Sitting on Your Hands

I think one of the biggest mistakes teacher and parents make is not giving our children enough time to think.  We are quick to give hints, point, or flat out answer our own question.  The average wait-time is around a second.  For many children this isn't enough time to think through a question.

When I was teaching, I used ten seconds because my ELL needed the additional time.  I would literally count to ten in my head and clasp my hands behind my back.  Yes, I had students who were ready to respond in three seconds or five seconds, but I wanted all my learners to have an opportunity to find the answer. 

So, my challenge to you is after asking a question, give your child at least five to seven seconds to think it through. The silence is going to be painful.  It's going to feel like a lifetime and you will get twitch.  If you are like me, your palms will start to sweat - my palms are sweating just writing about this.  For those five to seven seconds don't offer additional help and sit on your hands if you just can't help yourself.  You may find your child doesn't need that long, but allow him or her to make the decision. 

I would love to hear back from anyone who increased wait-time to see if your child provided better answers.

Recreating Easter Eggs

This is another activity I have had planned since October.  It looks simple, but proved rather difficult.    I did have to provide a little more direction, but they were so pleased with their work.

I found wooden Easter eggs and the felt eggs at Michaels.  I cut out pieces of felt so Ladybug and Mister could recreate the wooden Easter eggs. 

A Forest of Eggs

I hit the mother load at the dollar store last month and these eggs were part of my loot.  Ladybug and Mister spied them in my bag in March and I have been itching to get them out.  The moment I saw the eggs, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. 

Ladybug stuck the eggs in the floral foam so carefully.  Taking them out proved to be more challenging because she found when she pulled on the egg, it came off.  She had to use her thumb and index finger, like holding a pencil, to remove them.

Mister stacked them up to make a giant egg tree.  He explained that the roots were below the green floral foam.  I also love how different his is from Ladybug's work.  He bunched them on the sides and Ladybug made flower rows.

The Wee One had to get her hands on them too, so when the other two were finished I gave her the vase with the eggs.  I had to watch closely to make sure she didn't poke herself.  The exposed side is not a sharp edge, but she is my daughter and I am very clumsy.  The Wee One had a great time taking them out.  She even made a few attempts to put them back in the vase. 

A Surprise for the Easter Bunny

I put egg matching on the shelf a few weeks ago and Ladybug and Mister have taken it to a whole new level.  On their own they decided to put a surprise in each on for the Easter Bunny, which is a great extension to the activity They are so excited to leave the eggs for the Easter Bunny.  I am going to take the trinkets, replace them with jelly beans, and hide them along with our other eggs.

There are two sets of the same egg, so they have to match the correct sides together. 

Easter Tree

Oh sweet Dollar Store you provide hours of entertainment for such little money and I thank you.  This activity cost roughly $3 and it has been worth every dollar. 

I picked up a tree, Easter eggs, and little figurines (Michaels - on sale) for Ladybug and Mister to decorate.  I provided just a few eggs the first time they decorated the tree and as they grew tired of the eggs, I included little figurines.  They have redecorated the tree almost everyday.  

Rice Surprises

My parents have a little kitchen set at their house and little kitchen utensils.  I have been eyeing the slotted spoon since Christmas and when this month rolled around, I snagged it. 

Back into the kitchen I went to dye rice a pretty lavendar dark purple.  I put in a few Easter miniatures and now they have rice surprises!  Be aware that as careful as children are (not careful at all) rice will spill. 

A Basket of Shoes

The Wee One grew tired of her scarves or maybe she grew tired of Ladybug and Mister pulling the scarves, so I decided she needed something new.  She is the proud owner of a basket of shoes.  I made sure the shoes were clean(er) so she could taste them and there are a few matching pairs (not pictured).  I made sure to include different textures, colors, and materials.  The shoes are a great size for her to practice transferring from hand to hand.  Also, we practiced putting the shoes back in the basket after dumping.