Tuesday 22 February 2011
As my mother is an artist, the kids have visited the Queensland Art Gallery many times and also enjoy creating in Nanna’s studio. There are few blank walls in our home, but I wanted to create a gallery space to showcase the kids’ own work. We chose an awkward spot in our stair well which is seen by everyone as they enter our house. (It’s also awkward to photograph!!)
There is space to add further “works” to our gallery. Mr 2 doesn’t have anything on display as yet but will do soon. I used basic frames from Ikea, and left the wooden frames bare. I...
Wednesday 16 February 2011 -
4 Comments »
Did you watch the fascinating documentary Life at 5 last night on ABC1?. The third installment of the Life Series saw the eleven Aussie kids involvied in the longitudinal study now aged 5. Australia has already met these children and their families in Life at 1 and Life at 3. (If you missed these ones you can iview them over at the Life Series site.)
(Shine: at age 1, age 3 and age 5.)
Over two episodes, Life at...
Monday 31 January 2011 -
14 Comments »
I’m not exactly sure who came up with the idea of ribbon sticks. Red Ribbon Dances were performed for Chinese Royalty thousands of years ago, but I suspect ribbon sticks have a heritage in more than one culture. Ribbon dancing still has a place today in contemporary gymnastics.
Wherever they have come from, there is something beautiful and creative about playing with ribbon sticks. At a time when hi-tech toys rule...
Friday 28 January 2011 -
7 Comments »
There are lots of gorgeous teasets available for little girls, but ones that are gender-neutral, or suitable for boys, are quite hard to find. I don’t want my son to think that kitchen things are just for girls! Mr 2 loves to make “cups of coffee” for visitors (or for his Dad) and this wooden set is perfect for him.
This week I helped him to take his “cup of coffee” play a step further,...
Thursday 20 January 2011 -
23 Comments »
Children’s drawings are
sometimes predictable
sometimes remarkable
sometimes lovable
sometimes laughable.
Drawings can reveal
what they think
what they feel
what they imagine
what they fear.
Drawings can reflect understanding of
little things
big things
somethings
and nothings.
For me, this drawing on a scrap of paper encompasses much of the above.
Can you guess what it is??
I’ll update the post tomorrow...
Monday 17 January 2011 -
11 Comments »
My big girl is counting down the sleeps. This morning we went to get her uniform and shoes, and she starts Prep (Qld) in just over a week! She is so delighted with her new uniform that she can’t take her eyes off her own reflection!! There are still a few things we need to do, and then of course there is all the labelling. As a teacher I know how important it is to name everything.
I’m grateful that...
Saturday 15 January 2011 -
10 Comments »
The waters are already receding and the cleanup has begun, but the effects of this disaster will be felt for a long time. I hadn’t intended to post again about the 2011 Brisbane floods. However, I have had requests from readers across Australia and around the world!
My supermarket shelves!
Whether you have a four year old or a fourteen year old, they are probably asking you the same question: Why? Some...
Sunday 19 December 2010 -
10 Comments »
Dear Jimmy Giggle,
We loved meeting up with you when you came to visit Brisbane!! Thank you for spending some time with us before the signing, and for welcoming us so warmly.
We’re glad you liked the Christmas card we made for you and Hoot. Thanks for taking the time to let us know on facebook (ABC for Kids – for Parents page) that Hoot enjoyed our special Christmas bird seed mix too!
We liked playing...
Tuesday 30 November 2010 -
17 Comments »
Be gentle with me on this one, ok?
So you remember the Barbie post? (If not you might want to jump back and read it here.) In the post I shared my thoughts about Barbie, and my personal reasons for not purchasing the dolls for my daughter. The post sparked LOTS of healthy debate. Some mums agreed with my concerns regarding body image, some shared that while they played with Barbies themselves as kids they don’t...
Tuesday 16 November 2010 -
11 Comments »
We have enjoyed playing with dried pasta lately. I let the kids choose which shapes of pasta they would like when we do the groceries. Different shapes are suited to different activities, but all are great for keeping little minds and little hands busy. Here are three easy ideas to try!
Pasta pictures. I put out small bowls with a handful of different pasta shapes in each. I also put out sturdy squares of cardboard,...
