Activity Village News

11th July 2008

A Message From Lindsay

You wouldn't know it is summer here in England this week, although as I type this the sun is trying very hard to break through the clouds and keep the rain at bay for a little while. Hopefully wherever you are reading this, the weather is better so that you can enjoy yourselves by indulging in some of our new outside painting ideas - Sarah and her boys certainly had some fun with them! And if you are forced to stay inside, perhaps your kids can have a go at baking our Wholemeal Honey Loaf or designing one of our indoor gardens!

If you want to keep your kids' brains ticking over during the holidays, don't forget to take a look at Maths-Whizz (Math-Whizz if you are based in the US). This is a fantastic maths program that I have first-hand experience of. Animations teach your children the basics, fun drills and games reinforce them, and the system keeps track of exactly how they are doing, constantly tailoring the level to suit your child at all times. It really is almost like having a private tutor, only more fun :) There is a special summer program, too, which will keep the kids really interested and stop them forgetting all their skills over the summer holidays! Take a look at the website, details of the summer program, an article on summer learning loss, and this segment from a Seattle television show which gives a really good overview of the system.

Special offer for Activity Village visitors!
If you decide to join up, Activity Village referrals are entitled to half price on the first month's fees - just type "activityvillage" into the referral box on the final payment page, and your fee will be recalculated).

Finally, I came across this cute - and very quick - idea for breakfasts that I am going to be trying out tomorrow! I thought you might like to see it...

Please note that there will be no newsletter for the next two weeks.

Until next time,
Lindsay

What's New At Activity Village?

Strawberry mobile

We have some great painting projects for you to try out with your kids, some of which are perfect for an outdoor painting session in the summer sunshine.
Painting projects

The next time you head to the beach, comb the shores for supplies for some creative beach sculptures!
Beach sculptures

Transport Dominoes and Matching Cards

Make an indoor garden
Children can use all their creativity making an indoor miniature garden using up bits and pieces from the junk box.

So, you are ready to make some changes in your family's diet. You've heard and read enough to know that eating Real Food is important to your family's health and happiness. You know what your kids eat when they are young not only affects their health now, but also in the future...
Healthy Food Means Yucky Food

Ways of Dealing With Separation Anxiety
All parents will remember how difficult it was to leave their children when they were young, and some of us had to deal with unhappy children suffering from separation anxiety, again and again and again! Veronica shares some tips on how to make the partings easier.

Reader Tip...

How to keep your kids' room tidy? Adults need to remember that they have a completely different perspective than their children - from much higher up! Sink down to their level, sit on the floor and contemplate their room from a much lower angle. Is it hard to put away clothes in the wardrobe? Try lowering the rail. Does the top drawer of the dresser look a long way up? Store the most often used clothing in the bottom drawer. Invest in some chests and storage buckets for under the bed, and some big baskets for the corners of the room. Just remember to see the room through your children's eyes. More tips for organizing the kids' rooms..

Do you have any child-related “Reader Tips” to make life easier for other parents, teachers and grandparents? Send them to us (suggestions@...) - and we may publish them in a future edition of the newsletter.

Have You Seen?

Little kids love farm animals, and we have lots of ideas for printing, cutting, sticking, making, folding and playing in our farm animals theme!
Farm animals

Hang the Better Behavior Wheel on your kitchen wall, and the atmosphere in your home will change overnight. It's guaranteed! Watch the dramatic changes as homework gets done, clothes get picked up, arguing stops...in short, the Better Behavior Wheel produces great kids and a stress free environment!
Get the Wheel!

A Giggle!

"Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he's buying."
Fran Lebowitz

Something To Cook With Your Kids This Weekend..

This is a good project for a rainy day (and there is certainly more rain forecast for my neck of the woods, sadly!) Kids will enjoy kneading the dough, watching it rise, knocking it back and forming the two loaves (one for eating, one for freezing.)
Wholemeal Honey Loaf

Something To Think About..

"Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it."
Harold Hulbert

Lose fat and get fit - diet and exercise program designed specially for busy moms!

"If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self esteem first and the house later.
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing seriously and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less nagging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power...
And more about the power of love."

Diane Loomans

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