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.
Its the end of the day and you and your kids are tired and cranky. The kids are whining, arguing and not listening. Your patience is being ested and the house becomes chaos. You just want to get dinner on the table and get the bed time routine rolling! This lovely time of day before dinner time is known a the “the witching hour“. If you have kids, we have all been there. Personally, this is the hardest time of the day for me. My 4 year old daughter gets even more wild when she is overtired and my 2 yr old son just melts down.
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:
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Baking Soda and Vinegar Color Explosion! 12 mos+
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
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 …
Rainbow Pudding Painting 6 mos+
My 2 1/2 year old Jordan and his friends love mixing, swirling, painting and tasting their artwork! They have a blast mixing colors and creating edible works of art while receiving a tremendous amount of development rich tactile input. This fabulous sensory activity tastes great too!
Materials:
1 Box of instant vanilla pudding prepared according to directions on box
6 small bowls [one for each color of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet]
Food coloring
Paper plates for palettes
Wax paper or aluminum foil to cover the table for toddlers and older kids. A highchair works great for little ones.
Tape
Spoons, straws, unused paintbrushes [optional]
Have Fun!
You can prepare your artist’s palette a few different ways depending on how many children are doing this activity with you. For a large batch divide the prepared pudding into 6 small bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring into each bowl and mix until you achieve the desired brightness. Most food coloring packages I have come across include red, yellow, green and blue. If you need to create orange and violet use the following: red + yellow = orange, red + blue = violet/purple. I have found that the liquid food coloring works better than the gel. Add a tablespoon of each color onto a large paper plate creating an artist’s palette for each child.
If you are only making a palette for your own child then spoon vanilla pudding onto the paper plate in 6 separate sections and just add food coloring and mix directly on the plate – use the leftover pudding for dessert! If you don’t have time to mix all six colors but you want to provide your child with a quick sensory activity or you are concentrating on teaching your child one color at a time just use one or two colors instead of all six.
Seat your child at the table or surface of your choice. Lay out wax paper and or aluminum foil and tape down for easy cleanup and extra tactile sensation!
Let kids get messy and explore their sense of touch, smell, sight and taste. Finger paint, squish, squeeze and have fun! They have a blast mixing up all the colors and creating new versions of their favorite colors. Ask them which color tastes the best! This amazing sensory activity feeds their inner artist as they are provided with oodles of tactile input.
You can add in spoons, straws and/or unused paintbrushes for extra exploration.
Helps with:
Tactile and visual stimulation
Fine motor development
Creativity
Crossing the midline
Learning Colors
Mixing Colors
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!
Lacing Beads are a blast and fabulous for fine motor dexterity, eye hand coordination and color recognition. There are many brands of lacing beads out there but we love the Melissa and Doug Primary lacing beads because they are designed with the young toddler in mind. They are perfect for small hands because there is a large hole in the middle of each bead and the laces are super long.
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 Learning Resources Pegboard is amazing! We first used it in one of Jordan’s mommy and me classes when he was only 15 months old. He liked it so much that I purchased one from Amazon.com and he loves to play with it!
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.
This play dough is super easy to make and can last up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container or zip lock bag. This recipe requires a few minutes of stovetop cooking which is well worth it because the texture is so much better than the non-cook recipes. My 2 year old is obsessed with play dough and it is so much fun to mix the colors! I love how pliable this dough is especially for little hands not to mention you don’t have to worry about little ones putting it in their mouths since it is all non toxic. You probably have most of the ingredients in your house already!
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar – helps with the pliability of the dough and helps it last up to 6 months when stored properly
Food Coloring
1 cup of flour
Directions
Combine the water, oil, salt and cream of tartar in a pot over medium heat until warm stirring occasionally. This only takes about 3 minutes. Remove from the stove and add the flour. Stir and then knead until smooth. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired and knead the dough some more. I have found that if you add the food coloring into the mixture on the stove you can keep your hands cleaner but the consistency of the dough isn’t as pliable. So I prefer a few minutes of stained hands for better dough! You can also add non toxic glitter to jazz it up, oatmeal for added texture or scented oils to stimulate their sense of smell.
Once your play dough is ready, have fun! Roll, twist, twirl and cut the dough with safety scissors. This is a fabulous fine motor activity for toddlers and provides a tremendous amount of tactile input. This is also a great opportunity to help your children learn about colors, mixing colors and shapes. I love this Melissa and Doug play dough accessory set. Jordan loves using the rolling pins, cutters and stamps. They add a whole extra element of fun, learning, fine motor and tactile stimulation. I was not impressed with the dough they include but that is totally fine with me since we make our own and the accessories are amazing.
