Earth Day Reflections: 3 Ways to Go Green as a Family

April 22 is Earth Day!  This is a great chance for parents and their children to talk about how we can care for our planet.  What it really boils down to is recognizing connections.  In our disposable, consumable culture, it can be easy to forget where things come from and what we might do differently to lighten our step on the planet.  Here are some fun and educational ideas to try together…

1. Say Goodbye to Paper Towels

This one is way easier than it might seem.  Paper towels and napkins have been used in American households for generations, but opting for more permanent replacements is super simple.  Instead of tearing off a new sheet, using and it once, and throwing it away, consider some other options.

Cloth napkins are not only more earth-friendly, but they feel nicer to use.  It may seem like a small thing, but selecting and using cloth napkins for meals is a way to infuse everyday life with something a little more special.  Plus, it’s nice to have a collection on hand as many Montessori schools ask for cloth napkins to be packed in children’s lunch bags.

Are you crafty?  Making your own napkins is one of the simplest sewing projects out there.  Find some DIY directions - click here. 

Pressed for time?  You can buy cloth napkins almost anywhere.  Stores like Marshalls or Homegoods often have designer options for $5 for a package of 4.  Online shoppers will love the selection on Etsy or even Amazon.

To involve your kids, bring them to the fabric store to help pick patterns or have them pick out pre-made options that appeal to them, too.  If you do decide to sew your own, older children can pitch in (and would likely love the opportunity!)

As for paper towels’ other main use of cleanup duty?  Old t-shirts make the best rags.  When you’re getting ready to donate old clothing, pull out items that are stained or torn.  Cut the items into large rectangles and store them in a small bucket under your kitchen sink.

2. Start a Garden

The ultimate way to connect kids to their food is to have them help grown their own.  If you have the space and time, building a raised bed is fairly simple.  Even if you have a tiny apartment in a city, container gardening can work on even the smallest fire escape.  Montessori students study botany starting at the primary level, so you will delight in seeing their excitement while they make connections.

Planning is half the fun.  Sit together as a family and look through a seed catalogue or pile in the car and visit a local nursery.  Figure out what everyone wants to grow and then give it a try.  As a bonus, gardening gets everyone outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine together.

Growing your own food means eating your own food.  Not only is freshly picked produce higher in vitamins, but it tends to taste so much better that what we normally find at the grocery store.  There may be a natural migration from the garden to the kitchen, as toddlers and teenagers alike will want to participate in making something yummy with the fruits of their labor.

The possibilities with gardening are endless.  It’s definitely a learning experience in the beginning, but in no time you’ll be thinking about composting, companion planting, saving seeds, and planning for next year.

3. Speaking of Composting…

If you’re ready to jump even deeper into going green, composting is a fun next step.  There are many ways to compost, but one of the most fun to do with children is vermicomposting.  Special bins are used to house worms that can eat and transform your produce scraps and shredded paper.  

Sound too complicated?  Smelly?  Slimy?  Expensive?

It’s pretty simple to set up, even easier to maintain, and really not gross at all.  An added perk: the resulting compost will make those plants in your garden grow like crazy!  While there certainly are really nice (and expensive) worms bins out there, there are definitely more cost effective ways to try it out.

Some options include the popular Can O Worms or the slightly sturdier Worm Factory. Making your own can cost as little as $20.  Click here for directions. 

Red wigglers are the best worms to use for vermicomposting.  You may be able to source some locally, but if not Carolina Biological is a great option for mail-order worms.

To get started you should have a spray bottle of water (to keep worms and bedding moist) and some old newspapers on hand.  To prevent unpleasant odors, it’s a good idea to have balance what goes into the worm bin, including a mix of kitchen scraps and shredded paper.  It’s also a good idea to avoid feeding worms animal by products, so keep meat and dairy out.  For the most part, redworms don’t care for onions, although some do so it doesn’t hurt to try.  Follow these simple steps and you will be surprised at the complete lack of odor coming from your bin.

Worm bins can even be kept indoors, with basements being an ideal location for many families (although they stay just about anywhere room-temperature).  

