Toby & Tutter

Book Review: Toby & Tutter 

By Kirten DeBear & Laura Dwight

Topic: Therapy Dogs & Differences

What a sweet and delicious book. As a dog lover, this just melted my heart. The amazing Kirsten DeBear, who was once a Professor of mine during graduate school, wrote a book about her therapy dogs. The book highlights just like people, they too can work hard, try new things and that it's okay to be different. 

The book has colorful pages but can be a lengthy story depending on who the listeners are. For younger Busy Bees I would have them preview the book by looking at the pictures and explaining what they see. Point out what activities the different dogs are doing and add real life situations that you know your busy bees have been involved in that are different from you or their peers. Read it aloud to children to help them understand what it means to be different and how to accept others if they are. 

Buy the book by clicking here. 

Pregnancy Must-Haves

Being pregnant is a wonderful thing. The magical feeling of having your Busy Little Baby Bees inside of you and then once you start feeling them wiggle, quick, stretch and play soccer in your belly, you feel complete. But those of you who know what it's like to be pregnant, know it's not always glitter and rainbows. I just wanted to share some of my favorite pregnancy must-haves. They can also be used as a gift guide to a newly pregnant mommy to be. {I plan on preparing a few packages for a few friends, but please don't tell.}

My Favorite Products:

Preggo Pops - During those nauseous mornings these yummy treats helped so much. I almost ran to my neighbors house to hug her after trying one one morning after she gave me all her left overs. They are worth it. Trust me, you will be so tired of ginger ale!

Pregnancy Books - Pregnancy for Dummies and What to Expect when you're Expecting are great books that you don't need to read in 1 sitting or straight from cover to cover. You can bounce around depending on what's going on with. I love just having them close because if I have any questions I refer to these instead of the overwhelming Internet. Belly Laughs is hysterical. It will get you to look on the bright side while all these weird things are happening to your body.


Belly Bands - In the first few weeks of pregnancy, well at least for me but for most it's months, you feel bloated and big. Your pants won't feel the same. With Belly Bands you wear your pants open at the top and these little gems keep them from falling down. They are soft, comfy, come in a variety of colors and can be found at a number of stores. 

Low Cut Undies - My favorite undies are the Motherhood Maternity bikinis. You won't think you will need these for a while but they are super soft, comfy and worth it. They do not look like 'grandma's panties', I promise! 

Maternity Clothes - Even though you may not have the same style as your friends or family, it's well worth asking if they or anyone else has any maternity clothes that they are not currently using. Having a baby can be a BUSY and stressful time but the best thing that I did was accept all maternity clothes or clothes in bigger sizes that were offered to me. I have worn things I would have never picked but you're not wearing these clothes forever and no one is looking at you, only your growing belly! Everything is just temporary, so why spend the money? My closet has never been more cluttered, but it's well worth it. Most clothes are soft and stretchy which is basically all you need. It is fun to take a trip to Destination Maternity too but you really don't need a ton of clothes. 

Happiest Baby on the Block DVD - this was sent to us as a gift and it was so nice to watch. I had registered for the book and immediately took it off my registry once I watched this. It really helped calm some of my pre-mommy hood nerves about how to calm a baby. 

Lap Buddy

Do you have or know a Little Busy Bee that just can't sit down? Well I have an idea that you can make at home to try without breaking the bank. 

I've worked with many children and they are all so different. One Busy Bee that I know is just that, BUSY. Sitting down for them is just a waste of time. There's so much to do! They are either gathering play materials or offering utensils for peers at snack and lunch time. To help my LBB I asked mom to buy the items we would need to create a Lap Buddy to use in the classroom. 

Items Used:

• Pre-cooked Beans 
• 1 pair of long crew white socks
• Fabric Markers or ANYTHING to decorate socks
• Plastic ziplocs

Sock 1
I poured 1 box of chickpeas into a ziploc bag and 1 bag of kidney beans as is, into sock. Then tie a knot on the top of the sock. (Ziplocs are good to use and add to the sensory aspect when the Little Busy Bee is squishing the sock when in their lap.)

Sock 2
I poured 2 boxes of chick peas into a ziploc then placed the ziploc into the sock. Tie a knot and you're done!

