Where is Spring?

If you are like me living in the Midwest, you may be wondering “where is Spring?” One day we are out flying kites and the next building snowmen and shoveling snow. Today we are preparing for another snowstorm. YIKES!
The 4 foot first grader in my house is determined to bring Spring no matter what. We are planning the garden, dragging out the summer toys and putting pots of dirt with mystery seeds in every available sunny window. My son and I were looking at seeds and reading about gardening and the book referred to a seed as a “promise.” Promise meaning that inside every seed is a “promise” of the plant inside, of green and growing. This has me thinking of looking around our world and looking for the Earth’s promise of Spring. Have you seen a blade of green grass, a crocus trying to poke his tiny head through the earth or maybe a Robin? This weekend spend some time looking for Spring’s “promise.”

Fun Spring Activities

· Go for a walk look for the “promise”
· Build a Snowmen add a Flower Lei and a Hawaiian Shirt
· Place a bean seed in a small piece of wet paper tower, place this in a Ziploc bag and tape to a sunny window. Watch what happens.
· Grab a plastic bag, put on a pair of gloves and help clean up your neighborhood.
· Go Fly a Kite
· Take out the “sand” toys and with snow or sand make a castle.
· Plant a seed. (check out the amazing Green and Growing activities at your local Creative Kidstuff)

Happy Valentines Day

Why is February 14th set aside to tell the special people in our lives we love them? The Romans believe it was because of Juno. Juno was the queen of all the Roman gods and goddesses and the goddess of woman and marriage. February 14th was a day set aside to honor Juno. Others believe it was because of Catholic priest named Valentine who married young couples in secret because marriage was banned under the ruling emperor. We may never know why or how this day began but it has become an important holiday to let the special people in our lives know how much we care.
Valentines Day once reminded me of a fancy dinner out and a special gift, now I look forward to glitter, glue, paper hearts and red crayons saying “I love you” Cherish the time when you are their one true “Valentine”. Eat a heart shaped pizza, toast each other with pink milk, and enjoy!! Happy Valentines Day. Let us know how you and your “special valentines” are celebrating the day.

Join us for Creative Kidstuff Story Time!

All winter long, Creative Kidstuff has focused on the importance of reading in a child's life. We've met with parents, educators, librarians and reading enthusiasts of ALL ages to discuss how to foster a love for reading in your child. And all of them, every single one, unanimously agree that reading aloud is one of the best starts to get children on the road to reading.

We have been so thrilled in the last year to host Story Times at all our Creative Kidstuff locations. Every Thursday at 10:00 a.m., parents, grandparents and children clamor into our book nook to play, read, craft and talk about the book of the week. No registration is needed and it's FREE……and sometimes a special friend stops by for a visit! (See photo above!)

Here are a few comments and stories about our weekly event!

“I love story time. Books are fun.” – 4 year old at St. Paul store.

“One day, Clifford stopped by our Maple Grove store to read and take pictures with all the kids. Hugs, smiles and laughter filled the store. And one little boy went chasing after Clifford and hand delivered a note that read “I love you, Clifford!””

Mary at Minneapolis remembers on little girl who was goofing on how to make a snowman. “We use strawberries for the mouth.” “Really?” “No! Just kidding!”

“The kids were wondering why Curious George had to take a “banana break” and would look all over the store for him. One little boy ran up and asked “Is George in the bathroom?” – Jenny at Maple Grove

So join us each Thursday at 10 a.m. as our delightful staff reads their favorite storybooks!

February 7: Journey to the Moon: A Roaring Soaring Ride
February 14: Emily’s Valentines Party
February 21: Clifford’s Birthday Party
February 28: Tip Tip Dig Dig

The Joy and Importance of Reading

Creative Kidstuff is ringing in the New Year with a bevy of great books! Cold winter months are perfect for cuddling up with a great story and we would like to encourage you to partake in the joy of reading with your little one this month.

Getting your child to develop a love of reading is much harder in our current technological age. Gone are the days when their only diversion on a hot day was a good book under a shady tree. Now kids spend their free time with video games, television, at the mall or texting with their friends. So how do we persuade them to unplug and engage in this very important pastime?

Here’s a few suggestions:

1. Provide a reading area for each child. Someplace cozy with little to no distractions is best. A window seat full of cushions, a play tent with a lantern reading light or the fabulous Kapsule Chairs that also stores the books they are reading. (My favorite reading place was an old claw-foot bathtub filled with soft pillows in my first grade classroom!)
2. Give a child a book allowance every month – in addition to any other earnings they may receive. Then once month make a special trip to the store and let them pick out a book of their own. They will be so excited own a book and read it!
3. Read aloud to your child. And when they are inspired, let them read aloud to YOU! (Be patient – sometimes this can take awhile. But they are SO proud when they finish telling you the story.)
4. For the active child that cringes at the sight of a book – encourage them to read about their favorite hobby or athlete. Or try The Dangerous Book for Boys. This best selling book will have your couch potato making a go-cart in record time!
5. If you are still having trouble getting them interested, pick up a copy of How to Get Your Child to Love Reading. Providing over 3,000 recommended titles, Esme Raji Codell leaves parents with a great resource to guide them through the next trip to the library or bookstore.
   

TELL US YOUR HELPFUL HINTS TO GET KIDS ON THE ROAD TO READING!