11 minute read
Educational Gift Ideas for Preschoolers
from FF December 2022
by Forsyth Mags
BY LISA S.T. DOSS
Aisles full of toys with bright colors, high-interest buttons, and curious sounds have been integrated by technology; yet, not all have the wow factor to be ideal for a child between the ages of two and six. Parents, relatives, and all those who want to see a child engaged in a toy for hours need to consider the open-ended uses that promote education, exploration, imagination, and creativity.
Advertisement
Consider the following tried and true gifts to delight a preschooler.
POP-UP PLAYHOUSE: Whether the shape is a rocket ship, house, teepee, or knight’s castle, the play tent provides a private playroom for reading, pretend-play, or play dates. Tent poles join easily to create a pop-up playhouse for one day or a permanent set-up. The washable walls and heavy-duty material ensure the fort can grow with a rough-and-tumble child.
TIP: Always buy age-appropriate toys to target a child’s ideal developmental stage; recommendations offer safety from potential choking hazards or other complications.
TIP: It’s better to purchase flimsy walls and a collapsible frame than an item that will consume an entire room. Size matters!
POGO JUMPER WITH FOAM BASE, OBSTACLE COURSES, OR STEPPING STONES FOR KIDS: Developing balance on a pogo stick, creating a course using body movements, or stepping from one surface to another, helps concentration levels, motor coordination, and strengthens the body. Indoors or outdoors, gifts that center on exercise offer more than just a skill. what comments, both good and constructive, parents are saying about particular toys, puzzles, or games.
DOCTOR’S KIT: The popularity of television series such as Doc McStuffins allowed children to engage in pretend play through real-world situations—bandaging booboos, administering shots, and treating upset bellies of beloved stuffed animals. A doctor’s kit is an integral part of a preschooler’s life. Modern bags include the technology for sounds and lights in a cell phone, stethoscope, thermometer, and blood pressure cuff.
TIP: Costume shops and children’s consignment stores offer a large assortment of clothing and accessories. A gift to impress is to assemble a chest (also known as a
Rubbermaid container) full of capes, hats, swords, shields, and wands.
Dress-up can be a daily experience!
MICROSCOPES AND CASH REGISTERS: Preschoolers are sponges of information. The introduction to science and mathematics can happen at any age. The younger, the better! Try to identify toys with moveable parts and a voice component, so that children can understand, for instance, the significance of a microscope’s slide. Initially, a toy may need an adult’s guidance, but in time, children will engage in imaginative games all by themselves.
TIP: Preschool children are tactile. Magnet games, whether tiles, blocks, letters, numbers, or games, can help develop spatial awareness and small motor skills. Consider it an advantage if a game or puzzle includes a latching box or drawstring bag for easy cleanup! cups on a door or refrigerator, teach special, three-dimensional thinking through a unique assembling opportunity. Adding parts as a child grows older is always an option.
BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS: Consignment shops and websites offer discounted prices on gently used books. You certainly cannot go wrong with the following titles or authors.
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by
Michael Rosen • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle • Mercy Watson Boxed Set: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder: Books 1-6 by Kate
DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen • Go Dog Go by Dr. Seuss • Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope
Osborne and Sal Murdocca
TIP: Children learn through songs, repetitious phrases, or rhyming couplets. Books that possess those particular formats will become quick favorites. Please, don’t let multisyllable words prevent families from buying picture books; instead, create a teachable moment! In addition, “My
First” or “Step into Reading” books prepare children to become readers. Illustrations that reflect the text, such as Go Dog Go, are why children feel successful and choose to read a book a thousand-plus times!
Not all gifts require wrapping paper and ribbons. In thinking outside the box, surprise a daughter or son, niece or nephew with a special outing. Whether buying one-day tickets or annual passes to an interactive-based science center or museum, a tactile learning experience will be one of enjoyment and memory!
When the Holidays Aren’t So Happy
Tips For Coping with Anxiety and Depression When You Feel Anything but Festive
BY KAREN COOPER
There are a lot of expectations around the holiday season. One is the expectation that you will feel JOY! For many people suffering from anxiety and depression, the pressure to feel joyful at this time of year might seem overwhelming. Studies have shown that close to half of people surveyed say their stress levels increase at holiday time. Feeling depressed or especially anxious during the holidays can be tough, particularly since you feel out of step with those around you. Everyone else seems to be excited, festive, and full of holiday spirit…while you’re feeling miserable and exhausted. Here are some ways to cope with these feelings and take care of yourself throughout this season.
Do something different. If the prospect of the same old routine is filling you with dread, make a different plan. Have a family meal at a restaurant. Stay in your PJs all day. Spend the holiday at a favorite travel destination…maybe a mountain cabin or even a campground (finances and weather permitting). Go see a movie or a show on Christmas Day. Mix things up.
Forget things that really don’t matter much. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t decorate as much as in years past. You can also lighten your load on gift giving by choosing gift cards for the special people in your life this year. You can offer store-bought treats instead of slaving away in the kitchen. Just give yourself a break! Worrying about so many things will not make your holidays any happier. And the people who love you would rather you be relaxed than stressed out, trying to make things perfect.
