Happy Birthday America! Top 4th Of July Books For Preschoolers

Ahhhh Summer.

The time of year where we get to play at the pools, beaches, eat massive food at cookouts, and celebrate our Independence. Chances are, with the children being home for summer vacation, you'll take trips to the Library and book stores.

We have a nice list of fun reads for you and your child to enjoy.

1 - 

The Night Before the Fourth of July

The twentieth title in the bestselling Night Before series is the perfect summer treat! 

It's the night before the Fourth of July and all across the United States people are getting ready for hot dogs and fireworks. Decked in red, white, and blue, a family heads to a parade, hosts a backyard BBQ with friends and family, dodges an afternoon thundershower, and of course, watches a fireworks show. The Night Before the Fourth of July captures all the fun, excitement, and pride of the best summer holiday!

2 - 

Corduroy's Fourth of July 

Celebrate summer with a Corduroy board book adventure!

Today is the Fourth of July, and Corduroy and his friends are having a fun-filled picnic. They eat tasty treats and play games in the hot summer sun. Then it’s time to cool down with a dip in the pool. Next they take part in an Independence Day parade! Scruffy Pup bangs the drum, Checkerboard Bunny plays the flute, and Corduroy carries the American flag. Once it’s dark outside, the friends gather to watch an amazing fireworks display.

This sturdy, brightly colored shaped board book is perfect for the youngest fans of Corduroy, one of the best-loved characters in children’s books for nearly 40 years.

3 - 

The Story of America's Birthday

This little book presents the story of the founding of America in words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand. Vibrant illustrations paired with the text help to create the connection between the story of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution and today's Fourth of July festivities. Parents can use this book to introduce little ones to the history and meaning behind Independence Day. Ages 2-5.

4 - 

Apple Pie Fourth of July

Shocked that her parents are cooking Chinese food to sell in the family store on an all-American holiday, a feisty Chinese American girl tries to tell her mother and father how things really are. But as the parade passes by and fireworks light the sky, she learns a surprising lesson. 

5 - 

Eloise and the Big Parade

Eloise and Nanny are going to a big parade!

6 - 

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!

It's the 4th of July and all over town, people are getting ready. Jenny Sweeney gives her dog, Rags, a bath. All the preparations lead up to the big parade and a night of bright fireworks. It's a great day. "Happy Birthday, USA!"

7 - 

F Is for Flag (Reading Railroad)

June 14 is Flag Day, but with so many American flags proudly displayed, every day seems like Flag Day. Perfect for reading together with a young child, F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family.

8 - 

L Is for Liberty (Reading Railroad)

For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has stood proudly in New York Harbor, welcoming people from near and far. Perfect for reading together with a young child, L Is for Liberty uses simple language and bold illustrations to celebrate the statue, her history, and the freedom she stands for.

9 - 

A Is for America: A Patriotic Alphabet Book

Little ones will love learning American history in Tanya Lee Stone's latest alphabet book. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman!

10 - 

The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

The Bear family and their Bear Country neighbors celebrate the Fourth of July with a big parade. But not before the cubs get a lesson about the blessings of freedom for their country.  Features 12 full-color stickers.

Educational Websites for Preschoolers

We know how much kids today love to have their "screen time." Whether you give them 20 minutes a day, 30 minutes a day, or more. Why not make it educational AND fun for them? There are many websites out there that want this very combo for your children. They understand the importance of keeping them engaged while learning.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. www.abcya.com/

Here you will find free games and apps for kids. Games such as connect the dots, Bingo, letter and number tracing, and more.

2. www.abcmouse.com

This site offers Reading, Math, Music, Art, and other easy to use content for preschoolers. They offer a paid subscription, but you will find plenty of great games for free.

3 - www.funbrainjr.com

The fun and vibrant games you will find here will help children ages 2 - 6 years will help them build early learning skills in math AND reading!

4 - www.pbskids.org

Learn about letters and the alphabet and play games with some of your favorite PBS Kids characters.

Fun Summer Activities To Do With Your Children

IT'S SUMMER. AHHHHHHH!!!

The air is vibrating with excitement. The kids will be home from school and you are wondering what in the world you can do to keep them entertained. We have compiled a list of activities for you to consider throughout the season to be enjoyed by the whole family.

1 - Local Library

Most libraries have weekly events planned throughout the year and especially in the summer when everyone is off of school.  Look online for your Library's list of fun and educational plans.  Also, don't forget to sign them up for the summer reading program. Not only does this come with a few perks, but you will also find a list of recommended reading for all ages.

