Stay strong, stay calm

Building blocks

Free play with building blocks are great for creativity. Sophie is at an age where she wants to build cities with the blocks whereas Luke just simply loves to knock them over.
No building blocks? Cardboard boxes and toilet rolls would also do wonders. The sky is the limit when it comes to children's imagination. 
I just look forward to more cities.

On the subject of Easter

 

 

All the easter bunnies and easter eggs are out at supermarkets and malls.  I am just wondering how to tell Sophie about Easter and the true meaning of Easter. Do share with me what you'd do. Likewise, I will be posting on my thoughts shortly.



 

 

Between Parent and Child

On my kobo library. Hoping to complete it in the next two weeks. Happy to hear your thoughts on this book.

‘If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others’ – Haim Ginott

rest

rest.rest.rest

It’s hard to find rest when we spend the whole day caring for little ones, family and furry friends. Finally when the day ends, it’s great to sit down and have cup of good tea. Received a fabulous surprise from my husband when he returned from Tokyo this week. This is a wonderful sakura white tea from Mariage Frères.

 



Painting on umbrella

 

More often than not, we find ourselves painting as it’s one of Sophie’s favorite activities. So, on this very hot day, we decided to paint our little transparent umbrella bought from a thrift shop (Daiso). We then wait for a rainy day to bring out this umbrella to let the rain wash it off and admire the beautiful colors run off. We used Crayola washable paint for this little activity.

 

 

Bible verse of the day

This verse came so timely. I was just telling Sophie last evening that Jesus loves all the little children of the world. He would watch over her while she slept so she needn't be afraid of the dark and sounds outside her room.

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14) Bible Verse of the Day http://bit.ly/BibleDailyApp

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalms 107:21) Bible Verse of the Day http://bit.ly/BibleDailyApp

Renew

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10) Bible Verse of the Day http://bit.ly/BibleDailyApp

Homemade teepee/tent on a scorching day

This is a simple idea for wet days and really hot days (impossible for outdoor play). We just took some large cloths (I used muslin and also a quilt blanket) and pegged it over a couple of dining chairs. The kids had fun playing peekaboo and hiding in there.  We moved this over a carpet so the kids could be more comfortable. 
This makes good sensory play if using different fabrics.
Hope you enjoy this simple idea.

Ocean Sensory Play

Ocean sensory play

I have been unsuccessful at making homemade slime for my daughter and then I decided that the texture of jelly could pass off as slime somewhat. Be prepared for real mess. So pick a place where you can clean up easily. We did our ocean sensory play at our backyard.

I tried out 2 versions of jelly. One using gelatin powder and another using koniyaku jelly powder. The former gives a softer texture and the latter a very firm texture.

Then I tinted the jelly with blue food coloring to mimic the sea and threw in some toob ocean toys, some pebbles and sea shells. Sophie had an enjoyable afternoon cutting, squeezing and throwing the jelly around. She also decided to add water into the tray and it made it look even better! We also included some rice to mimic sand.

We had so much fun that we did a second batch for the following day for a playdate activity. The kids enjoyed it thoroughly.

Some fun tips:

 

1.   In the jelly tray, put in some toys, pebbles and shells so that the kids and dig them up.

2.   Give them some water and this really makes the play super fun

3.   You do have to prepare the jelly in advance so that it is sufficiently firm

4.   Perhaps throw in some artificial flavors to create a nice smell

5.   Make it educational and talk about the ocean animals, fish, corals, how shells are formed, etc.

If you have more ideas for this sensory play project, please feel free to comment.

 

Welcome

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison
Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

Welcome to Tinyminds@play. 

This space is dedicated to the activities that I have done with my two young children and that they are simple for you and your family to also implement and enjoy the journey. I hope to grow this space such that it inspires creativity and provides an avenue for positive mindset when nurturing our little ones. It is a challenging journey and we always need some encouragement from others that we are not alone. 

Yours sincerely

Sharon

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12