Make art from yarn and craft scraps.

I rarely throw anything away, especially when it comes to re-using and re-purposing items for craft projects.  Normally when the kids and I craft, we craft with a purpose, whether it be something to hang on the wall, something to use, or something to give away.  We rarely craft just for the sake of it, especially seeing as we bring home a lot of paper crafts and art from school; however when our stockpile of scraps is high, it’s a great time to let their imaginations run wild.

My daughter and I decided to make some scrap art together.  The kids have been fascinated with snails of late, especially now that our front walkway seems to be home to a number of baby snails.

I keep tiny pieces of fabric, felt, paper, yarn, and other bits and pieces in tubs in my craft room and as they get too full I bring them out so the kids can play.  So this was the perfect activity for using up a few items.

Don’t throw out tiny pieces of yarn, paper, and fabric from craft projects. Store them for creative play time.

All she needed to make this beautiful piece of scrap art was a few strands of yarn, felt, paper, and pipe-cleaner scraps.  I gave her a pom-pom too, and a blue crayon to finish it off.

Begin by making a spiral of school glue on card stock.  Then carefully wind yarn onto the glue.

Yarn crafts such as this one help teach kids fine motor skills.

Continue by finishing the snail with scraps of fabric or felt, then start working on other areas of the art project.  She made a sun out of paper and tiny pieces of pipe-cleaners, used yarn to make dirt, and made a flower out of paper, pipe-cleaners, and yarn.

Kids can use a variety of scraps to make beautiful pieces of artwork.

She was thrilled with her artwork and like most others that are brought home from school will be hung on her special artwork wall for a while, then photographed and printed in her annual art book.

Scrap art lets kids use their imagination.

Have your kids made scrap art before?  What other crafts do they make with scraps?

Tonya
Zui Mom

Tonya Staab is a freelance writer, and the creative mind behind Create-Celebrate-Explore where she shares craft tutorials, recipes, party planning, decorating, and travel tips.  She has three kids (twin kindergarteners and a teen) and can often be found covered in flour and glitter.

The best cure for a cruddy day is a little time alone....but with two kids, that’s easier said than done.

I seem to be having a string of these days. Take today, for instance. The kids were up by 6:30 a.m. (who said stay-at-home moms get to sleep in??), we were late for a meeting with T’s teacher, I missed my exit and made us even later for said meeting, got chewed out at meeting for being a slacker homeschooler, left meeting with squalling baby in car, had to stop for gas with baby still squalling in car, and got home to find the fridge had been left open for four hours and half its contents were warm and sweaty.

Whenever I have an utter “fail” day like this, it is an urgent and important reminder that I need some time to myself. To rejuvenate. Recharge. Get my groove back. And while I’d love to spend an entire day at the spa getting massages, having my hair styled, and eating scrumptious delights that *someone else* prepared, for now, I must content myself with small (yet precious) moments of “me time.”

Here are some mini-ways I try to recharge my batteries, bit by bit. These might sound woefully insignificant to some, but for a mom whose days and nights seem to blur together, even the smallest fraction of a freeing moment can work wonders and give perspective.

Go for a drive.

The comedian Louis C.K. has a joke about appreciating snippets of personal space. His version is when he buckles in his kids, closes the car door, and has a few seconds to himself as he walks around to the driver’s side. I chuckle whenever I think of this because it’s so completely accurate. If I’m lucky, the car ride itself can be relaxing, too. There are long periods of silence when the baby naps or when T decides to zone out and take in the passing scenery. It’s during these moments when I can listen to the radio, belt out a few 80’s tunes, or just go inside my head.

Breastfeed.

It might sound counterintuitive, but I’ve found that nursing can be a form of me time. Every 2 to 3 hours, Baby S’s hunger forces me to sit down and take a little timeout. And since she usually dozes off at some point, I’m left with a few minutes to myself. It’s during this little recess that I try to sneak in some escapist fiction (Hunger Games, anyone?)

Commiserate.

There’s nothing more comforting than having a sympathetic ear to talk to. Once a week, T and I have a playdate with other kids and moms. It’s my golden opportunity to connect with someone who isn’t a) asking me for food (again) or b) trying out new poop jokes. The difference in how I feel before a playdate vs. after is amazing. I’m like a new person. And I owe it all to the time I spend chatting with other moms, and figuring out that I am not the only one who feels bonkers most days!

Get help.

If you can afford a babysitter or nanny, more power to you. Go for it. My no-cost version of help involves me currying favors from the grandmas or my husband when he gets home from a 10-hour work day. I swear, the best part of my day happens right before bed, when I take 20 minutes to myself to shower and get ready for sleep. By this time of day, Baby S is usually bored to tears with me, and it helps to be able to hand her off to my husband, who is a fresh, new face for her to interact with.

