No worries, we have some kid tested ideas to help beat those witching hour blues. Yes, we know it sounds counter productive, but Get your kids moving!

The idea of dancing or jumping may seem like the opposite of what they want to do [or you] at the end of the day, but physical activity provides many benefits. When your little ones are anxious, cranky, fidgety and not listening, start to move, groove and you will all feel good! Movement will increase endorphins, get kids laughing, give them an outlet for their energy, help them sleep better and yes, we always have to throw it in there – can actually help kids in the classroom! AND it will give mom & dad an extra few minutes to get dinner on the table.

5 ideas to get those tiny toes moving...[not to replace kicking a ball outside, just in addition]:

1. Jumping on a trampoline: many options and well worth the investment! My daughter has endless energy and gets very wild at the end of the day. This provides a great outlet and the jumping does wonders. Many physical therapists and OT’s use trampolines. Add singing while jumping and trying different kinds of jumps (tuck, star jump) for older kids!
2. Yoga / Pilates: we have found some great kids yoga and kids dance programs On Demand (under kids and fun fitness). They have jazz, ballet  and hip hop. And both my son and daughter are mesmerized by the Yoga for Kids. Different themes keep them engaged and they have a cool down at the end that helps everyone feel relaxed and at peace. My 2 yr old gets the blankets at the end for our relaxation time! Namaste.
3. Obstacle Course: set up an obstacle course for your kids. You don’t need anything fancy. Some colored masking tape, rubber place mats and a hula hoop can do the trick. You will be surprised how many times your kids will run through  the course. They love the activities (jumping over the tape, jumping in the hoop, hop scotch with the mats) and being independent to do it themselves! Don’t be surprised if they want to create their own course…take a minute to enjoy their creativity. I enjoy watching my son’s OCD as he lines up each mat just right!
4. Instructional Dance Music: from iTunes to YouTube there are lots of great songs to get your kids dancing and laughing! Try Charity Kahn’s “Peanut Butter & Jam”
(a favorite in our classes), “Cha Cha slide” and “Going on Bear Hunt.” For younger kids stick to Itsy Bitsy, Twinkle Little Star or try some new songs like “The Circle Song”. My daughter asks for Adele’s “Rumor Has It” (ok, thought she would be like 10 yrs when requesting in the latest hits!)
5. Exercise ball activities: Children can roll on the big exercise balls (forwards and backwards, bounce and so much more. Refer to our previous blog on Exercise Ball Fun! (Please always spot and hold your child!)

More to come…check our Move, Groove & Grow Blog Series to find more fun moves @ home!

Now go get your groove on….

Here are some suggested products from Amazon.com:

Charity and the JAMband: Peanut Butter and JAM
by Charity Kahn and Charity and the JAMband (Audio CD - Apr 20, 2004)

Buy new: $12.88

14 new from $8.33 11 used from $0.15

Usually ships in 7 to 12 days

Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

—————————————————————————————————————————-

TP Activity Baby Bubble Bouncer

Buy new: $59.99 $46.84

2 new from $39.99

Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Manufacturer recommended age: 12- 36 Months

Mini Rebounder Trampoline

Buy new: $40.80 – $143.99

2 new from $44.99

Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Materials:

Small bowls for vinegar [I used Rubbermaid tupperware]

Food coloring

White vinegar

Baking Soda

Cookie Sheet

Aluminum Foil

Medicine Droppers, Spoons, Straws, Chicken Basters, etc. Anything they  can pick up the vinegar with and drop onto the baking soda.

Have Fun!

This is an amazing science experiment, fine motor and sensory activity all rolled into one! Cover your cookie sheet with aluminum foil to make cleanup a breeze! Pour two to three cups of baking soda onto the foil. Fill your small bowls halfway with white vinegar. Add a few drops of liquid food coloring to each container of vinegar. My two and a half year old loves to add the coloring himself which is a fine motor experience in itself! We usually use 4 cups and choose the colors he wants to use and or/mix. He is so proud of himself when he tells everyone who will listen that red and yellow make orange:)

Get ready for a color explosion! Use the droppers to pick up the colored vinegar and squirt onto the baking soda. When the two are combined there is a cool chemical reaction which causes the baking soda to bubble a little bit with the color. It is so colorful and neat to watch that children are completely engaged! This mixture is completely safe to touch but probably best to keep out of their mouths.

My son had so much fun doing this activity that I went and bought a huge box of baking soda so we can repeat it over and over again. It’s oodles of sensory and fine motor fun while sparking the budding scientist in your toddler!

Helps with:

Fine motor development

Learning and Mixing Colors

Cause and Effect

Visual stimulation

]]> http://www.wigglethosetoes.com/2012/01/baking-soda-and-vinegar-color-explosion/feed/ 0 http://www.wigglethosetoes.com/2011/10/the-marble-jar/ http://www.wigglethosetoes.com/2011/10/the-marble-jar/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:17:18 +0000 Caryn http://www.wigglethosetoes.com/?p=532 Well, I can’t take credit for the idea but can for the implementation! When visiting my sister a few months ago, my 4 yr old daughter wanted to get “marbles” like her cousins. So, she did. And it has worked wonders!

