Tag: your child is the star of each story

Big Kid Milestones to Celebrate

Posted on | by KD Novelties

When it comes to milestones for children, many parents focus on things like first steps or first words. These are great accomplishments and are certainly worth celebrating, but there are other milestones that are also worth a huzzah. As children get older, they become more complex and independent individuals. Recognizing the steps they take towards becoming their own people are just as worthy of celebration as their first day of school. Not everything needs cake and a party, but letting your kids know that their growth is acknowledged in a special way can be incredibly beneficial to their personal growth.

Joining a Club or Sport

When your child engages in an activity, they are not only building a skill but they are also flexing their teamwork muscles, too. Whether they have joined a soccer league, the girl scouts, decided to participate in an after-school program for art and crafts or even decided to enter the science fair, it is a sign that your child is interested in learning more about their own interests, and exploring what opportunities for growth and friendship these activities might give them. Kids may not realize the weight of what they are doing, but even deciding to take up a sport or hobby simply because it looks fun is a big step towards making their own decisions and being their own person.

Stepping Up to the Self-Care Plate

When kids are younger, they need help getting dressed, brushing their teeth or getting a glass of water. There are many of these micro-activities that kids need guidance with when they are younger, but it should be noticed when they begin to do these things all by themselves. It not only shows initiative but it also shows that they are growing into their responsibilities as a person, too. These activities can become more meaningful as your kids age, and to them it may not seem like a big deal but many parents would jump for joy if they saw their child pour their own milk and cereal for breakfast or take it upon themselves to clean their room.

Reading A Chapter Book

Reading can be difficult, and depending on where your child fits on the reading spectrum different milestones may come with different feats. Kids who have difficulty reading or are slow learners, reading a chapter book on their own is a big deal. Plus, the confidence boost that comes with this milestone may help encourage them to practice and keep reading.

For kids who are natural readers and enjoy the activity, reading full chapter books may not be all that unusual. Trying something unique such as personalized chapter books, starring them as the main character can motivate them to read more. Also trying something above their skill level or out of their comfort zone should be applauded, too.

Riding a Bike

This is a classic, but it is a tradition that every parent should celebrate with their child. Whether your child is testing out their first training wheels or finally ready to take theirs off, learning to ride a bike is a big deal and it helps encourage kids to stay active.

Showing Some Sympathy

Sometimes parents need to coax their children into looking at situations a certain way and guide their behaviors to a certain degree. For instance, if you have multiple kids and they get into a fight, it may be your job as parent to be the mediator. But if you see your child apologizing, offering sympathy, or simply being nice to their sibling or someone else without needing any prompt to do so, it should certainly be celebrated. This is an expression of emotional growth that should be encouraged and can help kids grow into more understanding and empathetic people.

Activities to Improve Kids’ Writing Skills

Posted on | by KD Novelties

Reading skills are essential, but they go hand-in-hand with writing skills. Boosting one skill can help improve the other, plus writing can help better your child’s overall communication skills as well. There are several activities you can encourage your children to partake in that can help them improve their writing and reading skills.

Start Simple and Get Reading

Kids who read books and varied materials such as magazines and word games tend to be better at writing as well. Reading can help kids get a feel for how language works, as well as a deeper understanding of the English language by reading a variety of different material. Not only do kids develop writing skills through reading, but also kids can develop skills like empathy and understanding when they read about different characters, which can contribute directly to their ability to communicate well with others.

Encourage Them to Document Their Lives

Journaling is lauded as a highly therapeutic activity for people of all ages, but it also gives kids an easy topic to write about. Getting them into the habit of writing about their day can help them form a habit of keeping a journal, which has also proven to improve memory and can help kids better understand their own feelings and emotions. Plus, having a journal from when they were young can be a really special memento for them to have when they’re older.

Make It Fun!

Word games like riddles, crossword puzzles and word jumbles can be both brain bending as well as fun. These sorts of games can also help to improve problem solving skills, vocabulary, and spelling too.

Write Letters

Writing letters is a bit antiquated, but they are still very much appreciated. Skills that come along with letter writing can be helpful as your kids get older, too. Writing letters to grandparents and friends make for great gifts and sweet surprises when they arrive in the mail. The art of writing a proper letter can still come in handy when it comes time for your kids to learn how to write essays in high school and college as well as resumes and other documents as an adult.

Make Some Space

Like any activity, it helps to make it special by designating a certain spot to write in. Create a fun, customized/customizable writing space that can encourage your kids to get in the zone. Supply it with notebooks, pencils and other gear – and to make it feel less like school work you can splurge on the colored pens, markers, and other supplies that may not be allowed on their back-to-school list but can still have plenty of fun with at home.