Sacrifice sleep.

Ah, the age-old Mother’s Dilemma: Sleep when the baby sleeps or stay up and get stuff done? More often than not, I do the latter. While my daughter doesn’t really have a solid nap schedule yet, she does take little snoozes throughout the day, affording me some time to email, Facebook, tweet, or pin. Again, it may not sound like much, but it does put me in contact with the land of the living and that makes me feel just a little more human. (Sometimes, though, sleep is the better “me time” choice.)

Get a vice.

Mine is food. Chocolate-covered anything, coconut ice cream, ginger brew, a hot cup of spicy Good Earth tea. Whenever I indulge in any of these treats, a little part of me does a happy dance. When Baby S starts weaning, I’ll add an espresso in the morning and a glass of merlot at dinner.

I’m always looking for new ways to refill my tank, no matter how seemingly small or fleeting. The way I see it, every little break helps. How do you carve out time for yourself during the day? What are some of the ways you recharge?

Sophia
Zui Mom

Sophia savors all the joys (and challenges!) of family life with her husband and two kids in San Diego. Want to keep up with her (mis)adventures in mothering? Check out her blog at MamaSayMamaSo or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

“Think about it. A whole habitat in a tiny clay ball.”―Masanobu Fukuoka, father of natural farming

Looking for a fun and educational Earth Day activity? How about making some wildflower seed balls? This simple gardening project is sure to delight all ages, plus it’s a unique way to spread some green love over our beautiful planet.

I first discovered seed balls (also known as “seed bombs”) a couple of years ago at an Earth Day event in San Diego. They were these odd, truffle-sized pellets being sold out of what looked like a gum-ball machine. After my husband, son, and I got past our giggles and juvenile scat jokes, we learned something new that day:  Seed balls are a quick and ingenious way of promoting plant life without having to do a ton of work.

Seed balls, then and now

Cultivation or reforestation via seed balls is not a new concept; I’ve read that some Native American tribes farmed this way. But the practice was reintroduced in the 1930’s in Japan by natural farming pioneer, Masanobu Fukuoka, who used seed balls to grow grains in arid regions of his country. Fukuoka called this technique “do-nothing” farming because rigorous plowing of the soil was not necessary; all that was needed were the seed balls, some rain, and a little time.

Today, seed balls are used widely around the world to revive or cultivate vegetation in barren areas without having to till the land. And in big cities all around the U.S., seed balls have become tools of an environmental movement called “guerilla gardening,” in which eco-activists lob the balls onto unsightly and often trash-ridden abandoned lots in an effort to spruce up neglected neighborhoods, grow wholesome foods for the community, or both.

What are seed balls made of?

Seed balls consist of just four ingredients: seeds, compost, clay, and water. Everything is mixed together, molded into little spheres, and left to dry in the sun.

Be sure to use wildflowers that are native to your area. If you’re not sure, ask your local nursery.

How do seed balls work?

Once the balls are dry, they can be tossed onto practically any pile of dirt, where they will wait unmolested (the clay protects the seeds from being eaten by birds, rodents, and other animals) until they have absorbed enough rainwater to germinate. The compost provides all the nutrients the seeds need to grow.

How to make seed balls

In honor of Earth Day, you and your kids can create your own seed balls at home. All you need is some native wildflower seeds, compost, clay, and water―and the willingness to get a little really dirty!

Wildflower Seed Balls Recipe

(Yields about 40 to 50 jawbreaker-sized balls. Recipe courtesy of About.com.)

1 part native wildflower seeds (we used California poppies, Lupine, Compass, and a variety of water-wise wildflowers)
3 parts dry, organic compost
5 parts dry clay (I used native clay that hubby dug up for me, but lots of seed ball recipes suggest using powdered red pottery clay, available at fine art stores)
1 to 2 parts water
Large bucket to mix everything in
Large cookie sheet or tray for drying the seed balls (We used T’s wheel barrow)

Now for the dirty work. (If picking mud out from under your fingernails is not your idea of fun, feel free to don a pair of rubber, latex, or nitrile gloves first.) Mix seeds and compost thoroughly by hand. Add in clay and mix again. Slowly add water and continuing mixing by hand until well blended. You will know when you reach the right consistency when the mixture holds together in a ball without falling apart. Mold mixture into balls about the size of truffles (because it always comes back to food, doesn’t it?). Allow to dry on flat surface in sun for a minimum of one full day, or until they are completely dry. (Do not let balls sit moist for too long or they may begin to sprout!)

Eight seed packets yielded about half a cup of seeds total.

Little hands delight in gardening because it is such a sensory experience.

