More October Activities

The Halloween Spirit is affecting everyone in Davis County!  Here are more activities that are great for families and little ones:

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
October 19th At 11:00 AM.

About Tumbleweeds and Shriners Hospital
These Screenings provide a special opportunity for families to enjoy Tumbleweeds programming in a safe and accepting environment. The Suditorium will have the lights slightly up and the sound adjusted, so that families with children of all ages can enjoy sensory friendly films.

This program was launched two years ago with screenings at our annual Tumbleweeds Film Festival for families affected by Autism. We've expanded the program into a monthly series at Shriners Hospital for families with special needs children. These screenings are help every 3rd Saturday of the month at 11:00 am.

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Tuesday, October 22 - Halloween Milk and Cookies

Looking to meet other moms and their kids? Join us at the MOMS Club Halloween Milk and Cookies party! Some of the fun things our club does: playdates and outings, MOMS Night out, Crafty MOMS, Exercise groups, Kids' parties and lots more!

Where: Chapel Park 152 South 900 East, Layton

When: 10:00 AM

Who: MOMS Club of Layton is a local chapter of MOMS Club International, a non-profit support group offering a variety of activities for moms and their children. 

How: Rain or Shine!

Cost: Please email us with any questions at laytonmoms@hotmail.com or call Jennifer at 801-820-6024.

For more info: If you live in Layton, Hill AFB, Kaysville, Clearfield, Clinton, Fruit Heights, Sunset, Syracuse, Farmington or West Point, we invite you to join our club!

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Thursday, October 24 - Pumpkin Walk

The Centerville City Youth Council Presents the Annual Pumpkin Walk. Bring your CARVED pumpkins to Founders Park by 6:00pm. There are plenty of Hot Cider and Donuts for attendees! Head over to the Whitacker Museum afterward for more haunting fun!

Where: Founders Park
300 N 100 E Centerville

When: 7:00 AM

Who: families

How: Visit Founders Park between 7:00pm and 8:30pm to view the lighted pumpkins along the haunted paths.

Cost: ***

For more info: Prizes will be awarded at 8:30pm for the following categories: Spookiest, Funniest, Most Creative, Cutest, Best Design

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Pumpkin Haven

Where Families Play

859 West Hillfield Road , Layton Utah

Bring the entire family for a great pumpkin event! 

You can enjoy the petting zoo, bouncy house, maze, and pumpkin patch for an affordable price.  Located in a convenient location near I-15, Pumpkin Haven has something for all ages.  The pumpkin patch has pumpkins of all sizes and shapes.
The bouncy house/slide and petting zoo are fun for the elementary age children. 

Monday  10 am-8 pm
Tuesday 10 am-8 pm
Wednesday 10 am-8 pm
Thursday 10 am-8 pm
Friday 10 am- 9 pm
Saturday 10 am- 9 pm
Sunday Closed

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Join Macaroni Kid at the fountain for FREE Family Halloween Fun!!!
Pumpkin Carver, Music, Games, Activities and Costumes make a spooktacular party!!!

October 26th at 1:00-3:00

Then follow it up with Trick or Treating at Station Park 3:00-4:30pm.

Look for the orange pumpkin in the window of participating restaurants and retailers,for Trick or Treating. (While supplies last.)

Unfortunately Station Park will not be hosting any special events on Halloween!

Developing Language and Literacy in Little Ones

This information was provided by Emily Farr, SLS and found on the website www.Zerotothree.org.

Parent-Child Activities to Promote Language and Literacy 

• Go on a name safari.  Walk around your house or neighborhood with your toddler.  Point out and name different objects.  Encourage your child to repeat the words after you.  Ask your child where he wants to go next and follow his lead.  See if he points to "ask" you what an object is. 

• Make an animal book.  Cut pictures of animals from magazines or take photos of animals in your neighborhood (cats, dogs, birds, etc.).  Glue these pictures to sturdy 4x6 index cards.  Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each card and tie them together with a short piece of yarn.  Show your toddler each page, name the animal, and make its sound.  Which animal is your child’s favorite?  Which animal sound can he make first? 

• Play “can you find…”  Toddlers enjoy helping out.  Give your child a simple task: Go get your shoe.  Make sure the object is in sight.  As her receptive language (the words she understands) grows, you can ask your child to get a familiar object that is not in sight:  Can you find your dump truck.  This is a great way to help your toddler learn new words and to listen and follow directions. 

12-24 months

Young toddlers are little scientists. They are eager to figure out how everything works.  This makes the second year an exciting one, as children really begin to venture out into the world to explore, discover, and learn. 

