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Toys are the top choice of Holiday Gift for kids. I must say that parents shall take kids interest when they choose toys for them. But don’t always grant what the kids wish for. Try to introduce them with different kinds of toys and show them how to play so they will have interest in it. Toys are great learning resources for kids. Remember that learning doesn’t always come from the textbook and learning through play brings so much fun for kids.

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photo credit: KellyB.

If older kids can create kids vacation journal, why can’t preschooler create one?  Yes, your preschooler can create kids vacation scrapbook as fun kids project with your help. Your preschooler can fill kids vacation scrapbook with simple words, her drawing, photos or postcards and favorite objects, brochures, tickets that she collect during her vacation. Read More »

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Kids certainly enjoy their vacation and after the vacation is over, they’re still excited to talk about it.  Why don’t we encourage older kids to make kids vacation journal so it will create everlasting memory not only for kids but for the whole family?  Prepare kids travel journal before your family go for your holiday. I find printable kids vacation journal that you can print them on plain or light color paper. Your kids can bring them along during their holiday. Travel journal for kids doesn’t have to be dull; kids can make some drawings, include favorite small objects or mementos or paste the photos/postcards of their vacation. This is going to be a fun kids project that they will learn during their holiday. Read More »

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Learning resources for kids doesn’t only come from the classroom, playing or travelling can be a great real life learning experience for kids. Whether you take your kids to travel to other states or to visit neighbouring countries, kids learn from the sights and the sound during travelling. Read More »

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It is no doubt that kids are getting smarter and more mature in the 21st century. Parents, schools and the society play a role to shape a smarter kid.

Moms-to-be are eager to accelerate the unborn baby’s intelligence by taking the right supplements and stimulating  unborn baby’s brain by listening to classical music is one example of parents have brought up a smarter kid. A child 5+ favors High School Musical rather than Mickey Mouse is a sign of  kids are getting mature nowadays.

You may see more changes below that affect our kids in terms of:

Education
Teamwork and communication skills become more important for schooling kids. You may see that show and tell and role play develop kids for public speaking. Project assignment at school is to develop kids’ writing skills. Computer, art, drama and sport are taught from pre-school level. Learning ABC is more fun using Kids Activities, Games and Crafts.  Parents have choices for school: public, private or even smart schools. From a blackboard and chalks to a whiteboard and a marker and eventually, an interactive smart board connected to computer and internet bring a progress in learning process. There are tuitions and enrichment programs for learning kids. Schooling Kids can now learn fast and easy with Memory Training Techniques.

School/Teachers-Parents Communication
It may happen that the communication between school/teachers and parents will be conducted via school’s website and emails rather than printed materials. Parents can access to school’s website to view the child’s progress and other information about the child.

Internet
Kids are more computer or internet savvy today. Preschooler, a child 4+ is taught to use the mouse to browse the computer screen. Kids can learn to read independently from the native speaker by using Interactive Phonics Learning Program. Primary school kids learn typing using Microsoft Word. To do the school projects, kids use Yahoo or Google search for information search as their resources. Teachers also use You Tube as resources to get an inspiration for choreography of the school production. Some of my kid friends have their own e-mail address though they are only 8+.

Technology
Technology benefits kids if we can supervise the kids how to use it wisely. Parents have choices for electronic toys for babies. Wooden Toys and Genius Toys are designed in such a way for kids to play and learn, develop kids creativity, imagination and problem solving skills. Electronic games such as PlayStation can entertain older kids. Electronic dictionary helps kids build vocabularies. Some Kids have their own computer and television in their own room. We don’t agree with these as we can’t watch over them. Our kid’s friends bring a hand phone though we think they are still too young.

I raise 2 young kids and I view how today’s kids are different from my generation.  If you are parents, please share your opinion and get free smart parenting e-book  as a token of appreciation if your comment or feedback is published.    

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The ClickN Kids programs are the learning resources for kids. Kids learn to read and to spell with the most effective method. ClickN Kids programs can be used at homes or schools: pre-school, kindergarten, primary.  School will get yearly license.