Jordan also loves this cookie monster play dough accessory set because he can make cookies and all types of food with the molds and feed them to cookie monster. He thinks this is hilarious! I also love that there are molds for every letter of the alphabet. Every time your little ones are exposed to letters or numbers you are providing another building block for learning! I am also impressed that the molds contain lots of fruits and vegetables in addition to the cookies which provides opportunities to discuss the benefits of healthy eating.
These strawberry muffins are out of control delicious! They are perfect for summer with all the fresh strawberries in season. You can also use frozen in the winter or substitute any berry that you like. I substitute the butter for 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/3 cup lowfat Greek yogurt a lot of the time. The texture is a little different but the flavor is still good. I use butter though if I am bringing the muffins anywhere or serving them for a special occasion;)
Ingredients
1/2 cup of butter, softened [you can substitute 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/3 cup lowfat Greek yogurt for the butter, obviously it tastes better with butter but the lowfat version is still pretty tasty]
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 teaspoons sugar for topping
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray your muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. This recipe makes 12 muffins.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat well. Add the dry ingredients followed by the milk and vanilla. Gently fold in the strawberries and sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of each muffin before baking. Fill each muffin tin approx 1/2 way full of batter. Cook for about 20 minutes. You can stick a toothpick in the middle of a muffin to make sure it is done. If it comes out clean without any batter sticking to it then it is ready!
Enjoy!
This is one of my family’s favorite summertime dishes! It’s beautiful, colorful and tasty with tons of delicious veggies! You can use this pasta salad as an entire meal or as a side. It’s so simple!
Ingredients
1 pkg Ronzini Garden Delight Rotini – You can use any brand but I like this one because it provides a full serving of vegetables in every 4 ounce portion and it tastes great!
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 medium cucumber seeded and diced
1 cup grape tomatoes – I cut some in half and leave some whole
1/3 cup sliced black olives
1/2 a cruet of Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, put in a large bowl and refrigerate until cool. Meanwhile chop veggies and make salad dressing according to package directions. Add veggies and approximately 1/2 a cruet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing to the pasta. Toss. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can always add more dressing if desired.
Serve by itself or add some protein to make a complete meal [shredded cheese, chick peas, grilled chicken, shrimp or steak]. You can also serve as a side. The possibilities are endless! Enjoy!
Materials:
Applesauce [any brand or kind but Musselman’s has more Vitamin C than most store brands]
Wax paper or aluminum foil to cover the table for toddlers and older kids. A highchair works great for little ones.
Tape
Spoons, straws, unused paintbrushes [optional]
Food coloring [optional]
Seat your child at the table or surface of your choice. Lay out wax paper and or aluminum foil and tape down for easy cleanup and extra tactile sensation! Put a few tablespoons of applesauce on the table for yourself and each child and start finger painting!
Let kids get messy and explore their sense of touch, smell, sight and taste. Finger paint, squish, squeeze and have fun!
To further encourage learning make circles in your applesauce while singing round and round we go or sing wheels on the bus.
Paint letters and sing the ABCs. Trace numbers and slowly count to 10. Spell out your children’s names and say each letter out loud. If the kids are engaged in their own painting and creativity let them explore on their own. Provide opportunities for learning without pushing them to replicate what you are doing.
You can add in spoons, straws and/or unused paintbrushes for extra exploration.
Helps with:
Tactile and visual stimulation
Fine motor development
Creativity
Crossing the midline
Learning Colors
Mixing Colors
Tunnels are a wonderful, fun, activity for kids from the time they can crawl up until around 5 years old. My 2 year old loves his and has been using it since he was 7 months! Not only is it fun for them and a great way to pass the time but crawling through tunnels actually helps kids develop spatial perception which is essential for distinguishing letters. How cool is that!!
We have been using tunnels in our Tiny Toes classes for years and it is one of every child’s favorite activities! You can use it as a stand alone activity or you can add it to an obstacle course. No matter how you use it, kids are sure to have a blast! We love clear tunnels for little ones so they can see you while they are inside. It gives them the security they need to accomplish their goal of crawling through! Have fun!
If you want to purchase a tunnel for your lil’ one, check out this fabulous tunnel from Amazon!
