What do you do on the days when it’s raining or extremely hot or cold outside? You can do fun science experiments! Today my son and I decided to do a bubble experiment; however, there was something different about this one.
We all know that bubbles pop shortly after they are formed. This happens when the water between the soap film surface evaporates. We made bubbles that would NOT pop! It is called the unpoppable bubble!
Kids will be amazed at how difficult it will be to pop a bubble in this experiment. Try this activity for yourself and see your child’s amazement!
Let’s Get Started!
Materials:
Water (4 parts)
Dish soap (1 part)
Corn Syrup (2 parts)
Straw
Pencil
Food coloring (optional)
Bowl
Directions:
Fill a bowl with water
Put a few drops of food coloring in the water.
Put dish soap in the water.
Mix in the corn syrup.
Dip the tip of the pencil in the mixture.
Dip one end of the straw into the mixture and blow into the other end to make bubbles.
Try to pop the bubble with the pencil.
Now try to pop the bubble with your finger.
Watch the video below to see our unpoppable bubble!
IMG_1099
Why this experiment works:
Bubbles are made of two basic things: water and air
Adding soap and corn syrup to water helps make the bubbles stronger
Soap and corn syrup molecules squeeze in between water molecules and help the film of water stretch out without breaking.
Bubbles made of just water pop quickly because their watery skins aren’t very stretchy.
When a dry pencil touches a bubble, the water in the bubble’s skin sticks to the pencil and causes it to snap back.
I am always looking for activities that incorporate reading and writing in a fun way. When I saw this activity, I knew there was potential for a variety of learning. The Secret Message activity will expose your child to science, reading, writing, spelling, and even math. At the bottom of this post, I explain how to use this activity to expose your child to different subject matters.
This activity is quick, simple, and uses materials you probably have in your home. Get ready to share a surprise with your little one.
Let’s Get Started!
Materials:
White Crayon
Paper
Watercolor Paint
Water
Paintbrushes
Method:
Use a white crayon to write a secret message on a white sheet of paper.
You may draw pictures, notes, letters, numbers, etc.
I wrote a message on the white paper.
Have your child use watercolor paints to brush over the paper.
The watercolor paints will reveal the secret message.
My son painted the paper with green water color and revealed the message “I love you.”
Your child should delight in discovering the mystery message.
Other ways to use this activity
This is a fun way to have your child practice letters, shapes, and number formation.
Write a vocabulary word on the paper and practice using the word during the day.
Practice reading skills by writing a note to your child and have them read it.
Surprise a love one or a friend with a fun greeting message.
Discuss the science of this activity by explaining that colored water paint reveals the message because the white crayon is written on white paper.
One day my son came home from daycare with DIY Slime. He could not wait to show it off after he greeted me with a kiss and hug. It was in a yellow container and sparkled with glitter.
We decided to take the slime out the container to play with it. It was sticky, slimly, ooey, gooey, and fun to play with. We smashed and constructed it in to various shapes.
About 30 minutes before dinner, we decided to make up an activity called the Slime Time Game. The game is simple and will encourage your child to think on their feet while being creative. This is a great indoor activity for rainy and cold days. Below I will explain how to play.
My son loves science experiments that are messy and incorporate mild explosions. When I saw this experiment, I knew we had to do it. Like many of the science experiments we do, all the ingredients were in our home.
We liked this activity because it was simple and fun. It requires you to use boiled eggs. I used this as an opportunity to expose my son to the science of cooking. While boiling the eggs, we discussed how cooking is transferring energy from a heat source, the stove, to the food. In other words, heat changes food.
One day my son and I were watching the Temperature Investigation episode of Sid the Science Kid cartoon. Cory was two-years-old the first time he watched it. After the episode ended, we decided to do the science experiment showcased on the cartoon. My son learned a lot about thermometers and temperature change during this activity.
Fall is coming soon and our children will witness a drop in temperature. Do this simple experiment at home to help your child learn about temperature changes in nature. I am pretty sure you have all the materials in your kitchen.
