Playdough Day

• Last summer, as a treat, Fridays were Playdough days. It was such a big hit, that it has mad a return this summer. At the end of a busy week, it is a nice no-brainer for the staff here at DDC.
  
  I have a bin loaded up with:
  containers of playdough
• tools
• 2 plastic tablecloths

You can get big bags of small containers in the party sections of the discount stores. I've had great success finding deals on them at the dollar store as well.

"Tools" can include plastic utensils, cookie cutters, small plastic rolling pins... just about anything. Plastics are good because they are non-porous (easy to clean) and tough to break.

Tablecloths also came from the dollar store. one goes on the table - one under it. Better still, set them up at a table outside!

You can guide this activity as much - or as little - as you like. We prefer to let them explore and create. Aside from having fun, they are strengthening their hands and developing fine motor control, imagination and creativity. It also provides them with visual and tactile stimulation. If you prefer to guide them a bit mroe, use the dough to teach colors, shapes, letters, numbers and even words! blend colors together and explore the color wheel!

Mugs

Another easy kit from the craft store. I remember doing these as a kid and I loved them! It is jsut a plastic mug with an assortment of paper inserts for them to choose and color and create their own mug. You can even trace one of the pieces of paper and make your own insert out of other papers - or even fabric! Just because it comes in a box doesn't mean you can't think outside the box...

#1 opted for crayons and #2 went with watercolors. #3 tried to eat his crayons.

Bookmarks

For this, I kind of "cheated" to keep it simple. I picked up blank foam bookmarks. 10 for $1 I think. I also threw in a bunch of stickers we have acquired over the years, some markers, yarn scraps and glitter glue (in case dad was feeling brave). We'll just let then have at it and decorate them! Another boost to the summer reading push. They have already managed to find their way into several books!

Summer Journal

My kids all love to write, color and draw. Unfortunately, they have the penmanship of a Doctor (which works well since #1 is going to be a Dr. - ask him - he'll tell you). In school, #1 wrote in a reading journal daily. #2 practiced writing every day as well. #2's teacher even sent him home for the summer with a notebook to practice writing in.

I wanted to keep up the writing practice, but not feel like an assignment. So, they started off the summer by decorating their own summer journals.

Materials:

• 
  
  single subject notebook, composition or theme pad


• stick on foam sheets


• letter stickers


• decorative stickers


• scissors


• markers

Directions:

• trace the cover of the notebook/pad on to the backing of the foam.


• cut foam on the lines


• remove backing and stick to the cover of your notebook


• Add the name and/or title in letter stickers


• decorate with more stickers


• use markers to complete personalization

How to use: Encourage your child(ren) to use their journal dialy. Record the events of the summer or imagine new stories. This is not intended as grammar exercise and it isnt' going to be graded. Let them use thier imaginations, practice penmanship/fine motor skills and develop story telling skills.

For younger kids: a parent can trace and cut the cover and maybe even stick that on as well. This is intended for school-aged kids, but even toddlers aren't too young to start drawing and coloring. not only is it great for their imagination, but it helps develop pincer grasp and hand-eye coordiantion.

Camp Rules

We have our house rules posted on the same wall as our family calender and important notices. They know the rules and they know the consequences. (We like Super Nanny!)

We also have a Toddler, 2 boys with ADD/ADHD and a Dad in charge who also has ADD. I can not overstate how important structure is in our house. It is crucial to survival.

I found a couple of tips on Let's Explore (my new favorite blog!). The first is a "Chore Bucket". The kids pull a chore out of the bucket and that is the chore for the day. They are all things that they can do and can feel good about doing a good job. #2 in particular LOVES to be a helper. #1 would rather sit in front of the TV... I'm thinking Dad should pull out a chore to set a good example ;).

Another cool tip I found on Let's Explore is the Marble Jar. you set out a basket of marbles and an empty jar. When they do something worthy of praise, they got to add marbles to the jar. Once the jar is full, they get a special treat. We tried giving them each a jar of pennies and taking away pennies when they misbehaved, but they threw a fit at losing pennies and I think it focused too much on the bad behavior. I think the marble jar will not only get them more praise, but it will encourage them to work together.

