CREATE PLAY LEARN!!

Winter Handprint Wreath

2008-11-14T09:12:00.002-05:00

I just love this time of year. Yes, it's getting chilly out there, but there are so many fun things to do inside! Need some ideas? Here's one that is fun, simply, and a keepsake. Also a great gift for Grandparents!

Winter Handprint Wreath
Materials:

-computer printer
-paper
-scissors
-glue
-something to color with: paints, crayons, markers, stickers, sparkles

Instructions:

There are two ways to do this:
1. Trace your child's hand onto paper and cut out the prints.
2. Make paint handprints on the paper and cut those out.

You will need 9 hand prints (three of each color or make them all different!)
Design them in a circle wreath design.

This is a very simple, classic project to kick off the holiday season!
Have fun!!!!

Apple Ciders, Color Changes and Fall

2008-09-16T09:02:00.003-04:00

This morning, as I rose at 6am to get my oldest ready for school, I felt the briskness in the air. I uttered the words, "brrrrrr" as I scooted toward the open window and quickly pulled it closed.
It's Fall! Wow. How did that happen? Fall may just be my favorite season. The days are sunny and warm, the evening temperatures are perfect for after dinner outdoor games with the kids, and the sleeping? Ahhhh....the sleeping is the best!
Besides the changing weather, Fall inspires me to read more, to adventure to cider mills, to watch the changing colors, and plant my bulbs for spring...
Take time today to appreciate this season as it quickly sneaks by.... Don't think about the snow to come or the dripping wet snow apparel that will soon cover your doorways.....
Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!

Back To School Jitters Book Suggestions

2008-08-25T08:55:00.003-04:00

Is your child experiencing the back to school jitters? I have one entering middle school, and I think it is I who is feeling the jitters. As we prepare to go to her middle school orientation, I am recalling the 1st morning I dropped her off at pre-school. She had two drippy tears in her eyes, I had 6 or 7 as I walked to my car.

Here are some awesome book suggestions for your little one....
1) New Bear at School, by Carrie Weston
2)Off to 1st Grade, by Louis Bordon
3) Splat the Cat, by Rob Scotton
4)Timothy Goes to School, by Rosemary Wells

The Wolf Pack Registration begins today!

2008-08-20T10:42:00.002-04:00

We are so excited by the response to our NEW programs! As I sit hear answering inquiries about The Wolf Pack and the Reading groups, I can feel the enthusiasm building in the community! Not just for this program, but for all the activities that are scheduled to begin this fall. Personally, I spent a great deal of time earlier this morning looking through the on line catelog (Ann Arbor Education and Recreation) and will be signing my kids up for great stuff this fall!

Whether you are a local parent reading this blog, or from another state or country, please remember to support your school and community through local children's programming!

Kids' Book Club Reminder

2008-08-17T12:38:00.002-04:00

Research has shown that reading out loud to children
is the single most important thing a parent can do to prepare a child for future academic success.
Some of the benefits of reading books to your children:

1. Create's a special bond between you and your child.
2. Being read to helps a child comprehend the printed word,
3. Being read to builds a child's vocabulary beyond what he is able to read for himself, and provides the background for a new reader to recognize new words he is decoding because he knows what they mean.
4. Being read to AND being the reader, takes BOTH of you to exciting new worlds and adventures.
5. Being read to develops listening skills.
6. Reading books aloud gives the family an alternative to the media for entertainment.
7. Being read to helps the child develop a taste for excellent literature.

Just a reminder to parents: Book clubs are now forming and registrations are being accepted to join our free groups. Click on the book club program on www.createplaylearn to see details. Prizes awarded monthly. You DO NOT have to attend the monthly meetings to join and win.

Perseid Meteor Shower

2008-08-12T08:47:00.002-04:00

If you watched last evening's big event unfold, you toomay be feeling a bit sleepy this morning. (No, not talking Olympics, although....wow - Phelps rocks!)

Summer brings a host of wonderful things to see ~ flowers rising up from the garden, vegetables ripening on the vine, kids traveling down slippy slides (one of my favorite sights!)and yes, the Summer Perseid Meteor Showers!