The final products! This Little Busy Bee had mom help decorate. The Lap Buddies remain in their cubby when not in use and either is an option to use throughout their Busy day. 

Book Review: Jake Starts School by Michael Wright

Book Review: Jake Starts School
Topic: Feeling Scared for School

Is it just me or do you get excited to for the start of a new school year? It brings me back to when I was younger. Which backpack will I use? What will I wear on the first day? Who will be in my class? 

At the age that I'm working with things aren't that complicated. However, things do get a little bit scary once the Little Busy Bees have to enter their new classroom. At age 4 and 5 children are still nervous and a little worried about starting the new school year, especially if they are entering a starting a new school. I found this gem of a book recently and wanted to share it with you. It gave me a laugh too. 

This is such a sweet book about a Little Busy Bee who is scared to start school. I read it to a small group of children who demanded it be read a second time right as I was saying "The End". It touched upon feelings of nervousness for school and being too attached, literally, to mom and dad on that very first and scary day. The book ends on a happy note and Jake gets involved in a full classroom conversation all on his own. 

Buy Jake Starts School by clicking here. 

BUSY BUSY BUSY

I want to start this post by saying I'm sorry I haven't been writing and updating what I have been up to these past months. But just like the site is called, I've been BUSY! 

This is exciting to announce... My husband and I are expecting our own Little Busy Bees in early 2014!! We are so excited and have been busy making to do lists, and cleaning out our hive to make room for our twins. I will continue working with my students for as long as I can and will also continue to work on this site. So Stay Tuned! 

Robot Arms

This year I used Robot arms in many settings to teach children to give themselves and others more personal space around their bodies. It was adorable watching children use their own robot arms independently throughout the day so they wouldn't bump into their Busy Bee peers. 

Robot arms can be used both while sitting during an activity and standing in a line. All you have to do is use your arms like a robot to see if there is enough space on the side and infront of your body. You use them up and down to make sure you're Busy Bee isn't touching or stinging another ;) Go ahead, try it. It's great to use in public, private or when sitting at home watching a movie.  

If you need assistance just email me! Remember I'm here to help!

LEGO LAND

Learning! Climbing! And building! Oh my!

I just had the pleasure of finally visiting the ever so popular NEW Lego Land at Ridge Hill in Yonkers New York. I had so much fun learning, exploring and watching one out of the four 4D movies they offered with my in-laws. Yes we looked a little silly with 5 adults for 1 child but we all had fun.  And the more the merrier!

You start out by learning about Lego's - how they are made and how many are made per day.Then there's a ride that you can easily pass by continuing on the left side or go nuts and ride in a circle in the dark. I would recommend children 6+ go on it. Then you enter Lego city, which is really cool. There are interactive buttons that my Busy Bee nephew got to press to light up rooms and move the Lego people in each section of the city. 

Last comes the madness of the biggest most crowded section that includes different ares for a jungle gym type climber, a ride, small theater, Lego house, a cafe, race track, etc. Of course, you end up in the shop so be prepared. We all had so much fun. 

My recommendations for your visit:

- Buy Tickets online (click here)! They just opened. You probably won't get in if you don't buy them in advance.

- All Busy Bees need socks if they will want to climb.

- If you are a big group or on a budget, pack a lunch. There are tables available.

- In the store at the end there are Lego sets for all ages. Check near the exit for youngest before breaking the bank on a huge set. There are also little gifts like Lego key chains that can be engraved with anything you want.  

- It's located in an outside mall so plan ahead. Shop for back to school clothes or have a meal at a near by restaurant before heading home.  

Also, have fun! 

Channing Tatum

Growing up with Dyslexia & Attention Deficit Disorder

Did you know that one of the biggest names in hollywood right now grew up with Dyslexia & ADHD? Well he did. He is the perfect example that anything is possible. He grew up depressed and struggled in school. Sound familiar? Do you know someone who is having the same issues? Remind them that anything is possible and to stay positive!

In a few different articles that I read about him he has a very strong opinion about medication in references to giving it to his newborn daughter, if she ends up being diagnosed with ADHD. I'm not so sure what he'll really think while being a parent of a child who may or may not become diagnosed but it will be an interesting story to follow as there are a lot of discrepancies about medicating children.

