Read To Your Baby!

It's never too early to begin reading to a child. Even though babies don't understand words, their brains are making connections from what they hear you say everyday! My Get Talking post outlines the importance of language in your household at a very young age. In addition to your little one beginning to develop vocabulary, reading to your baby encourages...

• Interest and enjoyment of books
• An understanding of their world 
• Cuddle time! 
• Listening skills (of course attention span will increase as they grow)
• An exposure to visuals through the beautiful art in picture books
• A preview of emotions through different sounds you use while reading
• Better preparation for school age reading instruction & success
  

Read some of your favorites you had as a kid! If you want some more ideas visit my pinterest page for TONS of titles! Book Worm

Summer Crafts

We have certainly been heating up weather wise here in Rochester, New York. We have had numerous days with temps well into the 90's. Though there are fun things in the area to keep you cool such as Seabreeze, Darien Lake and Hamlin Beach State Park to name a few, sometimes you just want to stay indoors. An idea is to visit your local craft shop such as A.C. Moore or Michaels and check what summer activities they might offer. I recently stopped into the Henrietta stores and here are some workshops they have.
A.C. Moore - All activities FREE! 
Wednesdays from 1-3pm.(until August 10) 
Decorate a Beach Pail
Paper Bag Puppets
Decorate a Cookie
Owl Sun Catcher
Pipe Cleaner Characters
Face Painting
Michaels - $2 per project 
Saturdays from 10-Noon
Royal Banners
Perler Beads Secret Life of Pets Craft
Create a Woodland Forest
Monster Bookmarks

If you would rather stay home but need some crafty ideas, click on my Pinterest link for some easy projects!

Art for Kids

If you would rather someone else do some home projects with your little one such as an older sibling or babysitter, check out these activities! 

62 Messy Summer Crafts to Hand Off to the Babysitter

Happy Crafting!

Bicycle Rides

Rochester has so many outdoor adventures for the whole family to enjoy! This summer I have fallen in love with all the bike trails in and around the city. There is nothing like feeling the summer breeze in your face while coasting on a bike. For me, I don't choose to bike ride for exercise purposes. It's more that I love being immersed in nature and I genuinely feel calm, happy and relaxed while riding. 

As a kid I would ride bikes ALLLLL day with siblings and the neighborhood kids and it was pure fun. I do get that giddy feeling even now as an adult. I can even remember the moment I learned HOW to ride a bike. What a priceless memory. Besides having fun with your kids on a bike ride, research shows the benefits that being outdoors has on your child's development. Nature Enriches Life So what are you waiting for?! Grab your helmets and hop on your bikes! Rochester riders, click on the link at the bottom to find a trail to explore with your kids. Here are some literature ideas after you work up a sweat!

Rochester, New York Trails

Festival Season!

One of the things I have absolutely fell in love with about Rochester is festival season! From late spring through the fall you can find something to do almost EVERY weekend! This weekend is one of my favorites, the Corn Hill Arts Festival. Strolling through this historic neighborhood and seeing the big homes, beautiful gardens, and handcrafted arts while sipping on wine and listening to live music is my idea of the perfect day! Besides the food, which who doesn't LOVE food truck eats, kids can enjoy the Fairy House Tour, a bounce house and a mobile aerial adventure park. It's a fun day out for both kids and adults! Here are some of my favorite reads that encourage kids to find their inner artistic side!

To Market...To Market

One of my FAVORITE things to do in Rochester is to go to the public market on Saturday mornings! Not only do I love how cheap the fresh produce is, but also the many walks of life you see there. It's a diverse, bustling, energy filled environment, reminding me more of an international open market, not upstate New York. I love being surrounded by different cultures, languages and people and I feel it the most while being immersed in the market experience here in the city. Back to how CHEAP it all is, today I got a basket of plums, jalapenos, garlic, 2 red peppers, green onions, strawberries, blackberries, 3 heads of broccoli, 2 lemons, 2 limes and a bushel of romaine lettuce for $14!

Bringing your little one to pick out fresh foods at your local farmer's market not only raises awareness about healthy eating but also teaches simple economics (needs vs. wants), the value of money, addition and subtraction (cost and change), giving back to the local community, and social skills by interacting with sellers and other customers. It also doesn't hurt to point out the labels they will be surrounded by! Here are some titles that can add an additional literacy twist to your trip out!