Pencil Monster DIY ~ Halloween or Whenever! VIDEO

My friend Maria makes some great craft DIYs.  She made this video the other day and I thought it would be a really fun project.  The littles will need some help with this, but this is when I like to put the bigger kids to work helping with certain steps or any pre-prep I might want to do.

And Yes! I let kids use glue guns.  After 15 years of glue gun use I have had a few kids with red fingers, but no major catastrophes.  Low temp of course.  Those cheapie ones at the dollar tree don't get too hot, but they work well.

Do You Know Who You Are?

Almost every time I am at a store or a mall I hear parents screaming for their kids, or kids screaming for their parents.  Kids wander off.  It happens.

Have you ever had the experience of trying to help one of those kids find their parent?  They are terrified and not often a lot of help.

We are always connected to phones or devices, and able to get a hold of anyone at a moments notice, but kids usually are not.  Especially younger kids.  We don't need to know phone numbers and for that reason we often don't think to teach them to kids.

Things Kids NEED To Know, If They Are Lost....

• Their name.  First & Last
• Their parent's name. First & Last
• Their parent's phone number.

Yes, they need to know these things!  And yes, they can memorize a phone number with repetitive help.  We all used to do it!  It's a skill we have lost, but it's important for kids.  It could also make them feel just a little bit better if they got lost. And would be a great help to anyone trying to get them back to their grown-ups.

How to teach it.......

• Make it into a song.
• Make a game of it.
• Set a group goal and when everyone has it there's a popcorn party or some other group prize.  Make a chart!
• Set an individual goal and have each child pick for a prize box or get to be first in line, etc.

What to do with those left over Easter Eggs? Make Maracas! - VIDEO

I found this fun video where she does a super easy project of making Maracas from leftover Easter Eggs.  Ask your families for their leftover eggs, and maybe some rice too.  I'd use spoons instead of forks.  You could also use masking tape on the egg and that way the kids can decorate it with markers or paint.

Moon Sand Recipe

Have you seen this moon sand?  It's so fun to play with, but very expensive if you buy it in the store.  "Happy Time" has an easy, and cheap, recipe to make it.

She has a lot of other fun videos with activities and recipes you can use.

Engaging Children in After School Programs ~ Professional Development VIDEO

While searching You Tube, I came across this great video that includes several ways to engage kids in your program.   I couldn't have said it better myself!

Halloween Parties - Can we still have them in After School Programs?

In this modern era of political correctness and being sensitive to everyone for
everything, it's a fair question.  Some schools and districts still celebrate Halloween whole-heartedly, while others have no mention of the holiday, no jack o lanterns on the wall, no witches hanging from strings, no classroom parties or costume parades.  These were some of my favorite memories as a child, so it is hard to see the lack of this in schools I work in.  It is typically a district or school decision.

In the past, I have discussed, with my school principal, the possibility of having a celebration even if they don't have it during the school day.  We came to an agreement that if parents supported it, and we waited until the day of the party to decorate, it would be fine. I spoke with all of my parents individually and assured that they were okay with the party, and then we were able to go ahead with it, with the blessing of our administration.

The vast majority of Americans still celebrate Halloween, and while some of the images can be quite offensive it is possible to have less scary fun at school.  If you allow students to wear costumes, make it abundantly clear that there is no blood or weapons allowed. (Sorry little Zombies!)

Your fun and activities can include, Jack-o-lanterns, spiders, bats, friendly ghosts and witches.  Just leave out the scary images and menacing faces.

Here's a link to a fantastic Pinterest Board with lots of Classroom Halloween ideas.

My Best Tip - Connect with Kids

Me and my friends goofing around.

As I was planning something new to add to the blog, I started thinking about my best advice. 
What could I share, from my 20 years of child care experience, that would really impact someone's after school program.

My best advice is for you to CONNECT with your kids.  If you truly connect, truly show that you are there FOR THEM you will have an easier and more enjoyable time.  Kids respond better to you, they are more open with you, discipline issues are less (They never go away.) and the kids feel more comfortable.  Those things are a big deal for most kids.  They need to know that they can trust you and that you won't lie to or dismiss their feelings.

 

My friends making monsters. Sewing felt and
 YES, I let the kids use a glue gun and needles.

   
     Connecting isn't always easy.  If we try too hard it's obvious.  For me, the best way has always been to just play.  Board games, card games, puzzles, dress up, Frisbee, or whatever.  Having fun with them.  Sometimes it's so hard to make the time to play.  We all know that there is just so much to do, and I sometimes realize I haven't played a game or done a craft with the kids in days or even weeks.  I have to remind myself that making those connections is a part of my job, and it helps my job to go more smoothly.  And I have more fun as well, so it's a win-win for everyone.

You never know when your attention is exactly what that child needs, at that time.  And isn't that why we are here doing what we're doing?