Children and Chores: Lighten Your Load!

I'm not saying to turn your little princess into Cinderella, but it's actually good to have your kids help out around the house starting at a young age!

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I'm over at Pam Barnhill's site again today, sharing my Children and Chores: Start 'Em Early! post that shares why it's not only good for you, but good for your kids if you have your little ones lighten your load a bit by doing small jobs around the house. 

Click on over and check it out, then stop back by to let me know what you think!

Do you have your kids help out at home, or do you somehow have more hours in your day or more than two arms to get everything done yourself? I'd love to hear!  Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of great tips like this and all the fun around here, be sure to sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post delivered right to your inbox.

The Ultimate Guide to Doing Preschool at Home (Everything you need to get started!)

Feeling overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling your preschooler?

This ultimate guide to doing preschool at home will give you everything you need to get started!

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It’s that time of year again.

You know, when it seems like every entry you scroll past on social media is a “first day of” photo or description of little Johnny or Jane’s first day and how everyone just knows it’s going to be the best year ever!

If you’re a homeschool mom, you’ve probably already adjusted to this coming-at-you-from-all-sides media storm. Either you’ve posted your own “first day” photos with the kids lounging around in pajamas or you’ve participated in a fun, “not back to school” first day event, or you’ve been doing this homeschool thing for so long, you just don’t care.

We took a picture...

But if you still just have little ones at home or your oldest is of preschool age, then it’s a different story, bringing different pressures.

That's why I'm over at Pam Barnhill's site today, with Swimming Against the Current: When You’re Not Sending Your Child Off to Preschool.

You'll want to click on over and read that post, but leave this window open so you can come back and find everything you need to get set up for doing preschool at home.

Peg + Cat: A Totally Awesome Way to Introduce Math to Your Preschooler!

Each month, I'll be sharing homeschool solutions for the preschool years over at pambarnhill.com.

Today's post looks at ways to incorporate preschool math into your days!

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commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

It's a new month, which means I'm over at Pam Barnhill's site again sharing homeschool solutions for the preschool years.

This time, I've written a post on 5 Easy Ways to Incorporate Preschool Math Into Your Days. 

But before you click on over and check it out, learn more about suggestion #5 right here.

Herding Cats: How to read to toddlers who won't sit still

Each month, I'll be sharing homeschool solutions for the preschool years over at pambarnhill.com.

Today's post explores the challenge of reading to a child who just won't sit still - and I'm here to tell you, it will be okay!

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commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Your friendly Syncopated Mama has added something new to her plate this year: contributing writer for another blog!

That's right, starting today I'll be blogging once a month over at Pam Barnhill's site and sharing homeschool solutions for the preschool years!

It's no secret that I love all the wonderful things that Pam shares (she shows up on my 5 After 5 lists for favorite podcasts and educational blogs!), so you can imagine my excitement when she asked little old me to join her team!

Today's post is a re-vamped version of my Herding Cats: Cultivating a Love of Reading in Your Toddler post that so many of you said helped lift a huge weight off your shoulders with regards to expectations on reading with toddlers.

I'd love to have you click on over and check it out - especially if you happen to have a toddler who won't sit still at your house, too!

Have you ever worried about reading to a wiggle worm before?  I'd love to hear!  Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of great posts like this along with all the other fun and tips around here, be sure to sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post delivered right to your inbox!

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Bedtime Read & Rhyme Bible Stories by Bonnie Rickner Jensen, illustrated by Robert Dunn

Does your child's bedtime routine begin with a lengthy process of choosing which story to read before sleep?  Wouldn't it be great to know exactly what you are going to read each night - with the added bonus of a prayer built into each day's selection?

Read on to discover this new, adorable resource!

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I received a free copy of this product from the BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for writing a review.  All opinions are my own.

I know many of you follow a traditional bedtime routine with your kids: reading a story, saying prayers, and bestowing a good-night kiss before quietly slipping from your child's darkened room.

Often, the "reading a story" portion of the evening seems to never end - your cherub can't seem to decide which book to choose, or you hear "read it again" as soon as you close the cover...

I think this happy, hopeful, fun-to-read children's book might be just the solution to your nighttime woes: 

Bedtime Read and Rhyme Bible Stories

31 Games - Feed the Woozle

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

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A silly cooperative game that involves not only counting, but fine and gross motor skills along with the usual gamey things like taking turns, rolling a die and spinning a spinner.

One of the neatest aspects of this game is that it has three different levels - which means mixed ages can all play together and still be challenged!

Feed the Woozle

    

 

31 Games - Limbo

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

This physically challenging contest is actually a dance that originated in the West Indies.

It's one that not only can be played with a wide range of ages, but gives younger players a bit of an advantage.

Perfect for parties, this game can be played without music, but is more fun while jamming out to some peppy tunes!

31 Games - Taste Test

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Did you ever make "experiment dishes" in the kitchen when you were little?

I did.

These creations were usually made by commandeering all the condiments and then mixing them up into one incredible dish.

Yes, I would eat this.

That's how I know that I would have loved this game when I was young.

Not only can this game trick your kids into trying something new in the food department, but playing it can serve as a snack in addition to playtime.

31 Games - Spot It!

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

This is a fast-paced, unusual card game where all the players compete simultaneously.

The game directions provide several variations, but Gv's first encounter with the game involved simply looking for matches amongst the different cards.

It's super-portable and one of the best games to play if you have a wide range of ages.

Spot It!

   

 

31 Games - Pass the Present

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Will you be left with a surprise gift when the music stops?  Read all about this unique Musical-Chairs-like game that's perfect for parties!

31 Games - Kitty Wants a Corner

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

This is basically an outdoor version of Musical Chairs.  It's simple, but loads of fun as all the "kitties" race around trying to find a spot.

Kids love it because there's no technical winner to this game, just new "kitties."

31 Games - Honeybee Tree

Is your 3-year-old the youngest of the family, or are all the kids your child plays with close to that same age?  If so, then you know how difficult it can be to find ways for them to all be involved in the fun and games - so many choices are just too advanced for this age.

But now, you'll have a list of 31 unique games that even a 3-year-old can join in with.  A few of these ideas will be best for the preschool set, but most will work for a wide range of ages!

Click on over here to see the full list, but read on for this great game idea!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

I've not seen this game in person, but it caught my eye after Gv and I finished reading Winnie the Pooh together.

Hand-eye coordination, beginning strategy, fine motor work and cause & effect are all skills this game will specifically help develop!

And if you're rumbly in your tumbly, this game might just help that, too! (well, not really, but it's fun to pretend)

Honeybee Tree