Okay seriously this is to die for! This is the perfect dessert to showcase beautiful, fresh blueberries. It is so simple yet so yummy!
Ingredients
1. One cup plus 2 tablespoons flour divided
2. 1/8 teaspoon salt
3. 2 tablespoons plus 2/3 cup sugar
4. 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
5. 1 tablespoon white vinegar
6. 5 cups blueberries (3 pints or 1 quart)
7. 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. You can use a spring form pan which is used for cheesecake. If you don’t have one use a 9 inch pie pan. I am a lazy baker and opted for the pie pan because it is easier to assemble and clean up! Let’s face it they both taste great but I think using the spring form pan leads to a prettier presentation.
In medium bowl mix 1 cup of flour, salt and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. I let the butter soften first by leaving out for about an hour and literally just mash everything together with a fork. Sprinkle with white vinegar and mix. Press dough into pan 1/4 inch thick on the bottom and 1 inch high on the sides.
In a medium bowl add 3 cups of blueberries and mix with 2 tablespoons flour, 2/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Add blueberries to the crust and bake 50 – 60 minutes. Remove and add the remaining two cups of blueberries. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
I like to add homemade whipped cream. It’s so easy to make and so delicious that you will never buy store bought whipped cream again!! Add 2 cups of heavy cream and 1 1/2 teaspoons of confectioners sugar into a mixer. Mix on high speed (there is usually a setting for whipped cream) until stiff peaks form. To die for! Enjoy!
These chicken cheese tortilla twists are amazing! They taste great and are fun for my 2 year old to eat. They are also easy to make and there are enough for at least two nights of meals plus a few lunches. They freeze well so you can have a home cooked meal ready and waiting for you in the freezer. Tastes great and more than one night of meals with easy prep. What could be better?
Ingredients
1. One Rotisserie chicken
2. Two cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
3. One bunch of scallions
4. Two tablespoons heavy cream [you can substitute skim milk if you are worried about fat content. It still tastes good but not exactly the same]
5. One package of 10 large flour tortillas
Optional Topping Ingredients
The tortilla twists are great on their own but I love to add some fresh avocado and salsa.
1. Two ripe avocados
2. Juice from half a lemon
3. Salt
4. Your favorite salsa
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9X12 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Take the meat from the chicken and put in a large bowl. The chicken should be the size and consistency of pulled chicken. Mix chopped scallions, shredded cheese and cream with the chicken.
Put approx 1/4 cup of the filling towards the bottom of the tortilla. Bend in each side of the tortilla approx 1/4 inch and roll up. Place rolled tortilla in baking dish. Repeat with all of the tortillas. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes. If tortillas are becoming too brown cover with aluminum foil.
Now for my favorite topping!! Mash the avocados in a medium sized bowl with a fork. Add the juice from half a fresh lemon and salt to taste. Mix well.
Top the tortilla twists with your favorite salsa and avocado if you desire. They are great plain as well. Enjoy!
My family eats a lot of chicken so it’s important for me to have a lot of different ways to cook it. I love how the buttery, sweet taste of the shallots combines with the tomato and basil in this delicious sauce! If you don’t have time to cook chicken you can top your favorite pasta with this amazing sauce for a quick, tasty meal!
Sauce Ingredients
1. Four large plum tomatoes
2. One large shallot
3. One cup chicken broth
4. Two tablespoons fresh basil
5. Salt to taste
6. Olive oil
Chicken Ingredients
1. One package boneless, skinless, thin cut chicken breast. If you prefer you can pound regular, boneless chicken breasts between two pieces of wax paper until thin but buying them already cut thin is so much easier!
2. 1 1/2 cups flour
3. 2 eggs
4. 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
5. Mozzarella Cheese – either the block or shredded, whatever you prefer to top the chicken with. I alternate between whatever I have in the house. Sometimes I cut thin pieces from the block of cheese or I will sprinkle already shredded mozzarella right over the chicken.
6. A few pieces of chopped, fresh basil for garnish
7. Two tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pour olive oil onto a cookie sheet. Make sure the sheet is evenly coated.
Drizzle olive oil into a large, nonstick, saute pan over medium heat. Dice the shallot while you give your pan a few minutes to heat up. Add the diced shallot and let cook, stirring occasionally until soft (approx. 5 – 7 minutess). While the shallot is cooking, dice your tomatoes, chop your basil and add both to the shallots. Sprinkle w salt to taste and cook for 1o minutes.
