There really is an International Mud Day! You know what this means, don’t you?  Kids can play in the mud all day doing all sorts of messy, squishy activities.  If you’re a preschool teacher you have to love this!  And those school-agers coming to your summer program will not utter those dreaded words, “I’m bored.”   And, of course, if you’re a parent and you celebrate “mud” any day of the year, you’ll be a neighborhood hero!  So join the World Forum International Mud Day.  Check out their web site and share your mud day experiences.  www.worldforumfoundation.org

When? June 27th, 2011

An activity: At Little Folks Discovery Center we built bird houses.  I explain how in my book, Summer Sizzlers & Magic Mondays available on Amazon.  Basically just collect twigs grasses, bits of tissue and “glue” it all together with mud.   The first layer of the nest has to dry before you add another layer.  It turns out better than you would expect.

Books: Check out, I Love Dirt: 52 activities to help you & your kids discover the wonders of nature” by Jennifer Ward.   And, Mud by Mary Lyn Ray.

We have five family birthdays in March making it a very busy month.  Kind of like a holiday that lasts for a month!  Another special thing about March, both of my grandchildren were born in March and one of them On My Birthday!

We are Pisces along with some very cool people including Dr. Seuss. I found a web site, Read Across America which has all kinds of information about this beloved author.   You can print out a Cat in the Hat doorknob hanger, a word search and browse their Seussville catalog for your favorite Dr. Seuss story.  Me, my favorite is always the one I’m reading at the time!

At an NAEYC conference many years ago, Mr. Rogers was the keynote speaker. He was a powerful speaker which was a bit surprising to me because of his TV persona of being so soft spoken. After he began speaking, someone brought him a sweater onstage as a gift. He very slowly took off his jacket and put it on.  He was quite a story teller and could alternately make the entire audience laugh and cry.

When my children were young Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was my pick for them to watch. He said such common sense things. His voice was soothing. He was kind and taught about diversity way back then. Mr. Rogers birthday is celebrated on February 27th. Sweaters on and hats off to him!

Cookies that say “I love you,” heart-shaped cards, and little candy hearts with words on them are plentiful this time of year.  You know, it’s the red, white, and pink holiday otherwise known as Valentine’s Day!

What a concept––I’ve always loved this holiday. There are so many things you can do with one kid or a whole group. I think it’s important for children to understand the sentiments of saying and writing nice things to friends and relatives.

At Little Folks Discovery Center, we cut heart shapes from red, fuzzy fabric. We gave one to each child and it was heart warming (excuse the pun) to see them put their hearts to their cheeks and run up to their parents after school to share their fuzzy hearts. It was a simple idea but fun!

If you’re looking for some great ideas, check out www.readingrockets.org/calendar/valentine. This website includes everything from sending e-cards to Valentine’s Day word walls to making a pocket heat valentine. The GREAT thing about most of these ideas is that they can be adapted throughout the year to promote love, poetry, and meaningful print.

Our office is closed today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I was on writing deadlines so worked continued for me.  I took time to reread some of his speeches and read some of my favorite quotes.  When my children were young and as they grew, I always placed books about Dr. King and pictures of him and the struggles he dealt with on our coffee table in the living room.  I lived in Nashville when he was assassinated and I was profoundly affected.

Two times in my life I’ve visited the Martin Luther King Memorial in Atlanta––once when I lived in Tennessee and once from Colorado.  When we developed our Holiday Traditions pages the King Center was very helpful as we conducted our research.  The impact his life has had on our country is immeasurable.

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Last year my daughter organized a hiking group for moms.  We have lots of hiking trails around these mountains and the weather is usually favorable.  Today I took off work to go too, and what fun I had and what a great way to start the new year!  There’s nothing like being around a bunch of toddlers who love to explore and find wonder in every tiny little thing they discover. It’s a win-win for everyone.  Moms get to be around other moms, kids get fresh air and lots of exercise and then, hopefully, they follow the plan and go home and take a nice long nap!

A few articles coming up in Parent Pages sing the praises of being out in nature. This quote is from an upcoming issue, “Outdoor activity offers enormous advantages to children, including healthier bodies, stronger muscles and bones, lower rates of stress, reduced cancer risk, and even better eyesight.  Studies repeatedly show that outdoor time enhances imagination and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, outdoor time has a dramatic impact on children’s attentiveness and school preparedness, including a reduction in ADHD symptoms.”

