one snack. Blueberries Strawberries Banana Grapes Cherry Tomatoes Celery Sticks Carrot Sticks Granola Bars Cheese Nuts Popcorn Honey Almond Bar Pretzels Hummus Apples Trail Mix Raisins Rice Cakes Honey Banana Muffins Homemade Granola Protein Bars Applesauce Dried Fruit Orange Homemade Fruit Popsicles Almond Honey Power Bars Fruit Smoothie with fruit and coconut milk Black and White Keto Fat Bombs String Cheese Keto Bars Nunbelievable Cookies *Keto Friendly Cookies – Feed Hungry with Every Cookie Purchase! Plain Yogurt – add fruit or a little honey When you pack your children’s lunch box it’s so nice to add a little note. Any little hand-written note can mean so much to a child. It’s as if we are whispering into their ear, with a little bit of love and encouragment. You can use post-it notes, types of stationary, or these little printables. I hope that your family has a wonderful new school year and that you are all healthy and enjoying the journey. @2021, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Last Minute Summer Family Vacations

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School may be starting soon, but there is still time to plan some last minute fun for you and your family. If your children are in public, private, or homeschool, it’s always appropriate to have a last-minute trip to celebrate the end of summer. You may have a week to travel or only a weekend. No matter what time you have available, make the most of it! I’m happy to share some great ideas for an adventure that you won’t forget. Great Wolf Lodge – Kansas City The water park offers 12 water attractions, a selection of pools, water slides, and a water fort tree house. A fitness center is also available and cool cabana rentals are offered at an additional cost. Great Wolf Lodge features the Elements Spa Salon and the Scoooops Kids Spa. Children can also enjoy various activities at Cub Camp. You can play mini golf at this resort, and the area is popular for hiking. You’ll be able to find a Great Wolf Lodge close to your home. They have resorts all over the US and even in Canada. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Want to get away from the cell phones and enjoy the beauty of nature? Are you and your family the hiking type? This beautiful national park in Michigan could give your family a retreat to never forget. Biking trails, campgrounds, beaches, and so much more can be found there. If you prefer, you can always book a charming hotel, like the Empire Lakeshore Inn. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia When I lived in Virginia, visiting Colonial Williamsburg was one of our favorite family destinations. As a family of history lovers, we certainly got our fill of it. Colonial Williamsburg is filled with period-dressed folks sharing what life was really like in colonial times. It’s a beautiful place with so much to see and do. And, if you get tired of history there is a wonderful amusement park close by: Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This is a gorgeous family park! Legoland Legoland in California is the one place I always wanted to take my children. Maybe I can take my grandchildren some day. Legoland is perfect for kids and families, who will love the resort hotels. There is so much to do and see in Legoland and the Sea Life Aquarium and Water Park. Your children will want to stay forever! No matter what type of fun you want to experience with your family, you can find it when you book a great last-minute vacation with eBooking.

Show Me The Father Trailer

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I’m so excited to share the official trailer with you for the new film, Show Me The Father. SHOW ME THE FATHER is the first documentary from the Kendrick Brothers. They produced the films: Overcomer, WarRoom, Fireproof. SHOW ME THE FATHER shares powerful true stories and wisdom from fathers like Jim Daly(Focus on the Family), Sherman Smith, Stephen Kendrick, and Dr. Tony Evans. Highlighting the fatherhood of God, SHOW ME THE FATHER is an inspiring film that EVERYONE needs to see to remember to lean into God’s goodness. SHOW ME THE FATHER is releasing in theaters on September 10th – go see it with your wholefamily! Everyone has a unique father story. Whether positive or painful, it’s always personal and candeeply affect the core of our identity and direction of our lives. SHOW ME THE FATHER is thefirst documentary film from the creators of WAR ROOM, OVERCOMER, FIREPROOF, andCOURAGEOUS Legacy. Featuring a variety of amazing true stories, this captivating movietakes audiences of all ages on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Providing afresh perspective on the roles of fathers in today’s society, SHOW ME THE FATHER invitesyou to think differently about how you view your earthly father, and how you personallyrelate to God. “Amazing!!!”Dr. Gary Chapman “SHOW ME THE FATHER is the film our nation needs to see. We have become a society thatdevalues and mocks fathers, but God created the role of fatherhood for a very specificpurpose. Many of our children feel unwanted and unworthy because half of their identity isabsent. Fathers are necessary for the next generation to heal.” Nona Jones, Author, Pastor, Speaker, and Executive SHOW ME THE FATHER is a film your whole family needs to see together. There issomething for everyone. Get your tickets today at showmethefathermovie.com andjoin me and my family at the theater beginning September 10th! Buy Your Tickets Here

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