Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Apples: Songs, Books, Fingerplays and a Snack

Apple Fingerplays, Songs, Books and a Snack by Glenda Propst

When the leaves start falling,and the weather starts getting a little cooler you know it's time to pick apples.
This is a great outing for  nannies to do as a group.
Apple Season is a great time to be outdoors, go on nature walks or make a great snack with the apples you pick. Today I am going to share with you some "Apple" fingerplays, songs, books and snacks.

The Apple Tree
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up high in the apple tree (point up high)
Two little apples smiled at me (make apples with fist and smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (Pretend to shake the tree)
Dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn came the apples (Make motion like apples falling out of tree)
MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....were they good!!!!!!! (rub tummy)

Apples
Eat an apple; (Bring right hand to mouth) Save the core. (Close right hand in fist) Plant the seeds. (Bend down touch hand to ground) And grow some more. (Extend both arms out)

Here's a great Raffi song about Apples and Bananas. If you don't know the tune, you can listen to it or buy it here

Apples and Bananas
I love to eat Apples and Bananas
I love to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I love to eat, eat, eatapples and bananas
I love to ate, ate, ateapples and bananas (say with the long A sound)
I love to ate, ate, ate apples and bananas
I love to eat, eat, eat epples and benenes (say with long E sound) I love to eat, eat, eat epples and benene
I love to ite, ite, ite ipples and bininis I love to ite, ite, ite ipples and bininis (Long I sound)
I love to oat, oat, oatopples and bononos (Long O sound)
Repeat I love to ute, ute, ute upples and bununus (Long U sound)
Repeat I love to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas


You can find lots of great books about apples here and don't forget the one by Dr. Suess:
10 Apples Up on Top
Here's a recipe from Family Fun for some Apple Dip that is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
Apple Dip Ingredients


1 1/3 cups peeled, cored, and diced apple

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons apricot preserves

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

INGREDIENTS FOR CHIPS:

5 (6-inch) flour tortillas

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

Combine all the dip ingredients in a bowl, then cover and refrigerate the mixture until chilled.

Brush the tortillas with butter, then cut them into wedges.

Arrange the wedges on a greased baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake at 350ยบ F until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let them cool before serving. Serves 4 to 6.
 
Here's one more simple apple snack for Apple Season.
Take an apple and cut it into wedges. Give each child 2 wedges. Spread peanut butter (if your child is not allergic, if your child is allergic you could substitute almond butter or sunflower butter) between the wedges. Then take mini marshmallows and add teeth to your smiling mouth.
Feel free to share your favorite apple activity here.
If you would like to feature your craft ideas here on Creative Nanny Wednesday, email Glenda(at)regardingnannies(dot)com

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Creative Nanny Wednesday ~All About Me Book








Whether you are a Professional Nanny, teacher or grandparent, mom or dad,
Check out the All About Me Book today  by Greta Schraer

Regarding Nannies to learn about todays craft!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Creative Nanny Changes

I wanted to let you know that there will be changes to Creative Nanny. When Regarding Nannies launched last July, Creative Nanny Wednesday was one of the components of the blog that was featured each week. The posts started on Regarding Nannies and jumped to this page.
Since Regarding Nannies moved to Word Press in July, I realize you have not always had weekly updates on Creative Nanny.
Regarding Nannies will still do a Creative Nanny Wednesday feature but the Creative Nanny will simply contain a link to that article.
I will be working toward doing weekly posts on on this blog so if you have ideas that you would like to share, please email me! I would love your ideas.
Here are the recent Creative Nanny Wednesday postings that you might have missed if you are not signed up for Regarding Nannies.

 
 
 

If you have ideas to share please send them to glendapropst(at)gmail.com

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Creating a Restaurant

Regarding Nannies Development Team member Kellie Geres shares with us a favorite memory of when she and her twin charges created a restaurant in their home to surprise mom for her birthday.

Years ago I attended a workshop on creative play with children. One of the suggestions was to use items around you and play restaurant. I took those suggestions a step further and with my 6 year old twins at the time we created an event and memory that will last a lifetime.


So the idea was to create the Grand Opening of our restaurant 1717 Larchmont. That was the address we were living in at the time. A few weeks before our grand opening, we mailed a hand designed invitation to mom, inviting her to our event.


Read the entire story at Regarding Nannies Creating a Restaurant

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Creative Nanny Wednesday: Introducing Children to Classical Music



Introducing Classical Music to Kids Part 1

by Cindy Wilkinson

Have you ever wondered where to find some new ideas for introducing your child to classical music? We have all heard of the upbeat Hooked On Classics CDs. And most likely you have also heard of the Baby Einstein classical CDs for kids, such as Baby Mozart and Baby Bach. While these are all wonderful CDs and ones your child will certainly enjoy, there are many other resources out there which you may also want to explore.
This blog will be the the first in a series of three in which I will be sharing some wonderful ways to introduce the world of classical music to your child. Both this blog and the second in this series will feature amazing websites you will definitely want to visit. In the final blog, we will explore some creative hands-on activities which can be done at home or at school, enabling children to experience the magic of classical music!

To read the rest of Cindy's article click on this link, Introducing Classical Music to Kids Part 1
and while you are there be sure to read how you can win an INA  membership.
Cindy also has another great article on More Ways to Introduce Classical Music  so be sure that you don't miss any of the links.
Don't forget to pass  the opportunity for winning the INA Membership on to your support groups and yahoo lists.