Teaching Kids to Value Restraint

How do you get kids to value restraint in a culture that values indulgence?
Teaching Kids to Value Restraint ParentFurther

Giant Marbles

What a fun way to bring back the classic game of marbles with a new twist!!
Giant Marbles All Outdoor Games FamilyFun: Stave off the after-school slumps with this energy-boosting game
In this oversize version of the classic game, kids take aim at a collection of sports balls.

Number of players: 2 or more
What You Need
Variety of sports balls
Rope or chalk
Instructions
To set up: First collect as many balls as you can (soccer, beach, playground, and basketballs), then make a large circle with rope on grass or chalk on blacktop. Place all the balls into the circle and spread them out a little.
To play: Players use one ball as the shooter (a heavier basketball or soccer ball works well). Standing 10 feet away, players take turns rolling this ball at the pile to try to knock out as many balls as they can without the shooter's going outside the ring. If a player knocks out any balls, he keeps them ("keepsies" in marbles lingo) and gets to go again. When the circle is empty, the player with the most keepsies wins.

Keeping Kids Safe Watching TV

What do you do in your household to monitor what your kids are watching on tv?

Keeping Kids Safe Watching TV ParentFurther

Acorn Necklaces

Now is the prefect time to do crafts with items you can find in your yard or on a nature hike. Your kids will be sure to love these easy to make necklaces made with acorns!

Acorn Necklaces Easy Crafts for Kids -- Quick Arts and Craft Ideas -- Kids' Crafts FamilyFun:
Acorn Necklaces
Turn found objects into playful jewelry

Total Time Needed:
1 HourThis nature-meets-fashion craft is a great activity for fall camping or hiking.

Materials
Capped acorns
Tacky glue
Fuzzy yarn and wool
Permanent marker
Scissors
String
Instructions
Gather capped acorns and carefully remove the caps.
To make hair, put one large drop of tacky glue on the top of each acorn and press wisps of fuzzy yarn and wool roving into it. After applying a second drop onto the wisps, put the caps back on and hold them on for one minute.
Use a permanent marker to draw faces. Trim the hair, then make "chains" by tying string around the cap stem and securing it with a drop of glue.

One hour a week could make a big difference in a child's life!

Did you know?

Nearly one in four third graders in Minnesota is failing to reach basic levels of literacy.

Minnesota Reading Corps, one of the largest Americorps programs in the country, is meeting this need and looking for volunteers to help out at Southwest, Cohasset, Forest Lake, and Murphy Elementary.

We are looking for adult volunteers to serve a minimum of one hour a week for three months.

Volunteers will work with Kindergarten-Third grade students on literacy related activities. This could be as simple as reading with an individual child, reading with small groups of students, helping out with writing assignments and activities, or starting a book club for more advanced readers.

Benefits of volunteering include:

• Training in research-based instruction methods.




• Impacting lives of children who need extra support to become successful readers.




• Stronger connection to your community.

Apply now to volunteer in Grand Rapids or Cohasset. For more information and apply, visit http://www.minnesotareadingcorps.org/ or contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Katelyn Dokken at kdokken@minnesotareadingcorps.org or 327-5700: extension 41045

5 smart ways to handle teacher troubles

It it your child's teacher - or is it you child? Tips to find out why your child is unhappy at school
http://www.parenting.com/article/5-smart-ways-to-handle-teacher-troubles?page=0%2C0

Halloween Bash!!!

Monday 10/31/11 4:00pm~7:00pm
Marcell Family Center
This as a FREE Children First! event and open to all families.
Bring your whole family to the Marcell Family Center for a frightfully good time! Candy, Food, Hayrides, Balloons, Bouncy Tent, Games, DJ Music, Bingo and more! Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Top Tips for Engaging Dads

These ideas will show dads how easy it can be for them to offer support and how much of a difference they can make on their children's education

Top Tips for Engaging Dads Reading Topics A-Z Reading Rockets

Fun Fun Fun in our Community!!!

By the Light of a Wintery Moon: An Evening of Nothwoods Logging Camp Stories
Strange things happen when the moon is full! Walk the moonlight trails of the Forest History Center for an evening of music and storytelling in the Logging Camp. Bundle up for an evening adventure back in time. Warning not for the feint of heart or serious Georges' as some of the stories are pretty darn scary and others uproariously funny.
This is a FREE Children First! event and open to all families....Preregistration required at www.getlearning.org

Tuesday, 10/11/11 ~ 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Forest History Center

FREE Family Law Clinic

Tuesday, November 1st
6:30pm-8:30pm
District #318 Administrative Building
820 NW 1st Avenue
Grand Rapids

This Family Law Clinic is a valuable source of information for parents (especially non-custodial parents) to learn about rights and options regarding family law.
Meet with a panel of experts who will answer your general questions regarding child support, custody, parenting time and other areas of positive parent involvement. This session is FREE and open to fathers, mothers, community members and anyone working with families.
Childcare is available upon request by calling 327~5753 before October 10th