Kids Command Center

Since moving into our new house, one of the things I knew I needed to create was a command center for the kids. My oldest thrives on a structured routine with lots of positive reinforcements. If I don't have a space to organize all of that it becomes much harder for me to create that kind of environment for him. We use this space for behavior charts, chores, a weekly calendar, other school calendars, the kids art work, and also a space for the boys to "cool off". The space it mostly used for Hudson, who is five, but as Max and Piper get older we can incorporate more for them as well. You can find more details about the space and how I created it below.

January Preschool Activities

I am a little late on posting this, but here are some ideas of things to do with preschool age kids at home. Hudson's preschool sends home a calendar every month with ideas on it for each weekday. What we are sent home with coordinates with what they are learning about in school. Would love to hear any ideas of simple activities that you have been doing with your young kids at home! I have added a few of my own to the list.

• Draw a picture of something you did over winter break
• Help Mom or Dad make dinner
• Find things in the house that begin with letter N
• Talk about MLK Jr. and dreams and ambitions
• Have a family member read to you for 10 minutes
• Make patterns out of stickers
• Practice rainbow writing your name
• Trace the numbers 1-15
• Practice putting on and zipping your coat
• Practice counting as high as you can
• Cut pictures from a magazine and create a winter scene
• Find 5 things that are white
• Make bathtub paint with shaving cream and food colors, paint a picture in the tub
• Make a bird feeder with a pine cone, peanut butter, birdseed, and yarn. Hang it in a tree in your backyard
• Sit and take turn telling stories with Mom or Dad

Turkey Craft

This is another activity that Hudson was sent home from preschool with, but it would be easy to create at home with your kids. He was given the turkey template (which you can draw your own or find one online) and told to disguise Tom Turkey so he is not caught on Thanksgiving Day. You can get creative and use things around your house to disguise him. You could disguise him as anything your child would like, such as another animal. Hudson of course wanted to make him a Superhero!

We used markers, felt, glitter, scissors, and glue to disguise Tom Turkey.

First Hudson colored him with the markers.

While Hudson colored I cut out a mask, cape, boots, and superhero emblems to disguise Tom with.

Once Tom was colored we cut him out and then Hudson glued the felt superhero costume onto Tom.

We went back and also added glitter and Hudson made him some wrist bands too. :)

November Preschool Activities

Hudson started preschool this year and this month he was sent home with simple "homework" activities to do at home each day. Most of the activities are to reinforce what he is learning at school. I really like having a calendar of simple and new things to do with him each day. I thought I would share some of them with you to use at home with your little ones!

1. Use play dough to practice making your name
2. Take a walk to the park and find things that start with the letter "h" (or any letter that they are learning about)
3. Practice counting to 20
4. Help Mom and Dad make flashcards 1-20. Practice recognition.
5. Help set the table for dinner.
6. Grab a handful of beans and estimate how many you have.
7. Sort a group of toys by color.
8. Give your child 1" strips of paper to cut into squares
9. Let your child place a food item in the food bank at the grocery store.
10. Show Mom and Dad your zoo phonics sounds and signals
11. Practice writing the letter "Jj" in shaving cream (or any letter that they are learning about)
12. Mix some Pumpkin Pie filling with ice cream to make Pumpkin Shakes.
13. Use play dough to make a pretend dinner.
14. Draw a picture of something you are thankful for.
15. Have your child tell you one things they did well today.
16. Practice writing your name.
17. Do a puzzle together.

I would love to hear any other fun and simple activities to do this month, you can leave any ideas in a comment below! :)