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!