Christian-Parent.com

by Rachel Paxton

This fall craft is similar to a thumbprint leaf craft my older boys did a couple of years ago at library story time.

The craft they did at the library used a photocopy drawing of a tree and ink pads, but this craft uses construction paper and craft paints instead. This craft is great for toddlers and preschoolers, but suitable for older children also. When I showed my older boys what their 2-year-old brother had made, they told me they made the same thing in art class in first grade.

Supplies:

Construction paper (blue, brown, green)

Craft paint (yellow, red, orange)

Scissors

Glue stick

Paper plate

If your child likes to paint, he will love this craft. Pour a little of each paint into a paper plate.

Using the scissors, cut the shape of a tree with branches from the brown construction paper. You can draw one first if you like, but it does not have to be perfect. If your child is older, they can do this part themselves. You will have to help your toddler. A preschooler might be able to cut out a shape you have traced for them.

I cut out a green strip of construction paper for “grass”. You can add as many details to the picture as you wish. We used a blue piece of construction paper for the background and then used a glue stick to glue on the grass and tree.

Next comes the fun part. Let your child dip their fingers in the paint and make “leaves” around their tree you have just made. This craft just takes a few minutes to make, but with toddlers you can only keep their attention for a few minutes anyway! And they are so proud of what they have made.

Copyright 2011, Christian-Parent.com.

by Amy C

The love for reading is one of the best gifts we can give our children. Studies show that kids who love to read are more confident and emotionally secure about themselves. They also tend to have a higher emotional and intelligence quotient compared to those who don’t read habitually.

The mind is like a rubber band. Once it has been stretched, it can never go back to its original elasticity. It has been said that reading can expand the mind like nothing else can. It broadens your way of thinking and widens your perception. Reading can give your kids untold benefits. As parents, it is our duty to inculcate in them the love for books and the thirst for knowledge. Here are five ways to encourage your kids to read books.

First, read to them. When I was kid my grandmother would read fairy tale books aloud to me every night. That started my lifelong love for reading. Children are naturally inquisitive. They have an active imagination. Reading to them every night will foster their love for reading. It is important to start the practice of reading to them at a young age. Children are more receptive to new things in their younger years. The earlier you expose them to the joys of reading, the better.

Second, make books accessible. If you want you kids to learn to love reading, make it easy for them. Fill your house with books! Make it accessible for them. This way even if you are not around, they can read by themselves.

Third, bring them to bookstores. When I was a child, whenever we would go to the mall, my mother would bring me first to a bookstore and buy me books. The bookstore became my favorite place to go to whenever I’d go to a mall. While other kids would beg their parents to take them to the toy store, I’d ask my mom to take me to a bookstore. Bringing your children to bookstores will expose them to the multitude of books available for them to read. This will encourage them to love books even more.

Fourth, designate a comfortable reading area. Pick out a reading spot for your children. Make it comfortable and well lighted. Aside from being able to read without distractions, this can also be their private place where they cane enjoy some time alone.

Fifth, make reading fun! The worst thing you can do is to force your children to read. This will make the activity seem like a chore and take away the joy of doing it. What you should do is to make the act of reading fun and exciting. Act out exciting scenes or read aloud to them in an animated manner. Enjoy yourself. When your kids see that you love what you are doing, they will follow suit and learn to love it as well.

Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer. Aside from being an avid reader, she also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes. In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing accent tables and candle lanterns.