T had a grand old time crushing up large chunks of gray native clay.

Your seed ball mixture is ready when, once molded, it retains a ball shape without crumbling apart.

Camel droppings? Ew, no. Tiny parcels of potential life? Yes.

These seed balls are filled with everything needed to turn a barren lot into a lush and colorful garden again.

Once the balls are dry, you can package them up as unique and earth-conscious gifts, or embark on your first guerilla gardening expedition―just toss them onto a dirt pile, wait for some rain (or water it yourself), and then watch the fruits (or flowers) of your labor bloom.

It’s mid-spring, so we’re bound to have at least a few more rains left in the season. (April showers bring May flowers, right?) How about throwing a seed ball party? The more, the merrier! If you do, don’t forget to come back and let us know how it goes!

Happy Earth Day!

Sophia
Zui Mom

Sophia savors all the joys (and challenges!) of family life with her husband and two kids in San Diego. Want to keep up with her (mis)adventures in mothering? Check out her blog at MamaSayMamaSo or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

Barbie fans can use KidZui’s free, kid-safe web browser and type “Barbie” into the search bar.  Find the link to “Barbie.com – Games & Activities for Girls” and you’ll be taken to the official Barbie website.

At the site, girls will find lots of Barbie games for kids.  Additionally, there’s lots of videos to watch, fun activities, and the Mattel Store, where you can shop for Barbie dolls and accessories.

Limo Jam is a Pac-Man style game in which girls must race around the city collecting items before they arrive at their next destination, such as a boutique.

The videos on the Barbie site are primarily ads or DVD trailers, and we don’t necessarily recommend going there just for them.  But we definitely recommend girls check out the Barbie games, in all there are more than 50 of them.

One of the interesting things about the Barbie site is there are actually multiple ways to access the different games.  By clicking the link called “Games” at the top, you go to a full listing (with categories) and Barbie’s voice tells you how she’s a gamer girl.  But there’s also a fun way to access these games and other activities through the “Fab Girl” section of the Barbie site.  Here, kids will get a look at Barbie’s “profile,” modeled after social network pages.   Through this page, players can play games like Limo Jam, Make a Magazine Cover and view other photos.  With special codes from purchasing real-life Fab Girl dolls, kids can also unlock other games.

The Barbie “I Can Be” page focuses on a career-oriented Barbie.

The other really cool way to access these Barbie games is through the “I Can Be…” link on the Barbie home page.  On this page, girls choose from one of 10 different career-oriented Barbies, and play a game based on that profession.  Currently, Architect is highlighted as the 2011 Career of the Year on the Barbie site, but girls can also play as a chef, computer engineer, teacher, ballerina, doctor, lifeguard, veterinarian and more.  Combined with these games is a link to buy the real-life Career Barbie from the Mattel Shop.

The Barbie online games at the official Barbie site are split into five different categories: Princess & Fairy, Fashion, Pets, Arcade and Sporty. Here’s a closer look at each group.

Princess & Fairy

Featuring special versions of Barbie, girls can play dress up or simple word search games or take on a greater adventure in games like Fairy Secret Adventure, in which you must fly around “Gloss Angeles” to help Fairy Barbie collect items to help Princess Graciella.  There’s also a cool game starring Thumbelina Barbie, called Go-Grow Garden.  Basically, if a game features a special type of Barbie, it can be found in this section.

Planting all these flowers may look sample, but it requires patience, coordination and an attention to detail.

Fashion

Dress and decorate Barbie and Ken in these different fashion-based Barbie game.  You can even decorate Barbie’s Dream House or create your own Fashion Magazine cover.  Girls will love the chance to create their own outfits in these games that focus more on creativity and less about completing specific tasks.

Barbie Glitterized Fashions is a game based on a real-life toy in which girls create outfits, and can then add color and glitter.

Pets

Barbie and Pets go together just as well as Barbie and Ken, so in these pet-themed games, Barbie has a chance to help take care of animals as a veterinarian, teach dogs tricks, work as a pet groomer or even take care of animals in the wild.  Each of the Pets game combines Barbie with animals and there are six different ways to play.

Groom and dress up your pets Barbie-style in Barbie Zoom and Groom.

Arcade

The Barbie arcade games are designed to test gamer’s reflexes and skills in games that are more about fun than they are about a specific Barbie product.  There are coloring games, memory games and sliding puzzles.   Many of the games here combine two different types of play, such as clicking to find objects in a scene after receiving clues about them.

Barbie in the Great Scooby Doo Search combines seek and find gameplay with word puzzles.

