Please read a published article I wrote that addresses this question.
www.associatedcontent.com

This wonderful magazine called Zootles is geared towards 2-6 year olds and the word-and-picture format is a great way to sharpen a child's reading skills. There is also the Zoobooks which is the magazine geared toward the 4-12 year olds. Both magazines are the "your everything-you-wanted-to-know guide to the world's most fascinating animals, birds, reptiles, and insects." I highly recommend both magazines, the kids love it and are so interested in the animal content!


A vivid, compelling, and child-friendly introduction to animals in their natural habitats, Zootles has over 20 pages of incredible photos and fascinating facts. Zootles offers early learners all the right building blocks--letters, sounds, numbers, words, colors, shapes, and concepts--to set them up for school success. Each page bursts with bright colors and features the best photography and illustrations. And each issue includes a special section for parents.

1 cup flour
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 package unsweetned Koolaid
1/4 cup salt
2 Tbsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water

DIRECTIONS

Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool aid in a medium pan. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3-5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in pan, remove. Knead until smooth.

Let cool and place in airtight containers or baggies

3 1/2 cups peanut butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 cups honey
4 cups dry milk powder

DIRECTIONS
In large bowl, cream together peanut butter and confectioners' sugar, then beat in honey and fold in milk powder. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

Use scraps of wallpaper and gift wrap to make your own stationery.

Child's scissors
Wallpaper or gift wrap scraps(perfect for left over Christmas paper)
Glue
Note cards or plain paper
Envelopes
Construction paper

Have your child cut shapes from wallpaper or gift wrap scraps. Glue the shapes onto note cards or plain paper and envelopes to create unique stationery. Or use the cutouts to decorate homemade greeting cards made from construction paper.

1 cup salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup plus more flour
Saucepan

Mix the salt, water, and 1/2 cup of flour in a saucepan. Stir and cook the mixture over medium heat. Remove it from the heat when it's thick and rubbery. As the mixture cools, knead in enough additional flour to make the dough workable.

This is a good activity to show your child how plants drink water through their stalks and where the water goes.

Clear glass or vase
Water
Food Coloring
Knife
Celery stalk
White carnation or daisy(optional)

Fill the glass or vase halfway with water and let your child add enough food coloring to tint the water a bright color.
Trim the end of a celery stalk and place it in the water. Your child will enjoy watching the celery change color over the next few days.
If you like, use a white carnation or daisy in place of the celery.

2 parts white glue
1 part liquid starch
Small bowl
Rolling pin(optional)
Airtight container

Combine the glue and starch in the bowl and mix them well. Let the putty dry until it's workable.(You may have to add a bit more glue or starch.) Let your child mold the putty into shapes or roll it with a rolling pin. Store it in an airtight container.

I think I might be a dork for getting excited over things like blogs..but...I just made one and wanted to share..thanks again for taking the time to read my stuff!
craftkitsforkids.blogspot.com

Woo Hoo!! Yesterday I was a busy girl but you are going to love the new designs!!!!
I made a printable shapes coloring book with simple shapes to color, also the name of the shape listed below each one. The link is: www.craftkitsforkids.com
Just click on the shapes link and the book will open in a new window ready to be printed!

The next one you will really love so please take a look! I made a birthday/anniversary calendar for each month so those special dates can be remembered, each month has a craft gift, directions are given as to how to make the craft, the craft is perfect for any child to make for gift giving! The best part is the calendar can also be colored! The link is: www.craftkitsforkids.com
Click on the link: printable birthday/anniversary calendar and the calendar will open in a new window ready to be printed!!
Enjoy! Let me know what you think!!

I have added a few new coloring pages to my website, there is:

Thomas the Tank http://craftkitsforkids.com/Thomas_the_Tank.html

Bratz http://www.craftkitsforkids.com/Bratz.html

Transformers http://www.craftkitsforkids.com/Transformers.html

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales
http://craftkitsforkids.com/Disney_Princess_Coloring.html

The Bratz page also has a really great printable dress up dolls link. Please check it out!

Broken crayon pieces, paper removed
Clean, empty tin cans
Pot of very hot water
Plastic film canisters
Candy or soap mold(optional)
Muffin pan
Aluminum foil(optional)

Option 1:
Have your child sort the crayon pieces by color. Place the pieces in the tin cans, one color per can. Set the tin cans in a pot of very hot water until the crayons have melted. Pour a small amount (approximately 1/4 inch) into each film canister. When the wax hardens, add a second color in the same way. Continue the process until you have a crayon that's a rainbow of layered colors. Or if you like, pour the melted wax into a candy or soap mold to make a shaped crayon.

Option 2:
Preheat your oven to 400'F. Have your child place the crayon pieces in a well greased muffin pan(or a muffin pan lined with aluminum foil), one color per section. Or to make the crayons have a stained glass effect, mix the colors. Place the pan in the oven for a few minutes, until the crayons have melted. Remove the pan from the oven and let the crayons cool completely before removing them from the pan.

www.highschoolmusicalcoloringpages.com

http://batmancoloring.blogspot.com/