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Activity Village News

2nd March 2007

A MESSAGE FROM LINDSAY

I came across a lovely idea for a children's birthday party this week. Buy a simple photo mat and ask all your guests to sign it during the party. Then take a birthday party photo of your child and frame it complete with the signed mat for a brilliant birthday keepsake. I wish I had done this for the children's Christenings, too.

"Jake the Peg" by Rolf Harris was one of my favorite songs as a child - how it used to make me giggle! I was delighted to find this video of Rolf Harris performing it at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and share it with my kids. Perhaps your children will enjoy it too?

NB: Please do not let children watch videos or browse video hosting sites online unsupervised.

I have never recommended a book in the newsletter before, but this week I am going to recommend two, both of which have really impressed me this week! Firstly, I have just finished reading "The One Minute Mother" by Spencer Johnson, of "The One Minute Manager" fame. Although I was sceptical that such a small, easily-read book would contain anything useful, I have to say that I like the approach outlined and have already begun to use it in our family with good results. They story-telling style put me off a bit, but the message was useful.

Secondly, my daughter has just been given this Klutz book on Lettering and I can't recommend it highly enough! Now, I have to admit that I am already a huge Klutz fan, but this book has really caught my daughter's imagination and we have some great lettering projects going on all around the house! She thinks it is perfect for anyone aged 7-12 (and we both agree that it will mainly appeal to girls). A great way to keep the kids away from the television and computer and encourage some useful creativity!

Finally, if it hasn't hit 2.36pm on 2nd March where you live, you can join in the 236 project to celebrate Dr Seuss's The Cat In The Hat's 50th Anniversary. And if it is too late to join in, you can still enjoy the new links we have added to our Dr Seuss theme or enjoy some of the activities you will find there.

WHAT'S NEW AT ACTIVITY VILLAGE?

St Patrick's Day mobile - a fun sticking activity for all ages, this wonderfully textured craft can be adapted to make greetings cards, badges and banners...

We have had a huge update of our Spring links, which now include a wealth of ideas for activities to enjoy with your children - hopefully in the not too distant future!
Spring links for Kids

We have added some new origami models to the origami pages, including a useful (and very addictive!) envelope, and a cheerful tulip - perfect for Spring themes and Mother's Day.
Origami for Kids

The Mother's Day links page and coloring pages have been updated
Mother's Day

I've finally got the scanner working and added 8 new African animal coloring pages (with a difference!) Try your hand at a wildebeest or a chimpanzee, among others...
Animal coloring pages

Here is a new spider craft, perfect for those of you interested in the Charlotte's Web theme - or just for kids who like creepy crawlies!

And don't forget those Dr Seuss links too!

Coming up soon:

St Patrick's Day (17th March) Lots NEW!

Mother's Day (UK) (18th March)  Lots NEW!

Easter (8th April)  Lots NEW!

Advert:
If you have 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

HAVE YOU SEEN?

Stepping stone puzzles are an unusual and fun way to reinforce early skills such as the alphabet, skip counting, and odds and evens. There are 6 printable puzzle pages here.
Stepping Stone puzzles

ACTIVITY VILLAGE POLL

Here are the results of last week's poll, which asked "Should Mother's Day be banned in schools?" It seems we are very much in favour of Mother's Day!

This week's poll asks "Is organic food better for your family's health?" Please take a moment to vote!
Activity Village Poll

THIS WEEK'S POEM

I'm Going To Follow You

Walk a little plainer, Daddy,
Said a little boy so frail,
For I'm following in your footsteps,
And I don't want to fail.
Sometimes your steps are very plain,
Sometimes they're hard to see,
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For you are leading me.

I know that you once walked this way
Many, many years ago,
And what you did along the way
I'd really like to know.
For sometimes when I'm tempted,
I don't know what to do,
So walk a little plainer, Daddy;
You know I'm following you.

Someday when I'm grown up,
You are like I want to be;
Then I will have a little boy
Who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right
And help him to be true,
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
I'm going to follow you.

Author Unknown

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES

"The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them."
Frank A. Clark

"All children behave as well as they are treated."
Unknown

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