One of the things that make this year so much fun is that toddlers are becoming more and more effective at communicating.  (In fact, “No!” becomes a favorite word and a powerful way to assert their independence.)  By the end of their second year, they will even be making simple sentences, like “more milk” or “want that”.  Toddlers have minds of their own, and strong feelings and preferences that they express with gusto.  This is the time when your child might develop a favorite story they want to hear over and over, or a favorite game or toy they want to play nonstop.

  

24-36 months

So much is happening as your child begins her third year! She may be participating in a preschool or child care program and building a relationship with her teacher or caregiver. She is probably making new friends. She is also showing you how capable and independent she is by doing lots of things for herself, like learning to put a jacket on or help with tasks like setting the table.

Reading together is one important way you can help your toddler make the transition from baby to big kid.  Language development also soars at this age, as children are using words to express their thoughts and feelings.  In the third year, you will continue to see a big jump in your child’s thinking skills. She will start to appreciate humor and jokes.  She will show her creativity and her problem-solving skills as she plays and interacts with you.  And, while tantrums may not disappear entirely, your toddler is also developing more self-control and coping skills as she grows.   

All ages:

Remember:  If your child is interested and involved in an activity—and having fun—he is learning!  It isn't necessary to “teach” very young children.  Formal classes and other activities that push toddlers to learn concepts before they are ready do not help their development or make them do better in school. In fact, they can even make children feel like failures when they are pushed to do something they can’t succeed at or don’t enjoy.  So treasure these days of playing, exploring, and cuddling with your little one—it is exactly what she needs to grow and learn.

Developing a Sensory Diet

This article was adapted from the Kids on the Move Fall/Winter 2012 newsletter.

Just as your child needs food throughout the course of the day, he needs a variety of sensory input, and opportunities for getting away from stimulation.  A "sensory diet" is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan the provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day.  In the same way that you jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake or soak in a hot tub to unwind, children need to engage in stabilizing, focusing activities, too.  Infants, young children, teens, and adults with mild to severe sensory issues can all benefit form a personalized sensory diet.

Each child has a unique set of sensory needs.  Generally a child whose nervous system is causing her to be hyperactive needs more calming input, while the child who is more underactive or sluggish needs more arousing input.

Proprioception
Proprioceptive input (sensations from joint, muscles, and connective tissues that lead to body awareness) can be obtained by lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects, including one's own weight.  A child can also stimulate the proprioceptive sense by engaging in activities that push joints together such as pushing something heavy or pull joints apart like hanging from monkey bars.

Some easy ways to increase your child's proprioceptive input are to:
Make a body "burrito" or "sandwich".  Firmly press on your child's arms, legs, and back with pillows or make a "burrito" by rolling her up in a blanket.

Push and pull.  A toddler or preschooler can push her own stroller, and may even be able to push a stroller or cart filled with weighted objects such as groceries.

Carry that weight. Your child can wear a backpack or fanny pack filled with toys (not too heavy!).

Mini Tramp. Your child can jump on a trampoline in the home prior to mealtime or quiet time to help provide the movement and deep input they seem to be seeking.  This is a better option for calming than an outdoor tramp as it is available whenever the child needs the input.

Vestibular
Vestibular input is the sense of movement, centered in the inner ear.  Any type of movement will stimulate the vestibular receptors, but spinning, swinging, and hanging upside down provide the most intense, longest lasting input.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's vestibular input:
Swing.  Encourage her to swing on playground swings, trying various types of swings and movements, such as front to back and side to side.

Spin.  Have him spin using a Sit n' Spin, Dizzy Disc Jr. or office chair.  Let her run in circles and ride a carousel.  Hold your child's arm and spin in a circle as he lifts off the ground or play airplane by holding one of his arms and the leg on the same side of his body as you spin in place (only if he does not have low muscle tone).

Swinging or pulling child in a blanket.  A great way to aid calming within the home environment.  To help the child understand when the activity will be over sing the ABC's or other common song and when the song is done so is the swinging.

Bouncing on an exercise ball.

Tactile
The tactile sense detects light touch, deep pressure, texture, temperature, vibration, and pain.  This includes both the skin covering your body and the skin lining the inside of your mouth.  Oral tactile issues can contribute to picky eating and feeding difficulties.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's tactile input:
Messy play with textures.  Have her play with foamy soap or shaving cream, and add sand for extra texture.  Have her finger paint, play with glitter glue, mix cookie dough and cake batter, and so on.  Let your child use the playground sandbox or create your own at home, filling a bin with dry beans and rice or other materials and small toys.  Cover and store the bin for future use.

Use child-friendly modeling material such as Play-Doh, Model Magic, and Sculpey (the classic Play-Doh Fun Factory provides excellent proprioceptive input as well).  Never force a child who is unwilling to touch "yucky" substances.  Let him use a paintbrush, stick or even a toy for cautious exploration.