Sporty

Any girl can tell you, Barbie’s not just a girly girl.  She’s also a great athlete, and with Barbie online games girls can help Barbie surf, race cars, do some extreme BMXing or groom and ride horses.  There’s even a game called Potty Race here in which Barbie must help her little sister make it to the bathroom in time by removing all toys and baby gates from her path so she’s not distracted.

Potty Race helps capture one of the key jobs of a babysitter – getting kids to the bathroom on time!

Barbie.com is a place where girls can do a variety of activities, but the best stuff is really the games.  Which Barbie games did your kids enjoy?  We’d love to hear about them!

Johner
Zui Gamer

“Family Game Guy” Johner Riehl is the founder and editorial director of FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com and FamilyFriendlyApps.com, sites dedicated to offering families easy-to-understand information about family-friendly games and apps.  He lives in San Diego with his wife Christina and three sons.

Carrot Patch Pudding Cups make a fun Easter treat.

Are you going to a potluck, hosting an Easter party, or just looking for some yummy homemade Easter treats for your kids that do not involve Peeps or cupcakes?

This Easter-inspired dirt-in-a-cup recipe is so simple to make that with supervision kids will be able to make most (or possibly all) of it on their own.  Let’s get hopping!

Carrot Patch Pudding Cups

• 2 packets Instant Chocolate Pudding (approx. 4.2oz)
• 1 pkg Cool Whip thawed (approx. 8oz)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups Oreo cookies (approx.) – you may need more depending on how many cups you make
• Orange icing (white icing colored with orange Wilton gel)
• Edible grass

Begin by having your child whisk together the chocolate pudding mix and the milk.

Measuring and mixing are simple tasks kids can do in the kitchen.

Once combined, have them add the Cool Whip and gently mix it together.

Pudding tastes better with Cool Whip.

Now comes the fun part.  Put the Oreo’s into a Ziploc® bag and seal it, make sure to press out as much air as possible.  Give the kids a rolling pin and have them crush the Oreo’s into smaller pieces.

Crushing Oreo’s with a rolling pin is a lot of fun.

Add between 1/3 to 1/2 of the crushed Oreo’s to the pudding mixture and mix to combine.  Spoon the pudding mixture into small soufflé cups, then top with the remaining crushed Oreo’s.

Dirt in a cup makes a delicious party treat.

Add the orange icing to a piping bag with a circular tip.  If kids want to try making the carrots have them try on a cutting board first.  Carefully pipe a circle of orange icing onto the top of each pudding cup to resemble the end of a carrot.  Cut small pieces of edible grass and pop into the carrot.

Serve your carrot patch treats chilled.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Do you have any fun Easter crafts for kids?  Share them in the comments below – we’d love to hear about them!

Tonya
Zui Mom

Tonya Staab is a freelance writer, and the creative mind behind Create-Celebrate-Explore where she shares craft tutorials, recipes, party planning, decorating, and travel tips.  She has three kids (twin kindergarteners and a teen) and can often be found covered in flour and glitter.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing Recipe

Adapted from Allrecipes.com (yields approximately 8 oz. of dressing).

1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (I used a gluten-free variety, which also happens to be vegan)
1/4 tsp. paprika powder
1 Tbsp. minced red onion
10 oz. (2 bags) fresh organic baby spinach
1 lb. organic strawberries – washed, de-stemmed, and sliced
Sliced almonds and red onion slices for garnish (optional)

Whisk together sesame seeds, poppy seeds, olive oil, agave nectar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and onion in a medium mixing bowl. (If you have a spare mayonnaise jar, that will work, too; just shake it all up!) Refrigerate for one hour to let the flavors come together.

Looking to boost your vitamin C levels? Eat strawberries and spinach together―both are packed with this essential nutrient.

Combine spinach and strawberry slices in a large mixing bowl. Pour dressing over salad a bit at a time (so as not to overdress…bad for salads, bad for your company picnic) and toss well. Garnish with almonds and onions, if you wish.

This dressing is To Die For. It enhances the sweetness of the strawberries but doesn’t overpower it. I imagine it would also be a wonderful complement to tangerines, pears, apples, and peaches. Other accompaniments to try: walnuts, pine nuts, and goat cheese.

Random aside:  If you’re like me and you never, ever use Worcestershire sauce and hesitate in buying it just so you can use *a quarter of a teaspoon* of it in a silly salad recipe, it may surprise you to know that this impossible-to-pronounce sauce can be used in a host of ways, such as soups, stews, casseroles, meat and veggie marinades, macaroni and cheese, dips, dressings, BBQ sauce, pasta sauces, baked beans, meatballs, meatloaf, grilled cheese sandwiches, and of course…mommy’s dirty little Sunday brunch secret: Bloody Marys.