2 - Local Parks

Parks aren't just for jungle gyms.  Many will orchestrate family-friendly fun for you as well.  And, most of the time they are FREE events.  Fireworks for the 4th of July.  Performances at the pavilion. Concerts on the lawn. Nature tours.  So cool!

3 - Local Town Centers

So many of these shopping centers offer family-friendly activities such as concerts and outdoor movie nights.  What a great way to enjoy an evening with your loved ones than a nice meal and community?

4 - Free or Deeply Discounted Movies

Did you know that over the summer, some movie theatres have children's movies for $5 or less? Whaaaaaaaat???  I knooooooowww!  Companies like Regal have them on Tuesday mornings.  Every year they put out their list of films and the schedule for which it will be released throughout the summer break.

Kids have all of the fun 😒

5 - Visit the Farm

Most Farms are free to visitors.  Many offer activities that are free or low in cost, such as hayrides, arts and crafts, milking the cows, and so on.  Make an afternoon of it by packing a picnic lunch. Some farms offer strawberry and blueberry picking along with general stores where you can purchase local honey, jams, and baked good.

Last but not least, don't forget to check around your town for free attractions.  You might be able to find smaller museums that have free entry.

Another idea would be to explore a nearby town or city.  Summertime is chock full of festivals with rides, music, games, and delicious foods.

Top 10 Books To Read At The Pool With Your Children

Once again, we went around the school and polled our teachers on what they felt were great reads leading into the Summer season.  Here is what they had for you.


1 - Down by the Bay (Raffi Songs to Read)

A classic silly song that toddlers know and love, Down by the Bay has been a favorite and best-selling Raffi Songs to Read since it was first published in 1988. In this friendly board book edition, irresistible art by Nadine Bernard Westcott depicts wonderfully amusing creatures such as a bear combing his hair, a goose kissing a moose, and a whale with a polka-dot tail. Very young children will find this book both entertaining and instructive in early language skills such as rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, and will delight in hearing it read or sung aloud to them.

2 - Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach

New York Times bestselling author and artist James Dean brings readers some fun in the sun! Pete the Cat is one groovy cat at finding shells and building sand castles at the beach. But when it gets too hot, there’s only one way to cool off—jump into the ocean! Except Pete might be a scaredy-cat when it comes to the water.

Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.

3 - OLIVIA Goes Camping

Olivia is super excited to have her best friend come along on her family camping trip. However Francine is not a huge fan of the Great Outdoors and is less than excited about the mud, the bugs, and the idea of sleeping in a tent. It's up to Olivia to help Francine get in touch with her inner nature lover in this funny story that's based on an episode.

4 - The Tiny Seed (The World of Eric Carle)

The charming tale of The Tiny Seed, by beloved author and illustrator Eric Carle, is now available as a Level 2 Ready-to-Read!

Eric Carle’s classic story of the life cycle of a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. Everyone will cheer for the seed’s progress as it floats across the sky, nestles in the ground, and finally grows into the giant flower it was always meant to be.

With the dazzling collage illustrations and lively text in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read, Carle has created a triumphant and fascinating tale for young readers!

5 - Last Day Blues (Mrs. Hartwells classroom adventures)

Fans of First Day Jitters will love the last day of school in Mrs. Hartwell's classroom. Thoughts of summer vacation, beach reading, and play disrupt studies. But the kids don't want their teacher to miss them while they're gone. Once again Julie Danneberg and Judy Love bring to life the crazy antics of Mrs. Hartwell and her class and show that teachers and students are more alike than different.

6 - Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja (a hilarious adventure for children ages 9-12)

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

My name is Chase Cooper, and I'm a 6th grade ninja. It's my first day at a different school and the only person I know is my cousin, Zoe (but she might be a little too cool for me). I was just another scrawny kid until a group of ninjas recruited me into their clan. It was a world of trouble I wasn't prepared for, which is why I kept this diary (or "chronicle" as my dad would call it) - to warn other kids about the dangers of becoming a ninja. They say history is destined to repeat itself... well, not if I can help it.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja is a funny thriller that's entertaining for kids, middle school students, and adults.

7 - The Night Before Summer Vacation

A little girl and her family are getting ready to go on vacation . . . or at least they are trying to. In the effort to pack everything that will be needed, there's bound to be something overlooked, and what that is provides a funny ending to this meter-perfect "twist" on Clement Moore's classic.

8 - The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.
 
By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. 
But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear . . .
 
So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale. 
 
The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).

9 - Bats at the Beach (A Bat Book)

Quick, call out! Tell all you can reach: the night is just perfect for bats at the beach! 

So pack your buckets, banjos, and blankets—don’t forget the moon-tan lotion—and wing with this bunch of fuzzy bats to where foamy sea and soft sand meet. 