Dress up.  Dress up in fun costumes to get use to the feel of unfamiliar clothing.

Check out www.familyfun.com for lots of ideas the whole family may enjoy.

October Community Activities

This is my favorite time of year!  I love the cooler weather, the beautiful colors on the trees, the smell of spices and pumpkin and, of course, chocolate baking, and the idea of curling up with a blanket and a good book!  There are also a lot of community activities at this time of year, so look at the list below and get some of these fun events in your calendar for you and your family to enjoy.  All events listed are free, unless a fee is indicated (I try to stay away from those, but still give you an idea of activities in your community).  Also, I am going to try listing activities in chronological order.

Wednesday, October 2 - Layton Fire Department Open House  5:00 - 8:00 pm at 530 North 2200 West.  Many activities for the whole family to participate.  Free rides on one of the fire engines.  The Fire Department welcomes conned food items to be brought to the event to support the local Family Connections Center food bank in Layton.  Activities are free and dinner is available to purchase.

Monday, October 7 - Ezekiel R. Dumke Free Day at Red Butte Gardens.

Monday, October 7 - Final Family First Monday in the Village at Farmington Station.  5:30 - 7:00 pm.  Activities and games provided by Family Connection Center, Boondocks, Lil' Flippers Gym and more.  

Tuesday, October 8 - MOMS Club of Weber County is hosting a free Halloween Celebration at Newgate Mall (3651 Wall Ave., Ogden) 10:00 am by the play area near Sears.  Halloween crafts and treats.  MOMS Club is a support group for stay at home moms that want to get out and socialize.

Tuesday, October 8 - Storytelling Night at the Museum at Whitaker Museum in Centerville (168 North Main Street) from 6:30 - 8:00pm.

Saturday, October 12 - Syracuse Community Yard Sale on the corner of Antelope and 2000 West from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  You can bring stuff to sell or just go to grab a deal.

Saturday, October 12 - Monster Mash and Dash at Heritage Park in Kaysville (150 East 200 North).  Begins at 5:00 pm.  Fun Halloween activities for the family.

Monday, October 14 - Free admission to the Natural History Museum of Utah.  Make reservations to attend online beginning on October 8th at noon at nhmu.utah.edu.  If you don't have a reservation, you may still be able to attend as a limited number of drop-in tickets are available, but if you want to get right in with your little ones, the best option is to have a reservation.

Friday, October 18 - West Point Halloween Carnival at City Hall (3200 West 300 North) from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Saturday, October 19 - North Salt Lake City Halloween 3K.  See the website at nslcity.org for more information.

Thursday, October 24 - Go Cruisin' at Station Park in the southeast parking lot near Claire's, Johnny Rockets, and the Cinemark Theater.  Free classic car show from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Friday, October 25 - Layton Halloween Bash 2013 at Central Davis Jr. High Gym (663 North Church Street) from 5:30 - 8:00 pm.  Layton City Family Recreation presents the annual Halloween Bash with carnival style games, cake walk, costume contest, music and refreshments.

Saturday, October 26 - Clearfield Annual Boo-nanza Halloween Spooktacular inside the Clearfield Aquatic Center (825 South State) from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Lots of activities for all ages - even an area for age appropriate activities for little ones.  Food and drink booths.  Tickets are $0.50 each.  Most activities require one or more tickets.

Monday, October 28 - Bountiful Davis Arts Center Family Night at 28 East State Street (second floor) Farmington from 7:- 8:30 pm.

Thursday, October 31 - Bountiful Trick or Treat on Main Street from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.  Includes costume contests for kids, adults, and pets.

Remember the Storytime opportunities:

• Barnes and Noble Picture Book Wednesday on October 2 at 11:00 am at the Layton store.
• Three Little Monkeys Story and Activity time for children ages 2 - 5 at 10:30 or 11:30 am in Fruit Heights and Bountiful.
• Bountiful Library Story time for Preschool/Toddler age Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 am
• Centerville Library Story time for Preschool/Toddler age Wednesday at 10:30 am
• Clearfield Library Story time for all ages Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 am
• Farmington Library Story time for all ages on Thursday at 10:30 am
• Kaysville Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 am or Fridays at 11:30 am
• Layton Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 11:00 am
• Syracuse Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 am

Helping Curiosity Grow

I am sure you have heard the phrase "curiosity killed the cat".  Even though being curious can lead to trouble, it is important to allow your child to be curious.  It is one method of learning and is important for young children to feel free to explore.  Young children learn best when they direct their own learning, instead of when you try to force something on them.  Given freedom to explore, a child interested in the world around them will observe and learn.  Your child's first year is very important in laying a foundation for a lifetime of curiosity.  You can help by making your baby's world an interesting, stimulating place, and by joining in your baby's excitement.  

