MEAL TIME:   ~ When I serve Apples w/ P.B...I always make it fun...I spread the P.B on the half of apple, and sprinkle raisins or choc.chips on the top. They love it and its healthy! Ants on a potty seat...LOL Michelle   ~ It's really fun to take turns letting the children be the "helper" for that day or meal...this helps "hands on children" perform better when its time to "sit". Michelle Watch out for those sales!  ~ In a rush as usual at the grocery, I found great price on lg. cans of peaches, cases of them, next to bottom shelf in store. GREAT, I'm set for the winter. Brought them home, put on my shelves. The next day at lunch I couldn't understand when I opened them, they had cloves stuck in the peaches!!   Instead of Sliced peaches I bought SPICED peaches!  But Variety, Dee, Variety. I didn't care for the taste but smiled, served them (I had 2 cases to use) and told the kids how great they were. If one will believe you--all will try. They ate spiced peaches all that winter and really liked them. TIP: LOOK at the label!  Cathy and I will never forget the year of the spiced peaches--what a shocker.  Carla ~Seen a great idea the other day on one of those TV cooking shows...For a new drink or to make it fun with juice... Take the glass of Juice bigger glass than usual, cut up slices of oranges, apples, pineapple, any fruit you have...put them into the top of the drink just like you would see your favorite adult beverage somewhere... Place a straw in it...so cute & they love it! Michelle ____________________________________________ NAP TIME:  ~I call my nap time "quiet time" the children seem to respond better if they don't have to think of it as a "nap". I also let the restless children get up and do something at the table that is quiet, like a game, puzzles,shapes, etc. ~ Listening to Classical Music makes better readers out of our youth. I allow the children to listen to some classical music when its "quiet time"...It also helps relax them! ___________________________________________________ FUN & EASY PROJECTS:  ~This last year for my curriculum, I did something a little different and the children loved it! We chose 3 books a month to read over and over, We talked about the characters, we made them, dressed up as them, & spoke like them or made sounds they would make. We talked about the colors in the books, & places. Books really can give you an entire day full of ideas! READ READ READ! ____________________________________________________ OTHER HINTS & TIPS: ~Hint: In family childcare we have the "privilege" of being a Family Role Model. ~TIP: Hug the children that need hugged, give space to those that need it. Give choices not orders, & your day will go easier...Those who didn't once want a hug...WILL! _______________________________________________________ Dear Providers & Parents, Please send ALL "Hints and Tips" to board@elkhartfamilychildcare.com Your Hints and Tips will be added ASAP! Note: This page will continue to grow and grow...please check it often for your Hints and Tips! Thank you, Members of the ECDCA