Play-Doh, originally a non-toxic wallpaper cleaner, was released as a child’s toy in 1957. The first Play-Doh came only in an off-white color. By 1957, the company added yellow, red and blue Play-Doh. A US Patent was granted to Noah and Joseph McVicker who founded Rainbow Crafts. Hasbro are the current owners of Play-Doh.

The formula for the original Play-Doh compound remains a trade secret. However, here is an easy to mix recipe for you to try at home.

0.3 oz package sugar free gelatin
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Mix dry ingredients together in a pan, add boiling water and cooking oil. Stir over medium heat until it forms a ball. Allow the dough to cool. When not playing with the dough, store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Play-Doh is a great way for kids to use hands-on learning. You can have your child form letters, numbers and shapes, practice logic by finishing sequencing of numbers, letters, or patterns. It is a great way to stimulate imagination. Have fun!

Looking for a creative way to teach geography? John Spilsbury glued a map to a flat piece of wood, used a fine hand saw and cut out each country. On September 15, 1767, this British teacher invented the puzzle!

Enjoy assembling some puzzles today. This is a great way to work on logic skills, visual discrimination, and improve vision skills. Here is an on-line puzzle site. http://www.jigzone.com/

Investing some of your time into your child’s education will pay big dividends when you see them succeed!

Here are some suggestions:

1. Communicate with your child’s teachers. On a regular schedule, send a quick email, note or make a short phone call to your child’s teachers. The teacher can give you insight into how your child learns and ways you can support them at home. This is also an excellent way to keep teachers informed when there are any changes in family circumstances such as an illness, death, divorce, or other events that cause increased life stress impacting your child.

2. Become a school volunteer. Plan to spend 3 hours as a volunteer at your child’s school this year. There are a variety of ways you can get involved including reading to a student, chaperoning a trip, helping the teacher prepare classroom materials.

3. Homework Help. To help reinforce what the child is learning, ask them to teach you what they are learning. You can also reinforce learning at home by reading and playing together.

4. Limit TV time. To be successful learners, children need to exercise their imaginations. Limit TV time and encourage your children to find other ways to entertain themselves. Set up family reading times. Have a family board game night. Provide arts and crafts materials for creative play.

5. Connect with your child. Make family dinners a priority as this is an excellent time to talk about your child’s day at school. Ask specific questions about homework, friends, teachers, and activities in which they are involved.

Categories: General Education | Permalink | Send feedback »

Don't forget these old favorites that no home should be without. Here are a few games that are great for game nights at home:
Candyland
Scrabble and/or Bananagrams
Yahtzee
Monopoly
Chess
Checkers
Playing cards
Clue
Battleship
Uno

Have fun with your family!

A part of getting ready for the new school year involves getting your medicine cabinet revamped. Be sure to go through and throw out old or expired medications. Be sure that any prescriptions such as asthma inhalers or allergy medications have been renewed. Here is a list of the bare basics to get you started:
Acetaminophen
Ibuporfen
Hydrocortisone Cream
Antiseptic Cream
Band-Aids
Benadryl
Alcohol based Hand Sanitizer
Throat Lozenges
Cold/Cough/Flu symptom products
Pepto Bismol
Thermometer

Olympic figure skating gold medalist and “Dancing with the Stars” runner-up Evan Lysacek spoke to students at Allen ISD's Anderson Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. Lysacek spoke to students at Anderson and Chandler Elementary schools about the importance of education and setting and reaching your goals. Goal setting is important for all children and something that parents can reinforce at hom.
Lysacek will be starring at the Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular set for the Allen Event Center on Oct. 3rd, 2010.

Allen High School will hold their College Information Night in the Allen High School cafeteria on September 15th. More than 100 college represenatives will be there to answer questions. This is a great opportunity for Junior and Senior High students and their parents. For more information, contact the College and Career Center at 972-727-0400.