“Snowflake in My Pocket” and Making Paper Snowflakes 

Making paper snowflakes is fun at any age — from elementary school to adult. Read “Snowflake in My Pocket” by Rachel Bright and make paper snowflakes with the children in your care. I found plenty of free templates to print and use at madeinapinch.com, superstarworksheets.com, and thebestideasforkids.com.  “Snowflake in My Pocket” by Rachel Bright  is […]

“Martin Luther King the Peaceful Warrior” and Peace Sun Catcher  

To prepare for Martin Luther King Jr. Day read children’s books about the civil rights leader and make a peace sun catcher to recognize Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.  In “Martin Luther King the Peaceful Warrior” by Ed Clayton readers follow the inspiring life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a moving, vital, and informative […]

“The Three Little Pigs” Story and DIY Puppets 

My Nanny Kids love puppets and puppet shows. Puppetry is a great way to promote story telling and to foster language, imagination, communication, and more.  Using construction paper, white and pink paper plates, jumbo or extra large craft sticks, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and hot glue, I made a few quick puppets for the story […]

“Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille” by Jen Bryant 

Since January 4th is World Braille Day it’s the perfect time to read, “Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille” by Jen Bryant to the children in your care.  “Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille,” is the story of the inventor of the touch alphabet.   Louis Braille was just five years old […]

Leaf Scavenger Hunt

The children are delighted as the leaves are changing colors.  This is an easy printable leaf scavenger hunt I found on the thebestideasforkids web site that children can use during a nature walk. Just print and bring this scavenger hunt with you on your next outdoor adventure! You Will Need: Leaf Scavenger Hunt Template PrinterPrinter Paper MarkerSelf-Adhesive Laminating […]

“Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White and Craft

It’s pumpkin season! I used an orange marker to make dashes on orange paper for the kids to practice using their scissor skills. Then, we made little pumpkins with the orange strips of paper.  Be sure to read “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White with the children while they make this craft. In this heartwarming classic […]

Scissor Skills Autumn Tree 

It’s Autumn in my neck of the woods, making it a great time to read children’s books about autumn and the changing colors of the leaves with the little ones in my care. I also had the kids practice their scissors skills while making autumn trees out of construction paper. I recommend reading children’s books […]

Origami Butterflies

A girl I babysit on the weekends loved making these origami butterflies I found for free on the itsalwaysautumn web site. I simply printed the two templates and allowed her to color them in with her favorite markers. The instructions on how to fold the butterflies is available on the itsalwaysautumn web site.  You Will […]

“My Book of Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg and Activities 

I love the book “My Book of Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg. One part of social emotional development is the ability to “go with the flow.” Allowing ourselves to make mistakes and to adjust is a key part of maturity and a personality trait that can be difficult to teach unless given examples and practice. […]

“Coyotes All Around” to Teach Rounding Numbers and Coyote Craft

“Coyotes All Around” by Stuart J. Murphy is perfect for teaching rounding numbers to first, second, and third graders. Clever Coyote thinks it’s time for lunch — and also time to show her friends how, with some simple rounding, she can add up numbers in her head. If only she were as good at hunting […]