The blog adventures of homeschooling active boys, preschool at home, and other educational activities.

Make your own kite with this collection of DIY tutorials and projects from Mari of Small for Big!

Here's a list of tips on how to help your teen handle their anger, improve communication, and reduce conflict.

As my kids get older, I think a lot about what I need to teach them. When they were little it was all about surviving. Don't get me wrong...

These questions come handy for times when you need to get something done, but your kids desperately seek your attention! Kids love them, tried and tested. What better way to connect with them than asking them a bunch of funny questions to get them talkative. Free Printable Included.

Do you have a child who is defiant or won't listen? These positive parenting solutions are the perfect way to discipline your kids without stress or anger.

Here are 20 expert tips for getting your kids' attention when they just aren't listening.

7 steps for how to get toddler to stop hitting. When kids to get frustrated and lash out by hitting get to the root cause to stop it.

Looking for fun hand clapping games? Awesome hand clapping songs to teach kids, students or camp attendees, with videos and printable lyrics!

Before I outline how to create your own One Page Profile for your child, I wanted to share with you why I think this concept is so important for our children. About 5 years ago I attended a learning session on how to create a Person Centered Plan and the One Page Profile. Roberta Dunn, the Founder of FACT was leading the session and it was so eye opening for me. Person Centered Planning is a positive, strengths-based approach to mapping out your child’s future. Your child's team comes together to create strategies to help them be their best self, as well as find solutions for support in the areas where they may be struggling. And as Ellie grows, she will be driving this process of determining her future. Roberta explained that this method can be used when your child enters a new grade, moves to a new school, if they are transitioning from Early Intervention into the school system, or even going to a new daycare. In any situation where you want your child's team to have a better understanding about your child this would be the time to use it. It begins with a Vision Statement. The Vision Statement I used in Ellie's One Pager was courtesy of Laura Buckner. Laura was our keynote speaker at a DSDN Rockin' Moms retreat. I remember there wasn't a dry eye in the house, as Laura explained the vision statement she brought to all of her son's IEP meetings. Her son is now an adult who lives a happy and productive life. She is an amazing advocate and mother. She told us to get out our pens and to write it down, this is it in it's entirety: We envision Ellie living a life of choice. We envision her having relationships she finds meaningful. We envision her spending her days at work and other places that she enjoys and finds productive. We envision her living with people she chooses to live with in places she chooses to live. A life of choice, this says a lot doesn't it? I really loved the vision statement and tweaked it a little for her One Pager, she's was only 4 when I first made it after all :) But I plan on editing it as she grows, but it will always remain that we envision Ellie living a life of choice. I also wanted to share the link to the Person Centered Planning information from FACT. It is a wealth of information and I highly suggest reading it. I poured over many One Pagers to create Ellie's, it's so helpful to see what other parent's are doing. Another tool that inspired me was the video We All Belong which was created by NWDSA and All Born In. I sent this video to Ellie’s teachers, therapists, and the school Principal. It’s very impactful and I believe will help to reiterate your vision for your child. And now I will walk you through how to create a One Page Profile for your child. To create Ellie's profile I used a graphic design website called Canva. There are many other templates in there if you don't prefer the one I made. I will list below how to take the existing template I created and edit it to your child's needs. Please reach out if you get stuck or have any questions! Step 1: Canva finally updated their system to allow for "templates" so no more worrying about making a copy first! WHEW! I have provided the template link HERE. I have also included a white version with black type to help reduce ink wastage if you'd rather have a white one! Find it HERE. Step 2: A new template will open, you can edit this copy as you please. And every time you log in to Canva it'll be there. So each year you can make a copy and create a new profile and only update what has changed! Step 3: You can rename your template here: Step 4: Start with your child’s pic, their adorable face will be looking back at you as you write down all of their amazing strengths! To add a photo into the photo area, click on the left hand side under “uploads”. Once you click under “uploads” you’ll see a button for “upload your own images”. Click here and add your child’s photo. From here you can drag and drop the photo into place. Step 5: Background Color. Click on the left hand side under “background” and choose a color or pattern that you like. Step 6: If you would like to change the font, highlight the text you'd like to change, then the font box will pop up. Here you can edit the font type as well as size. Step 7: Edit the text. If you want to change up what the template says, click on the text and a text box will appear. Here you can go in and edit as needed: Step 8: Are you all finished? Now it’s time to save off your masterpiece so you can print it! Go up to the “download” button and save as either a png or jpg. I have printed both options and they are similar in quality! Step 9: I always end up saving the copy to my desktop so I can find it easily. I have used a printing service (I uploaded the document directly to the printing site) to make color copies, or just printed on our home color copier. Step 10: Now you are ready to share with your team! And as I mentioned above, in Canva your template is now saved, so next time you log in you can go to File: Make a Copy and edit your One Pager each year as your child grows! It’s fun changing it up and seeing how your child has grown. A few helpful tips: Don't edit from a phone. A desktop is your best bet. Also, your internet browser can change the font! I prefer to use Google Chrome. I always end every blog post with a song. There's just something about this one that fills me with all the feels, like you want to raise your hands up and close your eyes, it's one of my all time faves: The River - Leon Bridges Ellie's first day of school - age 3!