Read an article in Vanity Fair that covers Channing's struggles by clicking here .

Mama Zooms

Book Review: Mama Zooms
By Jane Cowen-Fletcher

What a little gem. This book touches upon the topic of parenting from a wheel chair. Told from a child's perspective about all the creative ways to pretend what a wheel chair could be. I love that in the beginning of the story you can't really tell what is being spoken about but a picture is later revealed. Very sweet book especially for those Busy Bees with family members in wheel chairs.  

Get Mama Zooms by clicking here! 

Happy, Healthy Ajay!

Book Review: Happy Healthy Ajay!
By Stewart J. Murphy

This sweet lil creature wants to be happy and healthy. With the help of his friends he is given great examples of what he can do to be both, {happy and healthy!}. A great hands on example of what it means to be happy and healthy with your Busy Bees. LOVE lil AJay! 

Buy Ajay & be healthy with him by clicking here! 

Spring has SPRUNG

And it has literally been flying by. It is seriously already JUNE!? When did that happen? I did notice the insane summer-like-weather here, but I almost can't believe that March, April and May are all now behind us. 

It's also at this time of the year that I notice an intense energy change in children. Maybe there's something magical about not having to put on a jacket while transitioning to the playground? Maybe children are affected by seasonal affective disorder? But there is something awesome that unfolds each spring with my students.  It's like they all of a sudden blossom, not to sound cliche especially during spring, but they do! 

With my Busy Bees this season I have noticed that they are eager to go down the slide, instead of being scared and excited to play with peers, instead of being anxious about it. It truly is amazing to watch and I can honestly say I am in the right career. I can go home each day and have confidence that my funny, charismatic ways and over enthusiastic facial expressions are put to good use to help each child come out of their shell and participate fully in activities that their peers have been enjoying all year. 

A few Busy Bee Favorite outside activities:

• Duck Duck Goose: Can your busy bee take turns? Wait to be picked?
• Bubbles: Can your busy bee blow bubbles? If not, introduce some other oral motor games into their lives to strengthen the muscles in their mouths. Can they pop them with each hand's pointer finger? Or clap them? The use of both hands and cross their bodies midline is an important developmental milestone {Bilateral Integration}. 
• Spray bottles: Can your busy bee squeeze a spray bottle? Ask children if they want to be sprayed? Can your busy bee be in charged of watering flowers & plants? 

Happy Spring {soon to be summer} everyone! 

What to Watch?

{A Toddler & Preschool Guide to Movies}

I was recently asked by a busy bee mom for appropriate movie recommendations. Since she has 2 little busy bees, she asked that they be appropriate for her toddler and preschooler as well.

As we all know, some kids are movie watchers and some are not. It's really hard for any busy bee to concentrate on just one task at a time, but this specific preschooler was working really hard at filling a good choice jar. Pretty soon, that jar would be full and Busy Bee Mom had to react quickly for the jar to continue it's importance at home. In this case, the jar's reward would be watching a movie at home.

 Top 10 Busy Bee Movie Recommendations: 

1. Monsters, Inc. 
2. Toy Story
3. The Incredibles
4. Shrek
5. Clifford the Big Red Dog
6. Finding Nemo
7. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
8. Thomas & Friends
9. Madagascar
10. The Muppets
11. Happy Feet
12. The Lorax 

I'd love to hear your favorites too!

Fruit Stand Avalanche

Fruit Stand Avalanche

I know some grown ups have a problem with playing with food, but I promise during this game there won't be a juicy mess to clean up. I recommended this game for a family and I play it often. It's great for strengthening fine motor muscles that children, when ready, will use to control their pencil marks through writing and drawing {graphomotor} strength. I actually recommend to play by putting the fruit in the stand, rather than taking it out. It's much less confusing and frustrating for our little busy bees. My way they are still using the same tools and strengthening the same muscles. I find that while playing more exciting and stimulating games, some children can become more easily excitable than others which causes them to have a harder time sitting to focusing. So while playing to put the fruit on the stand, there's no anxiety about it falling down. It's still fun and tricky just picking up with different pieces of fruit.

