Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

Can't Live Without Spots

by Amy Mumper

March 03, 2009

Spots we can't live without here at Being Savvy Cincinnati.  Of course, there are always more than we can mention, but after this weekend, I've got a great place to start:

1.  Ok, after my amazing experience with all three Littles at the Children's Theatre this weekend, I just have to SHOUT about it!  I took my 6, 4 and 3 year olds to the High School Musical 2 performance this weekend.  It was PERFECT.  Amazing talent (local high school students, no less!)  It didn't last too long and everybody seems fine with minimal noise.  So, I know it's hard to spend extra bucks on the arts at this time, but do the best you can to find a discount or encourage them to come to your school.  It's worth it.

2.  Free places to enjoy books, pass the time and play...  and, if you're really strong, you don't buy any books.  Enjoy your local bookstores.

3.  Parks... after encouraging the big bucks on the arts, I can enjoy something free.  J  I will love being outside just as soon as it's warmer.

4.  More free stuff!  If you aren't already enjoying the library, now is the time.  CDs, DVDs, books, of course.  It's a great way to feed your family's literacy appetite without the mullah!

Rithmetic Rocks Round the House

by Amy Mumper

February 17, 2009

Check out these local landmarks that mark our time, or create your own! 

1. Try the Clock Tower at Mainstrasse Village in Covington.  It’s beautiful and your family can enjoy a day at the village (maybe even some shopping!)

     2.  I live about a block away from a church bell.  If you don’t pay attention, you’ll miss it (even then it sounds on the quarter hour!)  It’s a lesson in auditory learning to decipher the sounds in your environment.  My kids’ preschool is in a church that has church bells as well.  We always say, “We’ll play until the bell dings!”  At worst, that’s fifteen minutes!

     3.Invest in a simple stop watch and time your kids’ relay races.   Allow them to create obstacle courses that take more or less time.  Trust me, you can even do this in your living room. (Can you say ‘snow day’?)

     4.  Recently, my daughter’s second grade teacher turned us on to a bookmark/timer that can count the minutes you read.  Two words (or more) of caution:  1.)  I DID NOT like the idea of timing my daughter's reading before she was asked to do it for school. It felt contrived for an activity we enjoyed, so I timed it myself and didn’t tell her.  2.)  If you don’t have this bookmark timer, you can do a lot of math with teaching elapsed time.  But, that’s not easy and if your child doesn’t love reading, you may have to pick your battles.  Now, my second grader LOVES reading and the bookmark timer is a gimmick she enjoys and it keeps me from checking my watch constantly (yes, she reads constantly!  A girl after my own heart!)

     5.  Especially for very young kids, you may enjoy a simple calendar in your family’s living space.  When my children were really young, I made a big point to only change the calendar in the morning (so I didn’t reinforce their thinking that the day changed after naps).  Check out ours:  (you can buy many kinds!)

      6.  Homemade stuff is often the greatest.  I made this “OUR DAY” chart when my oldest was just getting the idea that time passed and we had plans for the day.  It was an amazing way to learn to read, too – environmental print that my kids LOVE!  They each wake up and check the chart to know what's happening for the day.  My 4 year old can read it and my 3 year old can also read it if I draw pictures next to the things we’re doing.  But, enough about language – note that I included the (with permanent marker) digital time and the analog time (I traced a quarter to make the analog clocks.)  I write on it every day, even school days.  I write each day's schedule with a dry erase marker.

     7.   Finally, I love this teaching clock.  It can really grow with your family and all your kids can enjoy it.  It’s a shape sorter, and it has numbers on it so even the littlest ones can really get something out of this toy.  It has moving hands and marks minutes and labels quarter to and half past.  Very cool.

Have a Rockin' 'Rithmetic-in' Day! 

Hometown Math

by Amy Mumper

February 11, 2009

Tuesdays are List Days!!

Apparently, I'm just a little wordy, because I can't just give you my list.  First, I have to say thank you to each of you for visiting yesterday!  (Haven't seen it?  Stop by now, post a comment and enter to win!)

And, in keeping with our theme this month of investigating pre-math skills, you simply must visit my colleague Jenn at Being Savvy Pittsburgh.  She is doing a giveaway for the High Five magazine (Highlights for little ones!). My 4 year old boy LOVES it! When you're done reading the list below, visit Jenn and enter to win! 

Now, my two cents on math:  I'd like you to expand your idea of math beyond just counting.  Think about other facets of math as well.  Things like patterns, shapes, spatial relationships.  And, another fyi - it's all about dialogue.  You can count until the cows come home.  But, to really make an impact, you have to dialogue about the math you see everyday.  Check out some hometown sites worth that will support your quest to bring more math into your lives. 

Welcome to our new feature: Weekend Roundup!

by Amy Mumper

February 06, 2009

I'm excited to try out our new feature, so let's get right to it: Need a reason to start thinking spring ? Visit the "Greater Cincinnati Summer Camp Adventure Fair" and get a free admission to one of the museums! From 12-4 pm on Sunday February 8 at the Museum Center , you can dream yourself all the way to summer camp. To get a free ticket, just stop by the Cincinnati  Read more...

Top 10 Posts of the Year

by Amy Mumper

December 30, 2008

2008 is coming to an end and I'd like to take you on a journey back to our favorite posts of the year. First, let me say thank you to each of you who faithfully read Being Savvy Cincinnati. I enjoy spending time preparing a post and anticipating your thoughts and experiences as well. Please invite your friends to join us on this journey through Parenting in Cincinnati . Below are listed  Read more...

5 best ways to enjoy Winton woods

by Amy Mumper

October 12, 2008

Hamilton County Parks rule and Winton Woods is a great place to start enjoying them! 1. Parky's Farm this place is amazing! It's affordable (just $2 pony rides) and they have terrific seasonal programming. (Be sure to check seasonal hours at http://www.hamiltoncountyparks.org/parks/parkys.htm .) Explore a variety of live animals and orchard space. My kids and I recently  Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

A self declared bookworm and former elementary school teacher, this mama's got you covered when it comes to book nooks for your little folks! Topping the list in Cincy HAS to be Joseph Beth Booksellers in the Rookwood Pavilion in Norwood! They actually have a free preschool story time 3 times a week (MWF)! Go anytime and entice The Littles into reading after theyve had their fill of the  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

Art is such a rich form of expression, especially for little ones that are still learning words to put with their world, experiences and emotions. No wonder you want to know about city resources to enhance your child's natural sense of curiosity. Various mediums abound take your pick! Ceramics your bag? Try mymadpotter.com for some QT and creativity! How about 2D mediums? Try Gymboree  Read more...

The Budding Art Critic

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

My friend Kari and I recently proved that kids are indeed art critics! And you know what else? They REALLY enjoy it! Your Little can gain an appreciation of any type of art. First, visit the art museum or get books to find an interesting subset of art (Sculpture, photography, impressionism, etc). Then, stock up at the library and learn what you can by checking out the web. Allow your  Read more...