I am a full-time working mom who occasionally rushes in the morning. There is so much to do such as packing my three-year-old’s lunch and snacks, exercise, get myself and son dressed, and so much more.
When I am in a hurry, it does not transfer well to my son. He is probably thinking, “Why do I have to do everything so fast?”
One way I have solved this problem is by getting up earlier and playing games to lighten our morning routine.
Below are some of the games we play…
Stop (Freeze) and Dance
Have your child dance in between self-care activities. Below are examples…
DANCE to the bathroom then STOP to use the toilet.
Do a little DANCE to the sink then STOP to wash hands.
DANCE while at the sink.
STOP when they have to brush their teeth.
My son loves this game. It helps him to get dressed faster. When he STOPS, it provides an opportunity to focus on his self-care activity. Plus, this game encourages us to laugh in the morning.
Race against the Clock
Tell your child they have a certain amount of time to do a task. Then challenge them to beat the clock!
Tell your child they have 45 seconds to take off their pajamas.
Count to 45 and see if your child has beaten the clock.
Count in different languages if you are teaching your child to be bilingual.
If you see your child struggling with a task, count a little slower to give them a better chance to win.
You may also help your child with the task, so both of you are racing against the clock.
This is a fun and educational game in the morning. For young children, it is a great time to practice counting. Once your child becomes more efficient in a self-care task, they will complete it faster. My son really concentrates during this activity because he wants to beat the clock and he is competitive!
Chant to put clothes in hamper or wherever they belong
Say a chant to encourage your child to put clothes in the hamper
Our chant is “Shirt, pants, underwear, and socks in the basket!”
We repeat this chant loud while marching from the bathroom to the bedroom.
This is a great way to incorporate song and movement in the mornings! The repetition in the chant helps the child to concentrate on one task at a time without getting distracted. Sometimes, we will clap and stomp our feet to make the chant more musical.
Storytime to keep child still while brushing their hair or putting on lotion
Tell a quick story that will interest your child and keep them still.
I usually tell silly stories about skunks, elephants, cartoon characters, and cars.
Create child friendly stories that will keep their attention.
After dancing and chanting, my son usually wants to move around. In order to settle him, I tell a story that interests him. He likes stories where a problem is being solved. Sometimes, I will ask him to fill in the story details to ensure he is paying attention. This is a great activity to help your child listen, focus, and use their imagination.
Race Against You
You and your child have to put your shoes on before going out the door, right? Why not make it a friendly competition?
We start the race by grabbing our shoes.
My son says “Ready, set, go!”
Then we both hurry to put our shoes on.
The person to put their shoes on first, wins!
This is another friendly game that gets my son moving in the mornings. Sometimes, I forget to mention this game before putting our shoes on. However, he does not let me forget and reminds me every time!
Another Chant to Move Things Along
We say a catchy chant to go downstairs or to get dressed.
Our chant is “LET’S GO FLOW JOE, LET’S GO!”
We repeat this chant to help us get things done in the morning!
This chant is a reminder to us both that there is a certain task we need to complete. It helps us get finish quickly and more efficiently. We are definitely more focused when it is time for this chant!
Incorporate these games in the morning and make it a fun time! It has definitely help us to lighten our morning routine!
Happy Morning Play!
What are some tactics used in your household in the mornings?
The title of this post can be a shock to some people. A toddler reading is an abnormal concept to many humans.
This can be a normal concept for any child who likes to play, explore, and learn. It is not reserved for children who we think are geniuses. All kids are born creative geniuses. We just have to find playful ways to foster their curiosity.
Parents would approach me and ask if he was really reading. Of course I would reply by saying “yes”. Their next question would be, “How is he doing this?”
I could have talked with them for an hour telling them how he learned through toys, singing, dancing, acting, playing outside, and reading.
Below is video of my son at 25 months reading a book to me just before bedtime.
