SMMART Science:

Nighttime Nature Walk Bracelet

What brings more wonder and imagination than a nighttime stroll, hand in hand, with your child?  Now that the weather is warming up and spring is upon us, make a bonding memory with your child as you imagine your world during twilight.  If it's cool, bundle up.  Bring along a flashlight.  During warm summer nights, you can even pack an evening snack to share.  Spread out a blanket on the grass and enjoy a fun treat, lit by the beams of your flashlights.

Imagine yourselves as two fairies who are gathering accessories to adorn your fairy homes.  Perhaps you are night owls on the hunt for prey, finding bugs and vermin that come out at night.  Maybe you're just out on a nature walk together.  Observe the budding tulips...poke around your garden...gaze at the moon.  Gather your treasures on a Nature Walk Bracelet.

Tape a piece of duct tape, inside out, around your child's wrist.  As you find nature's little treasures, adhere them to the bracelet.  When you are finished with your evening adventure, cut the bracelet off your child's arm and set it aside until morning, when you can more closely observe the magical pieces you collected.

This will certainly be an adventure your child will remember with nostalgia as he grows.

SMMART GUEST BLOGGER:

Macaroni Kids Layton

Hey Utah mommas! If you are always looking for something to keep your kids happy and busy, check out Macaroni Kid Layton-Farmington!
We are 2 Utah moms and together we publish a free weekly eNewsletter where we promise to bring you a HUGE list of family friendly events happening in and around Davis County. Each week you will find fun crafts, activities, giveaways, product reviews, movies, book reviews and more for kids of all ages. We strive to find great toddler activities, elementary aged events, and tween\teen hangouts.

Now, go to Macaroni Kid and subscribe--Its Free!!!
We are a national website so subscribe where ever you live!!!
Here is an example of an educational article we send in our newsletter:

How to Try Until You Succeed

By Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D.

Have you ever tried to do something only to find it was harder than you thought it would be? Learning something new—like riding a bike or working on a homework assignment—can sometimes seem impossible. It’s times like these when you might feel like just giving up. But if you put your mind to it, you can succeed at even the hardest task.

Here are four surefire ways to help you try until you succeed:

1. Ask for help. If you really get stuck trying something you haven’t done before, ask someone to help you. A parent, teacher, or older brother or sister is a great place to start. Even if you still don’t succeed right away, having someone there with you to think of ways to solve the problem can make trying easier. Remember: Everybody needs help sometimes, so never be afraid to ask.

2. Walk away … but then come back. If you are trying something new—like learning to skateboard or teaching your puppy to roll over—but find you are getting nowhere, take a break from what you are doing. Walk outside to get some fresh air, read a favorite book, or take a quick nap. Then, come back and try some more with a new outlook.

3. Think creatively. Write down the problem or task you are having a hard time succeeding at. Then, write down three things that could help you solve the problem. If these don’t work, go back and write three more. Repeat this until you succeed.

Example:

Problem: Learning the notes for piano

Things to Try:

1. Practice

2. Make up a song about each letter note

3. Ask Mom to quiz me

4. Don’t give up. It may seem as though the easiest thing to do is just give up. But giving up is no fun. The real fun comes from trying—and trying again until you succeed.

Don’t worry if it takes you longer than everybody else to succeed at something, and don’t worry if what you do isn’t perfect. The real success comes from not giving up. When you learn to throw a fastball or perform a pirouette, you will feel proud and happy, and with this great success, you’ll be ready to try again when the next hard task comes along because you will know you can do it!

Happy trying!

Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and communications coach. She is author of the children’s book Bumblelina (2010), the first in a series of books for preschoolers based on life lessons including friendship, sharing, respecting the environment, the importance of trying, and more. For more information, visit www.Bumblelina.com or www.SherrieMadia.com.

Check out http://Layton.MacaroniKid.com

SMMART SCIENCE:

Baby Chicks Hatching

Welcome SPRING!!!!!

Check out this intriguing video...your kids will adore watching these baby chicks come into the world.

http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/videos/video-detail/activities/the-hatchery/

SMMART TIME-OUT for Tidbits

Already plotting and planning your St. Patrick's Day morning?  This Shamrock egg-over-easy will be a hit!

Crack an egg inside a sliced green bell pepper ring. Cover on low heat until the yolk pinks over.

BTW, for another morning's breakfast, cook your egg-over-easy inside a fresh onion ring slice...very yummy!