Summer Camps at the CMT!

The idea of messy, sticky, ooey-gooey art can be daunting to some parents.  The thought of paint or glue everywhere, let alone something more challenging such as fine glitter or pudding finger paints, is more than some want to take on.  I will say that as a parent of two children myself, there were days I was not sure I wanted to dive into such artistic endeavors.  There are great ways to have these experiences though, and I want to be sure that those of you that may steer clear, have an understanding as to why these types of experiences are so vital to a young child.  More importantly, there are great ways to make this type of art work in your home or outdoors. Read more →

Just days ago, this painting was found in Becka's Studio.  Immediately we were drawn to the artist's rich color choices and fluid brushstrokes and yet we all had different interpretations of the painting.  One person saw a cow.  Another saw a boy on a skateboard. 

Now it's your turn to enjoy the painting.  What do you see?

 

Young children who watch a lot of TV aren't just missing out on more stimulating activities. They may also be destined for problems at school and unhealthier habits later in life, new research suggests.

Each additional hour of TV that toddlers watch per week translates into poorer classroom behavior, lower math scores, less physical activity, and more snacking at age 10, according to a new study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Read the full article at CNN.com.

This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Like most children through the ages, they wanted to know how Santa really knew who was naughty or who was nice. Their answer, as in my own childhood, came in the form of a small pixie-elf.

The first time the elf arrived at our home, my children officially adopted him by giving him a name. Each year he would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch the children's behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the North Pole and was now resting in a new and different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

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The New York Times Q&A with Big Bird, to celebrate Sesame Street's 40th anniversary, made me smile all day.

Find out if Big Bird is a natural blonde, the truth about Snuffleupagus and more here.