Activity Village News
5th September 2008

A Message From Lindsay
Well, the kids are back at school and the new school year has begun.
Many mums will spend the next few days or weeks getting everything back
in order after the long holidays, and helping their children to cope
with new teachers, new friends and new routines. Don't forget to check
out our
Back To School pages for advice and
ideas.
We have lots of new crafts this week (many perfect for
Grandparent's Day), as well as some
fun new printables and the first in a series of "Kid Thinkers". And to
help you celebrate Roald Dahl Day we have some great new craft ideas
based on some of his most popular stories! Find more information below.
AV Baby, our newest section, continues to
grow. For those of you that missed last week's newsletter, AV Baby will take you right through
pregnancy to the end of your baby's first year, and will pull together
information, advice, reading, photos, crafts - and of course our very
own "brand" of Activity Village printables!
You'll find details of What's New below, and
we'll keep adding steadily over the next few months, so if you know any expectant mums, please point them in our direction
or suggest that they subscribe to our
newsletter!
Bayard Magazines - Samples of activity pages and special promotion
Some years ago when my children were younger we came across some really super
kids' magazines and promptly subscribed both children: Josh to AdventureBox (for
6-9 year olds) and Tilly to StoryBox (for 3-6 year olds), We all loved the
magazines and used to look forward to their arrival in the post each month. I am
thrilled to say that during September we are able to offer you a collection of
sample pages - with some really fun puzzles and activities - for each of those
two magazines, as well as a magazine for older children, DiscoveryBox, aimed at
9-12 year olds. We can also offer a 10% discount for anyone who subscribes
- just enter aWrLuhptB6 to claim your discount! A subscription to one of the
magazines would make a great Christmas or birthday present, too. The magazines
are from
www.bayard-magazines.co.uk.
Some of the samples are quite large so please be patient!

StoryBox (ages 3-6):
sample 1 sample 2
sample 3
AdventureBox (ages 6-9):
sample 1
sample 2
sample 3
DiscoveryBox (ages 9-12):
sample 1
sample 2
sample 3
Teach your child the most important secret - new product
A friend of mine in Australia has brought out a brand new product on goal
setting for kids. Winsome Coutts over at
4lifehappykids.com has brought together a team of mothers, grandmothers,
schoolteachers, curriculum writers, and experts in self-help, visualization and
goal setting to create a set of beautifully illustrated, downloadable books that
will teach your child the secrets they need to know to fulfil their dreams and
be happy and successful all their lives.
Winsome has created the books because she believes:
• Kids learn when they’re having fun. They hardly know they are learning when
they are enjoying themselves.
• We can teach them when we have the tools and a plan.
• We can encourage our kids to create their own goals, and NOT impose our ideas
on them.
• Happy children with high self-esteem and confidence look to the future with
intention and clarity.
Winsome’s package includes two downloadable, colorful books (one for smaller
children and one for older kids) as well as a downloadable, detailed parents’
guide. Your child can learn the techniques of self-actualization that have
inspired the wisest and most successful people down through the centuries.
Find out more about these unique e-books
here.

What's New At Activity Village?

We've added a gorgeous new set of "space" themed room decorations this
week - everything from a mobile to photo frames which your little ones
are sure to love.
Room decorations to print

Photo Crafts
We've gathered together all our photo crafts and added 5 great new
ideas, including some specially for Grandparent's Day (or start getting
ready early for Christmas this year!)

Fantastic Mr Fox mask
Roald Dahl Day is celebrated on 13th September - why not use it as an excuse to
re-read (or re-watch) your favorite Roald Dahl stories and try some of our Roald
Dahl printables or crafts - we've got lots new!
Roald Dahl and Roald Dahl Day

Kids Thinkers
Encourage your children to think a little! We will have a new "Kid Thinker"
every week, and we are aiming to encourage your children to think a little
outside of the box and to provide you with a starting point for discussion -
either at home or in the classroom. This week we have a poster to print and a
worksheet to fill in, as well as activity suggestions for all ages.

Diary Of A New Mum - Week 19
All Things Weaning
This week we started the exciting
process of weaning. I know ‘current guidelines’ say wait until six months, but a
few years ago they said 4 months, and a few years before that 3 months. We, as
Jess’s parents, made an informed decision to start at 18 weeks – and Jess’s
reaction told us we had timed it just right. In fact, the look on her face when
she tasted her baby rice said, ‘Why have you waited so long?!’ Read
on
Also new at AV Baby this week:
Feeding Your Baby
Swaddling Your Baby
Babies And Pets
Travelling With Your Newborn
Introducing Baby To Siblings
How To Include Your Partner
Vaccinations For
New Babies
Coping With Newborn
Twins
Baby Photo Of The Week
Reader Tip...
This tip comes from Ann, in Canada
When you bring a new baby home from the hospital, make a big fuss
about putting a photo of any older siblings very close by the baby's
basket, crib or cot. Explain to the older child that the baby will love
them and needs to know that they will be loved in return, and that if
the photo is close by, baby will be reassured and feel safe. As the baby
grows older, give your older child credit for teaching the baby
important skills. "Look, John - baby is learning how to smile! That's
because she is copying her big brother!" Spend some time building a good
relationship between your children when they are very young, and they
will be the best of friends as they grow older, too.
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?

We have a growing collection of card games for kids of all ages. Many kids just
don't realise how many great games you can play with one simple pack of cards ..
not to mention the card houses you can build!
Card Games for Kids
A Giggle!
"I have just returned from a children's party. I'm one of the
survivors."
Percy French
Something To Think About..
There is a question: "How do children spell the word 'Love?'" And the
answer is
"T-I-M-E."
Brian Tracy
A Poem To Enjoy
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking
You hung my first painting on the refrigerator
And I wanted to paint another.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You fed a stray cat
And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You baked a birthday cake just for me
And I knew that little things were special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You said a prayer
And I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You kissed me good-night
And I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking
I saw tears come from your eyes
And I learned that sometimes things hurt --
But that it's alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You smiled
And it made me want to look that pretty too.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You cared
And I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking --
I looked ...
And wanted to say thanks
For all those things you did
When you thought I wasn't looking.
Mary Rita Schilke
Korzan ©1980
Back to Newsletter Archives
|