This simple marble jar has provided a tool to redirect behavior, use positive reinforcement, earn rewards and learn repercussions.

So, this is how it works…
Put a clear jar or container somewhere that your children see on a daily basis. Your little one can get a marble for good behavior. After 7 marbles (or number of your choice), your child gets a reward! However, they lose a marble for bad choices.

Few things to note…
1. Let your child decorate the jar/container to make it something they are proud of and feel ownership of
2. Make a sticker chart (I will attach mine as a reference) to provide a reference for the “good choices/behaviors” that will earn a marble…aka throw wet pull up in trash in the morning so mommy doesn’t step on it, share with your sibling, use big girl/boy words, etc.
3. Have your child place the marble in the jar, and remove the marble, themselves. It gives them power – what child doesn’t want power!
4. The reward after 7 marbles (or 10, 15 – whatever you decide) can be anything. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be something tangible like candy or a toy. Maybe a special date with mom or a bike ride with dad. You can also give a dollar after 7 marbles and teach your little ones about saving money for big treats.
5. FOLLOW THROUGH. as with any discipline technique, follow through. Kids smell BS a mile away …

We are so excited to finally add our blog to the Tiny Toes website! We hope this site will be your “mom spot“, and provide information on everything from health, feeding & sleeping tips, local hot spots, deals, must-haves, positive reinforcement, activities…everything & anything related to your favorite tiny toes.

Sensory/Texture balls are great for all those little toes – from infants to toddlers to big kids!

BABIES Put on some soothing music [we love Baby Einstein] and lay your baby on his or her back. Gently roll small sensory balls on your baby’s body, especially the feet! This is great tactile stimulation. Stimulating your baby’s senses can help improve your baby’s curiosity, attention span, memory, and nervous system development. In addition, many babies who receive appropriate stimulation reach developmental milestones faster and have better muscle coordination.

TODDLERS Toddlers are always on the move and ready for a movement activity. You can do so many activities with the smaller sensory balls such as throwing, catching, rolling and kicking – with the extra added bonus of tactile stimulation. Use a large sensory ball and have your little one roll on his or her belly back and forth. This will help with balance, core strength, spatial perception, and trust!

KIDS Older kids can really improve core strength, balance and shoulder girdle strength by rolling on a large sensory ball and then walking their hands out. The key is to keep the belly and legs tight (pretend they have a chocolate chip in their belly button and between their knees and they can’t let it drop.) Kids can walk forwards and backwards keeping their body in a straight line.

I have included a link to Amazon below where you can easily purchase sensory balls. I love this set because it comes with two different sizes.

This angel hair is incredibly delicious and only takes a few minutes to make. It’s one of those amazing dishes you can just throw together with stuff you already have in the house, but tastes like you ordered from your favorite Italian restaurant!

Ingredients

1/2 package of angel hair or your favorite pasta. I like angel hair because it only takes 4 minutes to cook!

2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped. Use whatever type you have in the house – plum, grape, beefsteak, cherry, etc. are all amazing as long as they are fresh!

3 tablespoons chopped, fresh garlic.

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup white wine

1 handful of fresh basil. I keep a basil plant so that I always have fresh basil to use.

Parmesan Cheese [optional]

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drizzle a large, nonstick saute pan with olive oil. Let warm up over medium heat for 2 minutes before adding the garlic. Let garlic cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste. Add wine and cook for another 2 minutes.

Drain pasta and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta, toss and add parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with a tossed salad. Enjoy!

These are seriously amazing! I don’t normally even like black beans but I love these quesadillas!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 small green pepper, chopped

1 can black beans, drained

1/2 cup salsa –  If I don’t have fresh salsa I just use chopped tomatoes mixed with salt and a splash of vinegar

1 package fajita-size flour or whole wheat tortillas

8 ounces Mexican blend cheese, shredded

1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Nonfat yogurt and avocado for garnish if desired

Directions

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and green pepper and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in beans and salsa and cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Put one tortilla on the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Spread 1/3 cup of the bean mixture and 1/3 cup of the cheese evenly over the tortilla. Sprinkle some of the cilantro over the top. Add another tortilla on top and cook 1 minute. Press gently with spatula and turn. Cook for 1 minute or until browned.

Place quesadilla on a baking sheet and keep warm in a 200 degree oven. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make four more quesadillas.

Cut each quesadilla into quarters and top with nonfat yogurt and avacado as a garnish if desired.

Enjoy! This is usually enough for lunch the next day too!

Younger kids in the 2+ crowd love these because they provide a new challenge. Older siblings like them as well because they they can show their creative side by designing the necklaces the way they want to!

These are so much fun and help encourage independent play while teaching about size, spatial relationships and shapes.

This toy is great for fine motor control, eye hand coordination and practicing color, shapes and numbers. Besides the great developmental benefits, he actually plays with it on his own! We are working on more independent play since I am having a baby in November and this is one of our favorites for all around fun!

The manufacturer recommends this toy for ages 3 and up because of small parts so be careful if your child still puts things in his or her mouth.