Please find out why ClickN KIDS programs are the best:

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• Live Instruction. On screen instructor speaks exactly like an expert reading tutor with perfect English pronunciation in a live classroom. Your child is taught by Dr. J. Ron Nelson because he wrote every word the instructor says.
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• Fast, Convenient and Easy. No software to install, just simply login to your account from their website.
• Interactive Learning to Read program. Children demonstrate learned skills. Your child experiences the joy of self achievement. Answers are learned and not just given away. Children enjoy the challenge of responding correctly to move forward within a lesson. Program patiently re-teaches until the correct response is learned.  Detailed assessment reports track what the child has learned.
• Children Work Independently. Instructional programs that are great fun and so easy your children can do it all by themselves. Children smile with self confidence and self esteem because they are learning phonics on their own. From login to completing the lessons, our program teaches children to work independently.
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• Applies to homes, schools and to those kids with learning disabilities as well as adults!

ClickN READ Phonics

It teaches the entire kindergarten to 3rd grade phonics curriculum taught at USA public schools through 100 interactive cartoon animated online phonics lessons. Children learn English correctly in a phonics game-like environment that is great fun and easy to use.

Our phonics program is designed for children as young as 4 years old learning to read English for the first time, older children struggling to learn to read, learning disabled children and even adults learning English as a second language.

Try Lesson 15 or 78 for FREE.

ClickN SPELL

It is a research based spelling program for PreK through 5th grade that teaches the 800 most commonly used words in the English language. The program may also be used as an intervention curriculum for struggling spellers regardless of age or grade level.

Mastering this list of words has been proven to be very successful in mastering English. For example, the most commonly spoken 800 words are used 13 times more frequently than the next most common 800 words. ClickN SPELL therefore provides a solid foundation not just for spelling, but also for the English language in general.

Try lesson 10 or 75 for FREE.

Enjoy 5% discount with the coupon code: CNK.  Please visit ClickN Kids for more details.

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I mean here is a real cooking, cooking for the family food. I just find out that my kid, a preschooler can do a lot more in cooking than I ever think. She pretends to cook with her food toys, so why not introduce her to the real world of cooking. Cooking can be  a new learning experience for the kids. I begin to involve her in the cooking preparation. I get a help, she is having fun and we engage in conversation during cooking. In her eyes, I’m the best cook though I’m not.  I find that kids learn and benefit from cooking.

• Develop Fine Motor Skill – kids learn how to use their fingers to pull the vegetables. They are able to use the cutlery knife to cut the vegetables in pre-determined sizes or slice the raw ingredients.
• Adopt Living Skill  – I see “able to cook” as a living skill when they grow up as an adult.
• Develop Learning – I include maths and science into cooking. Maths, kids learn to estimate the length of vegetables they should cut or pull. I involve counting and basic maths (addition and subtractions) by saying: I take away 2, how many are left? I add 2, how many do you see now? When she asked: when are the vegetables going to cook? I said: count until 50 or 100 and you shall see if the vegetables soften and change colors. Science, kids learn all kinds of vegetables and spices: the name, the texture, the fragrance or smell, the changes of vegetables after being cooked. This cooking experience will encourage kids to eat vegetables more. My kid usually wants to taste first after the cooking is done. 
• Fun - Sometimes, we play guessing game during cooking. We take turn to ask questions. She asks question too, such as: what kind of fruit produces milk? and she will hard to guess when I ask: what veggie that has golden teeth and blonde hair?
• Pride - kids will feel proud if they can do adult’s  or mommy’s job. Do remember to praise them for encouragement. 

Besides kids benefit and have fun from cooking, you shall take safety precautions. I have my safety tips for cooking with kids:

• Set the rules for DON’Ts and let the kids know. Don’t use the kitchen knife, instead use the cutlery knife. Don’t turn on the gas cooker by yourself.
•  The kids should wash hands before and after cooking for hygienic reason and do put the apron to protect their clothes.
• Don’t let the kids sample the ingredients before they’re cooked.
• Don’t let the kids handle the poultry, meat or raw seafood.
• Always supervise and check the kids’ work.
• Allocate short time period otherwise the child will get bored and overworked.

Apart from sharing my own experience with my kids, I also find  interesting resources for kids, Kids Cooking Activities, to help your kid learn and grow in the kitchen.  This e-book is from mom who compiled all her kids cooking lessons. So, they are tried and true.  The cooking lessons are tailored to kids age group. Two great e-books Food Facts and Kid Friendly Finger Foods and Dips come  with this e-book as a package.