eBooks and Online Games for Kids

I have debated the benefits of introducing the computer to Aubrey for awhile now.  There is just something about sitting her in front of the computer to listen to books or play games that doesn't sit right with me.  I just want my daughter to go outside and play and get dirty and use her imagination!  But, she is almost 5, and it is now time to introduce some computer sites to her.  For the past few weeks, I have been researching appropriate and educational sites for her to be able to visit, and I am pretty excited to show them to her over the next few weeks!

The first site is REALLY exciting: http://storylineonline.net/  which is a program of the Screen Actors Guild.  This website is sooo easy to navigate, making it perfect for new Internet users.   It has a lot of appropriate children's books that are read by celebrities, like Betty White reading "Harry the Dirty Dog."  I was impressed with the way they brought the book to life.  None of the illustrations were changed, and some of the pictures were made to move with the tone of the story.  Also on the bottom of each book is a link to activities related to the book!  This may be my new favorite website!!!  

The next one is http://scootpad.com/.  It is full of educational games for kindergarten and elementary school children.  There is a parent section where I can customize what lessons I want her to learn or to reinforce what we have been working on.  It also has rewards for the kids.  I have it set up that once Aubrey earns 100 coins from doing activities, she will earn a mini Lala Loopsy doll set.  She is the kind of kid that works best when she has something to work towards.  

I think the biggest part of Aubrey using the computer, is the risks that go with her being online.  It is such a complex system, that it would be easy for her to get carried away quickly.  Therefore, I am establishing rules for computer use right away!

1.  Aubrey will need to earn time on the computer.  This can be done by helping with any "Mommy" task.  These are tasks that are not part of her normal chores.  Examples:  sweeping the floor, dusting, folding towels, and washing dishes.  These may seem like extreme tasks for a four/almost five year old, but Aubrey already enjoys helping me do these things.  She is so helpful, and usually asks for ways she can help me.

2.  All computer time will be monitored by an adult.  No exception.  Right now this is not that hard because the computer is in the kitchen at the desk, but I want to make sure that this is established right away.

3.  Only approved websites are to be used.  I have put a tab with Aubrey's name at the top of my browser with these websites.  

4.  Computer time is a privilege and will be taken away when necessary.  Aubrey is going through an attitude stage right now, and I think this will be a really good incentive for a change in behavior.

If anyone has any other suggestions on introducing the computer/internet to a child, I would appreciate your input!!

A Bit of Fall Fun

Today, I worked on making a Fall Subway Art Collage.  So far it is going good, but I have yet to figure out how to transfer a word document to an online document.....a project for another day.  So today, I decided to just share some recent picture of the girls playing outside on a beautiful fall day!

I am so glad that Lena loves playing in the grass!  And you can see her kneeling here!

I asked Aubrey to take a nice picture with Lena, but Lena had other ideas!

A little bit of football!

Lena was amazed at the crinkling sounds of the leaves.  I can't wait for her to play in a leaf pile for the first time!

 Aubrey was nice enough to play catch with Lena (for like 2 minutes!)

And then she was back to playing football with her dad and the dog!

This weekend we are having a big bonfire and fun with friends!  I have some orders to take care of and will hopefully get a project done for Made-It Monday!

Have a great weekend!!!!

What?! My dad published a book?!

I haven't posted in sooooo long, but I've been up to a lot around here.  This summer, my dad had a book signing for his first book!!!  It was so exciting to see all his hard work pay off and it is published!  Of course, we've had his autographed paperback book for a month now, and I've read it an uncounted number of times to Aubrey!

"The Birthentine's Day Present" by R.L. Miller is available at:  http://rlmillerblog.blogspot.com/

Aubrey LOVES Penny (the star of the book) and I am looking at a way to recreate the cute panda into a stuffed animal for Aubrey, Lena, and the rest of our family!

Beautiful Poem!

Someone on a parents online group that I belong to posted this beautiful poem.  (They had found it on a different group and didn't know the author.)  It made me get a lump in my throat, but made me feel good at the same time.  I am not normally a 'poem' kind of person (unless it's Shel Silverstein), but I just had to share!  I think the poem speaks for itself.

A Better Person

If you close your eyes you'll never see,
just how much she means to me.

All I ask from this day on,
Is to stand beside her and cheer her on.

She'll bring you places that you've never been,
And show you love from deep within.

She'll melt you heart a little more each day,
until it seems her disability has faded away.

But it's still there, I'll tell no lies.
It sometimes appears to be in disguise.

You no longer see through rose colored glasses.
As this vision you once had slowly passes.

The child you once thought of as frail and weak,
instead has made you implore defeat.

Her health sometimes may seem uncertain.
Yet through it all, she has made you a better person.