Notepad Corner

As any parent knows, children  get bored easily, which means that on weekends, they need to be kept occupied. Obviously, you can’t keep your little ones busy 24 hours a day, but you can plan fun activities for the weekends that will tire them out. When it comes to planning things to do with the kids, it can often be hard to know what to do. This is partly because of the cost of activities, and also because of the weather - it can be hard to know what to expect. To help make keeping the kids occupied on the weekends a little easier, here are a few ideas to take note of: Have a baking session Children love to bake, so if you are stuck for ideas for keeping them occupied, why not have a baking day? While it might not seem like a tiring activity, baking is actually an excellent way to tire the kids out. This is especially true if you get them baking more than one thing, perhaps they could cook something savoury and something sweet? Don’t decide what your ch...

Kids grow like weeds. You hardly ever notice how big and tall they’ve become until their clothes become a wee bit tighter and smaller for them. No matter how many clothes you buy for them, it just seem like they always need more. So you grow a pile of clothes that clutters your closets, drawers and bags. When your kids outgrow their clothes, you can dispose them in some productive ways. Find a new home for your kids’ old clothing, accessories and toys by handing them down to their siblings, your other family members or your friend’s kids who needs them. It is one of the best ways to help out, reuse and recycle your kids’ old clothing. Clothing swaps are also in on several local and online communities. You can get together with other parents who are also offering their children’s clothes for trade or gifts. Another positive way of getting rid of your kids’ clutter is through garage and rummage sales. When your pile reached that uncontrollable amount, you can easily organi...

It can be a bit difficult to find wearable trends for the coming Holidays and the same can be said for kid’s Christmas outfits. The season is considered as the happiest time of the year. It is when the family will come together for a massive Christmas feast and spend time in utter relaxation. It is also the time for the kids to feel festive for this is their time to show off. Usually, kids become entertainers in family gatherings thus parents stress over Christmas outfit ideas for kids. For both boys and girls, parents should go for comfort over style and designs when it comes to fancy costumes so that the little ones can enjoy themselves. Bright colors and Christmas hues will surely hit kids outfit store so be on the lookout for reds, greens, and some metallic trimmings on accessories. Little girls will look cute and elegant in velour or velvet party dresses. Though some parents would dress little their girls in pixie fairy or angel costumes, you should choose something...

Crafting is a great way to spend time with the kids, keeping them entertained for hours and allowing the whole family to have fun. The scope for activities is extensive, meaning you can always find something new to do and teach the little ones a new skill. This can also be a cheap hobby – especially when you purchase the right equipment. Here are some must buys when you want to start crafting with your children: 1. Non-toxic pencils or crayons Non-toxic coloured pencils are the best option for drawing and colouring-in activities since, unlike paints and felt tips, they are less likely to mark furniture or stain clothing. They are also inexpensive and last for a long time when you use a good sharpener. 

Kids are naturally active and adventurous. During a lazy summer months, allowing them to join summer camps and other socio-cultural activities is one of the best ways to help them develop themselves physically and socially.   Summer camps are usually based near the wood or lakes and they have facilities to offer kids different sorts of activities. In these camps, your kid can learn to fish, swim, sail, hike, and go orienteering for the first time.    For a week or two, your kids can unplug themselves from the digital world and try out things that they may not have experienced before. So haul your kids away from the television and the computer for the next couple weeks and see them change and develop confidence in themselves when they come back. In summer camps, kids bond with one another and they make lasting friendships here. They don’t experience doing all things including sleeping and waking up with other kids that’s not their siblings anywhere else than...

Birthdays are considered to be one of the most important events in a person’s life and more often than not, we celebrate it with our family and closest friends by throwing a party. Customarily, we throw a party and rejoice the merriest birthday at age 1, 7, 13, 18 for a female debutante and 21 for the male counterpart. Since your one year old child cannot remember how his or her first birthday party turned out, taking pictures of the activities for the first birthday party of your kid can preserve memories, something that you can reminisce over and over again.  

Have you been spanking your kids as a form of discipline? What made you think that it is an effective approach? Parents doing it most likely experienced spanking during their younger years and they are just continuing the cycle as it has been a known norm in disciplining children. Studies were conducted and shown that 2 to 7 percent of cases of mental disorders including paranoia, major depression and anxiety disorders were attributed to physical punishment during the person’s childhood years. Even though the percentage isn't that significant, it is still something to think about. Spanking kids isn't illegal provided that you hit them not too hard that will hurt so much to cause trauma. May I reiterate that spanking to discipline a child is totally different from child abuse wherein the purpose is just to hurt the child physically and make his or her life miserable. Aside from spanking, there are still other disciplinary actions that are equally effec...