While I believe last night was considered fair to good for viewing them, tonight will work as well. The problem being, the best time to view them is between 2 a.m. and sunrise.
I just happen to wake a few minutes after 2 in the morning, which I am still finding odd, so I crept downstairs to my deck and saw several rather beautiful meteors come into the Earth's atmosphere (shooting stars). It was magical and spectacular. My children commented at dinner that they wanted to view this event too, and I had joked with them that if I STAYED awake for it, I would let them come watch also. So, being true to my word, I gently tried waking them ~~ to no avail.
So, I took in a few moments under the star and went back to bed.
Incidentally, earlier in the evening when we were discussing the meteors, my younger child, who appeared to be in a minor state of panic that meteors were flying down to Earth, suggested that we sleep in the basement so that we would be safe.
So I took him to the computer and we looked up facts about meteors.
We went to www.space.com which was a great site!

Seven Health-ful reasons to Laugh

2008-08-04T12:36:00.003-04:00

Here is the short list of reasons you should laugh!
1. Laughter Reduces stress hormones in your body.
2. Laughter Boosts your circulation and respiration.
3. Laughter improves your immune system, providing more resistance to disease and infection.
4. Laughter can make you more creative, relaxed, alert, resilient, and productive.
5. Laughter can sharpen your memory and improve organization.
6. Laughter is good exercise. Researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
7. Laughter is Free.

Ask someone if they can share a good joke with you. (Seriously, the next person you talk to on the phone or see. Especially try to ask a child for a good knock knock joke!)

If you have a good one, please post

Summer’s Half Full

2008-07-28T22:27:00.002-04:00

This morning my daughter, Taylor, and I went downtown to Kerrytown. We wandered the little shops, chatting it up with local merchants, and spending a wonderful 2 hours, just the two of us. (She’s 11 years old and still let’s me hold her hand! (Gotta Love it!)

What struck me everywhere we went people would ask Taylor, “Are you having a good summer?" She would politely respond with a “Yes!” Immediately following that typical summer-time question, was “Are you looking forward to going back to school?"

Ann Arbor Public Schools have been on summer vacation for 45 of the 82 days. Labor Day is 37 days away (please don’t double check my math…just go with it!) So, summer vacation is just over half way through.

So, before you run out and buy back to school clothes, school supplies and rain coats, remember… Is your summer vacation “cup” half full or half empty?

Mine is half full. (My dad is a card carrying member of the Detroit Optimistic Club and two time president of it, so it goes without saying that I had to adopt this positive view occasionally!)

So, ask yourselves this question….What do you want to do during the 2nd half of summer? Our family is sitting down tonight to make a list of activities we want to do. I will report back. (Maybe) I encourage all of you to do the same. If you come up with any cool ideas (and I am sure you will.), please reply to this blog!

Make a list. Put it up somewhere with maximum exposure in your house, and vow to do as many of the activities as you can! You can break this list down into sections, such as outdoor/indoor activities, day trips, over night adventures. Perhaps make a list of all the people you would like to see. Our family is spread out over Michigan, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and beyond. Throughout the school year, it’s near impossible to spend an entire day with extended family, but summer offers a bit more flexibility.

Take advantage of the long summer days and nights, because we all know they won’t last long!
~Sara

Hi to all my friends, family and supporters of the site!

2008-07-27T19:01:00.001-04:00

Seeing that this is my first blog to all of you, I may fail miserably at it! LOL!
If you are visiting our site for the first time (as most of you are since it just launched!), you must be curious about what we are doing at www.createplaylearn.com and I am so glad! So, let me tell you a bit about me and about why this site has been created.

I am a transplant to Ann Arbor, having moved here 4 years ago with my husband, Mike, and two children, Taylor and Dylan.
As a licensed Psychologist, I have worked in various clinics and hospitals over the last 13 years, working with all ages, but specializing in children and adolescents

As a mom, I have volunteered my time in my children’s classrooms, gone on field trips,organized reading groups, and yes, even chaperoned an over night (3 nights!) this past June for Haisley Elementary 5th grade trip….(and it was certainly a trip!!! SO much fun!) Last year, I organized a very successful girls running group that I was very proud of it, and enjoyed immensely!