On rare occasions, you may notice some fruit flies in or around your bin.  To make a simple fruit fly trap, use a disposable plastic cup, such as a yogurt cup.  Fill ⅛ way full with water and add a drop or two of dish soap.  Some people like to add a little apple cider vinegar as well.  Cover the top of the cup with a small piece of plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and poke a few holes.  Leave the trap sitting inside the top layer of your bin and the problem.

For more information about worm composting, check out this blog article.

Vermicomposting is a special learning experience for children and adults alike.  Worms teach us about decomposition and ecosystems.  Watching the worms work will give kids a new appreciation for these small creatures, and instill a sense of the interconnectedness of everything on Earth.

Happy Earth Day!

Book List: April is National Poetry Month

We work hard to give kids a chance to read both fiction and nonfiction, but let’s not forget about poetry!  April is a great month to celebrate.  Check out this month’s book list for ideas.

(Click on the book image to go to the book's page on Amazon)

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein’s poems are mostly silly, often inspiring, and always delightful.  Combine that with his simple line drawings and your child will love every page.  If you enjoy Where the Sidewalk Ends, check out Silverstein’s many other titles, including A Light in the Attic.

Jabberwocky: A BabyLit Nonsense Primer by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

In this great board book option for the youngest poetry lovers, Adams cleverly adapts Lewis Carrol’s classic from Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.  The bright, whimsical illustrations transform a not-so-scary beast into a fun and triumphant poem. 

The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman

This sweet poem/story tells children what we already know about them: there is something special and magical about their individuality.  While the illustrations show children with literal glowing crowns resting on their heads, the message is more figurative.  Nonetheless, the qualities that make us unique follow us throughout our lives, and that each one of us carries our own.

Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin, illustrated by Chi Chung

If your child loves nature or shares a fascination with the world around them, this introduction to some of Dickinson’s work may be an excellent foray into poetry.  Included are poems like “Bee, I’m expecting you!” and “The moon was but a chin of gold”.

When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

This classic collection has been enjoyed for generation.  One of a series that introduces readers to Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, it’s the type of book that children cherish enough to want to read to their own children.

The Reason for a Flower: A Book About Flowers, Pollen, and Seeds by Ruth Heller

Heller has a magical way of blending poetry and science in a way that captivates children’s imaginations while teaching them real-life information.  The Reason for a Flower is no different, and children will love the different ways in which plants use flowers for reproduction.

Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives by Ruth Heller

Ruth Heller’s work is so amazing it deserves two spots on this list.  Many Luscious Lollipops is just one in her series that teaches grammar skills.  Some books even go into specific parts of speech, which is great for older children (she has written one all about collective nouns!).  And who doesn’t love a book about lollipops?

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

This book is appropriate for children in third grade through middle school.  Inside Out and Back Again has been widely recognized: it’s received a Newbury Honor and won the National Book Award.  As a child, Lai was a refugee who fled Vietnam with her family.  This story is based on her experiences as an immigrant.

Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor, illustrated by Peter Parnall

Baylor has written many books, using a unique style of free verse.  In Everybody Needs a Rock, the main character describes the importance of having one’s very own rock, and the important characteristics to look out for.  If you and your family enjoy this one, check out I’m in Charge of Celebrations.

A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa

This classic compilation includes favorites such as this:

“Bed in Summer”

By Robert Louis Stevenson

In winter I get up at night 

And dress by yellow candle-light. 

In summer, quite the other way, 

I have to go to bed by day. 

I have to go to bed and see 

The birds still hopping on the tree, 

Or hear the grown-up people's feet 

Still going past me in the street. 

And does it not seem hard to you, 

When all the sky is clear and blue, 

And I should like so much to play, 

To have to go to bed by day?

Happy reading!

Make Art With Your Kids!

