Homeschool Tips Tricks Ideas

Today we launch our latest Ebook! DaddyTeller™ has arrived.

Focusing on helping any Dad tell stories to his kids, this affordable Ebook is available today with an instant download by visiting http://www.daddyteller.com .

(Moms can use this Ebook, too. Just know that it’s written in guy-speak.)

Written by award-winning K. Sean Buvala, a 23 year veteran of the storytelling movement, we help Dad put down the storybooks and look into the eyes of his children while he tells them stories that pass on values, build communication, improve reading and math skills and create memories that will live far beyond the moment.

Filled with training and coaching, the book includes 8 stories with step-by-step instructions on what to say and how to say it. Going beyond fathering tips, this is a very specific guidebook.

The “DaddyTeller™: Be a Hero to Your Kids and Teach Them What’s Important by Telling Them One Simple Story at a Time” Ebook is available now at the initial launch price of just $14.95.

This Ebook is just the beginning of the DaddyTeller™ project. Be part of the first to join this unique learning and telling community.

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Ruth Stotter’s book, Smiles! 101 Stunts, Oohs and Aahs, Puzzles and Magic to Bring a Smile to a Child’s Face, is like a small “dictionary” of fun, easy games and time fillers that’s great to have in your briefcase or backpack when working with homeschool co-ops, groups or even your own children. Especially good for those who are just starting in forms of activities with children, Ruth has managed to incorporate a wide variety of both active and thinking games. If you are an experienced recreation leader, teacher or parent, you’ll find this book is a nice go-to guide to remind you of games and activities you once knew but might have pushed to the back of your brain. I found myself saying, “Oh, yeah, I’ve done that one and the kids loved it” several times. I can imagine, too, that older children might have a good time using this book to plan a program for younger siblings. That would be, for example, a perfect 7th grade homeschool project teaching responsibility, organization and creativity Overall a nice resource book to have at your fingertips when working with the grade-school-aged crowd. -Storyteller.net Reviews

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Sometimes along comes a product that makes us think, “It’s about time!” The Think-ets storytelling game is one of those products.

Using a concept from an old storytelling game, the folks at Think-ets have created a package that delights kids and adults alike. When I showed the sample to my eight-year old child, she squealed with delight, grabbed it out of my hand and went off to play with her cousin and older sister. After more than an hour, she returned it to me and let me know that there “are more games than you think” in the package. As I write this review, I see the bag has vanished off my desk again.

If you are a parent or child-care giver, the portable, self-contained pouch of trinkets can be used for those moments when you need a fun game with your child but cannot commit the time to a board game. This is also a game you want to have in pocket, purse or bag for those long waits in the doctor’s office or waiting for a table at your local restaurant. Look out, tho’, because you are going to catch the attention of other waiting children. Moreover, you can bet their parents are going to ask you, “Where’d you get that?”

The only warning we can give about the product is that the parts are very small and present a choking hazard. This game is clearly not designed for the little ones who still put everything in their mouths. Use wisdom and caution when playing this game with young children and supervise carefully any child to whom you give the game. The package suggests a minimum age of 8 years old for this and we agree. If you have very small children in your home, this product is not for you. Yet.

For those of you who are working with groups of people such as schools, homeschool groups, librarians and so on, these games are a great crowd breaker and a way to ease folks into the concepts of storytelling in a non threatening and inclusive manner. You will recognize the concepts of the game right away and be glad that the work of gathering all these diverse and fun little parts has been done for you.

You will also want to get several of these games for that elusive “stocking stuffer” or simple gift toy for upcoming holidays. I am also pleased by the manufacturer’s employment the members of self-help social service agencies to assemble their products.

You can get yours at http://www.pocketstorytelling.com

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Create Your Own Family Crafting Station!
By Michelle B.

Setting up a special crafting zone at home can be a wonderful boon to a child’s imaginative creativity and self-confidence, and a place to nurture family relationships. Crafting can be a reinforcement of a current study project, or an extension for the child interested in a topic and wanting to do more. Why a special place? Rather than just getting started on a craft at the dining room table and Mom calls out that it is time to set the table for dinner, an unfinished piece can be left on a crafting table until it can be worked on later. Stray paint or crayon marks on the craft table are fine, as we don’t have to worry about them. And it is beneficial to have our supplies stored nearby, so we don’t have to run to the closet for paper, then to the kitchen drawer for a pair of scissors, and where is that box of crayons? Having a prepared crafting area means one can get crafting when the creative urge hits!

So, where will we put our crafting station? Although it is not required, one of the best places will have easy access to a source of water such as the kitchen sink or a washbasin in the laundry room or garage. Crafting frequently requires water for activities such as painting or papier mache, and of course some washing up, and as the crafting floor will get messy, carpeting is not a good idea. If the room is carpeted, spread out an old shower curtain liner or paint tarp, or cut a piece of vinyl flooring to lay over the rug.

The size of the room will dictate the size of the work surface. The larger, the better. It can be a card or kitchen table, a folding banquet or wooden work table, or a desk. A piece of thick plywood, particle board or counter-top cut to size or a wooden door can be held up by a pair of end tables, shelving units or filing cabinets or even sawhorses. During crafting sessions, the table can be covered in newspapers or, better yet, butcher paper or newsprint for a quick roll-it-up cleaning.

If space allows, a folding screen of some sort can be placed between the craft station and the rest of the living space to keep a work-in-progress or a mound of craft supplies on the table out of view. Perhaps the screen can be used as a gallery of finished art.

Finally, think about lighting. Try to have at least two light-sources. A ceiling or wall fixture or standing lamp is useful for overall viewing, and reading, desk, or goose-neck lamps are excellent for the close-up work that needs to be done on many projects

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