Trick-or-Treat!

With Halloween creeping up tomorrow, you are sure to spot a ton of adorable Trick-or-Treaters out and about on the hunt for candy! While trekking up and down dimly lit streets while wearing elaborate costumes and overloading on sugar is often among the top priorities children on this day, (can you blame them!?) keep in mind those sweet and precious special Trick-or-Treaters who may be visiting your porch this year! Read on for a few simple tips to make this a night that is enjoyable for all!

-Consider checking out this list of gluten free snacks for treats (to bake or just grab off the shelf and go!) to hand out to children who may be on a restricted diet. Other alternatives to have ready to hand out could be something as simple as stickers!

-Be sure to check out the Teal Pumpkin Project for visitors who may have food allergies.

-For parents out there, check out this awesome social story to get your little one prepared to Trick-or-Treat. Consider mapping out some homes nearby and possibly delivering an appropriate treat to your neighbors and let them know to hand it to your child when they come to the door.

-For nonverbal children, TACA has these awesome awareness cards you can print right here and hand out to children visiting your home on Halloween! Anytime is a good time to spread awareness! :)

-Check out these sensory friendly costume ideas that allow for the child to dress up but still wear their own clothes and avoid the itchiness of a costume 

-Most of all, enjoy this special night that only comes once a year! Whether your child feels excited, nervous or afraid, there are ways to make this night one that can be tailored to fit the needs of all :) 

 Here is a shot from last week right before my brother's annual Halloween Dance at school...this costume is among his favorites!

Feel free to share any ideas that you may have! Be safe & have a Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere!

Hey all, 

Happy Fall! 

I have been looking so forward to sharing all of the Fall Fun and Pumpkin activities that have been going on in my classroom. With the month of October coming to a close and Halloween coming up this weekend (has this been the fastest month ever or what!?) my little preschool babes have been busy soaking up all the learning there is to do this season.We have spent this month in the classroom as well as out in nature observing, playing and exploring all of the hands on opportunities there are to take advantage of as the season gets cooler. Sure this cooler weather and pretty colors are cozy now...but I'm a summer girl at heart so I do what I can to enjoy the fun parts of changing weather before my tolerance for the less than 80 degree weather wears me down! ;)

Lifecycle of a Pumpkin
This activity is both educational and exciting as it pertains to one of the most exciting features of Fall for a five year old...Pumpkins!
In our classroom, we used the visuals pictured below and a catchy song to help us learn about the different stages that a Pumpkin goes through. From planting the seed to growing into a ripe, orange pumpkin, this activity helps to put the events in order! Then the students got to use their comprehension and recall skills to order the steps all on their own after the song.
It is also an activity that can be expanded upon in so many ways. Aside from labeling parts of a pumpkin, it provides opportunities to talk about the role of a farmer in planting pumpkin seeds and then growing and selling them for a profit.
We set up a Pumpkin Patch in our classroom to enable the students to re-enact all of the steps it takes to grow and sell pumpkins. A little social studies, a little science, a little Dramatic Play and some music. Knocking out skills left and right! :)
The link to the song can be found right here. You can get a copy of a labeled pumpkin from the Blog A Neighborhood Kindergarten...this blog is full of must try activities & the lifecycle visuals are a freebie from Teachers Pay Teachers!

Goin' On a Leaf Hunt

Our class read the story Let It Fall and talked about the noticeable changes we see as the season turns to Fall. Cooler weather, leaves that change color and fall off of trees, the opportunity to go on a leaf hunt. Our class headed outside and picked up as many leaves as we could fit into our little leaf hunt bags (and pockets and jackets!) and then brought them into the room to sort them by size and color. We enjoyed learning the words to the song Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down and I sent home a fun little family scavenger hunt called Don't Leaf Me Hanging. After completing the leaf hunt with their families, students brought in their findings to share with the class. We even included some of their treasures in our Sensory Table. 

Pumpkin Pie Playdough Recipe

I sent this recipe home with families at the end of our School Wide Fall Family Night. You can never have enough Playdough!