Looking for something fun to do with your kids?  Tapping into your creative side is a fun way to break the monotony while spending time together.  Feel like you’re not the artistic type?  No special skills or talent are needed to give these ideas a try…

Paint Some Mini Masterpieces

Image by Kristi Favaloro

Supplies: 

• Watercolor paper 
• Watercolor paints
• Tape (painter’s tape works best)
• Paintbrush
• Permanent marker

What to do:

1. Cut paper into small squares or rectangles (3”x3” is great!).
2. Use tape to create a small border around the edge, while also holding it to the table.
3. Use the marker to draw freeform shapes and lines.
4. Experiment with paint!  Watercolor is so fun and versatile.
5. When paint is dry, remove tape.

The key here is to experiment.  Watercolors are unique in that they don’t lay color down on the paper in just one way.  The possibilities are endless.  Tiny pieces of paper make the task more manageable for small fingers, and hanging these little paintings as a mosaic is simple and gorgeous.

Cook Up Some Playdough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• (optional) food coloring, glitter, essential oils

What to do: 

1. Measure all ingredients into a saucepan (leave out any glitter until after it’s cooked).
2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until dough begins to form a ball.
3. Allow dough to cool.

When playing with playdough, use your imagination!  Incorporate rolling pins, cookie cutters, kitchen utensils, beads, seashells, or whatever you think up!  Children love to play with playdough, and it’s so simple to make.

Printmaking in the Kitchen

Materials: 

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (more on that below)
• Washable paint (tempera works great)
• Paintbrushes
• Paper

What to do:

1. While preparing food, save any interesting produce scraps.  Cross sections tend to work best - think a halved apple, a bok choy base, or the skin or a particularly bumpy orange.
2. Put a bit of paint onto a plate.  Try using a few different colors!
3. Brush some paint onto the produce and press gently but firmly onto the paper.  

This super simple art activity allows even the littlest ones to feel independent, while indirectly learning about parts of plants.  Plus, they stay busy while you prepare dinner.  

Short on Time?

Try these quick ideas…

• Dry erase markers work great on windows and mirrors.
• Crayons on large boxes are a delight for kids (especially boxes big enough for them to fit inside after!)
• Cutting practice - give a preschooler a pair of scissors and an old magazine and let them at it!
• Too cold for sidewalk chalk?  Try it out on some black construction paper.
• Teach your child fun tricks you loved as a kid.  Handprint turkeys anyone?  Fingerprint creatures?  
• Small paper bags make perfect puppets.  Make one first to show them the basics, and see what they come up with.
• Use markers on a damp paper towel.  Watch the colors run and mix.

Remember: the mess is half the fun!  When we make art with children, it can be important to remind ourselves that the learning and the process are so much more important than the final product.  Have a great time making art and memories!

March is Women’s History Month

This month we bring you a book list that will help families celebrate women’s history.  These are powerful times for women, and many people are turning to literature to celebrate their strength and accomplishments.  Children’s literature has played a large role in this movement as well.

Did you enjoy last month’s book about Wangari Maathai and want to learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize winner?  Do you love the lyrical writing and unique illustrations the Pinkneys bring to their books?  Just looking for a diverse collection of biographies to educate our littlest feminists?  We’ve got you covered...

(Click on the book image to go to the book's page on Amazon)

Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick

Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt were good friends.  They shared common traits of independence and fearlessness.  This story takes readers through an evening in which they snuck out of a fancy dinner and into a plane.  They flew off on a spontaneous adventure together, unaffected by what people thought they should be doing.

Seeds of Change: Wangari’s Gift to the World by Jen Cullerton Johnson, illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler

Not only was Wangari a powerful woman herself, but she was a champion for women’s rights.  Upon returning to her native Kenya and seeing the land destroyed by deforestation (ultimately negatively impacting the lives of many women and families), she worked hard to make change.  She taught the women to plant new trees, how to repair their land, and how to rebuild their lives.

Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Selina Alko

This book is a wonderful introduction to civil rights for younger children.  Based on the real, supportive friendship between Anthony and Douglass, readers will explore the history of the fight for equality in our nation.  At the time, women and African Americans found themselves fighting for many of the same rights, and this book explores the quiet, peaceful moments in between the hard work. 

