Activity Village News

12th September 2008

A Message From Lindsay

Well, the summer is over (it never really got started in the UK, did it?) and autumn is well and truly here. We've got some really inspiring new autumn crafts for you this week from Sarah, so if its too wet to get your boots on and head outdoors, at least you can enjoy the seasons from inside!

Last week we introduced our new project - Kid Thinkers - and it has proved amazingly popular with record numbers of downloads! I hope to be adding a new one every week (unless life gets in the way) and we are having lots of fun with these, so hope that you do too. You'll find the latest under "What's New at Activity Village" below.

Any Postman Pat fans out there? UK readers might like to enter our Postman Pat competition for a chance to attend the BBC premiere of the new Postman Pat Special Delivery Service TV show at the BBC Television Centre (London) on 20th September, and meet Postman Pat himself. One family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is up for grabs - all you need to do is answer a simple question by sending me an email - but be quick, because I'll need to pick the winner next Tuesday (16th) in order to get the tickets sorted out in time! Details here.

Just a reminder about the free sample pages from StoryBox, AdventureBox and DiscoveryBox magazines which we featured in last week's newsletter. If you didn't have a chance to download them, you might like to have a look now.

What's New At Activity Village?

Kids Thinkers
Encourage your children to think a little! This week's "Kid Thinker" looks at the proverb "Every path has its puddle", and we have two posters - one to appeal to mums and one for kids - as well as a worksheet and lots of ideas for you to use to provoke discussion and a bit of hard thinking!

Here's a sneak peak of the "grown-up" poster - it's decorating our fridge at the moment!
Every path has its puddle

Halloween is only weeks away, and if you are planning a party or event you might like our newest Halloween invitations, which match the Halloween posters we put up a couple of weeks ago. We've added a new poster, too.
Halloween Invitations

Halloween Posters

Diary Of A New Mum - Week 20
Dads Have Feelings Too
Paul had a bit of a crisis this week. It seems that fathers can also suffer from post-natal depression – this is more common than you might think. I can’t say I hadn’t noticed that he hadn’t been himself lately. Before we had Jess I would have been on it like a shot, and we’d have talked, I guess, and maybe nipped any really negative feelings in the bud. But with my attention diverted to the helpless little mite who does nothing but feed and poo and sleep, Paul was left to sink or swim on his own. And, in this case, he sank... Read on

Autumn crafts / Fall crafts  Lots NEW!
We are building up a really stupendous collection of Autumn/Fall crafts, with some gorgeous new additions from Sarah and the boys this week. Some of these crafts would be great for Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving too.

Here is a cute idea for any time of year - but if you use orange and yellow paper it makes a lovely poster to put up in the Autumn...
Family tree

We have some more room decorations - this week some fun car photo frames and a truck door sign, perfect for little chaps who like anything with four wheels!
Room decorations to print

New at AV Baby this week:
Coping With A Colicky Baby
Coping With Lack Of Sleep
Coping With Unwanted Advice
Should My Baby Watch TV?
Asking For Help From Friends And Family
The Benefits Of Using A Baby Sling
Choosing A Baby Sling
How To Calm A Crying Baby Naturally
Top Tips For New Moms - From New Moms!
Cradle Cap, Nappy Rash And Other Newborn Nasties
Should You Follow A Routine?
First Steps Towards A Routine
Understanding Newborn Weight Gain
Baby Photo Of The Week

Recommended Product

Goal Setting For Kids
Ever thought about Goal Setting for Kids? Goal setting is one of the most important skills that a person can learn, and the earlier this skill is learned, the more chances there are for successful outcomes in a person’s life. Adults know that goal setting is all about planning, making progress with that plan and reaching final goals or achievements. Once a child learns how to do this, they can use this tool for more success in school and at home.

Goal setting for kids will help your children to do well on their school tests and in activities such as sports, music programs or outside academic or arts programs - even at home, and with their personal finances. Teaching your child how to be a goal setter will give them a sense that they are capable of whatever they want to do. That’s valuable!

To learn more about Goal Setting for Kids, go to 4lifehappykids.com.

Reader Tip...

This tip comes from Amanda in Kingsbridge, Devon.

"I have four children under the age of 6 and have a brilliant trick for distracting them when they are unhappy or playing up. I will ignore their behaviour and nonchalantly begin to hum, and then sing a song which is familiar to the child, like a favourite nursery rhyme or theme tune. Then I will make a "mistake" - something like "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a big bang". It is important to act like you are completely unaware of the mistake, and also that you are completely unaware of the child! If he doesn't pick up on the first mistake, and correct you, he is sure to notice the second or third - and my kids are so happy to catch me doing something silly that their bad moods are immediately forgotten!"

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?

Make learning times tables easier with our Times Tables memory joggers, flashcards and posters!
Times Tables printables

A Giggle!

"Childhood is that wonderful time when all you need to do to lose weight is take a bath."
Richard Zera

Something To Think About..

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.
If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."
Albert Einstein

A Poem To Enjoy

No Moving Parts, No Batteries

No moving parts, no batteries.
No monthly payments and no fees;
Inflation proof, non-taxable,
In fact, it's quite relaxable!
It can't be stolen, won't pollute,
One size fits all, do not dilute.
It uses little energy,
But yields results enormously.
Relieves your tension and your stress,
Invigorates your happiness;
Combats depression, makes you beam,
And elevates your self esteem!
Your circulation it corrects
- without unpleasant side effects!
It is, I think, the perfect drug:
May I prescribe, my friend - the hug!

Author unknown

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