Fresh Air Fund--helping inner city kids

Whether you are looking for a charity to give to this holiday season or want to learn more about helping inner city children by donating to a program that helps them get participate in programs and camps they otherwise would not be able to attend.  

Help give kids a brighter tomorrow with Fresh Air Fund 

Please take a moment to click on the above link and pass it along if you believe all kids no matter their socioeconomic status deserves a brighter future.

Thanks :)

Angela

Wordless Wednesday -- Making Thanksgiving Dinner

My first giveawy coming soon!

YAY I am so happy to announce my FIRST ever giveway coming soon!!!

Chili's contacted me and I am able to give away a $20 gift card.. PERFECT stocking stuffer!

Stay tuned..  I'll be doing a review for them soon and holding the giveaway.

Happy Tuesday all..

Angela

Wordless Wednesday-Fieldtrip

Importance of Early Childhood education

Recently I was contacted by Emily Patterson, she asked me to review this article and post it on my blog if I agree.  Although I agree with us mothers raising our own children, I believe that pre-school age children benefit from a pre-school type setting.  They are expected to know so much going into Kindergarten these days and I also believe it helps them be able to socialize and follow basic rules of school.  Thank you Emily for this article.

Early Childhood Education – Certified Early Childhood Education Fills the Gaps

If you have the ability to stay at home with your children, you truly are among very fortunate. With thirty years of economic policies that have decimated the middle class, the majority of American households today require two incomes, meaning that young children must usually be relegated to child care facilities or preschools.

Those who are fortunate enough to stay at home to raise their children naturally wish to take full advantage of this opportunity by attempting to give their children a head start on learning; reading to them, engaging in educational play activities, and socializing them so they're ready for schooling. Unfortunately, very few parents can do it all.

This is where young children can greatly benefit from attendance a certified preschool, operated by trained, certified early childhood educators. The experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a time when the brain is being shaped and developed.

SPICE

While the parent-child relationship and daily interactions are of course help to develop a child, scientific methodology has an important place as well. This is where trained, certified early childhood educators can "fill the gaps" when it comes to a young child's development. For example, were you as a parent aware that there are five equally important areas of a young child's development? These are summed up by the acronym, "SPICE" – Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional.

Social development relates to the way a child interacts with others and functions in a group setting.  While it is clearly important for those coming from a home where they are an only child, it is still important for those with siblings. The importance of socialization in a structured environment becomes apparent during this early age.

Physical development refers to building motor skills, from the gross movements (such as walking and running) to the fine (including holding a writing utensil).

Intellectual development is achieved through structured play, and of course means development of language and math skills as well as the child's innate sense of curiosity and wonder; Intellectual development is central to success in school later on.

Creativity is the foundation of self-expression and problem solving. This development addresses artistic talents in visual arts, music, storytelling and even theatrics.

Emotional development is at the center of a child getting a sense of self, including self confidence and the discipline to deal with one's own emotional responses.  Of course leading as well to the functioning in society later in life.

The Professional Advantage

It is likely that most parents are aware of these developmental domains on an instinctive level. However, certified preschool educators are trained in the scientific theory and methodology that can make the difference between a child succeeding – and succeeding brilliantly.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Austin child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools.  Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.

Menu Plan Monday

My goal is no leftovers Mon-Wed!

Monday: Pasta Carbonara (Hubby asked me to make this for his potluck tomorrow so I'm going to make it for dinner as well)

Tuesday: Sandwiches, soup (I am going on a field trip with K all day so dinner is easy peasy tonight)

Wednesday: Clam Chowder

Thursday: TURKEY DINNER!!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Turkey pot pie ( may make this Saturday and have leftovers Sunday)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Angela

What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

Thanksgiving is a time of thankfulness, and family and FOOD... :)  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year.  Today I was thinking about memories I have had as a kid.  I have a couple favorite memories:

1. it was always my job to cut and take the seeds out of the grapes (for this apple salad my mom always made AKA Waldorf salad).

2. Once year we some how got a projector (yeah remember those) and got Mary Poppins on film and watched that.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving Memories?