Fun Walking Games Idea's

I did a lot of walking with my children, and i enjoyed it.  The only time that is really annoying is when my son whines.  

I am sure a lot of parents been through this but I read one parenting book about walking games, since then walking with my children is fun and exciting.

Here are a few games I had tried

01   I Spy - This is my children's favorite.  We can get to our destination by just playing this one  game.  I am sure everyone knows how to play I spy but to those who have forgotten here's how to play it.  

• Look around and silently select an object that can be seen by all the players.

• Say, "I spy with my little eye," and then give some description of the object, such as "something beginning with letter C" or "something square" or "something small." etc...

• You have to take turns with the other player trying to guess what the object is.

• Who ever guess it right, will get the turn or you can assign who comes next.  With children, i think the best is to assign the next player, that way everything is in order and every one are happy.

 02 Safari Time - Look as many different kind of living things as you can.  Model the game so that  the children can understand how it done.  Children love to pretend, pretending as the safari guide is great fun for them.  Taking turn is always works a magic.

03  What can you hear - Let each child choose two to three sounds that they listen for while out walking.  Sounds like car horn, a dog barking, birds tweeting.  During the walk, each child listens out for their sounds.  This exercise developing their listening skills.

04 - Letter Boxes Numbers - My daughter stops at every letter boxes and look at each number. My Daughter learned the basic numbers and was having fun.

05 - Tell me the color - Colors of anything.  Flowers, road signs, house, doors, cars etc...  While having fun kids learn about colors.

There's so much out there that we can do as parents to make walking with our children fun.  Walk is free, great exercise for children.  Walk and talk with your children is amazing time to get connected with them more.  Talking about their school, friends, what is their happiest part of the day and what is the sad part of their day.  You will be surprised how much they open up this way.

BUSH WALKING is my son's favorite family time. 

Important rules of Play to our Children

Play is important for our children development.

Before i became a parent, i never had any idea.  A play is a play, it is a part of my wonderful childhood, maybe I learn a little of something, but i never had any clue.

anyways, i moved New Zealand from Philippines.  I have had quickly adapted this beautiful country and there's plenty for me to learn -- it is so overwhelming.  When i enrolled my son in the kindergarten, i thought they are going to learn the basic stuff that they need to learn.  I thought, they are to sit down, practice writing and learning the ABC's, shapes and color etc...But i was shocked, they were just plainly playing.  I was thinking maybe they learn during their Mat time but nothing -- then that day is over.

When i got the chance to work around children i expanded my knowledge.  I learned that play contributes a huge part of our children's growth.

What are those important contribution? developing out children's  cognitive, physical, social and emotional well being.

I have noticed too! that play benefited me because i got the chance to engage with my children fully.  Undivided attention to them and I felt more relaxed knowing that i spent time with my kids.

Kids made a boat using foil, to see how long it float.

• Kids wants to experiment -- through free play they have many chances to make mistakes, get back up to try again.
• Children needs to learn control -- handling sands, manipulate playdough and water teach them to control their own action.
• Understanding their surroundings - Adults playing with children and explaining or talking to them of what is happening with the play makes them understand using words.
• They can explore their curiosity, without boundaries. 
• Share their enthusiasm with others such as adult or playmate.

Simple play such as blowing bubbles or pouring water helps developing our children's skills.  We do not need expensive play area for them to have fun.  Let their imagination roll.

Bubble receipe

1 Tbsp white sugar
3 Tbsp boiling water
9 Tbsp liquid detergent

Dissolve sugar in boiling water then add liquid detergent. Store for 3 days before using.

Homemade Water Coloring

• 3 tbsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp cornstarch (I used cornflour here in New Zealand)
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp light corn syrup
• food coloring, add sparingly to individual pots

Even though we are adults and most of the time we love to get serious, but we love to play too! .... I know i am! i love the time chasing my children, i love the sound of laughter and it is a great exercise too!.

The Liebster Blog Award

Sorry this is a little late just caught up with load of work but it's better thank never. 

Naturally Healthy Parenting has  nominated Coffee and toast for a Liebster Blog Award.

What is it? The Liebster Blog Award spotlights the up and coming blogs which have less than 200 followers.

By accepting the award, you must then:

• Copy and paste the award on your blog.
• Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
• Choose 5 blogs to nominate for the award and leave a comment on their blog to let them know.
• Hope that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

Most of all, thank you to Naturally Healthy Parenting for this award.

Like my facebook page "You get to be liked too"

 {Coffee Group Rules}

Rules are made to be fair to everyone! Please comply fully and we will all be enjoying this process.

• Click the image above and like my coffeeandtoast facebook page.
• Link up to your facebook page.
• Visit at least 3 links up and like their page too (If you want you can like all pages that are linked, it's all up to you.  comment and connect to them, The best thing with this is that they will visit your facebook page and like your page too.
• I will make sure that i will like all the pages that are linked up.

PLEASE SHARE THIS TO YOUR BLOG AND GET MORE CONNECTIONS!

 Have fun meeting new friends and liking your page.

I Ate your Halloween Candy!

This is just so hilarious.

 Look at the older brother, Arms behind his head talking like a big person.

• "you ate it, what the heck"  
• "No, i only only had one bite of candy "You serious?"  says the older of the two.
• "Oh, good for you, now you’re probably going to get a belly ache," 

This is my most favorite one.  They were disappointed, the older brother is about to cry "Mum that's two" little bro said "two plus two equals five"...the big brother is so matured to say "no four, but you were so close".

 “You sneaky mom!” adds the little one.

Anyways, Here's the full collections of the Jimmy Kimmel's Challenge.

Another one that make's me laugh is when the little girl said...

"Dad, you're Ugly"

HAVE FUN EVERYONE!  let me know which one is your favorite.

Importance of your childs first three years

Before i started working around children, my parenting toolbox is not much full.  

I was only referring to my experience as an auntie to my nephew and niece that i looked after many years ago -- And being a mother. Of course we learned through experience and it is the best educator.  I was been a full time mother until my son turned 1 1/2 -- i was working part time after that.  When my second child came, i found it very challenging for me to go back to work force.  My son is at kindergarteen and my daughter was still so young. But i want to have something to do another channel for me aside from looking after my most loved family.  So I have chosen a job that i can still look after my own child and at the same time i am learning and earning.

I work from home.

During this period of time with children, i learned a lot.  My parenting toolbox is getting full and i am enjoying all the experiences I had.  I learned from other parents who shared their wonderful experiences and struggles, hardship and tears of joy.

I have learned that the first three years of my child's life is very important.  This is the very important development stage for them. Every year I have joined seminars and conference to understand children and improve my parenting skills. Every time the seminar ends i feel that i am more informed.  I know that their so much to learn and I am enjoy every single one of this experience.

I would like to share to you some that i learned, after all this is site is all about sharing my parenting toolbox.

Please Read and watch the video clip about The importance of the first years...I was so amazed after my conference with brainwave, they have shared some of their research about the brain development of children in their early stage of life.  They have shown the different upbringing and experiences of and each brain connection.

"Giving your child plenty of love and attention will benefit their cognitive capacity, their intellectual performance, and a range of other neurological and behavioural outcomes that will influence how well they will do in life"

Simple positive experience such as family day every sunday, with full attention from mum and dad is enough for the children.

One of many things I love to watch everyday! -- Watching my husband gave that 15minutes of his time when he got home from work to our children (No matter how tired he is).

Fill up that "bottle of joy" of your children and they will be okay for a very long time until they emptied them again. And when they come to you, no matter what you do STOP! just give them that "Hug" until they are ready to get back to their play again.