Snow Day Fun with Chesco Mom Abby

The two greatest words in the life of a kid during the winter: Snow Day!

I’ll let you in on a little secret. Teachers look forward to these just as much, if not more, than the children! I remember screaming with joy after hearing those three numbers called on the radio when I was young. Then, after about an hour or two of watching TV in my pajamas, I’d go to my grandmother and say another two words you know well, “I’m bored!” Here are some fun, yet educational, tools to help you and your children get through each Snow Day without hearing the other phrase.

Learn a language! America’s top three languages are English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Check out these websites with your kids. Then try to use the new vocabulary you just learned throughout the day.

– Spanish for younger kids – Learn Spanish with Dora & Diego:
http://www.nickjr.com/preschool/language-learning/spanish/

– Reading, Speaking & Writing Activities for Many Languages – Livemocha: http://www.livemocha.com/

– American Sign Language Videos and Tutorials: http://www.lifeprint.com/

Learn an instrument or hobby! Check out videos created by Expert Village/eHow to learn new skills such as: how to read music, how to cook different types of meals, how to sew or make various crafts, and many more!

Learn in the great outdoors! Bundle your children up and send them out to play. Better yet, bundle yourself up and play with them, if possible. Teach them how to create snowballs or a snowman. Ask your child questions to get them thinking: What makes a good sledding hill? Why do trees lose their leaves, but the evergreen trees still have their needles? What does the sky look like as it snows? Did you know that every single snowflake is different?

Learn about each other! Grab some hot cocoa, sit by the fireplace and share stories with each other. A day like this is the perfect chance to slow down and catch up on what is happening in your child’s world. Ask about their dreams or what they would change in the world today. How are their relationships going with their friends? Teachers? Neighbors? What things are you looking forward to?

All these ideas will not only help make the day more fun, but will help bring you closer together. Enjoy these moments! What are your favorite Snow Day memories as a child, or with your child?

Meet Chesco Mom Abby
Abby is a new SAHM who has taught in the public and cyber charter school systems. Along with her husband, who is also a teacher, she teaches music lessons in the West Chester area and leads the Youth Group at their church. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from West Chester University as well as a Master of Science in Educational Media Design & Technology.

Help Your Kids Through the Winter Blues

Help Your Kids Through The Winter Blues

The long-awaited Winter Break is over. Now what? The wind is biting, the snow is falling and Spring Break isn’t for four more months! Your children may feel there’s not much to look forward to other than colds, midterms and state testing. How can we, as parents, help them beat these “Winter Blues”? Here are a few ideas:

Get creative! During the winter, every day can feel like a Monday. Try making each day of the week something your child can look forward to. One day of the week could be a “Special Snack Day” where they get to choose a treat to go in their lunch. How about a “Try Something New” day? On these days help them try a new hairstyle, a new accessory (or repurpose an old piece of clothing), a new meal, or even meet a new friend. You can also have Family Game Nights, Parent/Child Date Nights, Pizza Days, or Movie Nights.

Get moving! Exercise is vital, especially during this time of year because it keeps us healthy, warm and releases hormones to keep us in a good mood. You can bundle up and take a walk with your child or you could stay inside and dance to your favorite tunes, play hide-and-seek or get active with games on the Wii or Xbox Kinect.

Get Involved! Sign your kids up for a winter sport, or prepare for a spring sport. Help them find a club to join or try a new hobby. Take lessons on an instrument, or learn a new craft. Join in the fun and practice with them. Share stories with them about the hobbies and sports you participated in as a child. Maybe you can rekindle a hobby you put away and enjoy it together with your son or daughter!

Most importantly, model a positive attitude for your kids. They will pick up on the mood and attitude you have about your job or daily routine; and often imitate it when it’s time to go to school. Your excitement for each day, even if you have to fake it sometimes, will go a long way in creating a happy and healthy home through these long, winter days.

About Me:

Abby is a new SAHM who has taught in the public and cyber charter school systems. Along with her husband, who is also a teacher, she teaches music lessons in the West Chester area and leads the Youth Group at their church. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from West Chester University as well as a Master of Science in Educational Media Design & Technology.