CHILDREN: 36 Handprint Craft Ideas

Are your arms tired? Been there. During the first few months of your baby’s life, it seems like all

Here's a list of age appropriate chores to help you know what to expect your kids to be able to do. A great way to give your kids opportunities to work.

Smart and creative punishments for kids for when time out no longer work. For when kids need consequences for poor behavior.

What to do when your child is stealing? How to discipline older and younger kids for stealing and punish or correct bad behavior.

Anxiety in children is never something to be taken lightly. Here is article about how parents can understand their child's anxiety according to their age.

Want a glimpse of Danish family life? Here are three Danish parenting tips to get you started on raising happy, confident, capable kids.

Learn eight phrases that are alternatives to spanking. These phrases actually work and handle some of the biggest problems parents face in early childhood.

Parenting is challenging, but there are ways to help kids make better choices. Here are 5 tips to unspoil your kids and raise kids you like being around.

From toddlers to teens, here are the key elements in getting your child to listen and follow through.

Emotional regulation is not something we are born with. Here is why it is important, how it's developed and how children can learn it.

Are you teaching resilience to kids? Resilient kids see life as challenging and everchanging and uses these to become stronger! You can teach by...

A few years ago I met an amazing Occupational Therapist when her son was in my class. Although she didn’t serve any students in my classroom, she did spend lots of time helping out. Along the way, Dee shared some of her OT tips and tricks with me! She changed my entire approach to handwriting […]

I am forever in pursuit of teaching my kids skills that will make them successful adults. This is a CHALLENGING task, and one that I'm continuously re-eva

Sometimes being fully present and in the moment with your child seems overwhelming after a long day. But you CAN enjoy time with your children! Here's how.

Sometimes we just need an activity QUICK. When energies are spiraling downwards into chaos the best option around here is to refocus with a little sensory play. Here is a list of indoor kid activity ideas I keep in mind that I can get going in a moments notice.

Getting stubborn kids to perform even basic activities such as taking a bath is a daily battle for parents. Wondering how to deal with a stubborn child? Read on

Tips and strategies to help your child deal with anxious thoughts and perfectionism.

Slowing down feeds our souls and nurtures our families. No matter what parenting style we practice, this topic unites us. Simplicity is a powerful tool that shows our kids unconditional love, strengthens our parent-child connection and makes us happier.

Document that important last day of the school year with these fun and free chalkboard printables!

How to connect with your child emotionally every single day with these ridiculously easy ways! Here we´ve listed 7 simple ways!

When children are young, their coloring artwork looks like a bunch of scribbles…at least to adults. But their creations are not just scribbles – they have color, character, shape, and personality! That’s why I love Diane Alber’s book, I’m NOT Just a Scribble… The main character (Scribble), along with the other illustrations in the book, are […]

Of all the years parenting your child, it’s once they reach about 13 or so that they really start to turn your hair gray. It is during this period in their lives where they are

What do we do when our kids refuse to do homework? They fight us. They act defiantly. We know they need to do it but as convincing as we try to be, they fight even harde

Rosie was recently going through a hitting stage .

Elimination communication is often written in abreviated terms. EC. In the first month of my little one, she spent most of her time sleeping. When she was awake, all she would do is feed, poop

Create the perfect list of consequences for bad behavior that's specific to your child and age-appropriate. Be prepared for misbehavior.

Are you sick of sensory bottles yet? 🙂 I hope not, because today I’m sharing one of our favorite bottles – an Oil & Water Galaxy Sensory Bottle! I love this bottle, because it truly shimmers and sparkles when each piece of glitter catches a ray of light (just like the millions of stars that […]

How do we raise a responsible child in an entitled world? When we tackle these 5 key areas, kids have a great shot at learning the joy of responsibility.