Posted on February 6, 2010 by hkempskie
As a parent and an educator, the olympics absolutely thrill me. It is such an awesome opportunity for children to see how the world is big yet so small, that there can be peace amongst countries and that things such as sportmanship can and do exsist. Children can witness an ice skater fall down and get back up and continue to give it his/her all. Children can see how people can look different and even sound different but they can still be passionate about the same thing. Children can see that teamwork is essential and possible and that no one in the team can do it alone. Our children can sesnse the sort of focus an athlete has on his/her face at the start of a race or at the end of a slope. They can witness what true joy/pride looks like and what can come from despair (another try at it.) the olympics give me a sense of worldly peace that I am hard pressed to find at other times in my life. I am hard pressed to find examples of it for my children. They may not really recognize that they are learning all of these things but they will see people do brave and fun things, getting medals and saluting their nation’s flag – and how cool is that? Oh yes, there is a lot to celebrate!
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Filed under: Activities, Sibling Activities | Tagged: olympics for kids, winter olympics | 1 Comment »
Posted on February 4, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on February 3, 2010 by hkempskie
Our dwarf sibling hamsters are living separate lives now. I caved in and bought a second cage. I had hoped the fighting would stop but after two nights of hearing these strange shrieking noises from their shared cage, I knew my options were limited.
I could either: a) hope that I wouldn’t be forced to explain life and death to my children because “Nibbles” decided to kill his sister “Bella” or b) I could spend another $40 on a second cage and supplies and avoid the life/death conversation. What I didn’t count on was the “How come they can’t just stop fighting?” questions and the “They’re brother and sister so why are they so mean to each other?” comments.
Exit the “Sibling Expert” and enter the “Stumbling, Fumbling Mommy.”
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Posted on January 31, 2010 by hkempskie
From the Let’s Pretend chapter in The Siblings’ Busy Book
Send and deliver mail right in your own home…a fun way to make Mail for Me & You for Valentine’s Day:
To create a mailbox, close the top of a paper grocery bag, then fold it over and staple it shut. Cut a 6-inch-by-2-inch slot in the front of the bag. Your children can then get busy writing, sending, and delivering their letters.
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Filed under: Activities, Sibling Activities | Tagged: valentine activity, valentine gift | Leave a Comment »
Posted on January 29, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on January 28, 2010 by hkempskie
We don’t know why you’d ask us this. Siblings report feeling blissful during activities found in our book (ha, ha!) Sibling fights and squabbles can happen anytime and anywhere but they are most frustrating when all you’re trying to do is have some FUN. Here’s are best advice.
What to do if siblings don’t get along during an activity?
Try to pick a time when your children are rested, fed and in generally good moods before starting an activity. OK, we know it takes the stars and moon to align such magic but it does happen (sometimes)
Remember that on average, kids ages 3 to 7 will engage in about 3.5 conflicts an hour. It’s normal, it’s natural.
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Posted on January 24, 2010 by hkempskie
Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd in both the United States and Canada. The folklore states that on February 2nd if a groundhog emerges from his hole and fails to see his shadow, he will leave his burrow – signifying that winter will end soon. But if the groundhog does see his shadow he will retreat down into his burrow, and winter will last for another 6 weeks!
Groundhog Day occurs on: (U.S.)
February 2nd
Have fun learning about a Groundhog with your whole family with fun and simple crafts!
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Posted on January 21, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on January 19, 2010 by hkempskie
Don’t you just love it when your kids say, “That’s not fair.” Nine times out of ten it has to do with something their brother or sister got and they didn’t.
“She has more ice cream than me, that’s not fair!”
“You read him more stories than me, that’s not fair!”
“You gave him more brocolli than me, that’s not fair!” A little humor here.
Lisa and I always tell parents that to love equally is somehow to love less. What the heck does that mean? In other words, you would go absolutely insane if you tried to make everything equal in your house. And let’s face it, your children would never be satisfied. What do to?
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Posted on January 17, 2010 by hkempskie
It is never too early to begin learning about a hero such as Martin Luther King. Below you will find ways to let your whole family begin to understand what this holiday is all about.
Materials: mirror,construction paper (representing coloring of skin), scissors, glue, lined paper, pencil
Use construction paper that represent the color of skin to create pieces of art/writing with your family.
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Filed under: Activities, Sibling Activities | Tagged: hero writing, martin luther king day activities, sibling fun | Leave a Comment »
