Singing in the Rain!

Ok... I'm going to really put myself out there for this blog, because it was one of those moments that I just couldn't let go "unblogged" (I may have just made up a new word!) 

SPOILER: Be warned... I have no make up on, my hair isn't brushed, and I am still in my pajamas! I look rather scary!

This summer has been pretty shocking this year! It feels like it has rained more than it rains in winter! In the beginning it was really getting to me. I had myself geared for summer outdoor adventures and I wasn't getting them! Then one day I decided, "I am not going to let the weather dictate my day or my attitude towards it!" 

So, when I woke up this morning (Saturday) and the rain had come to play AGAIN, I said to Ashton, "Hey buddy, you want to come and sing in the rain with me."

His reply was very enthusiastic, "YEAH, OK MUM, LETS GO!"

We rain straight outside and I taught him how to sing "I'm singing in the rain!" with the extra "Tuffa taffa" actions at the end of each chorus. Ashton loved it! He copied every move and created his own, dancing around the deck lifting his head to the rain, feeling the drops fall on his face! 

It definitely was a precious and paradigm shift moment for me! I am determined even more now to never let the weather dictate my attitude towards the day... seize every moment to play!

Mixing Stirring Adventures

"Mum, I do mixing stirring?" is a phrase a hear quite often at the moment. My little man is turning into quite the chef. He doesn't mind whether he is cooking with sand and water, with real ingredients to experiment, or making something that he can actually cook. As long as he has a bowl, a spoon, some measuring cups and something to mix up, he is a happy camper.

So I thought I would share just a few of our Mixing Stirring Adventure ideas with you today, and a few pointers on how to make these pockets of play, great teaching moments!

* Sand/Dirt and Water (a great place to start for mixing adventures - go to the beach if you don't have a sand pit or dig a hole in your back yard.)

* Colour Mixing (Whether you use different coloured water or paints)

* Experimental Cooking (Give your child lots of different ingredients from around the kitchen and let them go for GOLD! Good ingredients for interesting changes are, baking soda, vinegar, flour, corn flour, coco, food colouring... obviously this should be supervised at all times, and don't just give them the whole box, give them quantities you are happy for them to use. Sometimes you may choose to just give them two or three of these ingredients to explore at a time.)

* Real Cooking (Let your child help you cook the dinner or bake some special treats.)

* Give your child proper cooking utensils (this will really make them feel like they are cooking! NOTE: The oven was not on in this photo)

* Talk to them about what they are making (Ask them questions like "What does it smell like?" "How long will it take to cook?" "What does it taste like?" "Who are you cooking for today?" These questions will help develop and articulate their play.)

These activities are golden for teaching moments around:

* Chemical Change (what happens when different ingredients mix together)

* Volume and Measurement (as they mix in the different amounts of ingredients)

* Imaginative Play (as they use pretend ingredients or set up a restaurant etc.)

Sometimes you have to step back and let the kitchen get a little messier than usual, just make sure they help you clean up as part of the activity. I have loved sitting back and watching my little boy explore the many different ingredients and seeing his imagination come alive as he prepares his culinary surprises for his family, friends and toys! "Ok mum, I make a cookie for you! Oh Yummy." "Ok Rocket, here's your rocket soup!" (Thats Rocket from Little Einsteins.)  The possibilities are endless!

Do you and your child/ren have a favourite "Mixing, Stirring" activity you like to do together?