Bread your chicken while the sauce is cooking. Use 3 medium sized bowls. Put flour in one bowl, mix eggs in another and bread crumbs in the last bowl. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, then egg and lastly in the bread crumbs. Coat each piece liberally with all the ingredients. Lay on the cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 10 minutes on each side. All ovens vary so test a piece before serving. If the chicken is white inside without any traces of pink and the juices run clear then they are ready!
Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth and saute for ten more minutes. If the liquid starts to evaporate add more broth and turn the heat down to low. After the sauce is finished cooking, carefully transfer to a food processor and blend together.
Once chicken is finished cooking, spoon sauce on top of each breast, top with mozzarella cheese and bake for another 5 minutes or so until the cheese has melted. Sprinkle fresh basil over the top before serving and enjoy!
I usually serve this dish with a tossed salad. Delicious!
Yum! These chicken fingers are so delicious you won’t believe they are baked instead of fried! My two year old loves them and so do my husband and I! I’m pregnant (due in Nov) and am craving crunchy, delicious, fattening chicken fingers and am so happy to have this lower fat alternative.
Ingredients
1. 1 package chicken tenders – you can also use boneless, skinless breasts and cut them into strips if you prefer but the tenders are so easy!
2. 2 eggs
3. 1 1/2 cups flour
4. 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs. I like the Progresso Italian style but use whatever is in your cabinet.
4. 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pour olive oil onto a cookie sheet. Make sure the sheet is evenly coated.
Use 3 medium sized bowls. Put flour in one bowl, mix eggs in another and bread crumbs in the last bowl. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, then egg and lastly in the bread crumbs. Coat each piece liberally with all the ingredients. Lay on the cookie sheet.
Bake for approximately 10 minutes on each side. All ovens vary so test a piece before serving. If the chicken is white inside without any traces of pink and the juices run clear then they are ready!
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce! I love mixing a package of Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing with Lowfat Greek yogurt. Delicious, creamy ranch dressing without all the fat! My family also loves honey mustard with them. Enjoy!
Make Your Own Maracas!
Materials:
Empty plastic water bottles
Assorted dried beans
Colored pasta
Masking tape
Plastic bowls or cups
Small funnel [optional]
Have fun!
Fill bowls with different colored dried beans and pasta. Let children play with the beans but make sure they don’t put them in their mouths! Talk about the different colors and shapes of the beans and pasta. Encourage the children to put the beans into their empty, dry bottle. This is a great fine motor skill! If they are having trouble putting the beans in with their fingers you can put a small funnel into the top of the bottle which will make the activity easier. Fill the bottles half way with beans and tape the top back on the bottle. Shake your maracas fast and slow then shake them high and low. Sing your favorite songs while shaking the maracas!
Helps with:
Tactile, visual and auditory stimulation
Fine motor development
Creativity
Rhythmic Awareness
Color discrimination
Finger Painting with Pudding – 6 months and up
Materials:
Pudding
Wax paper and/or aluminum foil to cover the table for older children. Younger children can sit in a highchair.
Tape
Spoons, straws, unused paintbrushes [optional]
Have fun!
Seat your child at the table or surface of your choice. Lay out wax paper and or aluminum foil and tape down for easy cleanup and extra tactile sensation! Put a few tablespoons of pudding on the table for yourself and each child and start finger painting!
Let kids get messy and explore their sense of touch, smell, sight and taste. Finger paint, squish, squeeze and have fun!
To further encourage learning make circles in your pudding while singing round and round we go or sing wheels on the bus.
Paint letters and sing the ABCs. Trace numbers and slowly count to 10. Spell out your children’s names and say each letter out loud. If the kids are engaged in their own painting and creativity let them explore on their own. Provide opportunities for learning without pushing them to replicate what you are doing.
You can add in spoons, straws and/or unused paintbrushes for extra exploration. And you can use different flavors of pudding for color variation and mixing.
Helps with:
Tactile and visual stimulation
Fine motor development
Creativity
Redirect your child’s behavior and get them to do what you want without any fuss! Kids can filter out the word “no” from a very early age because we tend to overuse it. “Don’t do this, don’t do that, no” turns into “blah, blah, blah.” They tune us out as we nag at them. Here are some tips to help get your children to listen to you while keeping everyone happy!
Limit your use of the word “no.” Redirect their behavior!
