ORGANIC BRAINS

I’m preparing my speech called “Kiss Your Brain!” that I will be presenting this weekend and I had one of those “ah-ha” moments. 

People are so concerned about organic foods and the evils of sugar, but isn’t it strange that they aren’t as concerned about what is going into their children’s brains?

*Parents pick over organic apples while their child plays with their phone in the grocery cart.

*Families go out to a “fresh” restaurant and then let their child watch a video on the iPad.

*Parents complain about teachers and schools and then let their children watch television instead of reading to them.

Every child needs a laptop, but it’s not the kind you plug in. It’s the one that comes with two knees and is just right for talking, reading, singing, and loving!

It’s time to TURN IT OFF!!!! If you love your children, then you must learn to say “NO!” and limit screen time. I know, I know, it’s so much easier to hand them a device so they’ll quit whining and complaining, but that’s like giving them a cookie or candy bar. No matter how “educational” an app might claim to be, it will never activate the brain like REAL, multi-sensory, human experiences.

Here’s a challenge for families. For one week record all the screen time your children engage in. (You might be surprised!!!) The next week try to spend that same amount of time interacting with your children by reading, playing games, going for walks, cooking, doing chores around the house, etc.

I’m not one of those radical educators who says no screen time, but you do need to set limits and remember like any nutritionist will tell you - “ALL THINGS IN MODERATION.”

Look them in the eyes, talk to them, and you might be surprised how delightful and entertaining they can be. And if you can’t find a little joy in engaging with your child, you might need to do something about it.

Maybe I need to write a book called ORGANIC PARENTING? Actually, if you go to my website (drjean.org) this month you will be able to download 50+ free cards of fun things to do with children. I’ve run them off and I’m going to give them like a “gift” to my grandchildren when they visit this summer. Each day I’m going to let them choose a special activity that we can do together. 

                      
Give their bodies organic foods, but give their brains organic/real/natural/quality time and attention!

P.S.  You know I'm not very good at social networking, but if anyone reading this would share it with a "mommy blogger" I'd be grateful.  Thanks!

I do try to practice what I preach. Here we are waiting for a train in Amsterdam. And, I don’t know what we would have done without the silly putty making us look silly!

JUMP HIGH AND STOOP LOW

These games were always a favorite with my students.

                            

Jump the Creek
Materials: 2 jump ropes
Place the two ropes on the ground a few inches apart to make a “creek.”
Have the children line up single file and try to jump over the creek one at a time without stepping on a rope. After every child has jumped, move the ropes a little farther apart to make the creek wider. Continue moving the ropes farther apart and letting the children jump over them. When a player can no longer jump over the rope, they must stand to the side of the game and be cheerleaders. The object of the game is to see how far the children can jump.
*You can play a similar game by drawing lines in the sand or dirt.

Build the Castle
Materials: long jump rope
Choose two people to hold the rope. The other players form a straight line and take turns jumping over the rope. The rope begins on the ground, but after everyone has had a turn, it is raised a few inches. If a child’s foot touches the rope, he or she is out of the game. Continue raising the rope until there is just one child left who can jump the height.
*A similar game called “school” can be played. When the rope is on the ground it is called “kindergarten.” Each time the rope is raised, it is called “first grade,” “second grade,” and so on.

Limbo
Materials: broomstick or similar long stick
Select two children to hold the broomstick at chest level. The rest of the children form a single line and take turns wiggling under the broomstick. If they touch it, they are out of the game. The game continues as the broomstick is lowered each time. When only one child is left, begin the game again.
*Play some lively music for the children to dance to as they limbo.

Cat and Mouse
Materials: none
The children form a circle and hold hands. One child stands in the center and is the “mouse.” Another child stands outside the circle and is the “cat.”
On a given signal, the “cat” must chase the “mouse.” They can enter or leave the circle only if the other players hold up their hands and form an arch. When the “cat” catches the “mouse,” let them choose classmates to take their places.
*Change the characters for different seasons. You could have the farmer chase the turkey, the witch chase the bat, etc.

Duck-Duck-Goose

Materials: noneChildren form a circle and one child is chose to be “it. “It” walks around the outside of the circle saying “duck” as he or she touches each player on the head. Players squat down as they are tapped. If “it” touches a child and says “goose,” that child must chase “it” around the circle before “it” can get back to “goose’s” place. If “it” is caught, he or she must sit in the center of the circle. “Goose” then becomes “it” and the game continues.

