Encouraging Young Writers

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Did you know that children, young children can be set on the path of loving to write? So many of us struggled through school loathing writing. As a former Kindergarten teacher I was always looking for tricks and tools to help encourage children to love to write.

The quickest and easiest way to engage writing in children of all ages is to offer them a variety of options to write with. It really is that simple. I really want Row to have a love for writing. Toddlers can be encouraged to write through drawing. That’s right because we know that the purpose of writing is to communicate an idea and drawing can in fact do that even for the youngest of children.

I am always on the lookout for super cool writing tools. Ok so I have been pretty much obsessed with pens, pencils, erasers and pens since I was in utero. I was really disappointed when I would go shopping and just couldn’t find anything cool. Something I know Row would love and want to use. Maybe I could use it too-just saying. I stumbled upon the company International Arrivals and was AMAZED by what they had to offer!

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First up the left and right crayons-now these are cool. Easy to grip and smooth to color. Row loved these especially since she shows left handed tendencies. The colors allowed her to grip and use easily. Oh and the lollipop pen! It smells like orange when you write and so does the poof. How adorable.

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Oh and yes that COLOR IN Book is from International Arrivals too. The paper is so much nicer and thicker than a regular coloring book and it’s bound on a spiral. This book is every 8 year old girls dream. Row uses it as a book as well, flipping through pages and pointing to animals. We had to take it to lunch yesterday.

Have an older child? A college kid? Check out this cool monster highlighters….and they are scented.

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I told you I had a thing for erasers…..

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International arrivals has tons of gel pens to match any kiddos love-boys and girls. I love that they carry such a variety of writing utensils so kids of every shape and size will love their products. Put these out at your writing table and watch the kids flock!

International arrivals carry so many different items and all in one place. I have even been eyeing some things for stocking stuffers oh and our next door neighbors birthday. What 10 year old wouldn’t love this……

Check out that puffy!

Check out that puffy!

That’s right those are puffy pens-what does that mean exactly? It means you write, let dry, and then come back with a blow dryer and bam-puffs right up. I am sad-not sad-to say these babies are mine!!!!

What’s that you say? You need some of these goodies in your life right now…I know. Well the wonderful people over at International Arrivals are offering a $50 gift card to one reader so you can go crazy buying cool things from their site.

Warning you may spend more….What do you love to write with?

This is a sponsored post. I received items to review however, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
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Shopping at the Dollar Store like a Teacher

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The dollar store ahhhhhhhhh!!! It’s teacher heaven, unless you live in Houston because there is an actual store called teacher heaven and I must say they nailed that one on the head. It’s so amazing the things you can find at the dollar store. Even more amazing is how teachers look at things a little differently and can find ways to use the most ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Come shop with me!

As a teacher I went to the dollar store weekly. As a mom I go monthly. It’s a great inexpensive resource for sensory play. I’m going to layout what’s in the bags and telll you how I plan on using the items. No doubt you’ll see a bunch of them in upcoming posts. IMG_0828

We will be going left to right, top to bottom-the way we read-teacher habit.

1. Brushes-snag these-they’re $10 at Hobby Lobby! I plan on using these to chalkboard paint my crock pot-hopefully sooner rather than later. I also am dying to make some burlap wreaths. Only problem I can’t really draw.

2.Pack of Gourds-Fall sensory tub

3. Spiders-Halloween Discovery bottle, sensory tub, cupcakes toppers-I used these to play a one to one correspondence game in Kindergarten where you roll the dice and put that many spiders on your hand-super cute.

4.Hair Ties-color discovery bottles-I want to make them so badly! I need more glitter!

5.Pumpkin-sensory tub and bathtub/water table play.

6. Vanilla Pudding-sensory play-put edible food coloring in and we will be making edible finger paint.

Next Row

1.Strainer-sand table

2.Beads-cutting apart for discovery bottles-notice a trend?

3. Grow a Robot-scientific method-I mean robots are cool!

4.Dinosaurs-Dino discovery bottle, sand table

5.Glow Sticks-bathtub play in the dark, discovery bottle

6.Baster-water table, bathtub play, and painting

7. Measuring Cups-sensory tub play, water table play

Bottom Row

1.Leaves-Fall sensory tub

2.Mike Wysowski-green discovery bottle-had too.

3. Q-Tips-used to make skeletons on paper for Halloween and an upcoming contact paper sticky project, also great to use for paintbrushes or for sharing glue.

4.Beans and Pasta-sensory tub base

 

Once you start looking at things differently it’s amazing what you can find. I always go with some upcoming projects in mind-on the burner and look for things that might fit. For example, I knew I wanted to make a Fall sensory tub for Row and start with the basic color discovery bottles.  Have you found anything cool at the dollar store? Any upcoming projects? BTW-water beads are at the dollar store too!!!! We already have them.

The same goes for garage sales! I’m a garage sale junkie! You’d be so amazed at what you can find.

Back To School Teacher Gifts-Five Easy Ideas

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Back to schoolBack to school is just around the corner-literally! Your teachers are already there. If they’re elementary school teachers they’ve been there setting up those classrooms for several weeks. Bring a back to school gift for your teacher is a fun way to let your new teacher know how much you already appreciate them. It also is a way for your child to help and get excited for school. Top gift ideas from this here ex-Kindergarten teacher!

1.How you like them apples….

It’s so cliche right and cute! But teachers like the apple thing-not necessarily actual apples. Grab some apple scented lotion for them to have in the classroom!

2. Theme me baby

Most teachers have a favorite thing obsession. For example mine was Hawaii. Our classroom was Hawaiian/Flamingo themed. This pertains more for elementary teachers. Once you’ve gone to meet the teacher look around the room. Notice a theme????Spring on it. I loved getting things I could add to our room!

3. Dewey Decimal System Baby-must be a baby theme!

Most classrooms have or strive for a classroom library and did you know that 99.99999% of those books your child’s teacher bought-they’re hers/his! Yep mine all 3,000-I’m not even lying about that are up in our attic just in case I need them. A teacher never parts with her children’s lit. people. Buy a new book-hardcover is better, they get a lot of wear! It’s a great way to add to your child’s classroom and pick one out your child has interest in.

4. Sharpen those pencils

Right now school supplies are cheap-dirt cheap. Buy some extra packs of crayons and glue-stick and white. Kids go through these like crazy. I know you have a school supply list and you fulfilled it. Some kids come with nothing, some kids run out, and it’s nice not to have to write a note another one hundred times for someone to replace glue. Grab some extras and send to school in a cute bag labeled extra supplies for your personal teacher closet.

5. Wake me up before you go go

Starbucks $5 gift card-simple, easy, and they’ll be happy!

Every year when I taught in Texas we (teachers) each filled out a favorite things list. Our favorite color, drink, snack, collection, etc…These were kept in the front office so we could check them out for birthdays or secret Santa gifts. The awesome thing was room moms could copy them and hand them out to the class parents. Super helpful right!!!

Here’s to wishing you a wonderful year and as stress less as possible start!