Cory-reading-at-25-months
This is why I have created the FREE Mini Course: Strategies to Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play. It gives you strategies to make reading fun, natural, and stress free for you and your child. This includes some of the techniques I used with my son to expose him to words, reading, and reading comprehension in a fun way.
This training is a four-part series. Below is what you will learn in the first video…
The learning system I used to teach my son to read.
How I address the objections people have about teaching a child to read as a toddler.
The one mistake parents make when reading to their child.
And so much more!
By the end of this video, you will know how to read aloud to your child in a way that creates meaning and connection! This will strengthen your child’s reading comprehension skills faster!
In the second video you will learn about the One Million Gap and How to Beat it!
In the third video, I will reveal the 10 Components Needed to Teach Reading in a Fun Way!
The fourth video reveals how to take your child’s learning and reading to the next level. You will also see my son spelling at 21 months and reading on a third grade level as a three-year-old.
Complete the form below to access the FREE Mini Course: Strategies to Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play
One night after taking a bath, my son suggested an activity/game for the next day called, Letter Hunt. I was intrigued by his suggestion and asked him how to play. Cory said “We will find all the letters in the alphabet in one room.”
The next day, we played the game he suggested and had a blast. We also played two other variations of the game. This activity is great for letter recognition and it allows children to get physical. Play this game even if your child knows their letters.
My son is very familiar with the alphabet but still had fun with this activity. It was raining outside when we played the game and that resulted in perfect timing.
Let’s Get Started
Letter Hunt- Variation 1
Materials:
Children and adults
Directions:
Tell your child you will do a letter hunt by going around a room or your home to search for letters.
You may find letters anywhere in your home such as magazines, signs, toys, shoes, books etc.
Keep playing the game until you find letters A-Z
My son found the letter A on his Paw Patrol Slipper.Found the letter C on a box.
Letter Hunt – Variation 2
Materials:
Foam Letter or Magnetic letters
You may also use letters you have written on paper
Directions:
Hide letters A-Z around a room
Have your child(ren) find the letters and put them in a pile.
My son hunting for the letters I hid.
Letter Hunt – Variation 3
Materials:
Markers
Craft Paper or Poster Board Paper
Foam letters or Magnetic letters
You may also use letters you have written on paper
Directions:
Draw a chart on craft paper with your name or initial on one column and your child’s name or initial in the another column.
You and your child will get two different letters.
For example, your child will get letter A and you will get letter B.
Cory picking the letter he will soon hide.
Have your child hide the letter A in a room without you looking.
You hide the letter B in a room and ensure your child is not looking at where you are hiding it.
Now both of you go find the letters each one of you hid.
For example, you will find the letter A and your child will find the letter B
Whoever finds the letter first wins a point that round.
Have your child record the points on craft paper for each round.
Keeping score for our Letter Hunt. Clearly I am losing the game.I am trying to find where Cory hid his letter. He had great hiding spots.
Hopefully, you enjoyed and found value in the first, second, and third videos of the FREE Mini Course: Strategies to Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play. This includes some of the techniques I used with my son to expose him to words, reading, and reading comprehension in a fun way.
I am excited to share this information with you.
Let me help you take your child’s learning and reading to the next level. Watch the video below and I will show you how with this limited time offer!
Thank you so much for being here! I love sharing tips on fun accelerated learning for kids. Kids are so fun and their imaginations are always at play. Let’s use this to make reading fun for our children!
I hope you enjoyed the first and second video in the FREE Mini Course: Strategies to Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play.
This includes some of the techniques I used with my son to expose him to words, reading, and reading comprehension in a fun way.
Now you have come to the final video in this training. You will receive my biggest tips here.
You will learn…
10 Components needed when exposing your child to new words and reading with examples of activities
FREE Course on how to Teach the Alphabet in a Fun Way
How to use digital media and technology in your child’s learning
How to use the world as your child’s learning playground
Toddler-Reading-In-Depth-Learning-Part-3
Below is a PDF File of 10 Components Needed When Learning to Read.
