Potty Toys

this is from an article on one of my favorite sites I Can Teach My Child

Here is a link directly to the article: Potty Toys

Highchair Fun

Be sure to use string that is not long enough to pose a choking hazard, and never leave your child unattended in her highchair.
Materials

• Clear contact paper
• Tape

Directions

1. Tie one end of short lengths of string to a few of your child's toys.
2. Tie or tape the other ends to the tray of her highchair.
3. She will enjoy throwing the toys off the highchair tray, then pulling the strings to get them back again.

Read more on FamilyEducation: http://fun.familyeducation.com/toddler/toys-and-puppets/36875.html#ixzz1mGxgGPxL

What You Should Know Before Giving Your Child an iPod/iPad

http://www.komando.com/kids/tip.aspx?id=5697 

This article tells you, the parent, how to child proof your iPod touch or iPad. How do disable many aspects of iTunes and the App store. It also tells you how to set age restrictions on some things.

I'm working on reviewing some kids safe browsers that can be installed on your iPod touch or iPad. I'll post that when I finish the research.

Literacy Websites for Parents

Listed below are five web sites for parents to learn more about literacy and educational resources for young children with and without special needs.
1. Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) - www.cehd.umn.edu/CEED/
Developed by the University of Minnesota, this website provides Information about education and literacy for young children, including children with special needs.
2. Center for Early Literacy Learning – www.earlyliteracylearning.org
Valuable tips and literacy resources for early childhood intervention practitioners, parents, and other caregivers of children, birth to five years of age
3. Is Your Child Ready - www.isyourchildready.com
Take a 5-minute online quiz that will help you gauge your child's readiness for Kindergarten. Find resources to help you find early care and education opportunities in your community.
4. Minnesota Parents Know - parentsknow.state.mn.us
On this website you will find age-specific early childhood information from the Minnesota Department of Education
5. Reading Rockets - www.readingrockets.org
This website offers fantastic resources and booklists to help parents with young and struggling readers.

Fish Tank as a Planter?

Ever wanted a small garden? Wanted to let your kids plant something but didn't really want to go to all the trouble of making a backyard garden? Here's a fun idea!  Put gravel in the bottom of the tank for drainage, add a good layer of potting soil (maybe 5-8 inches) and let your kids plant some seeds. You can even replace the lid's fish light with a plant light. This gal did little air plants in small pots and then hid the pots with more soil. If you put a deep enough layer of soil you could grow some veggies: carrots, raddishes. How fun would that be?