We started the Marble Jar last night and it was met with great enthusiasm. #1 & #2 got the jar going by doing such a great job reading while I got #3 ready for bed. We have not even decided what the "surprise" will be yet. I try to keep rewards to non-material things, but I'm thinking maybe a book from the book store... or better yet a trip to the Public Library! To avoid starting too much at once, we're holding off on the Chore Bucket until the weekend. Daddy and I will be picking chores too. Chores done with effort and enthusiasm will be rewarded with marbles - even if it isn't done "right". It is the effort and the work ethic we are going for here.

I also plan out our menus every week, which not only gets dinner on the table at a reasonable hour, but it saves a lot of money in groceries. I also plan out lunches and snacks. Daddy has also requested we sit down and come up with a "Camp Schedule". This may be too rigid for some families, but again, with the abundance of ADD/ADHD in our home, it is a necessity.

Camp Starts Tomorrow!

Last day of school.. which means that tomorrow is day 1 of Daddy Day Camp. I had one request from Dad - "go easy on me the first week or so...". About a month ago, he spent a week in the hospital and about 2 more at home in bed getting his strength back. he is more or less back to himself, but pretty apprehensive about running the camp.

With that request in mind, I hit the craft stores. I was pleased to find so many kits ready to go for fun summer projects. So, yeah, some of the early projects may be cop-outs, but so be it! gives me time to get some better ideas....

Last year, I had daily themes like "Monster Monday" where the activitys all had something to do with monsters. It quickly became a stretch to get things to fit. This year, I'm thinking about weekly themes.

Week 1: Setting up Camp
Week 2: Dinosaur Days ? we'll have to see how this pans out...

Look for more "getting started" tips tomorrow. I will post the activities on a delay, so that you can see the finished product along with the instructions.

Getting Started Tips

Some of the things I learned last year:
each kid gets their own project bag/box/basket/container

• whenever possible, put everything they need in the project bag/box/basket.
• keep things simple and fun (and low maintainance)
• schudule in "free" days and outings.
• try doing activites that build on one another
• Kids get dirty... accept it and move on...
• check the $ stores, www.orientaltrading.com, and the "value" baskets/bins at joanns & other craft sores for ideas and simple kids.
• Keep a bin of crayons, markers, construction paper, cardboard tubes, empty thread spools, glue sticks, kid scissors, stickers, paints, brushes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, egg cartons etc. handy.

add your tips in the comments!

The Concept

Last summer, our oldest son (6 at the time) went to day camp for 4 weeks. He has minor speech/developmental delays resulting from PTSD and his camp was a camp for high functioning "special need" students in the school district. So, really, he needed to go. He had fun and never realized it was "therapy".

It only took a few days for our middle son (4.5 then) to get jealous. Not only was he lonely without his brother, but he was quite envious of the fun his brother had every day.

My husband, a SAHD, was at his wits end trying to entertain him and care for our almost 1yo. I was heartbroken to see the middle child so bummed.

SO

Daddy Day Camp was born! (before the movie came out!)

Every night after he went to bed, I put a "surprise craft"/activity and all of the materials he needed in a special bag with his name on it. He wasn't allowed to open it until after breakfast.

The activites were usually simple and on his level. I made sure they were projects that required little to no assistance from Dad. He was proud of himself for being able to complete his project on his own and it freed dad to tend to the baby - who was rather ill and extremely under weight at the time. Once my oldest was done with day camp, we enrolled him in "Daddy Day Camp" as well.

This summer adds several new dynamics:

• #1 & #2 have both been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.
• #3 is healthy and strong... and likely going to want "in" on this camp thing.
• none of the kids are enrolled in outside "camp" activities, but #1 & #2 are both in karate class 2x/week.
• The kids are older, gifted and learning new skills that I'd like to reinforce without making it feel like school.
• My project ideas from last year willmost likely bore them to tears.

I suppose I'm the camp's Activities Coordinator, but Daddy is certainly counselor, medic, chef, and director. So, join me us as I prepare my projects and ideas. As I gather sources and information, I'll add them to the sidebar. Feel free to comment and add your own links, ideas and suggestions.

Camp officially starts on Tuesday (6/24/08).