To make it more fun there are more "fun" chopsticks that can also be used.
For Dinosaurs click here. 
For Animals click here.

Buy & have fun with your Fruit Stand! 

I'm Me by Sara Sheridan & Margaret Chamberlain

Book Review: I'm Me

Topic: Pretend Play, Imagination Self-Esteem

An adorable book with the perfect depiction of what it means to pretend play. This cute busy bee gets many suggestions on what to play from an adult and she decides she'd rather be herself than any one else. If your child is having a hard time with pretend play then this book is highly recommended. Buy the book for a little busy bee that you know by clicking here. 

We Love You! {Love/Valentine Themed Basket}

Friends of mine just renovated their house and to show them how much we love them, I created a Valentine themed basket for the whole family-of-four to enjoy. A perfect present for a February weekend visit to congratulate them on their new home.

All items were purchased at Homegoods and cost less then $50.

The fun-loving items included: 1 red basket with handles, 2 heart mats to be used for art projects, 2 different sets of love and heart dish towels, heart pot holders, heart cup cake wrappers, pink and red heart sprinkles, jelly beans and lastly my favorite item an "I Love you Book" which is a big book that contains a number of stories for little busy bees put together by Scholastic.

The Cranky Bear by Nick Bland

Book Review: The Very Cranky Bear
Topic: Frustration, Anger, Sharing

It's winter time and all this bear wants to do is get to sleep. A few other animals have a different idea and just want a warm place to play their games.  This makes it harder for bear to get some peace and quiet and causes him to become CRANKY. The other sweet animals try to think of ways to make him happier. A nice book that foreshadows creative thinking, sharing and caring. And touches upon feelings of anger and frustration. Read about what happens in The Very Cranky Bear by clicking here.
Preschoolers will ask you to read it over and over. Just be prepared. Make it fun by changing your voice or having your little busy bees role play.

It's a boy! {Newborn Gift Basket}

Every new little busy bee needs a few things to start out with. Upon hearing the exciting news of the arrival of a friend's first born, I immediately got busy putting together and then delivering a basket all in a work day {without missing work of course!}.

If there's a store, I guarantee you this Busy Bee can shop in it. Knowing every location of all the Homegoods in New York State, is also helpful. I first visited a clothing store and picked up an outfit, bib, towels, and blanket then headed to the nearest Homegoods to pick up the rest. I bought the basket, bow and a bee mat for tummy time. I love putting together gifts for friends & family.
Need any gift ideas, just ask!

Make Room for Baby! {NYC 1BR/1BA}

Right before the New Year I helped some friends make room for the arrival of their first born. To start we made focused to-do-lists on targeted areas that needed to become baby friendly {think bottles, diapers, clothing, blankets, towels, laundry, etc.}.  After a few hours of brainstorming, emptying, organizing, shopping and re-organizing we were able to create space in every room of the apartment.  We emptied drawers, cabinets and created easy accessible storage for all of their needs.

Here's what we did:

Linen Closet: We added storage pockets to the inside of the door and cleared off a shelf for little towels, blankets, sheets and washcloths. We also created a baby friendly bucket for easy apartment cleaning & baby friendly laundry detergent.  

Drawers: 

 

Before & After:

We took a trip to one of my favorite places on Earth ~ The Container Store. 

We purchased baskets and trays for drawers to contain important techie supplies, pens & paper, and life's other necessities.  

Kitchen:

We cleared out and moved adult glasses higher to make way for bottles, formula and pacifiers. 

Our Four-Legged Busy Bee assistant:

Purchases: Baskets, trays, bucket, over the door pocket organizers, and large bins to organize those "take to parents house" items.  

Oh, the Things you can Do that are GOOD for you!

Book Review: Oh, the THINGS you can DO that are GOOD for you!
Topic: Health

I found this gem at the American Museum of Natural History, while visiting a special exhibit with a student. I quickly read it in the store and then again to my little friend over lunch. After reading it this little busy bee tried to finagle it out of my arms but I refused to let it go. We read it again and I encouraged him to use his kind words and ask mom to get it for him.

