Free printable lunch box notes

Here are lovely free printables for some lunch box fun!

I'm sure they will brighten both your day and your child's day when he/she receives the note.

Print here at the Picklebums

 

Print here at Alphamom

Print here at Rook no.17

 

Print here at Get buttoned up 

Print at  Fresh picked whimsy

Print here at Moms by heart

The Picklebums have also been kind enough to include some ideas on what to write.

Keep it Simple for Beginners.
When my girls just started school I kept the lunch box notes really simple. I used pictures and simple sentences that they were already familiar with like “I love you” and “Have fun!”. For my preschool buoy I do lots of hearts and happy faces, the odd dodgy drawing of a dinosaur and an occasional sticker or two which makes him happy!

Write a Love Letter.
Now that my girls are a bit bigger and are reading quite confidently I can write a mini letter. I often tell them something I love about them, or something they have done that makes me proud of thankful.

Make a Joke
My girls love Knock Knock Jokes so sometimes I check out Knock Knock Jokes for Kids and pick a ridiculous joke to add to their lunch. Jokes by Kids also have a good selection of clean, sometimes even funny, jokes.

Count It Down.
My girls really like it when I count down to a coming event. “Only 167 more sleeps till your birthday!” is always a hit!

Get Creative.
Draw a picture! You don’t need to be a wonderful artist, the funnier looking the better I’ve found. Check out this mum’s amazing lunch box notes that she drew onto napkins! Obviously she is a talented artists, but I love that her kids bought them home to keep! If you aren’t into drawing perhaps try writing a poem. A limerick about your child always works well!

Happy lunch-making & note-writing to all!

Love,

Vanessa & Lauren

World Book Day - Celebrating Childhood Literacy with Free Printables

Today is World Book Day!

and to celebrate we have found some fabulous literacy activities just for you and your little readers.

Source

1. For all of you in the UK find World Book Day Events near you.


2. World Book Day Costume Ideas

3. Ways to encourage young readers

4. Activity Village FREE printables


Such as:

Book marks

Bookplates

Certificates

Happy World Book Day everyone!

love,

L & V

FREE Printable Leap Year Activities

9 LEAP YEAR PARTY GAMES AND PRINTABLES! vIa tip junkie

It’s almost Leap Year!! Click the above link for tons of “froggy” inspired games, treats, and crafts to celebrate this special day that comes only once every 4 years.   They are easy to make and fun activities for kids of all ages.

Printables for kids have a lovely free printable colouring in PDF to help introduce our up coming leap day to your kids.

Want more leap day fun? Check out Activity Village for these lovely bookmarks.

Happy Leap day everyone!

Love, 

L & V

Teaching your child not to interrupt

By Elizabeth Pantley

Whether you're on the phone, busy on your computer, or talking to another adult, it can be frustrating when your children constantly interrupt you. What's surprising to learn is that they do it because they always get a response from you when they do! They've learned that you are willing to stop what you're doing to answer them. Keep in mind that children are so focused on their own needs that they don't realize that you have needs, too. They can learn how to pay more attention to other people's needs as well as their own, which will help control these endless interruptions.

Give lessons and examples
Teach your children how to determine if something warrants an interruption, as they may have a hard time deciphering when interruptions are justified. Discuss examples of when it's okay to interrupt, such as when someone is at the door, or if a sibling is hurt.


Coach proper manners
Teach your child how to wait for a pause in the conversation and to say, "Excuse me." When she remembers to do this, respond positively. If the interruption is of something that should wait, politely inform your child of this.

Don't answer the question
Many parents admonish kids for interrupting, but in the same breath respond to the child's interrupted request, which just reinforces the habit.

Watch your manners
Parents sometimes jump in so quickly to correct their child's bad manners that they don't realize that the way in which their correction is delivered is itself rude. Use your own good manners to model appropriate communication skills. Pause, look at your child, and say, "I'll be with you in a minute."

Teach "The Squeeze"
Tell your child that if she wants something when you are talking to another adult, she should walk up to you and gently squeeze your arm. You will then squeeze her hand to indicate that you know she is there and will be with her in a minute. At first, respond quickly so your child can see the success of this method. Over time you can wait longer, just give a gentle squeeze every few minutes to remind your child that you remember the request.

Create a busy-box
Put together a box of activities or games that can only be used when you are on the telephone, working at your desk, or talking with an adult. Occasionally refill it with new things or rotate the contents. Be firm about putting them away when you are done. Your child will be look forward to your next conversation, which will be interruption free!

Plan ahead
Before you make a phone call or have a visitor, let your child know what to expect. "I'm going to make a phone call. I'll be a while, so let's get your busy box ready to use while I'm on the phone."

Give praise when deserved
Catching your child doing the right thing can be the best lesson of all. Praise your child for using good manners, for remembering to say "excuse me," and for interrupting only for a valid reason.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley.

Valentines Day Bookmarks

Here are some Valentine's Day bookmarks that you can create to share with your loved ones.

 Print at Livinglocurto 

 Print at Activity Village

 Instructions at Sweet and Lovely Crafts

With love on Valentine's Day,

Vanessa & Lauren x