Last spring, I decided that I wanted to merge my professional skills with my passion for helping children and adolescents.

I don’t know what my blog will focus on each entry, but I can promise that it will have a mixture of programming information, topics that interest me (and hopefully you!), community events, cool website links, opinions, reflections, photos and much more!

Our blog site will also be highlighting organizations, charities and products that we support.
Coming soon to our site: Reading clubs for all ages and preschool programming.

Make sure to mark us in your “favorites” and check back often!

The Haunted Hustle 5k

2008-07-26T23:55:00.001-04:00

"The Haunted Hustle 5k is Sunday, October 26th at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor." For more information visit Girls on the Run on the web.

The Big House Big Heart

2008-07-26T23:51:00.002-04:00

"This chip-timed 5K starts in the parking lot east of The Big House and the run takes you through the University of Michigan’s beautiful campus with a spectacular finish--a run through the Big House tunnel and onto the field. You’ll finish on the 50 yard line and watch yourself on the Big House Big Screen!"

For more information click here.

Top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement

2008-07-26T23:37:00.002-04:00

The Today Show claimed on Wednesday, July 23rd, that Ann Arbor has been deemed one of the top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement. The article goes:

The place you choose to live during retirement could have a big impact on your health and longevity. AARP The Magazine lists five great cities that could make all the difference during the golden years:

We all want to live long and be healthy. As it turns out, where you choose to live in the second half of your life can make all the difference. So, exactly what makes a city healthy? In doing our research, combing through the government records of hundreds of cities for more than 20 measures of vitality, we looked not only at the physical aspects of a community (clean air and water, for instance) but also at the health and habits of the people who live there. The two are closely linked: if you live near a hiking-and-biking trail and all your neighbors use it, you’ll probably use it, too. If a farmers market is just down the street, you’re likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. If your city has multiple hospitals, there’s a good chance you’ll get superior medical care.

The winners? It’s not surprising that our list includes several college towns. Large universities often have teaching hospitals, which employ top doctors using the latest technology. In addition, college towns are full of young people, and younger residents often create a demand for lifestyle perks such as bike paths and accessible fitness programs, which benefit all members of a community.

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Carol and Bob Mull moved to Ann Arbor in 1977 — when Bob went to work as an engineer for Ford Motor Company — and they came to love it as they raised their family here. So when Bob retired nearly two years ago, they had no doubt that they’d stay put. “I always knew this was a special town,” says Bob. “But it wasn’t until I retired that I realized how truly great this place is.”

He’s enjoying having time to play as hard as he wants — both he and Carol play golf often and are big fans of the area’s YMCA. Carol, 55, is especially partial to swimming and yoga; Bob, 59, likes lifting weights, biking in some of the city’s 150 parks, and walking through the spectacular, 123-acre Nichols Arboretum, which boasts a mile of frontage along the rolling Huron River. The couple are also fully engaged in the community: Bob is an active member of the Rotary and spends Friday mornings tutoring fifth graders. Carol, a part-time curator, is writing a book about the region’s Underground Railroad.

What’s more, Ann Arbor is a hotbed of medical innovation. The University of Michigan Health Center is one of the largest university medical centers in the world, and it created the first human genetics program in the United States, in 1940.

That spirit of innovation spills over into the city’s economy — it’s no accident, for example, that Google recently opened a satellite office in Ann Arbor. The company says it chose Ann Arbor partly because of the talent pool the university provides but also because Ann Arbor is such a great community to live in, and that’s very attractive to people who might consider relocating.

Carol agrees that Ann Arbor’s varied populations — young and old — help shape the city.

“Sometimes I love to just wander through the neighborhoods or sit in coffee shops and watch all these people. I love the way it all comes together.”

Population: 113,206
Median housing price: $312,200
Average number of sunny days: 178 per year
Healthy bragging rights: 86 percent of residents get regular exercise; 580 physicians per 100,000 people, compared with U.S. average of 223
Where the action is: Kerrytown, a downtown neighborhood with shops, coffeehouses, and galleries
Favorite workouts: At the YMCA, which offers fencing and nine kinds of Pilates classes
Totally unexpected: An efficient and affordable bus system for a town of this size