810-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 27, 2002 Fids A game of soccer with dad and the kids releases pent-up energy, develops physical skills, and the give-and-take required in game playing. A workshop on “The Ups and Downs of Outdoor Play” will be examined at a workshop at the Farm and Home Center, April 29, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Cost is $5. The workshop will explore the many aspects of outdoor play, including great ideas for low-cost play activities and ways to keep chil dren safe when playing outdoors. Call your local county Penn State Extension office to find out where the satellite workshop will be offered in other counties. Better Kid Care Ideas From The Expert Mom, Extension Teacher LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor LANDISVILLE (Lancaster Co.) Victoria, 7, and her broth er Ben, 5, always have plenty of ideas for fun in their honie. That’s because their mom, Debra Naumann, is in charge of the program Better Kid Care at the Lancaster Penn State Extension office. Their mom teaches workshops on parenting and activities for children. She is always on the lookout for new ideas to entertain and teach parents and children. It’s only natural, that their mom A basket filled with rhythm instruments is always avail able for Ben, 5, and Vicki, 7. Drums, bells, cymbals, tam bourines, triangles, rhythm sticks, and maracas help chil dren explore rhythm, volume, and pitch. tries out ideas at home. Recently, their mom taught a workshop on Music for the Non- Musical, a program that taught how non-singers can enjoy songs and music with children. They learned to make their own instru ments and musical activities that add fun and laughter to chil dren’s lives. “Parents are often so stressed for time,” Deb said. “It’s impor tant to make quality time for family.” She believes parents must learn to say “no” to activities that clutter their time but offer little value to them personally. *. Koirnerv * * She has ideas on how to in volve kids in everyday activities such as preparing meals. In addition to play articles, Deb also teaches workshops on the following: • How do I get children to eat? • Why won’t children share? • How do I stop a child from biting other children? • How to become a registered child care provider and training for becoming a provider./ Some of ideas from the Better Kid Care program will be fea tured in upcoming articles on this page. Many wonderful resources are available to parents and child care providers through the Better Kid Care program of Penn State Extension. Deb Naumann, in charge of the program at the Lancaster County Extension, said workshops, literature, books, vid eos, and theme sets including puzzles are available free or low cost to parents and childcare pro viders by contacting county ex tension offices or call 1-800-452-9108. Kitchen Instruments Why not make an instrument for each family member to form a family band? Take your band on a parade around the house, yard, or neighborhood. Here’s how to make your own instruments from things you can find around the house: • Drum Use an empty oat meal box or coffee can with a plastic lid. Children can color and paste paper decorations on the sides of the box or can. Use two wooden spoons or two smooth sticks for drumsticks. • Jinglers Metal measuring spoons on a ring make a terrific jingling sound. • Ringers Sew the ends of a Deb and Tim Neumann with children Victoria, 7, and Ben, 5, believe in the importance of family play. Growing Together With Music Music is much more than fim • Sing together without re and games for children. It helps cords. them to develop both physically • Listen tot your child’s made and mentally. You don’t need a up songs. ' wonderful voice to sing with chit- • Make up songs together. dren. They don’t mind if you sing • Sing along with records. off-key. What they will remem- • Listen to quality recorded her is the fun and warmth of music. singing together as a family. • Dance to music. There are many ways to enjoy • Put on a show, music with your children. Try • Have a family and neighbor these ideas for starters: sing-along. Collecting Songs Collect songs to sing with your children. Begin your collection by remembering the songs you learned as a child. These old songs still delight children today. If you can’t remember any songs, ask other family members. When you try them out, you’ll see which ones will become family favorites. Use these special songs again and again. Your family will come to treasure this collection more and more. " Lullabies | Children love to .hear their name in a song. Make, up a lulla by with your child’s name in it. This is easier than, it sounds when you use a familiar lullaby and change the words. You six-inch piece of elastic to make a small circle. Attach several bells securely to the outside of the band. • Tube Kazoos Collect cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tubes; cut paper towel tubes in half to make two. Cover one end of the tube with wax paper. The kazoo is “played” by hum ming into the open end of the tube. • Cymbals Make cymbals by using two lids from pots and pans. • Guitars Stretch a variety of rubber bands around an empty shoebox. might want to add the names of others who love your child, such as grandma, grandpa, mama, papa, caregiver, and anyone else who is important to your child. Sing it often to comfort your child. Nursery Rhymes Just like songs, nursery rhymes and chants teach children a love of words. Try favorite nursery rhymes, and make some up your self. Children love repetition, so say them over and over again. Songs Help Children Learn Songs help children learn throughout the day and are a great way to remind children of the things you want them to do. Sing about things in your child’s / life: • Daily routines diapering, brushing teeth, combing hair, and cleaning up. • Safety reminders rules ilbout crossing the street, and the /importance of buckling your / seatbelt. • Daily events sing about what you did today and plan to do tomorrow. Singing is also a good way to let children know about special events. You can sing about a spe cial visit, holiday event, or any change in your routine. Help children cope with being away from you. Remind children that you’ll be back and sing about what they will do when you are gone.
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