Circle Time Activities with VeggieTales

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media® and DreamWorks, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #VeggieTalesfun http://my-disclosur.es/RgFrEH

If you like to talk to tomatoes
If a squash can make you smile
If you like to waltz with potatoes
up and down the produce aisle...

Then you'll love our new visitors to circle time! Some of our favorite VeggieTales characters are joining our line-up of activities for circle time. Throughout the year, those activities have included: calendar skills, weather, songs, video clips, daily devotions, memory verses, flashcards, finger puppets, mini lessons, stories, poems, discussion times, and much more! Now, our VeggieTales friends will be joining us! Circle time should be music-filled, interactive, fun, and maybe even a little silly. These characters are bringing positive messages and fun to the time in our home school day that sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Ireland: Let's Learn About the World

Last week's preschool unit was on Ireland.  Here are some of the activities we did...

Music Play for Kids with Jim Gill

Several months ago, we had the privilege of meeting Jim Gill at a local reading festival.  (There's Lydia Grace in a picture with him.)  Have you heard of Jim Gill?  He is a musician and author whose songs and stories my children absolutely adore.  Even little Caleb at 11 months old already laughs and dances to the catchy tunes.  Jim Gill's collection of recordings and stories are unique in that they encourage play between children and adults.  I have always incorporated a music time into my days with the kids, but Mr. Gill's songs have brought a new dimension to that time.  His songs have us jumping around, laughing, acting silly, learning, playing, and most importantly having fun together!  You can sample several of his songs at this link.  Before you hit the play button though, grab the kids and be prepared to get up and get moving.  I often joke with my husband that our music play time has also become mommy's workout time.  The Tempo Marches On is always perfect for that.  {laughing}  Truly!  You are going to love how fun these songs are.  Why am I gushing about Mr. Gill's music?  Well, I believe when us mommies find something fabulous, we should share.  I am frequently asked about the music time I do with my kids.  So...here I am sharing some of the great songs we use for our music time.

Jim Gill

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Interview with Jim Gill:

Mr. Gill graciously agreed to answer some interview questions for me.  I'm honored to introduce you to the man behind the music...

Preschool Activities

As Back to School time nears, I am preparing for my own little ones to return to our Play School/Mommy School routine.  Lydia Grace will be doing preschool and some kindergarten tasks, Eli will be doing some early preschool activities, and Caleb will be enjoying lots of kisses and snuggles from mommy.  The activities I have planned will put a huge emphasis on play which is how children learn best.  Perhaps you too are preparing preschool activities for your own little one(s) to complete during the coming school year.  If so, here are some fun ideas...

Click here for a preschool planner that will further help you plan out your days of learning and play.

Happy planning!

Make Drums for Kids

Lydia Grace has been going to Kindermusik on Mondays.  I think she loves it more than any other activity we have done together.  We have a CD filled with the songs from the Kindermusik classes that we play at home.  Epo I Tai Tai E is a favorite from the CD.  When this song plays at Kindermusik, the children get to bang on drums that the instructor supplies.  When this song plays at home, Lydia Grace looks at me expectantly as if she is waiting for me to give her some drums to play.  Enough was enough...I decided to make some.  Decorative paper was cut and used to cover old formula containers that I had stored away for just such a project.  I used Mod Podge to adhere and seal the paper onto the containers.

   Now Epo I Tai Tai E gets the drumming accompaniment that it deserves at both Kindermusik and at home.