So, it looks like I’ll be getting busy with the Worcestershire recipes. If I can’t pronounce it, at least I’ll be able to cook with it. (T: “Mommy, what is that sauce called?” Me: “Wohr-chester-shire? Werchester? Worst-a-sher? Ah geez, I dunno. It’s for the salad dressing.”)

Enjoy!

Sophia
KidZui Mom

Sophia savors all the joys (and challenges!) of family life with her husband and two kids in San Diego. Want to keep up with her (mis)adventures in mothering? Check out her blog at MamaSayMamaSo or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

Today, Holly Hobbie and Friends have been reinvented for the current generation, with a made-for-TV movie and plenty of fun online games and activities for girls.  Holly Hobbie games can be found on AGKidZone, a great place for online kids games and activities.  The site is an extension of the American Greetings Corporation, which creates television shows and merchandise for many long-running kids properties such as Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie.

Girls can find plenty of fun Holly Hobbie activities using KidZui’s free, kid-safe web browser by typing “Holly Hobbie” into the search bar.  In addition to videos, coloring pages and activities such as a scavenger hunt, there are 10 different Holly Hobbie games on the AGKidsZone site.

Holly Hobbie Lemonade Stand

This game is really three games in one as kids must collect the items for lemonade, pour the glasses and then deliver them to friends.  Each level has its own timer and reward, and if kids complete all three they’ll get to decorate and print out coloring pages based on each step of the lemonade-making process.

After making the lemonade, you must deliver everyone’s order correctly.

Holly Hobbie Surprise Party

Help Holly throw a surprise party for her Aunt Jessie.  Holly will need to gather apples for pie, invitations, music for the band and presents.  Using the arrow, kids must collect these items while avoiding her little brother Robby, who will only slow her down.  With a view from above, this sort of reminded us of a game of Pac-Man.

Gather items while avoiding your little brother to get ready for the surprise party.

Holly Hobbie Pack-a-Picnic

Use your mouse to move the picnic basket and catch as many food and goodies for a Hey Girls Club picnic.  Instead of just being able to move the basket back and forth along the bottom of the screen, kids can raise it in the air and move it all over the screen in order to catch food.  More food equals more points and more picnic fun with Holly Hobbie.

Move the basket all around the screen to catch the falling food!

Holly Hobbie Holly’s Water Balloon Blast!

Help Holly battle the boys Robby and Kyle in a water balloon flight.  Use your mouse to aim and click to toss balloons.  Points are scored by hitting Robby and Kyle, but you lose points if you accidentally nail one of your pets!

Ready, aim and fire at those pesky boys!

Holly Hobbie Dress Up

Of course there’s a Holly Hobbie dress up game for girls.  This simple activity lets girls pick out Holly’s pants, shirt, hat and more as they dress her up in whatever they wish.  When they’re done, they can see Holly at school, a hayride or even a party, and print out the scene.

This simple dress-up game can occupy kids for a while as they try out different combinations.

Holly Hobbie Beanbag Toss

In this version of single-player Tic-Tac-Toe, players must throw a bean bag at a square to uncover it in order to try and win a “carnival” prize.  There are six throws on each level, so kids will need to develop strategies in order to find the three-in-a-row possibilities.  When they’re done, kids can print out coloring pages of their virtual prizes.

There’s actually a good deal of strategy involved in getting three prizes in a row before running out of beanbags.

Holly Hobbie Dream n’ Style Dollhouse

With four different rooms to choose from, there are plenty of ways to place sinks, cabinets, pianos, and of course Holly Hobbie and her friends.  Placing items is as simple as clicking once to pick it up and clicking again to set it down. There’s no right or wrong way to decorate, and when kids are finished they can print out their creation.

Kids can decorate the house however they want, and even use items and characters more than once.

Holly Hobbie Muffin Maker

The Hey Girls Club is decorating muffins as they go by on a conveyor belt.  Kids can decorate them however they wish, but they’ll have to have a good sense of timing to make sure everything goes on top of the muffin.

Time it right and you too can make beautiful muffins with Holly Hobbie.

Holly Hobbie Holly’s Attic Treasures

It’s a race against the clock for kids to find different items hidden in Holly’s room.  Use the mouse to scroll around the room to find the hidden buttons, patches and other crafty items.  The view is “zoomed in” so it will take some slow, careful mouse-maneuvering to find everything and click on it.

There are crafts everywhere in Holly’s room – you’ve got to find the right ones.

Holly Hobbie Create-A-Snow Globe

Kids can create and send their own virtual snow globes to their friends.  Fill with water, add some decorations, and pick a different Holly Hobbie scene.  There are even different Christmas songs to choose from.  Once created, kids can shake and e-mail their creations to their friends.

American Greetings’ Create-A-Snowglobes are fun ways to share holiday wishes with friends.

