First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (The Kissing Hand)

This classic brings attention to the feeling(s) 

of both the child and parent/ adult caregiver

  so...

whether your child is heading off to college

starting their Senior year of High School

or stepping onto a campus

for the very first time

we're...

Validating Feelings During 

the Transition Back-to-School 

First Friday- A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

A Story...

A Song...

Listen, learn, and sing along with this simple song as 

we learn to acknowledge and give name to our feelings

How Are You Feeling Today? | Feelings Song | Taylor Dee Kids TV

An Activity...

"Draw and Tell"

Story Dictation

Let's explore how to support children's emotional literacy 

through the illustration and dictation of their unique stories

Support children in learning to express themselves and

remember that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to feel

Every feeling is valid!

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Goodnight Moon)

Whether you are preparing for

bed time

naptime 

or a 

quick rest time

this classic story will get you ready

Grab a blanket and get cozy as we gently explore
the moon, the stars, and the nighttime sky

First Fridays-
A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

 A Story...

A Song...

After we say 

Good night Moon

we say

Hello Sun!

Sun, Moon, and Stars | The Singing Walrus | Songs for Kids

An Activity...

We use hands-on experiences (learning activities) to help children 

attach meaning to the new words we would like to introduce.

Neon Glow-in-the-Dark Art

This activity works great with...

-white paper

-neon highlighters

-black lightbulb 

($4 Walmart)

Turn off the lights and watch it glow!

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (The Little Red Hen and the Grains of Wheat)

The Little Red Hen called out...

Will anyone help me?

Can anyone help me?

Who will help me?

but her cries went unrequited as the cat, the dog, 

and the goose all proclaimed to be too busy!!

This classic tale provides an opportunity to discuss

hard work, dedication, perseverance, labor and reward

start this conversation and extend the themes

(when children are ready)

First Fridays- 

A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

A Story...

A Song...

Andrew Queen | Campfire Crew

This fun song takes the classic version and adds a twist!

(Check it out for an alternative ending)

An Activity...

Use some of the ingredients The Little Red Hen used 

to make her bread for a Kitchen Science Art Activity!!

Non-toxic "Puffy Paint"

Flour

Salt

Water

Food Coloring

microwave w/ Adult Supervision to 

"activate" the flour and salt

-------------------------------------------------

*BONUS ACTIVITY*

Bread Baking with Sarah Baldwin

If you'd like a simple bread baking recipe/activity 

to do with children, check out "Sundays with Sarah"

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (The Napping House)

We're ready for another "First Friday"
and excited to also share

a new logo...

a new theme song...
(see video intro)

and new learning support materials

being packed to gift our early learners!!

(details to come)

------------------------------------------

Virtual Storytime

Themes: One Can Affect Many- 

Cause and Effect- Adding One More

 A Story

A Song

"Wake Up! School Assembly Song and Dance"
by Out of the Ark Music

An Activity

Exploring chemical reactions with
 baking soda, vinegar, and water

Let's explore...

Which ingredients appear to be sleeping?
Which ingredients appear to wake them up?
What happens when you add one more?

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Not Norman)

National Pet Day-

April 11th

take children along on a journey with a story

which asks and answers the question

What kind of pet would you like to have?

Go deeper with a conversation on...

Loyalty, Companionship, and

Honoring Differences

First Fridays-

A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

A Story...

A Song...

"Flight of the Bumblebee"

Canadian Brass

(listen to a band like the one in the story)

a trumpet...

a trombone...

and two horns...

but can you find

the tuba?

An Activity...

Spring is here...

let's head outdoors for COVID safe

"Breathless Bubbles"!!

First Fridays- A Story. A Song. An Activity (Go Away Big Green Monster)

We are spiritual beings

sharing a human experience...

joy

sadness

anger

fear

disgust

life happens... 

and the experiences it brings can seem

to take our emotions along for a ride

the range is extraordinary

as we can witness

joy turn into ecstasy

fear turn into anxiety

anger turn into bitterness

the cycle seems to be endless

but one of the gifts we can give

(to the next generation)

 is the ability to 

face, name, and identify what they feel

in order to regulate their own emotion

First Fridays-

A Story. A Song. An Activity

Virtual Storytime

A Story...

A Song...

"Belly Breathe" (Sesame Street)

featuring Common and Colbie Caillat w/ Elmo

An Activity...

Homemade Play Dough

2 cups flour

3/4 cup salt

2 cups water

2TB cooking oil

4 teaspoons cream of tartar (optional)

a few drops of food coloring (optional)

Extend the conversation...

download the workbook

Join us again next First Friday...

we're headed outdoors!!

Your Life as a Flameless Candle

We use flameless candles in places

we fear real fire may be a threat...

(we want)

the ambience

the look

the illusion

without any of the assumed risks

(and similarly)

we live our lives in the same manner

we lay low

stay calm

keep quiet

because we do not

wish to start fires

with our words

with our passion

with our lives

But what if a fire is exactly

what we need right now?

a spark

a flicker

a flame

to ignite these dry places

causing them to catch ablaze

Fire brings...

warmth

light

fueled passion

renewed purpose

It transforms...

raw

dead

flesh

into roasted feasts

fit for kings

But we fear it's real power

because we're observant

we've seen it left

unmanaged

unattended

and watched

it quickly turn

becoming wild 

and incontrollable

so...

instead of allowing the

real flame of the Spirit

to ignite, burn down,

consume and destroy

 

all of the chaff

we continue living our lives as illusionist

battery-operated flameless candles

with no full purpose