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!.

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.

Use Encouragement

I was so happy listening to my son using the word "Encourage".

It was all started when we had our usual sunday out and about (Family Day), we all went to the park.  The park is perfect place for them to play because both of my children usually not satisfied to just play in the playground area.  They always looked for a more challenging area to explore.

Both of my children were so excited.  When we got to the park, my son found a slide which is much more bigger than the rest and ultimately slid repeatedly.  Whereas my Daughter ran straight to the swing.  Her brother came to invite her because he was having fun, and wanted to share that fun with his baby sister.  Being an inquisitive girl as she is, she went to the slide with her brother.  But she got to the top she got scared and climbed back down the stairs, repeatedly saying "Im scared ARJ, Im scared!" -- ARJ is my sons nickname.

So my daughter left my son and went back to the swing.  My son was not satisfied so he went back to see his sister and asked her again .....and again..... and again.

I thought i need to intervene.

Help developing your childs fine motor Skills

I love this activity because my child developing her skills in  many ways -- 

• To hold her scissors securely and safely. 

• Developing her fine motor coordination

• Developing her Hand-eye coordination

• Learn how to master her crayon and pencil control. 

In a few months my daughter is going to a primary school(Elementary) Yey!.  

She is excited and cannot wait, because she can join her brother and feeling like a big girl now! 

So now...what i am doing?

The same as what the all the other mother do -- i am preparing her so that she won't struggle.

Here's one of the activity me and my kids were enjoying.
And to help developing her skills.

To start this Activity you need to use:

1. Template.  You can download it HERE.
2. Crayons
3. pipe cleaner
4. Scissors 

Ask your child to cut the template.  This is great for your child's motor skills development.

He is In-charge of his own fun

Back in the Philippines when i was young, i never had a doll or anything like Playstations (Sega that time i think).  The only play that i know is to run around outside with numbers of my friends or neighbors,  we were playing hide and seek or skipping rope.  I played with anything i can found -- a can, sticks, some flowers or leaves, stones or mud.  For me it is the best play,  I remembered during that time i do not want to come home to eat lunch because it will stop my very engaging play.  This new generation though, it is different but of course we cannot hold on to the past because things change.

What is your Parenting Style?

I was browsing my old work papers today and I saw a copy explaining "different types of parenting style".  It was given to me 5 years ago, I kept it for my own perusal.  It was forgotten, was hidden behind piles and piles of reading materials.

So i thought i will share it here, Have a good read and try to see what type of parent are you?

Authoritative parenting 

The demanding and responsive parents, also called balanced parenting.  The parents character described as child center approach with high expectation with their childrens maturity.  

• Treating Children with Respect
• Encourages independence, originality, teach the children to speak their mind, listen to their children's point of view, open communication.
• Give their children a clear, firm and consistent guidelines.
• Limits and boundaries are set.
• Parents believes that developing a close, loving and nurturing relationship with their children in important.

This parenting style have enough space for everyone to equally enable their personal growth, respect each other and give and take in the family.  Balances are clear, recognized and respond the demands of all family members.

TV for kids - Is it Necessary or Bad?

Parenting is such a confusing matter.  

I say this because some parents say's "Oh! your reading too much parenting book". while some parents give you some parenting books to read.

I liked to observe, then learn from it.  

Most of the time things confuses me but then again my gut tells me to follow my instinct.

why confuse myself, right?

I met one parent who say's TV is bad for your children...so they did not allow their children to watch TV even if it is children's program.

One parent say's it is necessary, just to occupy themselves and so that she can have a 20minutes relaxing time sipping hot coffee (Time for herself)

So which parent are you?

Oh! Mother -- Where did i go wrong!?!

I don't know about you.  

But -- i am a Mother, who happens to always think about my parenting skills.  

I know... no one is perfect, particularly the "parenting" part.

 I always criticised myself, even though i know that "NO ONE IS PERFECT"

But....

I do not want to use it as an excuse for the poor behaviour of my children.

It's not that my children are behaving badly, because they are not. 

I was enjoying my peace and quite time, then suddenly out of the blue my daughter screamed from the top of her lungs.  I thought she was hurt or worse, she just needed some help with her toys.

So Depressing :(

There are just times where...

• I need to remind my daughter to use the word instead of cry.
• I need to ask my son to not to shout -- instead, use the inside voice.

I looked at the other children and asked myself, why does my children do this things while the other didn't?

Anyway's, most of the time i settled myself and stop thinking about it.

I'd say ... my kids will be fine.

Family Bonding, how important!

Now a days every parents are busy with everything. 

When was the last time you spend time with your family?

I find it really important to have quality time with children and husbands.  

I don't have playstation at home anymore.

I want my children to have a better childhood ... i know every parent want the same of course.

But for me...., not around electronics.

-- My Daughter at the back of our house climbing the tree with her brother --

We have a tree at the back of our house, that is the place where i'd rather see my children climbing or running outside our backyard chasing balls or play with anything they can find around the house that are safe.

Wow my son, One silly Night!

Look at the face of this boy!....

This is what happened when "they said they are not tired, but......they have to go to bed anyway because it's bed time and school day tomorrow"

It does make me smile, no matter how annoyed i am with what he had done to his face.

My kids had a very fun bedtime routine, especially with their Dad.  "Thinking about it, my heart always sing for joy!", thanking God for the wonderful husband (He is the most perfect gift from God to me aside for my life).

I am not really sure if i am going to change the bedtime routine of my children or just let it be.  Because they were always happy, before they go to sleep.  It is so important for me.