Did you know that Holly Hobbie was a real-life person?  We were surprised to learn that in doing our research on these games.  American Greetings and Hub Network are bringing back Holly Hobbie and a number of memorable characters from the 70s and 80s.  Have you shared these with your kids?

Johner
Zui Gamer

“Family Game Guy” Johner Riehl is the founder and editorial director of FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com and FamilyFriendlyApps.com, sites dedicated to offering families easy-to-understand information about family-friendly games and apps.  He lives in San Diego with his wife Christina and three sons.

In The Curiosity Cycle, the author presents ways to help our children become “intrinsically and internally motivated to go out and acquire information.”

Let’s face it. Computers rule the world, and we just live in it. And if you don’t agree with that statement now, you will in ten years. Twenty for sure. Is your child prepared to live succeed in a world dominated by Smartphones, iPads, Nooks, robots that vacuum, cars that drive themselves, and who-knows-what-else-the-future-holds?

While most of us probably aren’t focused on raising the next Steve Jobs, I’m guessing we’d certainly feel better about their futures if our kids had some of his vision, drive, and creativity. In Jonathan Mugan’s new book, The Curiosity Cycle: How to Prepare Your Child for the Ongoing Technological Explosion, the author proposes that the way to ensure that our kids thrive in a computer-dependent society is to teach them how to be curious. Curiosity, he says, is the key to “supple” thinking. And supple, independent thinking is what enables us to create new and improved technology, as well as effectively adapt to lightning-fast changes in that technology.

Mugan begins his book with a discussion about how children learn. The gist is this: Learning is a 3-step process. First, children must “individuate,” or pull out, concepts from life itself. Second, they must put together those concepts into a “model” that helps them understand how the world works. Third, they must test that model through personal experience and then refine the model or begin to individuate new concepts.

(Are you still with me? Good. Hang in there.)

These three steps happen over and over again until children develop a large “web” of knowledge about life. That web of knowledge is constantly expanding and evolving, and the entire process is driven by curiosity. Mugan calls this process―you guessed it―the “curiosity cycle.”

The author’s main point is that we parents can actually teach our children how to be curious. Curiosity-based learning, as opposed to rote memorization, is internally driven and motivated. From what I understand, because the child is curious about a certain subject, their mind is primed to receive information about that subject more readily, and what they learn will tend to stick better.

“Kids are under pressure to excel in school, and unfortunately they spend too much time in the classroom learning how to do well on tests. The principles [in this book] will help your child achieve an intelligence that is broader than test scores.”―Jonathan Mugan

I know what you’re wondering:  Exactly how can curiosity be taught? Mugan presents a plethora of practical and inspiring ideas. Here are just a few of his suggestions that really struck a chord with me.

6 Ways to Enhance Your Child’s Curiosity

1. Encourage your child to lead in uncertain (yet safe) situations. When driving in the car, ask your child to navigate the way home, or to a familiar store or their favorite park. Let them know it’s okay to make a mistake, and that the point is to try something new and learn from the experience.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask deep questions. Is there life on other planets? Will we ever be able to live on the moon? How might we make that happen? This can open up lots of lively discussions, and it teaches children that it’s also okay to ask questions that no one knows the answer to.
3. Be the example. It’s the age old idea of monkey-see, monkey-do. We can’t expect our son to love opera if we don’t show a healthy appreciation for it. On the other hand, because my husband and I are avid readers, our son is, too.
4. Set goals and plans. Say your child loves playing in the dirt. How about planning a small container garden that he can tend? What materials would he need? What steps should be followed? What would be the daily routine to maintain the garden? Harvest time would be the goal―hand-picking sweet strawberries and juicy tomatoes is a tasty incentive! Having an attainable goal to work towards, and creating a plan to achieve it, gives a child a sense of purpose when they wake up each morning. (It can also alleviate boredom.)
5. Nurture a “can-do” attitude. Our son T is at an age where he’s trying lots of new things:  baseball, swimming, school work, etc., and we make a concerted effort to teach him the importance of not giving up. It’s also crucial for him to have a sense of “self-efficacy”―that belief that he can directly change his environment with his actions. These two things combined make it more likely that he will have the confidence to try new endeavors, as well as persevere when the going gets tough.
6. Teach your child how to argue with the goal of coming to an agreement. We could all stand to learn this skill. While our instinct is to be right in every argument, this approach usually doesn’t do anyone any good in the end. Instead, emphasize the importance of figuring out the truth together. Also point out that losing an argument isn’t a bad thing; it just means that you’ve learned something new.