I Am Jane Goodall by Brad Meltzer illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

Meltzer’s series of biographies are written and illustrated in the style of a graphic novel.  Readers will learn about Goodall’s fascination with animals as a child, following her on her journey toward her famed work with chimpanzees.  This book is perfect for children who love animals, adventure, and following their heart!

Georgia’s Bones by Jen Bryant

Even as a child, Georgia noticed things about her world that others didn’t.  She looked not only at the shapes of things, but the spaces between them.  She was always picturing what might lie beneath the obvious, and honed in on details that others missed.  It was this unique perspective of the world that led her to be one of the most celebrated artists in history.

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

This story is narrated by fictional “Scat Cat Monroe”, a music appreciating feline that takes readers through the story of Ella Fitzgerald’s rise to jazz stardom.  The writing itself is organized into tracks on an album, rather than into chapters, and the illustrations are gorgeous.

Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx/La juez que creció en el Bronx by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

This book narrates Sotomayor’s childhood in the Bronx and her path toward becoming the first Latin American Supreme Court justice.  Readers learn how hard work and dedication can ultimately lead us to great things.  As a bonus, each page is written in both english and spanish.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story From Iraq by Jeanette Winter

Alia Muhammad Baker was a librarian in Iraq.  The onset of war led her to seek any means possible to protect the valuable resource that was her community’s collection of library books.  With Baker’s determination, courage, and the support of some friends and neighbors, she was able to do just that.

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers illustrated by Julie Maren

“She looked like a girl and talked like a girl, but everyone who met her agreed, she sang like a bird.”  This lovely book tells the story of Cruz’s childhood in Havana, and how she became one of the most recognized salsa singers of all time.  

The Girl Who Ran: Bobbi Gibb, The First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon by Kristina Yee and Frances Poletti, illustrated by Susanna Chapman

Sometimes, for the sake of progress, rules must be broken.  Sometimes listening to our hearts is more valuable than listening to the expectations of others.  This tale reminds readers to question why we have rules that hold back some people, and how the bravery of one can change the rules for all.

May this month’s reading be filled with bravery, adventure, and a healthy dose of reverence for women who have paved the way!

Why Encourage Self-Directed Play?

Perhaps you’ve heard about self-directed play, also known as open-ended play.  Maybe you haven’t.  It may seem like a recent trend, but the truth is the concept is nothing new.  Plus, the benefits are extensive.

Once you understand the reasons for encouraging our children to engage in self-directed play, and you have a basic understanding of how to try it at home, it’s simple!

Bonus: self-directed play embraces many Montessori ideals.

What, exactly, is self-directed play?

If your child is using simple toys in creative ways with no adult-directed outcome, there’s a good chance they’re already engaging in self-directed play.

Many of the toys available today are intended for a specific purpose.  Let’s consider, for example, a doll.  Sure, a child can embark on some imaginative play with it, but a doll will always be a doll.  The same goes for a small toy train or a plastic dinosaur.  This is not to say there is anything wrong with these toys, but the ways in which children can use them are limited by their nature.

Now let’s consider a cardboard tube.  The possibilities are endless!  The tube could be a telescope one minute and a megaphone the next.  It could be a log, a bridge, or something to guide a ball through.  Materials we offer children for self-directed play are simple.  Think balls, cardboard tubes, sticks, scarves, playdough...the list goes on. 

When children embark on self-directed play, it’s important for adults to remember that the children are the ones calling the shots (within safe boundaries, of course!).  It is our natural tendency to have pre-determined ideas of what the outcome of a certain activity should be.  We often, instinctually, feel the need to jump in and teach children the “right way” to do things.  Give yourself permission to step back.  When we observe the the way in which children discover their own outcomes, it can be magical to see the process from a new viewpoint.  

How can self-directed play benefit children?

