Practice Colors with Rainbow Bingo

Bingo doesn't have to be an inside game! This fun twist on bingo is a hunt-and-seek activity that's guaranteed to keep kids entertained. They sharpen their observational skills as they search the yard for objects that are all different colors, then write them down on their hand-drawn rainbows! Who can fill up the rainbow first?

Check it out on our Pinterest page.

Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Your child is probably more ready than you think.  Click here to see a list intended to help prepare your child in a variety of developmental areas to make the transition into kindergarten as smooth as possible. Believe it or not, just 15-20 minutes of playing and learning with your child can make a world of difference! 

If your child cannot do everything on this list, it does not mean that he/she is not ready for kindergarten!

C-FB ISD is staffed with professional educators who will take your child where they are and help them grow and learn from there.

Teach Your Kid Confidence -- from Birth

Every parent wants to raise a confident child who tackles challenges with gusto, who will try new things even if it means risking failure. While these qualities don't come automatically, parents lay the groundwork for a can-do attitude in a child's first few months and years. "Some of our kids come out as tumbleweeds and some of them come out like African violets, but from day one we love them for who they are," says child development expert Michele Borba, EdD, author of Esteem Builders. "Unconditional love and acceptance are the roots of self-esteem."

By Cynthia Ramnarace from American Baby

4 Ways to Nurture Optimism In Your Kids

One of the most important traits you can nurture in your child is optimism. The roots of optimism take hold early in life, and contrary to popular opinion, are primarily the result of experience, rather than genetics (or put another way, optimism can most definitely be taught even though some may be prone to be more optimistic than others). Optimistic kids have an edge – they are protected from depression and show much more resiliency when faced with challenges.

"The core of optimism is to perceive the realities of a situation and focus on the things you can do to help make things better." 

It’s a motivational fuel that propels behaviors necessary for success, as discussed in Paul Tough’s recent book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.

Want to know how you can encourage optimism in your kids?  Click here to read more.

ABC...Ready to Read?

Is your home literacy-friendly?

You are your child’s first teacher. Your home is where your child will get his or her first experiences with books and reading.

Take this quiz to see if your home is literacy-friendly and find out what you can do to improve your child's literacy readiness. 

13 Ways to Make Grocery Shopping with Kids Less Torturous

Strategies for Making Grocery Shopping With the Kids More Fun

Try out a few of these strategies on your next grocery trip and maybe it can be a connection time instead of a struggle.

A Game to Flex their Memory Muscles

The Underwear Thief Game

This game was the highlight of our week. Grab a variety of underwear from around the house and put it in one spot (3-6 pairs depending on the ages of kids). Have the kids talk about it (they think this part is hysterical) and then have them go out of the room. Take one pair of underwear from the group and hide it. Invite them back into the room and see if they can figure out which pair of underwear the Underwear Thief stole. Repeat again and again. Let the kids take a turn being the underwear thief too. This is an awesome activity for strengthening your memory.

A Healthy Beat the Heat Snack

White Grape Popsicles

Fresh grapes are suspended in white grape juice when frozen for this healthy snack.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups  seedless red grapes, halved

• 4 1/2 cups  white grape juice

Make It

Divide grape halves among eight 6-ounce pop molds or disposable cups. Pour in the grape juice and insert sticks. Freeze for at least 6 hours. Let stand for about 5 minutes before unmolding.

10 Best Apps for Paranoid Parents

Are you a hover parent who needs to know where your child is at all times? Here are some apps (including ones with GPS tracking) that will give any parent more peace of mind.

>>click here to see the list<<

Printable of the Week -- Happy Mothers Day!

Make a mom smile with homemade cards that are easy to print and fun for your kids to color.

Ready or Not!...It's Kindergarten Registration Time!

Click here to see a list of additional scheduled Kindergarten registration dates.

Elementary Registration for New Students in C-FB

Thursday, August 15, 2013 from 8:30-11 am and 1-3 pm is the official Elementary Registration Day for new students. Campuses may provide additional days for registration.

4 Little Lessons Kids Need Before Starting School

Before your child starts preschool or kindergarten, be sure he's schooled in these basics.  A little practice before the big day goes a long way!

• bathroom basics
• friendship fine arts
• bus basics
• independent eating

>>read more