Free printable flash cards, number cards etc

There are some really nice - and useful - free printable flash cards, number cards and clock faces here
http://www.nicolaflanagan.com/

A Visit To The Library

We found this video - and many others - at www.TeacherTube.com - You Tube for teachers!

Folding a TShirt the Japanese way - speed up laundry time!

Put Kids In Good Moods Naturally

The moods that kids experience aren’t simply related to whatever is happening to them during the day. They have a lot to do with the chemicals running around their brains and bodies.

Brain chemistry has as much power to shift emotions as does a happy or sad event. Adrenaline and cortisol are brain chemicals that parents want less of in their kids.

Adrenaline is partly responsible for the revved up, ‘cordial high’ and extreme activity that some kids experience. It is very powerful as it causes the flight/fight part of the brain to take over.

When a child gets an adrenaline rush it is a waste of time trying to change their behaviour until adrenaline decreases. That’s why you need to either give amped up kids some space or the time to calm down. Physical activity can help dissipate adrenaline. Having a family life where there is lots of repetition and rituals is one way to lessen adrenaline.

Cortisol is the other brain chemical worth watching out for. It is the stress hormone that gets released with adrenaline. It lowers verbal ability so stressed kids often can’t verbalise their thoughts.

Too much cortisol and you will have an inflexible, stressed out child. Ridicule, put downs and fear can increase cortisol so a psychologically safe environment helps reduce cortisol. Less sugar and more water also controls cortisol. Plenty of sleep reduces both adrenaline and cortisol.

What about ‘feel-good’ brain chemicals?

Read more of this excellent article by Michael Grose ...

Happy Children's Day!

It's Children's Day in Japan - Happy Children's Day to all our Japanese visitors! Celebrate with our Children's Day crafts, printables and other activities.

New Kids Crafts at Activity Village

We have just added lots of new craft projects for kids to the website - some using up odds and ends from around the house to fit in with our new Recycling for Kids theme, and some perfect for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.

Take a look and get crafty this weekend!
Recycling Crafts
Gifts Kids Can Make

Children's Day in Japan, 5th May

Children's Day (Kodomo no hi) is celebrated on 5th May in Japan. It is a national holiday on which all children are celebrated and their mothers are honoured.

There are many colourful traditions, including the hanging of koinobori (carp kites) and the display of warrior dolls. Rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaves are eaten, and everybody enjoys the holiday.

At Activity Village we have enjoyed learning about Children's Day so much that we have created a number of crafts, activities and printables for you to enoy too. And we are working on a theme page all about Japan, for kids, too.

Children's Day printables, crafts, origami and other activities