*Adapt this game to different holidays. For example you could do “bat-bat-witch” in October.

Howdy Partner
Materials: 2 beanbags
Have children form a circle. Two children are each given a beanbag to balance on their heads. On a given signal, they walk around the circle in opposite directions balancing their beanbags. (If they fall off, they must stop and pick them up before continuing.) When they pass each other, they must shake hands and say, “Howdy partner!” The object of the game is to see who can be the first person to return to their original spot. The first one gets to be “it” and choose the next two children to play.

TEAM TIME

Here are some simple games children can play with a team.

What’s That Jive?
(Similar to Red Rover, but much safer.)
Materials: none
Divide the children into two teams and have them stand in a line facing each other 30 to 40 feet apart. One team calls for a player from the other team with this chant:
(Child’s name), (child’s name)
What’s that jive?
Come on over
And give me five.
The team calling the chant holds their hands out in front of them with their palms up. The child called proceeds down their line giving each player “five” by slapping their palms. If the child who is “it” slaps the palms and then slaps under their palms, that child chases “it” back to his or her original team. If “it” is caught, he or she must return to the opposing team, but if not, the chaser must joint “it’s” team. The game continues with teams taking turns calling players from the opposite side.
                               
Clean Your Room
Materials: scrap paper
Divide children into two teams. Give each child a scrap piece of paper to wad up. Draw a line between the teams and explain that they are going to have to keep their “room” clean. They can throw their wadded up sheet of paper in the other team’s “room”, but when paper lands on their side they have to quickly pick it up and get rid of it. After several minutes blow a whistle and tell the children to “freeze.” Who has the most wadded up sheets of paper? Who has the least? In this game the side with the least number is the winner.
*Continue playing the game as long as the children are interested.

Steal the Bacon
Materials: eraser or other small object
Divide the class into two teams and have them stand behind two lines about 40 feet apart. Have the children number off on each team. (Two children will have the same number.) Place the “bacon” (eraser) between the two teams, then call out a number. The two children with that number try to “capture the bacon” and run it back to their line without being tagged by the other player. The child who successfully does this gets a point for their team, but if they are tagged in the process, the other player earns a point for his or her team. The team with more points after all the numbers are called wins the game.

Wolf and Chickens
Materials: none
Two lines are draw approximately 40 feet apart. The children are the “chickens” and line up behind one of the lines. One child is the wolf and stands between the two lines. The wolf pretends to be a chicken and says, “Cluck, cluck” and flaps his or her arms. But when the wolf shouts, “Wolf,” all the chickens must run to the other line. If the wolf tags them, they must become wolves, too, and help the wolf catch the other chickens. The game continues until all the chickens are caught. The last one caught becomes the wolf for the next game.
*A similar game called “sharks and minnows” can be played. Have the minnows get behind a line as the shark tries to catch them when “shark” is called.

Midnight
Materials: none
Draw two lines about 40 feet apart. The children pretend to be sheep and stand in their “fold” behind one line. One child is chosen to be the “fox.” The “fox” stands in its “den” behind the opposite line. The “fox” and the “sheep” come out and start wandering around the “meadow” between the two lines. The sheep ask the fox, “What time is it?”, and the fox answers, “Five o’clock,” or “nine o’clock,” or whatever. When the fox answers, “Midnight,” all the sheep scramble for their fold. The sheep tagged become foxes and the game continues until one sheep is left, who then becomes the new fox.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home.

I hope your day is filled with fun, special memories, and a happy heart 

because you are proud to be an American!

YOU'RE IT!

Today I’ve got some tag games and relays to share with you. Toddlers through teens will enjoy these activities.

HugTag
Materials: none
Designate a playing area. One child is “it.” “It” chases other children who must “freeze” when they are tagged. Players hug those who are “frozen” to “unfreeze” them.

*Stoop Tag – Children stoop down on the ground when they are tagged.
*Cartoon Tag – Children must name a cartoon show when they are tagged.
*Shadow Tag – Children must freeze when “it” steps on their shadow.
*Sticky Tag – Children must hold the part of their body that is tagged.

Relays
Materials: none
Divide the children into teams with five or six players on each. Have the players line up single file behind a line and run one at a time to a designated point and back. The first player tags the second player, who then runs the distance. The first team to have all players run is the winner.

