When I was in school at Carrolltowne Elementary, I loved having holiday parties. The room parents always did such a great job and put forth so much effort. When we walked back to our room from specials, we were so excited to see colorful decorations and our desks covered with special treats. This was also the time when the class would exchange valentines. Even then, everyone's favorite valentines were either the most creative or the ones that had a treat attached to them. I remember when everyone tried to hide the Blowpops that we received with one, because gum wasn't allowed in school! It's …

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day!   February 2nd occurs halfway between the first day of winter and the first day of spring.  According to popular tradition and belief, if the groundhog sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If the day is cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, then the groundhog stays above the ground anticipating early spring weather. Each year, massive crowds gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to watch Phil emerge from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob. According to groundhog.org, the official website of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Punxsutawney held its …

One of the most important lessons I have learned while studying early childhood education is how crucial a healthy diet is for children. Because children’s bodies are still growing and developing, healthy food choices are essential. Involve your child in the grocery store and in the kitchen. Getting children to be apart of the meal planning or preparation process will encourage them to try new foods and eat the healthy ones he or she has selected. A bingo game that your child can play while in the grocery store is explained in the games section below. In 2005, the US Department of Agriculture…

One of my favorite childhood memories was from when my sisters and I would play at a friend’s house. As a snack, we would have popcorn and cranberry juice mixed with seltzer water. It was such a special treat! At the time, I didn’t realize all of the healthful benefits of popcorn. Popcorn is a whole grain that is naturally low in fat and calories. It also adds fiber to your diet. According to Popcorn.org, popcorn is the only one of the four most common types of corn that can pop, explaining further that "popcorn differs from other types of corn in that its hull has just the right thickness to…

One of the biggest revelations that I had this semester when I was student teaching, was how much the students were teaching me. I am continuously amazed by what children can do, what they know, and how they act. The other day I witnessed a selfless act by a child that I think we all could learn something from. A mother and her two children, a boy and a girl, were walking towards a local store. The boy was clearly upset: there were tears in his eyes, and he was screaming, "I want my mittens! I want them! I’m cold!!" The mother told her son, "If you had left them where I told you to, you would…

Tomorrow, January 5th, marks the 9th Annual National Bird Day in the United States. National Bird Day, according to Nationalbirdday.com, was created to not only draw attention to the exploitation of the native wild birds, but to appreciate and learn about those that fly free outside our windows. I have always loved watching birds. When I was young, we installed a bird house on our deck. We loved sitting at the breakfast and lunch table and watching the cardinals, blue jays, and robins out our sliding glass door, that would come to visit.  We also made the traditional "pine cone bird feeders" …

Presents have been opened, our stomachs are full, and we are now recuperating from the holidays and the "almost" snowstorm. It's hard to believe that it's already time to get ready for New Years! What are you doing New Year's Eve? If you are spending the evening celebrating with your children, here are some fun crafts and games that can keep them entertained until midnight. Noise Makers Ever wonder if there could be a use for old ribbon spools? By filling the spools with dried peas or beans and sealing the holes with tape, you can create shakers that make a lot of noise. Children can paint …

When I was young, there was nothing I loved more than to sit in front of the TV with my Christmas list and write down everything that I wanted when commercials came on. A  Barbie that could dive under water, a dog that had puppies in it's velcroed belly, Polly Pocket...the list went on and on. One year, after excitedly presenting my extensive list to my mother, I was informed that there was no money for Christmas that year. A few days later, we went to Toy- R-Us to look around. Was this a cruel joke? We couldn't get anything, so why are we here in the toy kingdom, the magical land of want-…

We have already had our first snow of the season! Who would have thought that such a small amount of snow could cause such big problems? I also heard that a snowstorm might possibly affect Eldersburg at the end of this week as well. While we're waiting for some of that fluffy white stuff to blanket our area, why not have some winter fun indoors? Dec. 21 will be here before we know it! .*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*. Ice Painting Put drops of food coloring into ice-cube trays. Cover with aluminum foil. Poke popsicle sticks through the aluminum foil and place in the freezer. …

It seems winter has already arrived in Eldersburg! It has been so chilly, and the forecast suggests no changes in the near future. I love the cold weather. I just took out all of my scarves and gloves from last winter, and I'm so excited to use them! I'm also in the process of purchasing gifts for friends and family. I'm not known to buy presents ahead of time. I have found so many people do their Christmas shopping differently. Some buy their gifts on black Friday for the following year, others buy throughout the year, and then there are those (like me) who wait until December! In recent …

Saturday is National Cookie Day in the United States! Celebrate this holiday with your child using the following ideas.  Did you know? According to food history website What's Cooking America, the English word "cookie" comes from the word "koekje" which means little cake. Dutch bakers would test oven temperatures by baking small amounts of cake batter so if the temperature wasn't correct, the entire cake mix wouldn't be wasted. When the bakers discovered how tasty these little pieces of cooked batter were, the cookie was born!  The Gingerbread Man This popular story has inspired the creation …

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is so close. Soon families will be busy in their kitchens preparing for the big day and running around to clean the house for guests. Grocery stores will have an abundance of evaporated milk, cans of pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and pre-made pies. It's a good thing that Eldersburg has 4 major grocery stores within a 5-mile radius, it's almost impossible not to find what you are looking for! I love everything about the holidays: family, friends, traditions, and taking the time to be thankful for what we have. It's so easy to get distracted by the hustle and …

The other day I walked into the Eldersburg Library to pick up some books that I had requested. I walked a few steps past the automatic doors and heard a sound you rarely hear in a library: noise! There was laughter, talking, and children jumping around. The sign outside of the room where this was all happening read "Drop-In Crafts." What a wonderful way for children to develop a positive attitude towards the library! I remember attending the library's programs when I was young. The children's section used to be located behind the main desk in the back room. I remember reading a story and …