Baseball or Bows...No One Knows!

Gender reveals have been getting a bad wrap in 2020, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have them. Fireworks aren't necessary, but a celebration certainly is...this year more than ever!

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend and help plan my cousins' outdoor, socially-distant gender reveal party. We had a BALL!

Baseball, that is!

My cousins are HUGE Mets fans (please hold your laughter), so it only made sense to throw them a Baseball or Bows Gender Reveal party. 

Here are a few simple crafts and decorations I made to celebrate the new rookie of the year. 

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5 Skills Schools Don't Teach That Are Impacting Students' Futures

Every day, it seems like a new standard is being added to the curriculum. Yes, teachers are overwhelmed so no, it should not be entirely their responsibility to teach kids how to be functioning humans (although sometimes it is).

Parents help out immensely with teaching our little ones important life skills, but we hope that our school systems are reinforcing those same ideals in the classroom. Are they?

Let's be totally clear: I think the following can be taught first and foremost right at home. 

Still, when that isn't enough or we just need someone else to help carry the message along, here are 5 important things schools should teach our kids.

1. Maintaining a Prolonged Attention Span

Have you heard of mini-lessons? Quick explanation: Students learn a skill in a lesson that's about 10-15 minutes long. Then they're expected to go off and produce quality work using that skill. In theory, it sounds good, right? Here's what you need to know...now go do it!

However, over the past 7 years, I've noticed a steady decline in my students' ability to remain focused during those 10 minutes, and god forbid we need to extend it just a bit...forget it! 

That's because we are training our kids to move from one thing to another as quickly as possible. I'll never forget when my college professor docked points from my student teaching observation because my mini-lesson ran for a full 14 minutes. Oh, the horror!

Outside the classroom, we need to be able to sit and listen for longer than a few minutes at a time. I'm not suggesting teachers make those times non-engaging for students, but I am hoping that they're not afraid to keep things going a bit longer if their students need it.

Hold on as I step up on my soapbox and say, "Get rid of the mini-lesson and just teach!" Our kids will be better for it.

2. Occupying Oneself

Engaging! Hands-on! Movement breaks! Teachers do their best to keep kids occupied and busy whenever possible.

This absolutely has its place in the classroom, but are constant stimulation and teacher-led tasks ultimately harming our children's development?

It's rare to find a child who can independently select an activity and maintain participation in that activity for an extended period. Why would they? They're trained to rely on adults for scheduling their day from sunup to sundown.

That's why I LOVE using this mnemonic to remind kids of things they can do independently: 

Get your free PDF copy of this poster by clicking HERE. 

Available in multiple colors!

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The BEST Games for Your Virtual Baby Shower

Virtual Baby Showers are IN (or maybe just necessary in 2020). Either way, you don't want a chatroom full of guests who are completely disinterested in what's happening during your party.

The answer: Digital Baby Shower GAMES.

This is a game we played in person during my baby shower, but it is ABSOLUTELY adaptable for online use.

Keep ready for easy to follow steps and tips for vote collection, winner selection, AND easy to mail out prizes!

Baby Relay!

This game is SO exciting for everyone involved and will work perfectly virtually!

For this game, you'll need:

• Google Forms
• Baby dolls (stuffed animals work too!)
• Diapers
• Baby bottles (drink of choice) 

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