Brian Lies’s enchanting art and cheery beachside verse will inspire bedtime imaginations again and again. Come visit a bedazzling world of moonlight, firelight, and . . . bats!

10 - Indestructibles: Beach Baby

Beach Baby is the perfect beach book for baby, telling the sweet story of baby’s day at the beach—and it’s sand-proof, waterproof, and sunscreen-proof, too.

With two million copies in print, Indestructibles are the books built for the way babies read. They are 100 percent baby-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Printed on a unique nontoxic, paperlike material that holds up to anything babies can throw at it—gumming, spilling, dragging across the floor—Indestructibles are the little books that could. They’re indestructible. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the dishwasher or rinse them in the sink.

Practical Life For Preschool Aged Children

Ahhhhh...Practical life. The foundation of the Montessori Education. The place where every child wants to hang out and every teacher regrets putting out those water activities. And the beans. Let's not forget about the rice. Do you have any idea how hard it is to clean up itty bitty grains of rice from the floor. They don't sweep up easily when scattered about. 😒

The children gravitate to this area of the classroom like it is the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. It is bright, exciting, and offers the opportunities they need to succeed in everyday activities.

These lessons foster the development of the child's mind, body, and spirit. It is an area that provides the child with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for becoming an independent little human in their daily chores and activities.

We all know how much easier our hectic lives would be if our little ones acquired those important skills leading them towards independence. The problem is we don't give them the time to foster their natural desires to do so.  How many times have you caught yourself wishing, even pleading for them to "do this" or "do that" on their own, only to tell them, "just let me do it?"

Well, get this. According to one of my favorite child development resources, The Secret Life of Childhood, "The practical life area is one of four general areas in the prepared environment. Activities here build on the child's natural interest and help him develop good work habits, concentration, hand/eye coordination, a lengthened attention span, and control of his body.

Practical Life lessons are introduced in the class first, and for good reason.  This is where children will practice and develop the skills needed to accomplish what the adult does everyday. How often does your child ask to help you in the kitchen? I'm sure you have noticed that your child expresses and wishes to imitate these daily tasks.

It is the Teacher's role to provide the materials needed to meet the needs and prepare the environment on a daily basis. She is also the dynamic link between the child and the environment.

The adult must observe the child to see if they have acquired the power of concentration which will normally occur in the practical life area. It is up to the teacher to introduce the materials and give a presentation on how to use them properly. Once the child becomes engrossed in the work, the teacher should move on allowing them to complete the task. She must only interrupt when necessary, such as if the child is being destructive, dangerous, or disruptive.

The areas of the Practical Life Curriculum are lessons of Grace and Courtesy, large and small muscle development, care of the environment, and care of person. These are the introductory lessons to the Montessori classroom where the child will develop respect for themselves, others, and their surroundings. These also teach obedience and self confidence.

Some lessons address the social needs of the child. Others prepare the child for reading, writing, and proper hygiene.

Below are a few examples of what we do in our classroom to reinforce these needs:

• Pushing in the chair. This contributes to respect for others and the class.
• Greeting a guest. This is typically done during circle time on the first day of school and practiced on and off throughout the year. Each child takes a turn introducing themselves to one another and shakes their hand. This lesson demonstrates positive and respectful social interactions.
• Dressing Frames. They include buttons, snaps, zippers, buckles, laces, and bow ties.
• Handwashing. Demonstrating that all important proper hygiene. Especially during cold and flu season.
• Tongs and Spooning. Excellent for hand/eye coordination and small muscle development. Pincer grip leads to the proper way of holding a pencil which then leads to proper handwriting.
• To develop the large muscles they can sweep, wash dishes, and clean the table.

As stated in The Secret Childhood, "Movement is an important aspect in the lessons of Practical Life. It is something that precedes, accompanies, and follows all bodily activities."  You cannot express an idea or thought without muscle movements. It is important not to restrict movement.

"Through movement he acts upon his external environment and thus carries out his own personal mission in the world. Movement is not only an impression of the ego but it is an indispensable factor in the development of consciousness. It is the only real means which places the ego in a clearly defined relationship with external reality."

So, it is clear to see that young children develop their own minds and intelligence through movement.
Hence, Practical Life. The greatest area in the Montessori classroom...according to the children. 😃
Even something that feels like "play time" serves a developmental purpose.

The Crazy Reunion by Jay Khadilkar

On March 31, 2005 there was a reunion between the Henrys and the Rogers. They all wanted to see the sites in New York, but they could not decide which site to see. And by the time they decided, it was time for lunch.

At lunch they could not decide what to eat; hot dogs or pizza. They could not decide which food, so they got both. And they had a food fight. After that they got kicked out of the restaurant. They toured the sites and went home.

