Activity Village News

2nd February 2007

If you have any behavioral issues with your kids, you might want to check out the Better Behavior Wheel, from Robert and Julie Butler. We've been recommending it at Activity Village for nearly two years now and have had great feedback from purchasers (as well as resorting to it ourselves on occasion!) Available as a real product (sent internationally) or as a digital download, the Better Behavior Wheel allows you to set consequences for undesirable behavior that fit your family - and the unusual and very clever twist of having to spin the wheel to discover your punishment works wonders to take the stress out of the situation for the parent and reinforce the message for the child. This is an excellent product and we recommend it highly.
Product review here
Get the Better Behavior Wheel

A MESSAGE FROM LINDSAY

If you are one of our American readers, you will be well aware that it is  Groundhog Day today! Check out our Groundhog Day activities (including two new jigsaws, one to download and one to play online, here:
Groundhog Day

On my web travels this week I came across a thought-provoking post at Scribbit, a blog I keep an eye on, written by a mother of four in Alaska - "Five Points of Time Management For Children". Well worth a read. And I have used the theme of the article in this week's poll at Activity Village, "How Many Activities Does Your Child Enjoy Each Week?" which you can find and take part in on the Activity Village home page.

WHAT'S NEW AT ACTIVITY VILLAGE?

We've just updated our St David's Day page. St David is the patron saint of Wales and St David's Day is celebrated on 1st March. Find out more about it here:
St David's Day

We have some great new photo jigsaw puzzles of African animals to add to our African animal theme - a lion, zebra, elephant and giraffes in an assortment of sizes to suit all ages of kids
African animal jigsaw puzzles

We have three types of bookmarks featuring a lion, zebra, elephant and giraffes: some with fun facts, some with jokes, and some - for the youngest kids - with the appropriate letter and word.
African animal bookmarks

We have some cute new Valentine's Day coloring pages here:
Valentine's Day coloring

We had a special request for some lined paper "blanks" to be used for various projects in the class and home, which leave space for the page to be hole-punched and filed without detracting from the child's work. Here they are in case they are of use to anybody else:
Lined paper blanks

We have added some spectacular videos to our Chinese New Year and Chinese New Year links pages - so that your kids can watch a lion dance and some beautiful Chinese dancers and musicians if they don't have access to the real thing!
Chinese New Year

We've also added some Valentine Sudoku puzzles to the site - one page of 6x6 puzzles, perfect for all ages. If your children enjoy them, don't forget to check out our Sudoku for Kids publications!
Valentine Sudoku Puzzles

(instructions, if you are new to Sudoku, here)

There are so many interesting holidays and "events" coming up, and we are adding new activities and links all the time. If you haven't visited recently, don't forget to check out the following:

Groundhog Day (today, 2nd February)

Valentine's Day (14th February)

Chinese New Year (18th February)

Mardi Gras (20th February)

St David's Day (1st March)

READER COMMENT

"I loved your b and d Confusion poster. I never thought something so simple could end a problem which has plagued us for the best part of the last year. My son saw the poster, held up his hands to echo the shapes of "b" and "d", and grasped the concept immediately. His teacher was amazed."
Brenda, NJ

If you missed the poster, you can find it here:
b and d Confusion poster

ACTIVITY VILLAGE POLL

Here are the results of last week's poll:

Thank you for your excellent feedback - and I will be working on offering more of the activities that you voted for in the future!

Please visit the home page to take part in this week's poll, "How Many Activities Does Your Child Enjoy Each Week?"
Activity Village Poll

THIS WEEK'S POEM

My hands were busy through the day.
I didn’t have much time to play
The little games you asked me to.
I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook,
But when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun,
I’d say “A little later, son”.
I’d tuck you in all safe at night,
Hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door.
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.
For life is short, and years rush past.
A little child grows up so fast.
No longer are they at your side,
Their precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away,
There are no children’s games to play.
No good-night kiss, no thoughts to hear.
That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now lie still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I might go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

Author Unknown

THIS WEEK'S QUOTE

"It takes a village to raise a child"
African proverb

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