This sweet book has fun illustrations and easy language to follow. From feeling great, to staying healthy by washing hands, brushing teeth to eating right and exercising a healthy lifestyle can be introduced by the Cat in the Hat. Everyone loves him, so why not try to be as healthy as him. A great addition to any library.

Games to Encourage Verbal Communication

Have a quiet child? Working on articulation? Want your child to talk louder or more frequently? Want your child to play more cooperatively?

Use your child's interests to play games to enhance verbal communication. I love finding new games that I know my students will love AND benefit from. A few years ago I had fun-loving student who loved fish. It was so exciting to find a fish themed Go Fish, that I still use. I have found many themed games that I would love to share with you that will benefit any child who is working on their verbal skills.

 I always have the child make the executive decisions to help them build their decision making skills, self-esteem and listening skills. Children are motivated by their preferences paired with fun. Being forced to play an academic game is sometimes a challenge but just by asking questions {ie. - What side are we going to use first, green or red? (Zingo) or who's going to go first, me or you?, Should we play on the floor or at the table?} will help your little busy bee feel like they are an important part of the game playing unit.

Here are my favorite games to encourage verbal communication and interactions:

Zingo! 












The regular plain old Zingo! is really fun to play with. It has basic pictures such as tree, shoe, house, ball, ghost, t-rex, dog, cat, bird.

Sight Words
{great for those little busy bees are are beginning to read}

Number

Bilingual {Spanish/French/Hebrew}





GO FISH

Alphabet & Animal matching 
{2 games in 1}

Sea Life & Numbers
{Match fish or numbers or BOTH}

Colored Fish
{builds vocabulary with colors including: Lavender, Jade, Turquoise, Buttercup, etc.}

Howard B. WIgglebottom Learns to Listen

Book Review: Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen

Topic: Listening, following directions, Safety

I have read this funny book to bunch of little busy bees and it gets an encore every time. This silly bunny has a hard time listening to others. But after a few mistakes with himself and a friend, he tries to do his best. In the end he is safe and earns a reward. A cute book to teach children how to try their best at something they are not great at for not only the safety of themselves but for others too!

Learn more about Howard & see more of his books here!

Alphabet Alley

Made by Discount School Supply, this fun tool will get little busy bees moving and learning all at the same time. There are endless activities that you would do, hop, jump, walk, add letter objects, play a matching game, have children stand on their letters, etc. 

Click here to purchase one for your little busy bees classroom. 

The Selfish Crocodile

A great book to teach what it means to be SELFISH. 

I found this on a classroom bookshelf and had to read it IMMEDIATELY. I LOVED it.  It's straight to the point. If you want to be a selfish and not share, then you'll be all alone. When mean Mr. Croc is in need of help, a sweet little mouse comes to the rescue. After doing such a nice gesture, the two become friends and the crocodile is changed forever. Any child would benefit from this book.

Get The Selfish Crocodile by clicking here!

Snail Pace Race Game

Game: Snail Pace Race

This is my all time favorite game to use with little busy bees when teaching them how to play their first closed ended board game. This great and simple snail game teaches young learners how to take turns, roll dice, match colors, following instructions and practice using focus and attention skills. I highly recommend this game to any 4-year-old and possibly 3-year-olds too! It's cute, fun and easy to learn. 

Enjoy & buy Snail Pace Race here! 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Busy Bees! 

I know I haven't been posting much so I apologize. The winter season got away from me faster than I realized. I'm glad to welcome another year and say goodbye to the last one. I have a feeling that 2013 will be a fantastic year. Another year to work with as many little busy bees as I can!

To start the year off right I returned to one of my student's homes with a small gift: a visual! I offered this as a gift to the child. I presented it to him and we touched it together and spoke about what it was. 

Nothing too fancy just a piece of cardboard from a holiday package from Amazon, a simple number line {Bank Street Book Store} and the letters of the alphabet {Michaels}. 

We started using it this week. Since this one particular little busy bee enjoys "playing" the guitar, we sing the ABCs together while he plays. Today he announced that he wanted to sing it without me, which was very exciting. As he sang I made sure to touch each letter to help him with his letter recognition and knowledge. Already a big hit with him, so I thought I would share it with you. It's a great an easy way to bring part of a classroom into the home to enhance learning, curiosity and exploration.