That is the story of the reunion between the Henrys and the Rogers.




****This was written by Jay. A third grader who has been with us since he was three years old. He was excited to be considered the first contributor to feature his work****

Earth Day Books To Read With Your Children

There is a children's book out there for EVERYTHING!  Earth Day not to be excluded.  Take these wonderful opportunities to spend time with your children by reading.  They grow so fast.  So, enjoy this time with them.

Below are our good reads picks.

I Can Save The Earth:  One Little Monster Learns To Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle

A new “green” series!: Little Green Books will educate children on what they can do to be more eco-friendly. The books in this line will be made from recycled materials, and the storylines will cover subjects such as improving the environment, learning about endangered animals, recycling, and much more. 

Meet Max the Little Monster. He is a cute, furry green monster who is an environmental nightmare. Among other things, he leaves on all the lights, keeps his computer plugged in, blasts the TV, hoards his old toys and uses so much toilet paper it clogs the toilet until finally, his excessive ways cause a power outage. With no TV to watch, computer to play on, video games to play with, Max finds there is a whole big world outside that he can make a difference in the environment.

Kids can follow Max the Little Green Monster's journey to environmental awareness and learn tips on how they can become little green monsters themselves. A kid-friendly glossary of terms is included in the back of the book.

I Am Earth:  An Earth Day Book For Kids

I Am Earth introduces kids to the basic concepts of earth science while also encouraging the importance of taking care of our special planet through environmental awareness and sustainability. Keeping Earth a happy and healthy place to live is important for everyone big and small. 

In this Earth science book for beginners, kids learn what makes our planet so uniquely special and how people can work together to keep it a healthy home.I Am Earth is a great way to start children at an early age to care for the environment by understanding why the environment is so important and what they can do to help keep nature in balance, like recycle, reuse and conserve.

 For all living creatures that call planet Earth home, every day is Earth Day!Bright, vivid illustrations will capture kids' attention and keep learning fun. 

"Keep Earth a happy, healthy place to live!"

Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration

It's Earth Day!

Join Biscuit as he helps take care of our green world. From planting seeds to cleaning up, Biscuit's celebration is an exciting adventure for Earth Day and for every day!

Woof!

Have more fun with Biscuit!

The Three R's:  Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

Attractive color illustrations and easy-to-follow text combine to present factual information that younger boys and girls will readily absorb and understand. The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle is one in a series of four entertaining What Do You Know About? books, for very young children. It describes the ways in which kids and their families can avoid waste and be environmentally conscious. Four pages presenting activities for children appear at the back of the book, followed by a two-page section for parents, with tips on explaining the subject in more detail.

Michael Recycle

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, Michael Recycle tells the adventures of a young superhero whose power allows him to teach people about recycling. After cleaning up a town, the people declare: "To Michael Recycle! The green-caped crusader, our super-green hero, the planet's new savior!"

Let's Explore...Ocean

Lonely Planet Kids' brand new series of sticker activity books, "Let's Explore", is perfect for any child with a sense of adventure. With fascinating facts, puzzles to solve and pages to colour and complete, little explorers aged 5 and up will love discovering the amazing environments of our planet.

Let's Explore Ocean takes you under the waves and into a whole other world. Dress the explorers in their diving gear, learn how to make a submarine-style periscope, decorate reefs with colourful coral, and loads more. An undersea adventure awaits. Let's explore! Includes over 250 stickers. Perfect for on-the-road entertainment.

The Berenstain Bears:  Don't Pollute (Anymore!)

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Brother is doing a report about endangered species, so he and Sister visit the museum to talk to Professor Actual Factual about what they can do to help save the environment. This beloved story is a perfect way to teach children about caring for the planet. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!

The Giving Tree

'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.'

So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

It's Earth Day!  (Little Critter)

Little Critter is on a mission! After watching a film about climate changes at school, Little Critter decides to do his part to slow down global warming. With the help of his family and friends, Little Critter begins to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Together they learn about the importance of not wasting water or energy. Join Little Critter as he plants a tree, makes a climate control machine, and helps the polar bears.

The Adventures Of A Plastic Bottle

Learn about recycling from a new perspective!  Peek into this diary of a plastic bottle as it goes on a journey from the refinery plant, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a garbage can, and finally to a recycling plant where it emerges into it's new life...as a fleece jacket! 

Told from the point of view of a free-spirited plastic bottle, kids can share in the daily experiences and inner thoughts of the bottle through his personal journal. The diary entries will be fun and humorous yet point out the ecological significance behind each product and the resources used to make it. Readers will never look at a plastic bottle the same way again!