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

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