It is time to pack up the hats and mittens and enjoy some warmer temperatures and sunshine. Spring is here! Spring is a great time to get active and get outside! The whole family can enjoy a bike ride, nature walk, or take advantage of those windy days and fly a kite! Don’t forget to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day! Visit http://fun.familyeducation.com for recipes, crafts, and ideas to make this St. Patrick’s Day fun for everyone!
Spring is the time of year that many families spring clean. Including your child in household work not only teaches important skills that help later in life, but also builds your child’s sense of self worth. Helping around the house is a great way for kids to feel like an important part of the family. Spring is also a great time to set up a routine of age appropriate chores for your child. Setting up a chore chart for your child instills responsibility and accountability as well as a sense of teamwork. Visit http://www.lotsofkids.com for lists of chores for each age group. Make helping around the house fun and reward kids with stickers, a special outing or activity, or treat. For free printable chore charts, visit http://www.handipoints.com.
Spring is the time for planting and gardening. Working as a family to plant flowers or vegetables is a great way to spend time together and learn about science! Check out www.copper-tree.ca , this is a great kid-friendly website that is a “how to” for all gardening including care instructions for growing many plants and foods. Gardening is an environmentally friendly activity that gets you outside and active. Kids can learn about horticulture and insects as well as practice writing skills while keeping a gardening journal. Visit http://urbanext.illinois.edu for great tips on how to start a garden and how to make gardening fun!
March is National Nutrition Month. Eating healthy is essential for kids to succeed at school as well as at home. Check out www.eatright.org for great tips on eating healthy, nutrition facts and pyramids, and activity information. Eating nutritious meals together develops strong families. Family mealtimes help create open communication, help kids learn good manners, and encourage healthier eating. Visit http://eattogether.net for recipes and menu planning, as well as, ways to make dinner time fun for the whole family!