Don’t overbook yourself. The holidays can actually last for a few months. Pace yourself and give yourself permission to say “No” to invitations if you need to. Think about which events will fit into your schedule, and which ones you really want to attend. Once you’re there, don’t stay longer than you want to. You are not obligated to stay any longer than feels comfortable to you. Even if you just drop by for a few minutes to say hello, you have made people happy by showing up. Knowing you have a plan to leave can really ease your anxiety.
Find positive ways to remember loved ones who are no longer here. Holidays may remind you of the people you miss, but instead of just feeling sad, do something to celebrate their memory. For instance, you might decide to crank up the grill and barbeque a spread of delicious food for your extended family, just as your father would have done. Drink a toast to him and remark on how much he would have loved the meal.
Keep your expectations modest. Try not to get hung up on what the holidays are supposed to be and how you’re supposed to feel. Don’t compare your experience to anything else… just take the days as they come and appreciate the moments for what they mean to you.
Surround yourself with a strong support system. Being around those who care most about you during the holidays can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Try hard not to isolate yourself. Keeping your support system close during the holidays will ensure you have someone available to talk to if you need them.
Seek professional help if you need it. Stay honest with yourself. If your symptoms are escalating, seek help from your doctor right away. Make sure you have a doctor or counselor you trust that you can share your feelings with and who will help you decide on the right treatment plan.
We Can’t Wait to Meet You
Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine experts provide what you need, when you need it. Novant Ortho Get back to doing what you love with less pain. Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists are more accessible with care that’s easier and faster than ever. You can choose from three convenient locations. Our specialists are available for consultations as soon as the same day. Because when it comes to your bones, joints and muscles, pain can’t wait.
200 Robinhood Medical Plaza Winston-Salem, NC 27106 336-718-7950
7210 Village Medical Circle Suite 110 Clemmons, NC 27012 336-893-2400
King Medical Building 167 Moore Road Suite 202 King, NC 27021 336-673-6500
SUB-SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
Sports medicine (shoulder and knee)
Musculoskeletal oncology
Joint reconstruction (hip/knee/shoulder)
Pediatrics
Hand, wrist and elbow
Hip preservation
Foot and ankle
Orthopedic trauma
No need to be in pain one minute longer. Book now. Novanthealth.org/OrthoNow
5 Engaging Book Activities to Help Connect Any Reader to A Story
BY MEGAN TAYLOR
Reading a book can be magical. Seeing the words and characters leaping out of the pages and being absorbed into new worlds is one of the best joys of a novel. However, sitting down and reading isn’t a favorite thing for many kids to do, no matter what the age. It can be boring and long, especially if a child isn’t connected to the story.
There are a multitude of activities to help engage children with a story, before, during or after a reading. As a teacher, I love making a novel come alive with intriguing experiences. In the ideas below, readers are able to connect with a tale’s characters, background, setting, and plot in a variety of ways that interest them. These suggestions are ways for kids to gain a deeper understanding of the text and give them an opportunity to comprehend the plot better. Lastly, they can be modified to fit any age or story. If you are looking for ways to help engage kids with reading, try one or several of these ideas for your next book.
1Create a fun display about the setting. A book’s setting includes its location, time period, weather, and the environment. When looking at the environment, you are looking at the physical and social climate of what is happening within the tale. This is a great “before the read” activity to get kids interested, because they are coming into the reading already knowing and having a mental image of where the story takes place. Turn your research into a fun display, whether it is a poster, map, or even a podcast. If there is a specific time period or topic of the book, such as the Holocaust, take a deeper look into that one specific topic. This will help the reader feel more confident when reading and also help build their background knowledge of the topic.
2Write a letter or postcard. Choose a character for the text and write a letter or postcard to them. Include a conversation and ask them questions. It is also helpful for the reader to find similarities and differences between themselves and the character, with regard to interests, family, age, etc. You can also write a letter or postcard to a friend telling them about the book or even write to the author. One of my favorite projects is for my students to write to the author, telling them what they like, dislike, and any suggestions they have for the plot.
3Watch the movie. This is definitely an activity to do “after” reading the book. Most of the time, a movie is different from the tale it is based on. Liberties have been taken and parts of the novel’s plot eliminated. However, it can be a good discussion activity for kids to compare and contrast. They will be using what they read about and learned from the novel and can discuss what is, and isn’t, in the movie. Plus, movies can assist with making difficult parts of a text come alive.
4Make a food that’s associated with the book. Butterbeer from Harry Potter, blueberry pie from Charlotte’s Web, or peach cobbler for James and the Giant Peach are all recipes associated with popular foods from classic tales. A quick online search or from a cookbook can produce a recipe for novel foods. If a story doesn’t have a specific dish connected to it, look at the plot, the characters, and think about what they would possibly eat. Have your child be a part of this conversation and see where their imagination takes them. Who knows-it could be a new dish that the reader creates all by him- or herself based on their knowledge of the novel. Once you have the food, turn it into a picnic or party, celebrating the characters and plot. Decorations could even be fashioned from the tale’s setting.
5Listen to Audiobooks or Interviews. Many books have audio versions, interviews with authors, or other videos for readers to hear. Listening to someone reading a tale can have an impact on a child’s understanding and comprehension. In addition, they can benefit from author interviews, because they are able to hear the author’s purpose behind writing the tale and learn any fun, interesting facts.
No matter what activity you and your reader choose, it is important for them to connect to the experience and the book. Make sure your child takes an engaged part in choosing what activities they would like to complete. These exercises will help make the tales become real and get the reader interested on a different level.