Give Them Some Ideas

Even professional writers use writing prompts now and then. You can give your child some ideas for poems, short stories, or even journal entries by giving them words to use, using a picture for inspiration, or asking them specific questions.

Quick Recipes For Kids

Posted on | by KD Novelties

It is important that children learn how to be self-sufficient. Independence is a skill and it is vital that kids learn how to take care of themselves as they get older. At a certain age, this can come to mean brushing their teeth on their own or even feeding themselves, too. It is up to a parent to decide whether their child can use tools like the stove or oven, but with supervision kids can easily learn to handle these appliances safely and responsibly. Plus, recipes with healthy ingredients can have other benefits, too. Kids are more likely to try something new or eat something healthy if they have a part in preparing it.

Before your child has any ambitions of joining the kid’s version of Chopped, here are some quick and easy recipes for snacks, small meals, and appetizers that they can get started with.

Mini Pepper Pizzas

TOTAL TIME: 0:30

LEVEL: EASY

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 bell peppers, halved and cored
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 c. pizza sauce
  • 2 c. shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 c. finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/3 c. mini pepperoni
  • 1 tbsp. chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°. On a sheet tray, drizzle peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce onto each pepper half. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan and top with pepperoni. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are crisp-tender and the cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley.

Chicken Avocado Roll-Ups

TOTAL TIME: 0:20

PREP: 0:20

LEVEL: EASY

SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 avocados, cubed
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 c. Shredded chicken
  • 1 bell peppers, seeds and cores removed, chopped
  • 1/2 small red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
  • 1/2 c. shredded Cheddar
  • 2 tbsp. sour cream
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
  • 4 large flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, combine avocado and lime juice and mash until only small chunks of avocado remain. Add chicken, bell pepper, red onion, Monterey Jack, cheddar, sour cream and chives and stir until evenly combined. Spread a thin layer of the chicken avocado mixture onto a large tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the tortilla up tightly, then cut off the edges and slice into 1” rolls. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Earth Cookies

TOTAL TIME: 0:20

PREP: 0:10

LEVEL: EASY

YIELD: 20 COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 bag sugar cookie mix, plus ingredients called for on package
  • 6 drops each blue and green food coloring

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375º and line two baking sheets with parchment. Prepare sugar cookie mix per package directions. Divide cookie dough into bowls and color one bowl with blue food coloring and the other with green food coloring. Pull out pieces from each color and start shaping into a ball, patching if necessary to create an Earth effect. Place cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake 8 to 9 minutes (try to prevent browning).

Donut Apples

TOTAL TIME: 0:15

PREP: 0:15

LEVEL: EASY

YIELD: 15

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 oz. cream cheese, softened, cut into thirds
  • 2 tsp. honey, divided
  • 1/2 c. melted chocolate
  • 1-2 drops pink food coloring
  • 3 apples
  • Assorted sprinkles, for decorating

DIRECTIONS

Divide cream cheese among three small bowls. In one bowl, add 1 teaspoon honey. In another bowl, add melted chocolate. In the last bowl, add remaining teaspoon honey and pink food coloring. Stir each bowl together until combined. Slice apples and use a biscuit or cookie cutter to hollow out centers. Spread mixtures on apple slices and top with sprinkles.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

YIELD: 4

SERVINGS PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a cooling rack with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside. In a small bowl, combine Parmesan, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste. Place zucchini onto prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan mixture. Place into oven and bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Salad in a Jar

INGREDIENTS

  • Your choice of veggies, meats, fruits and cheeses
  • Your choice of dressing
  • Optional: crackers, crisps, etc.
  • Mason Jar

DIRECTIONS

For softer foods like the avocados and ham, you can show your child how to cut them up. The avocado was cut using a butter knife and ham with scissors. Tip: scissors work great for helping little hands “chop” up foods vs. using knives. Lay out all your ingredients on one large platter so they’ll be easier to layer. Ask your child to start layering (see steps above). You want to start with the dressing first so it doesn’t get the other foods too soggy. Add 2-3 tablespoons of dressing. Then start layering from the heaviest to lightest foods ending with the salad greens. Example layer from bottom to top: dressing, carrots, ham, peas, corn, avocados, strawberries, greens.

Salads can be refrigerated and kept till later, packed away in a bag for lunch or a snack, or eaten right away. Just shake to mix when you’re ready to eat!