How to Make An Easy Owl Craft

I always try to do the arts and craft session with my children everyday, usually we will do it during the evening.

This is one example, the craft that I do with my kids few months back. All you need is just the manilla card, coloured paper, glue and scissor. You can also use the paper plate instead of manilla card. :-)

Draw a big circle on the manilla card. If you use the paper plate just use one. Then draw 2 small circles for the eyes, 1 nose and 2 feet on the coloured paper just like in the picture below.

Cut all of the circles, nose and feet. Draw continuous half circle on the big circle paper. Then fold the big circle paper on both sides (left and right). Color the folded one for the owl's wings. Then fold the upper circle just like in the picture. 

Paste the eyes, nose and feet. You can ask your kids to color the nose and feet first before they paste it on the paper. Then, you're done!! Easy and less messy.. Hehe :-) happy trying.. 

The ABCs of Raising A Thinking Child

A is for Ask

Instead of answering your child's question with an answer, ask her to think of what a possible answer might be. This practice forces your child to think about possible solutions, hypotheses or reasons instead of lazily accepting a spoonfed answer. (It also eliminates an endless string of nonsensical "why?" questions).

B is for Brave

Dare your child to be brave and to march to the beat of her own drummer. Try to find examples in everyday life when you are making a choice based on your own reasons of what others are ding. If other families are staying late at the park (past your child's naptime), explain to your child that even though most other families are still there, you are going home to get some rest because you want to have energy for an evening walk later. By explaining your reasons and the consequences of your choice, your child will understand why you are making her leave earlier than others and that  it is okay to be doing something different when there is a reason for the different choice. Let her know it's okay to color outside the lines, inside the lines, or off the coloring page completely!

C is for Choice

When your child doesn't know how to solve a particular problem or an answer or definition of something, give her choices (like clues) and let her work out the solution on her own. This helps her learn how to assign value to and compare pieces of information and engages her critical thinking skills. Choices are also effective in teaching appropriate behaviour without scare tactics or a follow-the-leader mentality. For example, if your child wants to go out into the snow in her tank top, let her make that choice and see what the consequences of the choice are. Use this opportunity to explain the factors that go into making a well-thought out choice: like observing the weather to see if a turtleneck would make a more reasonable choice when it's snowing because it is warmer.

D is for Discover

The more your child is exposed to different scenes, people, cultures, food and experiences, the more she'll be able to understand the world around her and the idea that there are numerous ways of doing things and thinking about things. Even if you can't travel to far away places, have fun on local outings to ethnic grocery stores and try new foods, or just take a drive to the next town, the zoo or a children's museum. You can take little adventures online (like through the Around the World in 12 dishes series) or discover new adventures in books borrowed from the library.

E is for Experiment

It's never too early to experiment. Not just science experiments, but experimenting with different outcomes in art, math, science, reading and life lessons. Let your child engage in sensory plays as an infant and toddler to give her a direct, hands on experience with discovering the world around her. Let your toddler touch too hot bath water (under your supervision) to learn about hot and cold as well as a life lesson in testing out the water before jumping in. Little ones can even be trusted with glass or china so they become familiar with the weight and handling of objects.

* tips from The Outlaw Mom Blog :-)

Tips To Do Children's Activities At Home

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Since Arsyad went to school, he always want to do something fun at home. Either workbook, art & craft, sensorial activities and many more. It is fun watching them having fun and enjoying themselves doing or should I say playing happily in completing those activities.

Everyday, I will make sure there is something ready for them to do. Usually we will start our activity around 4.30pm to 5pm as Arsyad finish school at 3pm. In order for us to make these kind of activities as a routine, we need to do it everyday, so that they will get used to it. Sometimes I also need a "me time", so there will be one or two days that they can play anything they want without me supervising them. But trust me, once they are getting used with all the educational activities, they will try to play something that they can learn with. For example playing with lego, build or create something with it on their own, then started to imagine what is actually they build. They will tell you a very nice story and sometimes I can just laughing and put a smile on my face listening to their conversation. :-)

I know to entertain our kids all the time is not easy. It needs a loooottt of patience!! Sometimes, me myself can't control my anger in handling both of my kids. But, after awhile, I realize that they will more behave if you were involved in the activities with them (meaning no phone, no TV and no house chores. Just concentrate on them), be more relax when having a conversation or playing with them ( for example, if you need to rush on something don't show it to them. Don't make them to do/complete it faster because you want to do something else. This is not helping them to learn. They can see it on your face).

Set your own ground rules. Everytime I want to do painting or arts & craft session with my kids, I will ask them to sit down first while I setting up all the things that they need in order to do it. If they didn't listen to you, then you will not set up the table. Make sure you stick with your own rules. After completing the activity, ask them to clean it up. Clean all the brushes, the containers and table. Please provide proper tools for them to use. I always prepare the stool for them to wash their hands at the sink, provide kitchen towels and multipurpose spray for them to cleanup the table. You will be amazed looking at them working together to make sure everything is clean. :-)

And the most important thing is, you are having fun in doing those activities with them. I always google on what activities that I can do with my kids. Hope those tips can give you an idea on how to do activities with your kids at home. Coz I know sometime kita tak sabar kan?? All those mess.. huh~ But it is worth it!! :-)

Inshaa Allah I will share any other tips if I have some time. :-)