There are times when it is imperative that children listen to us immediately when we say “No!” or “Stop!” especially when it comes to safety. If we overuse the word “no” they will not pay attention to us when we REALLY need them to. Redirect their behavior instead.
Crawler - when your baby is crawling around everything is interesting to them and they have no concept of the danger that is lurking around every corner. Make sure you child proof your home and then when they start climbing on the tv or trying to grab wires pick them up and remove them from the situation but to ward of a tantrum make it fun! Have a fun toy in hand to distract them or make a game of it saying “1,2,3 let’s go!” and whisk them up for a pony ride, galloping and singing. They’re sure to start giggling. Yes this can become monotonous but it will keep both of you in good spirits instead of saying no and getting frustrated when they don’t listen.
Toddler – toddlers test limits as they are learning to discover their autonomy. This is completely natural and can be tons of fun or it can lead to frustration for both parents and children. As the parent you set the tone so keep it fun! If your child is doing something annoying but not dangerous such as picking their nose simply say “hands are for clapping!” Make a game out of it seeing who can clap faster which will get them interested in a new fun game!
Get creative! Redirecting behaviors can be a whole lot of fun instead of a battle of wills which leaves everyone frustrated.
If you are like most moms you probably have some soreness or tightness in your back and shoulders from carrying your baby and bending over to change diapers, putting your baby in the carseat and crib, etc. This activity provides you with a much needed stretch and a fun time for baby!
Lay baby on his or her back on a blanket on the floor. Sit down by baby’s feet in a straddle position facing him or her. Sing You Are my Sunshine while stretching.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You keep me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Lean towards your right leg and hold the stretch for 10 seconds. Lean forward and kiss your baby’s belly and hold your stretch in the middle for 10 seconds. Switch to your left side tickling baby as you come across and hold for 10 seconds.
Repeat at least 3 times or until you feel nice and stretched.
This is a great song to sing at bathtime or anytime! I started doing this with my son as soon as he was born and he still loves it at 9 months. Sing the song to the tune of wheels on the bus.
Sing the following song as you give baby a bath.
“This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face all day long. We wash our face to keep it clean. We wash our face you know what I mean. We wash our face oh yes we do. We wash our face, how about you?”
Repeat the song using: arms, neck, shoulders, back, hands, legs, feet, hair, etc. It familiarizes them with the names of their body parts and provides a calming routine to bathtime.
Now that my little guys is moving all over the place I also sing this song to change his diaper. It’s the only way to keep him still!
“This is the way we change our diaper, change our diaper, change our diaper. This is the way we change our diaper all day long. We change our diaper to keep us clean. We change our diaper you know what I mean. We change our diaper oh yes we do. We change our diaper. How about you?
You can use this song for any activity you do and they love it!
Most of our infant activities utilize well known children’s songs. If you are not familiar with the tune you can usually find the songs on itunes or youtube. Have fun with these activities!
Tony Chestnut
Lay baby on his or her back, sing softly to them while touching each body part. This helps teach body awareness and promotes bonding!
“Toe Knee Chest Nut” Touch baby’s toe, knee, chest and head.
“Knows I love you” Point to your own eyes, cross arms over your chest and point to baby”
“Toe, Knee, Nose” Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose
“Toe, Knee, Nose” Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose
“Toe, Knee, Chest, Nut” Touch baby’s toe, knee, chest and head
“Knows I love you” Point to your own eyes, cross arms over your chest and point to baby”
“That’s what Toe, Knee, Nose” – Touch baby’s toe, knee, nose
Repeat as many times as you like!
Bond with your baby as you stimulate development and have tons of fun with these newborn games!
Wheels on the Bus
While your baby is laying on his or her back gently manipulate their body to the words of Wheels on the Bus. This helps your baby learn to move their limbs and helps to build muscle memory. And of course they love hearing your voice!
“The wheels of the bus go round and round” – Circle baby’s legs around like they are riding a bicycle
“The doors on the bus go open and shut” – Hold baby’s hands and open their arms wide and then bring them back in
“The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish” – Gently bend baby’s knees into their tummy and rock back and forth from side to side
“The gas on the bus goes glug, glug, glug” – Gently bend baby’s knees into tummy and straighten them out. Repeat.
“The money on the bus goes clink, clink, clink” – holding baby’s hands raise their arms up above their head and bring down to rest on their thighs
“The mommy on the bus says I love you” – kiss baby!