Mugan mindfully presents two caveats: First, the goal is not to push children harder. That’s a big no-no. Instead the goal is to recognize their innate sense of wonder and curiosity about the world and nurture it, with them leading the way. And second, we need to seek balance. We do not want little screen zombies who squint like moles at the light of day. Give children plenty of opportunities to interact with their physical world, with people, communities, and the great outdoors. In doing so, our kids can reap the benefits of technology without falling victim to its pitfalls.

The Curiosity Cycle is sure to appeal to engaged parents who are seeking practical, easy-to-implement ways to help their children thrive in our fast-paced world of technology. Mugan’s techniques can help our children grow into curious, critical thinkers. Without these traits, our kids are likely to become mere and passive consumers of technology, rather than the trail-blazing, dynamic creators they have the potential to be.

As a homeschooling parent, I’m always on the lookout for ways to help my child learn to think for himself (regardless of the technological environment). To me, that is the goal of education. So when I found a veritable treasure trove of inspiring and do-able ideas in this unassuming little book, I was thrilled. I think you will be, too.

Children are naturally curious. How do you nurture your child’s sense of curiosity? What is the role of technology in your child’s life now? How do you see your child interacting with technology in five years? In ten?

Sophia
Zui Mom

Sophia savors all the joys (and challenges!) of family life with her husband and two kids in San Diego. Want to keep up with her (mis)adventures in mothering? Check out her blog at MamaSayMamaSo or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

What is a vision board?

Did you ever daydream as a child? Remember getting completely lost in that warm, fuzzy, glowy world of What If? With a vision board, you can revel in that sublime mood all over again AND get results.

A vision board is a collage of images and words that illustrate what you want to happen, achieve, or become within the next year. It’s a physical representation of your dreams and desires. It’s an effective way to stay positive and focused on what you truly want out of life. If you think about it, we make mini vision boards all the time, in the form of to-do lists. Think of a vision board as the mac-daddy of all to-do lists, but nothing on it is an obligation or a chore; instead, everything on your vision board is a dream or goal that you want to come true.

Now before you roll your eyes and write this off as Some Airy-Fairy New Age Thing, hear me out: There is something to be said about writing down our goals and focusing on what we DO want out of life. On a day-to-day basis, we tend to fall into the trap of bellyaching about our situations. “I hate my old car.” “My house is too small.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I never have enough time.” All this negative talk weighs us down. And as we focus on what we don’t have, ironically, we lose sight of what we actually want, what’s most important to us. Vision boards give us the opportunity to shift our perspective and begin to focus on what we do want.

Do vision boards have to be made in the Spring?

Technically, no. Vision boards can be made whenever the mood strikes you (in fact, the emotions that go into creating your board are very powerful…more on that later).

That said, many vision board enthusiasts swear by creating boards at this time of year. These folks refer to their boards as “treasure maps,” and they do not begin their maps until the new moon in Aries (March 22), which closely coincides with the beginning of Spring. (I know zilch about astrology, but I am sticking to this schedule. It makes sense to me. Springtime is all about new growth and fresh starts.) And, they say, the absolute best time to finish your board is within three days of the new moon. But if you need to, you can take up to two weeks to complete it (until the next full moon, which takes place on April 6).

How do you make a vision board?

Oooh, this is the fun part. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Poster board (any color you like; I’ve used orange in the past; it’s bold and energizing)
• Markers
• Magazines* (new, current issues are better, but hand-me-downs are fine, too, as long as they are new to you)
• Scissors
• Glue (rubber cement works best)

*  Important! If you choose to take advantage of the new moon in Aries, do not buy your magazines until the new moon begins on March 22. Why? Because you want all that fresh, vibrant energy of the new moon to guide you and inspire you as you select the magazines, browse through them, cut out images that speak to you, etc.

Divide the poster board into nine equal squares, like a tic-tac-toe grid. Starting with the top left square and moving from left to right, assign each square one of the following “areas”: Abundance, Fame/Reputation, Relationship, Family, Health, Creativity, Self-Knowledge/Travel, Work/Career, and Angels.

Abundance:  This is some thing or concept you see yourself enjoying more of. Most people think of money or material goods when it comes to this area. I’ve always focused on things that were dream-worthy, yet attainable. In other words, I’ve never asked for “a bazillion kajillion dollars.” Some non-material ideas for abundance are energy, good health, time, joy, patience, etc.

Fame/Reputation:  This is how you want others to see you. Your outer persona, if you will. How do you want others to perceive you? Successful? Confident? Happy? Positive?

Relationship:  You can focus on any core relationship(s) here. How do you see your connection improving with this person or people?

Family:  What do you want to happen for your family this year? More quality time together? It’s helpful to include a picture of your happy family, surrounded by images or words that show what you’d like to be experiencing together.