Recipe:

-2 Cups Flour

-1 Cup Salt

-1 Container (1 ½ ounces) pumpkin pie spice

-4 Tsp Cream of Tarter

-4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

-2 Cups boiling water (use caution)

-Several drops of red and yellow food coloring to turn the dough orange

The last little bit I will leave you with is a movement song. The Scarecrow Song. It's a way to get 'em up and moving and Preschool Teachers live and thrive on go to activities that are sure to channel all that energy...enjoy & Happy Fall! :)

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Did You Know!?

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! There is no better time to learn about inclusion and celebrating the many amazing abilities and talents held by individuals with Down Syndrome in our communities!
Growing up as a sibling of a brother with Down Syndrome, my family has been involved in many local organizations for individuals with Down Syndrome. Pictured below is my little brother & our family horses :)
Click to learn more about Horses As Healers

Listed below are some local Chicagoland events where you can get involved to spread Down Syndrome Awareness:

One in every 691 babies in the the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/#sthash.8M05JTBL.dpu

One in every 691 babies in the the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/#sthash.8M05JTBL.dpuf

One in every 691 babies in the the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/#sthash.8M05JTBL.dpuf

One in every 691 babies in the the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/#sthash.8M05JTBL.dpuf

What: 2015 Chicagoland Buddy Walk
This one mile walk supports individuals who make a difference in the Down Syndrome Community. Enjoy a walk through the golf club grounds as well as some family activities, fundraising opportunities, a talent show and iPad giveaways!
When: Sunday October 11th

Where: Bolingbrook Golf Club
2001 Rodeo Dr

Bolingbrook, IL

***At this time, registration for this walk is closed. You can however make  a donation by clicking right here! Your business may also consider becoming a Corporate Sponsor. 

 

What: NADS 2015 Fashion Show

This Fashion Show is hosted by ABC 7 News and it features individuals with Down Syndrome who model local retail fashion!

When: Sunday October 18th at 10:30 AM

Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Rosemont, IL

Ticket Information
View the ABC 7 News Coverage of the Show!

  
What: 2016 NADS Bowl-A-Thon

 When: Sunday March 6, 2016

Where: Stardust Bowl
37 East Lorraine

Addison, IL
Bowl-A-Thon Information

 

 Local Down Syndrome Organizations:

Gigi's Playhouse Fox Valley

Gigi's Playhouse Chicago 

National Association for Down Syndrome

Ups for Downs Parent Support Group

Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association

Ways to Spread Awareness in your Classroom or your child's school:

• Contact the NADS Office or Website to order posters and bookmarks to distribute at schools, libraries or your workplace
• Visit your local library for books for children about individuals with Down Syndrome
  The book that is pictured is my personal FAVORITE! :)
• Volunteer at a local therapy barn

Please share any additional resources or local Down Syndrome Organizations below!

XOXO,

Amanda 

Teacher Gift Ideas

This little post is dedicated to my Aunt! She is the most creative, craftiest, & giving person I have ever met. She is a woman with a God given talent and best of all...she shares it! 

My Aunt owns just about the cutest little southern boutique you could ever dream up.
 Over the years, she has always sent me samples of the products she sells and they are all amazing! Her entire business is built upon Faith and Fabulous Style.
I love all of her items, from the sassy little fringe boots, the turquoise jewelry, monogrammed EVERYTHING!  (If you haven't noticed by now, I have an undying love for anything Southern style...check out her page, can you blame me?!!)

In addition to apparel, she sells items that teachers will fall in love with!

Well the other day, I received this adorable Classroom Door Sign in the mail. Lo and behold, another one of my Aunt's darling creations! I couldn't wait to get to school the next morning to hang it up on my classroom door. My students LOVE it! With the bright colors and the fact that it is hung to be on their level, it adds a whole new level of cuteness to my room  :)

  If you are a parent looking for the perfect gift for your child's teacher, look no further! Her products can be found here on her shop's Facebook page!

Happy Shopping <3