Brush, Brush, Brush!

Book Review: Brush, Brush, Brush!
By Alicia Padron

I was shocked when we went the pediatrician for our twins one-year check up and the doctor said "Okay they're ready to start brushing teeth now". Ummmmm What?!?!?! I thought, to myself of course. Between the two of them they only have a total of 9 teeth!!
But as new moms know, routines continuously change from week to week. As a new mom I have found myself listening to anything the doctor has to say, because well she is our pediatrician. We did pick her for a reason. They do have 9 teeth! 

So I waited until my husband and I were together over the weekend to get them their first tooth brushes. We have added brushing teeth to our routine. After everyone is dressed in the morning and ready for bed at night, they crawl into the bathroom to brush. It is the cutest thing ever, until they both tested their strength and the concept of gravity. Last week my son threw his brush down the stairs and last night my daughter threw hers in the bath tub. Both said, "uh-oh!" 

I found this perfect board book in the baby section at our local library. We have read it a number of times. I always feel that we need to read our books as many as we can until we have to return the books. Do you ever feel that way? Anyway back to the book - What I recently discovered is that the author recommends singing the words to the tune "Do your ears hang low?". We have and it's adorable. As they "brush" their own teeth, I brush and or sing along with them. This gives us a new song to sing as we add another routine into the mix of our Busy Bee day. The very cute and simple language helps remind Little Busy Brushers how and when to brush.  

All in a Day

All in a Day

By Cynthia Rylant

I've been very mindful especially as our twins first birthday quickly came and went. I can't believe it! The practice of mindfulness slows me down so I can cherish the time that I have with my family. 

This book is so sweet and positive. I had trouble reading it without crying. Showing examples of how precious a day is really lets us appreciate it consciously. The pictures are bright yet simple with a majority of black and white with pops of yellow. The dramatic pictures match the story of wishes, change and rain. Be mindful with your Little Busy Bees and get the book by clicking here! 

Signing with Children

As a Special Education Teacher, I have been intrigued by the power of sign language. During my graduate coursework, I enjoyed every class available to me. During my role as a teacher, I have only been able to use signing with one of my students. To be able to teach a child a sign so they can communicate with you is a powerful feeling. Not only did the student I was working with learn the signs right away, but the motivation behind using signs was significant. We were able to communicate about activities around the classroom, which colors to use during art projects and how they were feeling. 

I think it is very important for children to communicate their wants and needs even before they are able to talk. Signing does not inhibit the process of speech but encourages communicate and new vocabulary. For example, my daughter is now signing for her preference over drinks such as water, juice or milk, but is speaking simple words like "uh oh" and "hot". 

Along my journey through the wide world of education and now being a parent I have found these great resources to encourage signing with others.

My favorite book for adults is the book I used during my graduate Signing courses:
 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Conversational Sign Language, written by my teacher and her daughter, Carole Lazorisak and Dawn Donohue. 

Sign About Play Time: This book shows multiple signs on each page. It's a great way to start reading and practicing signing with your Little Busy Bees. Get those hands up and have fun! {Click on the title to buy the book!}

Signing Printables: These now cover our kitchen cabinets to encourage signing by family members, friends and care givers. I have found a few repetitive characters that are easy on the eye, that use simple instructions easy to use by a new signer. {Click on the link above to get some for your house too!} 

Little Blue Truck

Little Blue Truck
By Alice Schertle and Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Reading is one of our favorite pastimes, from my husband's neediness to my love of all things children-related, and now we are doing our best to pass it down to our babes. "Little Blue Truck" was a gift from my husband's cousin (who has four kids of her own and I we don't know how she does it!!) and it's one our new favorites at the moment, especially because it is perfect for introducing animal sounds. Who doesn't love mooing like a cow during lunch?

There is no perfect moment in time when you think to yourself, "Oh, today is the day we're supposed to start teaching functions of objects or farm animals sounds." Learning and teaching moments are a whirling dervish in our home. As we both, separately, picked up this book to read to our twins, we have learned to love it. The way the animals communicate through their noises and the way our children look at us while we do our best to imitate these noises is worth owning multiple copies of this book for each room of our house. (We won't be doing that, but I've thought about it!)

Our shelves can never be too full with stories about teamwork, community, and helping others. Kindness matters and as parents we want to teach this concept to our children as often as possible. And we sort of like to make animal sounds too!

To buy this book and more by Alice Schertle Click Here!

Updated Pages!

While I'm trying to organize our new life in our new home, pick out paint colors, find new places to explore, make new friends for our 13 month old twins and head back to work,  I found time to update my pages section of my blog. Yes, applause! I know, it's very exciting. Thank you, thank you! But it's not necessary because I know we are all busy with our own busyness, whatever that may be for you. But even though I have so much going on, I really want to keep Busy Bee up and running. Pretty please, when you aren't so BUSY, check out the sections located on the right side of my blog under the BB icon to find more great information about recommended friends and professionals, fun and games on the internet and more about me and this site!

If you want your information added contact me and we'll get it all set up. 

The Quiet Book

The Quiet Book
By Deborah Underwood and Illustrated by Renata Liwska

A peaceful book that makes the reader think about all different types of being quiet. Encourages you to read it in a hushed tone before bed or during some down time with your Little Busy Bee. A great way to introduce how to be quiet and all the different ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. We live in a very hectic world and we all need a little quiet sometimes.

To learn more about Deborah Underwood click here!