Health:  In what ways do you see your health improving? This is one of the areas that always gets a lot of attention from me. I’ve focused on things like a healthy immune systems, more and better quality sleep, increased energy levels, etc.

Creativity:  How do you see yourself fulfilling your creative side? What are your hobbies? Are you a painter at heart? A writer? A musician?  A gardener? Find images or words that express your desire to create.

Self-Knowledge/Travel:  You can focus on one or both of these areas. What trips do you aspire to make within the next year? Self-knowledge refers to how you wish to improve yourself. What aspects of yourself do you wish to cultivate? Your spirituality? Your ability to enjoy the present moment?

Work/Career:  How do you see your work or career growing?  What are your career goals? As an at-home mom, I wasn’t sure what to put in this area, so I included a little of everything―my “jobs” as a mother, homemaker, assistant to my husband and his business, volunteer, writer. You get the idea. It’s whatever you believe to be your life’s work.

Angels:  These are the people who can help you achieve your goals. They can be friends, family members, celebrities, living, deceased, real, fictional…it’s up to you. Choose people that inspire you.

Now crack open your magazines and flip through the pages. Don’t analyze things too much. That defeats the purpose. Trust your emotions, your heart, your gut. Select the images and words that truly move you on a visceral level; that give you a radiant, excited feeling. No emotional reaction? Leave it. And then paste what you find under one of the nine areas.

Other tips:

If the thought of forking over $20 or $30 just for magazines gives you pause, no worries. The Internet is free! You can Google any of your concepts, and then print out the images that inspire you. Don’t forget about libraries, thrift stores, and used bookstores, too. You might get lucky and find some current issues of magazines you are attracted to.

And, if you’re like me and tend to gravitate more towards words than images, feel free to write up your own positive affirmations for each section of your vision board. No cutting and pasting required.

Can kids make vision boards, too?

Absolutely! Every year, T likes to get in on the action of cutting and pasting photos from magazines. One time, he got hold of an AutoTrader magazine and I was sure we’d wind up with a couple of raised mud trucks before year’s end. (Thankfully, we didn’t.) But seriously, vision boards can teach children some important lessons about setting goals and finding out what we really want from life…and what we can contribute.

Do vision boards work?

Yes, for us they have. One year, my husband “visualized” a new work truck, and he got it. He also visualized an annual income (a specific number) for himself, and he got it. This past year, my focus was on my family’s overall robust health and the (relatively) easy, natural birth of my daughter. I am pleased to say that I/we were blessed with both. In short, I’ve seen enough “proof” that vision boards work so that I continue to make one every single year.

If you’re interested in learning more about vision boards, Oprah.com has an entertaining article by Martha Beck (there’s even an online “O Dream Board” tool) and Mothering.com has a wealth of information in their treasure map discussion forums.

One last thing. When (not if, but when) you see the results of your vision board, be sure to take notice. I mean really acknowledge it when it happens, and share with others how it has happened for you. Taking the time to feel appreciation for your gifts feeds the positive-feeling cycle and keeps you open to receiving even more. (Cue sitar music….)

Have you made a vision board before? What was your experience like? What did you goals did you manifest?

Sophia
Zui Mom

Sophia savors all the joys (and challenges!) of family life with her husband and two kids in San Diego. Want to keep up with her (mis)adventures in mothering? Check out her blog at MamaSayMamaSo or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.

A fun St. Patrick’s Day lunch for hungry little leprechauns

St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Ingredients:

Sandwiches

• Whole wheat bread
• Cheese slices

Rainbow

Assorted fruit such as:

• Red: strawberries or raspberries
• Orange: cantaloupe, peaches, or clementine’s
• Yellow: pineapple, banana, or mango
• Green: kiwi fruit, honeydew melon, pears, or grapes
• Blue: blueberries
• Purple: grapes

Trail Mix

You can really add whatever you like to your trail mix, but this is what I included:

• Mini pretzels
• Mini marshmallows
• Cereal
• Raisins
• Choco Rocks – in green and gold

Prepare a cheese sandwich as you normally would, then using a shamrock shaped cookie cutter turn it into a fun St. Patrick’s Day inspired shamrock.

Gently combine the ingredients for the trail mix and serve in a separate container.

Lay the fruit out in order of the colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple (violet)

Note:  I found the green and gold chocolate rocks at Cost Plus World Market.

Do you have some fun St. Patrick’s Day inspired lunch ideas for your kids?  I would love to hear about them in the comments below.

Tonya
Zui Mom

Tonya Staab is a freelance writer, and the creative mind behind Create-Celebrate-Explore where she shares craft tutorials, recipes, party planning and travel tips.  She has three kids (twin kindergarteners and a teen) and can often be found covered in flour and glitter.