*Ball Relays– Have the children pass a ball over their heads and
under their legs. The last person runs to the front of the line and
continues passing over and under. When the first person is in his or her original position, their team wins the game. Relays where children must dribble a ball, kick a ball, or throw a ball into a target can also be played.
*Animal Relays – Let the children walk like crabs (on backs with
hands and feet), bears (on all fours), birds (flapping arms), monkeys (scratching sides), or elephants (swinging arms like a trunk.)
*Quick Change – Prepare bags with a shirt, pants, and hat for each
team. The first player puts the clothes on, runs to a designated point, takes the clothes off, then runs and gives the clothes to the second person.
*Pig Relays - Move the ball with your nose.
*Movements- Have children hop, jump, skip, gallop, walk backwards,
or do other movements.
*Toesie Relay – Have the children take their shoes off, pick up a peanut
with their toes, carry it to a basket, and drop it in.
*Potato Relay – Ask the children to carry a potato in a large spoon
without dropping it.
*Balloon Relay- Have children run with a balloon to a chair, then sit
on the balloon and pop it.

MEMORY LANE GAMES

*Do you remember playing games at school or in your neighborhood when you were a kid? You never wanted to go inside because you were having so much fun with your friends. The world keeps changing, but children still want to play games.  In addition to creating summer memories, games develop friendship, fitness, and a sense of well-being. 

This week I’ll share some games I’ve collected through the years. Yep, some of them are “dumb,” but the kids always liked them. As with anything else, YOU can add the magic to these games with your enthusiasm and encouragement. Here are a few hints to make these games a “winner”:
         *Adapt games for the level and interest of your children.
         *Keep the rules few and simple.
         *Play on soft surfaces and keep it SAFE!
         *Emphasize cooperation and the joy of playing, rather than
         competition and scores.
         *Encourage children to problem solve and work out their own differences.

Circle Soccer
Materials: playground ball
Stand in a circle and hold hands. Place the ball inside the circle. Children try to kick the ball and keep it inside the circle. If the ball goes out of the circle between two people, then both people are out of the game. If a player kicks the ball too high and it goes over someone’s head, then the player who kicked the ball is out of the game. The game continues until there are just one or two players left.

Hot Potato
Materials: ball, whistle
Children stand in a circle and pass around the ball (hot potato). When you blow the whistle, the child holding the ball must leave the circle. The game is played until there is just one child left standing.
*This game can be adapted easily to play inside. Have the children sit in a circle and pass a beanbag while you play music. When the music stops, the one holding the beanbag is out of the game.

Name Ball
Materials: playground ball
Have the children stand in a circle. “It” stands in the middle of the circle with the ball. “It” throws the ball in the air and calls out a child’s name.  That child tries to run forward and catch the ball after one bounce. The game continues as “it” calls out different children’s names.

Call Ball
Materials: playground ball
Divide the class into two teams and have them form two lines about 30 feet apart. Give each child a number by having them count off. (Two players on opposing teams will have the same number.) The teacher/adult stands between the two teams, calls out a number, and throws the ball in the air. The first child with that number to catch the ball wins a point for their team.

Silent Ball
Materials: koosh ball or other soft ball
Have the children form a circle. Give one child the ball. He or she throws it to another child without calling the child’s name or saying anything. If a child fails to catch the ball or drops the ball, the child is out of the game. Continue throwing the ball silently until there are just two players left.

Ground Basketball
Materials: playground ball, large box or laundry basket
Have the children form a circle with the basket or box placed in the middle. First, let the children take turns trying to throw the ball into the basket. Next, divide the children into two teams and let them try to make points for their team by throwing the ball into the basket.

FREE GIFT CARDS

It was a lucky day when I met Carolyn Kisloski (Holding Hands and Sticking Together –ckisloski.blogspot.com)! Years ago I created some “gift cards” with games, toys, recipes, and simple, fun activities to do with children. Carolyn gave them a facelift with her magic touch with graphics and design! She’s made them so much more “inviting.”

If you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor….I bet you’ll find something that you’d like to share with a child this summer. I can’t wait to do some of them with Kalina and K.J. when they come visit. I think I’ll run them off and let them take turns choosing which ones they’d like to do.

There all waiting for you FREE at my website (drjean.org) this month! 

            Let’s Make Something!
            Craft projects and homemade toys
            Let’s Cook Something!
            Recipes for kids in the kitchen
            Let’s Play a Game!
            Indoor and outdoor fun
            Let’s Experiment!
            Simple science projects
            Let’s Read and Talk!
            Books to make

P.S.  Wouldn't this make a great gift for a child?  What better gift than the gift of time and attention?