Here are some ideas:

Sight - Surround your baby with bright, moving colors in clothing, toys and room decor.

Hearing - Let your baby listen to music on the radio, CDs, or other sounds.  Make a chime mobile, or hang wind-chimes to catch a breeze.  Talk and sing to your baby.

Touch - Give your child textures to feel: soft, hard, smooth, and rough.  Make a toy, blanket, or ball from scraps of denim, corduroy, velvet, and satin.  Touch your baby and let them touch your skin, hair and clothes.

Taste - Let your child try new and different foods.

Smell - Give your child chances to smell safe things, such as soap, perfume, food, flowers, and dirt.

Try to see the world through your child's eyes and look for opportunities to explore and enjoy new experiences.

Inside Activities for Rainy Days

Have you been worried about the upcoming changes of seasons?  The chill in the air, the rain falling and before you know it the snow will be 4 feet high!  Well here are a few ideas to have fun with your children while staying warm.

From a previous nature walk, use the items collected to make a collage.  Your children may have gathered leaves, sticks and maybe even some weeds.  Be open to the idea of what your child is interested in and allow them to explore.  What else could you use for your collages?  Stickers, glitter, cut up pieces of paper.  Be creative and have fun!

Make play dough and have your children help you pour and stir the ingredients.  This is a great way to incorporate language and encourage more talking!  Kool-Aid Play Dough is a favorite among those in early intervention.  What else can you bake or cook with your children?  What about brownies, cookies, soup, pizza . . .?

Remember when you used to build forts with your siblings or maybe even your parents and friends?  Rekindle that memory with your kids!  How fun to gather your sheets, blankets and flashlights and build a fort.  Read books while snuggling in it!

For more ideas of activities to do with your child indoors, look at these websites.  They are filled with activities and ideas.

http://fun.familyeducation.com/hobbies-and-interests/games/33380.html

http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/activities/indoor/

These are just a few of so many fun activities and ideas out there.  Be resourceful, have fun and enjoy your time spent with your children.  Follow your child's lead in finding new and exciting things to do.  





Kool-Aid Play Dough Recipe:                                   
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon cooking oil
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 cup water

Mix dry ingredients.  Add oil and water.  Cook over medium heat until mixture forms a ball.  Pour onto waxed paper or bread board and knead.

Mixing with Kool-Aid gives the dough surprising scents: lemon, cherry, lime, orange, and will last for weeks in an airtight container.  

NOTE: If child eats this, it is non-toxic.

Putting FUN Back in Mealtime

How many of you feel like mealtime at your home is nothing short of a visit to the zoo?  Do your kids jump around like monkeys?  Stick their noses up at the food you serve?  Do they eat the same food for every meal?  If this describes your home, try some of the following tips to make mealtime less like the zoo and more like a walk in the park!

Give a warning prior to mealtime. Example: "Sam, we are going to have dinner in ten minutes."  By giving your child a pre-mealtime warning, you can help them prepare for the upcoming activity and you will notice less fighting when coming to the table.

Follow a routine for coming to the table.  For example, jump to the sink, wash hands with bubbles, jump to the table.  This will help prepare them from a physical and sensory standpoint. Make mealtime fun! Children have short attention spans and love to engage in fun activities. Cut food into fun shapes, use fun utensils like toothpicks, appetizer swords, corn on the cob holders, build object out of food and then eat it up!

Talk, talk, and talk about food!   Instead of asking your child, "do you want a bite?" or "will you eat this?" talk about the food.  Talk about the color, the shape, how it feels in your mouth when you chew it.  Let your child listen as you describe properties about the food.  Always offer at least one food that the child really enjoys at each meal.  A meal full of new foods can be overwhelming!

Start each meal with a preferred food, and then offer a new or maybe less preferred food, then end with a preferred food again.

At each meal and snack offer a protein, starch, and fruit or vegetable.  Children need variety in their diet and they need to get used to seeing food on their plate, even if they don't eat it all right away.

Have reasonable expectations about meal time!  Children need to be exposed to new foods often and may not engage in taking a bite of new food until it is presented multiple times.  Do not become frustrated! Just because they did not eat the new food does not mean that mealtime was a failure!

Remember to give praise when your child does something new with a food you presented! We all like to hear when we have done something good.  For example, "Sam, I though that it was great that you licked your broccoli tonight!  Doesn't if feel bumpy on your tongue?  It makes me laugh!" 

Say "good-bye" to your food at the end of a meal.  Have the child "kiss" the food good-bye as they throw it away.  Sometimes this is the closest they will bring that food to their mouths during the meal.

Good luck and happy eating!!
(Article adapted from Kids On The Move Fall/Winter 2012 Newsletter)