• It builds self confidence.  By exploring on their own, children realize there is so much they can do for themselves.  They make their own games with their own rules, and they feel successful.  
• It encourages independence.  Isn’t our ultimate goal for children that they might be able to get along just fine without us?  Self-directed play lets them experience independence from a young age, all while in a safe, prepared environment.
• It stimulates imagination.  Children can’t help but be creative during self-directed play.  By giving them these opportunities, we are allowing them to flex their creative muscles; they will see possibilities no one else has imagined, and they will develop their own story lines as they play.
• It teaches problem-solving.  Coming up with one’s own rules naturally leads to problem solving.  Children will have to figure out how to make something work the way they want it to.  
• It allows children to learn at their own pace.  With self-directed play, there is no timeline and there are no academic benchmarks to meet.  Kids have the opportunity to build on their own knowledge, day after day, in ways that make sense to them.
• It cultivates internal motivation.  Without adults defining the success of an activity, children will be compelled to find the innate joy in their play.  They will naturally tend to challenge themselves to try new, innovating ideas, and they will find their own personal delight in doing so.

Getting started at home

If you’re feeling ready to give self-directed play a try in your home, consider these tips to get you started:

Materials/Toys - Remember, these should be simple.  As an added benefit, simple toys tend to be much easier to obtain and far less expensive (and often free!).  If possible, toys should be made of natural materials.  Think wood, fabric, and items found in nature; avoid plastic if possible.  As mentioned above, collect toys that can be used for any number of possibilities.  Things like balls, scarves, blocks, boxes, sticks, or clay are great.  Some people like to collect trays of loose parts to leave out for children.  Loose parts trays might include pebbles, seashells, buttons, bits of string, pieces of tree bark...whatever looks (and feels) interesting!

Prepare the Environment - Make sure children have a safe, open space in which to play.  Depending on your home and the weather, this could be your living room, backyard, or whatever space works for your family.  It’s important to make sure children have flexibility in their movement though, so make sure they can sit, stand, jump, roll, and explore!

Sit Back and Enjoy! Another great benefit to self-directed play is that because children can engaged on their own, you are free to spend time checking off your own to-do list.  But feel free to sit nearby or even alongside your child if you wish.  Just remember to let them take the lead and explore their world and imagination.

A New Look at 529 Plans

As you likely know, our nation recently passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  One portion of the reform bill gives additional benefits to families with 529 plans.  What was once savings earmarked solely for college tuition can now be used for private school tuition - as early as kindergarten.  

Curious about how you can utilize this new benefit?  Want to explore 529 plans for the first time?  We are here to help.

What are 529 plans?

A 529 plan is a special savings plan originally developed to help families save money for college while earning tax-free interest.  Money put into the plan is subject to regular income taxes before it is deposited into the account.  If the money is used for tuition upon withdrawal, no additional taxes will be taken out.  (There are taxes and additional fees imposed should the money be used for other purposes.)  

Plans are managed by individual states, and each state selects an administrator to broker investments in the plans.  Some people choose to open plans directly, while others seek the assistance of financial advisors.  Most families open plans through their own state of residence, but that’s not a requirement.  You can open a 529 plan in other states.

What are the new benefits?

Previously, the purpose of 529 accounts was to provide families with a strong, long-term savings option for higher education.  As of January 1, 2018, those benefits have extended significantly.

Now, families are able to use up to $10,000 annually from their 529 accounts to cover the cost of tuition for K-12 private schools.  

If you already have a 529 account and you’ve had a chance to let the interest accrue, it may be beneficial to use some of those savings now.  If you have not yet started a plan but think you might like to, now is a good time to take another look.  There are a variety of options for families, depending on the age of your child and other factors.

How can I set up an account?

Following these steps will simplify the process:

1. Decide on a beneficiary (likely your child, though the account may be transferred to a different beneficiary later).
2. Gather the address, social security number, and date of birth of the beneficiary.
3. Work with an investor to determine which account is best for you.  You may choose an age-based option taking into consideration what amount of risk you are comfortable with: there are conservative, moderate, and aggressive plans.  Additionally, you can custom-select from individual portfolios.
4. Have your bank account information (account and routing numbers) handy to set up transfers.

For more detailed information on New Hampshire’s plan (managed by Fidelity) go to: https://www.fidelity.com/go/529-New-Hampshire/overview