The start of the long lazy days are about to come as the school-year ends in just a matter of less than two months.  Our children will naturally get bored of the lengthy school break, so instead of consuming their time in front of the computer or watching tv, we can hone their respective unique talents and sharpen their creative imaginations by enrolling them in children’s summer  camps, workshops and other enjoyable summer activities to occupy their idle time. Here is a list of suggested summer activities that your kids may enjoy. Art and painting workshop like acrylic painting, mixed media collage painting,  shirt painting, oil painting in canvass, paper maché figure sculpture, etc. Baking and Cooking

The author of this blog - Notepad Corner, sincerely commiserates to the grieving families of the Sandy Hook Elementary Tragedy in New Town Connecticut. Being a mom, I could not imagine and describe the sheer terror when your child is caught in a place of violence, most especially in the school where you least expect harm done to your kids. It is really saddening and terrifying.   I may not be living near the place of the incident and know no-one from there but being a parent, I definitely could relate how painful it could be. Kids simply come to school to learn and what had transpired inside the school full of kids, teachers and staffs is indeed frightening and alarming.  The shooting that left 28 dead including 20 kids between five and ten years old is not a normal human act.   The violent behavior that brought lost of innocent lives and traumatic experience to the other kids who survived will definitely not be forgotten easily. To the innocent little ange...

Anyone regardless of age and gender can be affected by stress when overwhelmed.   Our kids can get stressed as much as we adults do. However, unlike in adults children cannot express their feelings well and are not aware that they are already going through it. We more often tend to overlook our kids’ anxiety and depression for we sometimes think that they are just being naughty or too sensitive. photo credits: freedigitalphotos.net

There are many ways how to encourage children cultivate their reading habits.   We as parents are the ones responsible in teaching them to make reading be a part of their daily routine. We need to start motivating them while they are young. To begin with, introduce reading as a fun activity. For toddlers who are pre-readers the use of pop-up books or musical books will not only act as their mode of entertainment but as a mode of learning as well.   Give time to tell stories about what the book is all about by showing the pictures and sequence of events through every page. Doing this on a daily basis will encourage them to develop their love for reading. 

In today’s world of high technology, a lot of electronic playing gadgets are out in the market and we usually buy them as a consolation or reward for our young ones for making good in school or keeping up a good behavior. Computers, video games, portable handheld gadgets like the psp or nintendos can be constructive teaching tools for the young children; however, we sometimes tend to forget that excessive use of these devices can lay the foundation for an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle to our kids.  psp and nintendo ds

NIDO FORTIFIED Science Discovery Center- the country’s first technology-based premier science center at the SM Mall of Asia recently opened its doors to welcome kids and kids-at-heart to its newest exhibit—The Robot Zoo.

Most of us are fond of children who are chubby, as they are so adorable and likely huggable, that we often tend to forget that being overweight is not good especially for a growing child. Toddlers usually are picky eaters, so we do everything to encourage them to eat. However, when they start to develop their fondness to consume food, they will have the tendency to take more calories than their little bodies can burn up, so obesity occurs. photo from the web We need to be aware of the risks and complications it may bring to our kid’s health. If they will continue to gain more weight which is higher than what is recommended for their height and body type, they could develop health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleeping troubles, breathing problems and more. Proper planning of the family meals, nourishing them with healthy foods and as much as possible stay away from junk and fast foods will prevent extra pounds. Encourage them also to...

photo from the web When is the first time you heard your kid saying “Mommy look I can do it!” Mixed feelings of excitement and happiness engulf us seeing our young ones can slowly be independent. We must not forget to complement and praise their foremost accomplishment to encourage them to be self-reliant.  However, we must also see to it that we do not push them too hard and we must set limitations as well. Here are some ways on how to teach kids independence Allow them to play on their own and teach them how to tidy up their toys afterwards. Make sure that the toys we give them are suited for their age, so they can play alone at times. Simply coach them how to put on their own shoes, or tie the lace unaided. Allow them to pick their choice of clothes to wear and let them dress themselves. Teach them simple house chores like making up their own bed, dusting, setting up the table and washing the dishes Allow them to commit minor mistakes, they will learn from it, let t...

Providing your child with an adequate place to study can help him complete his school work in an efficient manner. When your child has everything he needs to get his work done, he will feel more organized and be able to finish it in less time, giving your child more time to have fun. 1. Get Everything Together Assemble all of the tools your child needs to complete his homework assignments. In most cases, you will need paper, pencils, a ruler, scissors and a pack of crayons. If your child runs into other items he needs, keep those in the same place for the future. 2. Choose A Well Lit Spot A place close to a window is best, but directly under a light can work as well. Being able to see clearly is important for completing homework assignments. This also reduces the strain on his eyes, which can help prevent damage to his eyes. 3. See What Your Kid Thinks You want your child to be comfortable while he does his homework. Therefore, his input on the matter is important. Let him pi...

Aside from new clothes and school Christmas parties, kids look forward to gifts that they will receive this Christmas season.   “Mano po Ninang, Mano po Ninong” are common terms to be heard in this time of the year. I jot down the names of my godchildren and so with my husband’s. I also indicate the age after their names in my list in order for me to get the right gift for them so as not to forget or miss one. I allocate a spending plan in shopping for Christmas gifts.   In order for me to get an idea of how much will I spend, I get a catalogue from toy stores. These toy catalogues are my reference to what will I buy.   Toys are classified according to age and gender. It also offers amazing hot deals that will fit the budget. I enjoy browsing the catalogues especially on the girl’s section.   There are so many toys to choose from. Educational toys, like brain teasers, artsy crafty, and totally techy. Collectibles like action figures, cars, dol...