Well, there it is.  Hard to believe that children spend so much time indoors now with that kind of research available to us.  And debating time for recess for school-age children seems ludicrous.  I, for one, am glad I left my computer at the office this morning and took to the trails with a half dozen little ones and a pocket full of snacks.

I love getting Christmas cards. The first two cards I received this year were from teachers who taught with me at Little Folks Discovery Center.  But I’m not as fond of sending them.  It takes time to haul out the address book, buy the stamps, stick on a return address label and start stuffing.  And, if you’re like me you feel guilty if you don’t write just a tiny personal note. 

One year I actually wrote a Christmas letter.  I think it was a one-year-in-a-row-tradition that was never repeated. But still, I love getting Christmas cards. When they start rolling in, I tape them to a ribbon on the dining room window so our family can enjoy them during the holiday season.  For me, the only downside to receiving cards is having to take them down, put them away, or recycle them when the new year rings in.

These days they tend to find their way to the recycle bin but years ago they were enjoyed by the kids at Little Folks Discovery Center.  They could cut out the trees, Santa Clause, the reindeer, the snowmen, the bunnies and birds, the presents, and all of the other illustrations.  In some of our rooms we would set up a table covered in newsprint and let them collage to their hearts content.  Since greeting cards are made from heavy paper they are also perfect for cutting practice.  Children could cut strips, bits, fringe around the edges, whatever they could think of.  No pressure, just practice.  This year instead of tossing holiday greeting cards, birthday, valentines, mother’s day and all the other cards you collect, try taking them to school  for cutting practice and a dose of creative expression.

Recently, my grandson was over for dinner with his parents.  Before we began to eat, my daughter said, “Let’s go around the table and each person say what they are thankful for.”  So we did, and it was easy for me, since it was Halloween I was grateful to be spending time with Puff the Magic Dragon. He was green and blue and sparkly in all the right places, and he could blow smoke like no other. He also, in his two-and-one-half year old voice, regaled us from time to time with the old standard from Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Now that Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, I wonder what I’ll be thankful for around our table filled with a bounty of food and love.  Sans Puff,  I think it will revolve around my fabulous husband, my three children, and two grandchildren.  I am fortunate!

Am I overreacting? It seems like children live in a shrinking world.  When I’m out in the community, I see children being children, but I often hear adults putting restraints on so many activities that are natural to them and important in their development.  Don’t get me wrong; I know it’s important for children to sit quietly at times and we must keep them safe, but noise and movement (lots of it) is inevitable and so are messes that come with exploration.

The Shrinking World of Children

Don’t be so noisy.
Don’t fidget.
Don’t run around.
Don’t yell.
Sh…Be still…

Don’t touch.
Don’t explore.
Don’t roll in the grass.
Don’t splash in the puddle.
Be careful …

Don’t waste time.
Don’t dawdle.
Don’t daydream.
Don’t take too long.
Hurry up …

Don’t express yourself
Don’t make a mess.
Don’t change the story.
Don’t color outside the lines.
Do what I do…

Early childhood professionals have the power to broaden the shrinking world of children.

My son is a chef. He just knows how to put ingredients together for award-winning, tantalizing tastes.  I don’t have that talent, but thankfully I can follow a recipe!  Blog readers enjoyed my Cherry Cheese Cakes from our Little Folks Discovery Center cookbook, so I thought I would share another favorite today.

By the way, if you have a favorite Nutritious recipe that goes over well with children, please share it with me.  You can leave a reply or email me at: edna@parentpagesnews.com

Orange Raisin Bran Muffins

This batter keeps in the refrigerator for up to one month so you can bake fresh muffins on demand!

3 cups wholewheat flour

2 cups toasted bran flake cereal

1 cup toasted wheat germ

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cupss buttermilk

1 cup orange juice

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup molasses

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

2 cups raisins

Combine flour, bran flakes, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.  Mix well.  In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, orange juice, eggs, oil, honey, molasses, orange zest and blend well.  Add to the flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Fold in the raisins.  Cover and store in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 4 weeks.  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease or line a muffin pan with paper baking cups.  Spoon 1/4 cup batter into the cups.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  These muffins are scrumptious!