New Year's Eve Activities

http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/

Amazing article to read about how wonderful traditional toys are for your children and their ability to develop language. A lot of which we carry in the store!

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2015/12/23/traditional-toys-may-beat-gadgets-in-language-development/?smid=fb-share&_r=0&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com

Kraft Paper Ideas...

Create with Kraft Paper!  Here are some photos of ideas found on Pinterest.

Link to the Kraft Paper on our website;

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=kraft%20paper

 

painting on kraft paper

make cornstalks

map and road fun

castle 

tree

wall covering

table runner or covering

 jumbo rose

wrapping paper

 book covers

apple tree

Recipes on a Stick!

Recipes on a Stick!

http://www.joyfulscribblings.com/2013/08/recipes-on-a-stick/

Today we're wishing Mary, the owner of Best Teacher Supply a very happy birthday!

Dramatic Play

Here's an article on the importance of pretend play.

http://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/e-family-news/2013-importance-of-pretend-play-in-child-development/

We have a great selection of dramatic play items online:

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65371

Games Galore

Best Teacher Supply has an excellent selection of games both in store and online.

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=65430

Sale!

25% OFF ALL Melissa and Doug this week. Sale starts Wednesday  and runs through Sunday!

Wednesday through Sunday, December 20th, 25% OFF All Melissa and Doug, (In stock, reg priced items)

Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges

Recipe:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478648266623836016/

2 Stages of Winter

Snow Fun!

There are so many ideas out there for creative play with Insta-Snow!

To purchase Insta-Snow, please visit:

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=insta%20snow

Puffy Rain Clouds

"Have you ever wished you could paint a cloud? Even if the idea never occurred to you, I guarantee your kiddos will love this activity. Not only will they be able to create a giant, puffy cloud in a seriously cool way, they’ll be able to add color to their hearts’ content and THEN dive into some ooey, gooey, foamy sensory play. Art, sensory, science, and FUN with only two household ingredients- what more could you ask for?"

Find the recipe here:

http://www.two-daloo.com/sensory-art-play-puffy-rainbow-clouds/

THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY AND HOW TO FOSTER IT

This is a great article about how to foster creativity.

http://www.loveplayandlearn.com/the-importance-of-creativity-and-how-to-foster-it/

We have so many great art supplies at Best Teacher Supply both in the store and online.

dough, tools and cutters

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=dough

clay and tools

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=clay

texture/rubbing plates

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=texture

paint, paper and tools

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=paint

scented markers

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/search&keyword=scented%20markers

arts and crafts

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=52338

Christmas Around the World

Here are some cute ideas for Christmas Around the World...

http://www.allmylittlegems.com/2010/12/christmas-around-world-ideas.html

S'mores Krispie Treats

Recipe here:

http://www.wholeyum.com/smores-krispie-treats/

Happy Friday!

Blue Orange Games - GREAT Christmas gifts!

Why Play is Important in Child Development

by Viyada on May 26, 2015 in Blue Orange Products, Education, Environment, Fun Tidbits, Guest Posts, Homeschooling, Kids & Parenting, Miscellaneous, Outstanding Organizations, Play Therapy

Parents want to give the best opportunities to their children. Music lessons, language lessons, extra tutoring, after school learning programs, the list can go on and on. We all want to give our kids the advantages and opportunities to succeed and/or perhaps we didn’t have as children. All of those activities are wonderful opportunities. However, play sometimes gets a bad reputation as being frivolous. On the contrary, play is very important in child development! If you want to learn more, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a report about the importance of play in promoting healthy child development (read here). Play can reduce stress and anxiety for kids AND adults so make some time to get silly! The National Lekotek Center , a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, provides an array of services to improve the lives of children with special needs through the utilization of toys and play. They have 20 wonderful reasons to encourage play for ALL Children.

Top 20 Reasons to Encourage Play for ALL children

1. Play advances many cognitive skills like learning to focus and paying attention to details.
2. Play produces an active, alert, but non-stressed frame of mind that benefits a child greatly.
3. Play opportunities help a child develop problem-solving, organizational and planning skills.
4. Play promotes both long-term and short-term memory.
5. Play stimulates language, negotiation and communication skills.
6. Play teaches a child how the world works from gravity to how things move, float or fly.
7. Play experiences allow a child to explore symbolic play, imitation and his own creativity.
8. Play allows a child to build confidence, one trip down a slide or throw of a ball at a time.
9. Play provides the feedback a child needs to develop self-knowledge and self-esteem.
10. Play is an excellent way for a child to connect to nature and to explore its many facets.
11. Active play can enhance a child’s mood, coping abilities and defuse emotionally charged events.
12. Play teaches the cornerstones of relationship building, cooperation and compromise.
13. Leadership along with group skills are learned through team or collective play.
14. Active play promotes a healthy body for children and lowers their risk of obesity.
15. Play promotes brain development through the use of both the body and mind.
16. Play can teach a child the lessons of strengthening and balancing his body and coordinating his hands and eyes.
17. Play stimulates resiliency by prompting the child to try again and learn patience towards self and others.
18. Play fosters courage to swing higher and jump farther.
19. Play teaches empathy by allowing a child to explore the role of both winner and loser.
20. Play leads to engagement and enjoyment that provides a child with both physical and emotional release.

Taken from: http://blueorangegames.com/blog/play-important-child-development/

 

Best Teacher Supply has a wide variety of Blue Orange Games.  Check us out in the store or online:

http://shop.bestteachersupply.com/index.php?route=product/manufacturer&manufacturer_id=7152

Hape Toys and Games on SALE!!

25% Off ALL Hape Toys and Games (in stock items)

Today through Sunday, Dec. 6th we will be discounting ALL Hape Toys and Games at  25% Off. Shop early for the BEST Selection!

IEPs Aligned to Grade-Level Standards

IEPs Must Be Aligned to Grade-Level Standards, Says New Federal Guidance

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2015/11/ieps_grade_level_standards.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-FB