Free Natural Family Activities April

I had hoped to get the April calendar out sooner, but as life would have it, it’s happening in it’s own time.  My family and I moved again a week ago.  With 48 hours notice, we packed up our cozy one-bedroom abode, lined up a moving truck, moved up our “in” day for the new digs, cleaned, inspected, and somehow kept track of a small child and anxious dog during some very busy days.  What would you do if you received 48 hours notice that preventative pest control was to “soak” your home, in a building-wide fumagation?  Invasively unsafe to a level that even the toxin-spraying pest control company recommends that children under age one, pregnant women and pet birds evacuate for at least 24 hours.  First, I expressed my displeasure with property management, of course.  My noncompliance was met with management’s mildly apologetic ”we’re still going on as planned.”   So, we started packing.  And finished packing.  Sleep had to wait.  Prepared to spend a few nights in a compact car or hotel, we were fortunate to get into our current place early.  Exhale. 

We’re here, we love it.  We have room to breath, a kitchen that is oh so fun to play in, and a garden with herbs and hand-me-down compost pile.  Score.  It is good to be home.  Somehow, April has made an appearance and already brought with it plenty of rain and my favorite – cherry blossoms. 

If your spring rolled in at life’s happening pace too, maybe you’re up for some quick, realistic and fun ideas for that condensed kiddo time you have.  April’s One A Days theme is real, quick, read.  It’s a good month to rekindle some reading affection during all of these flower showers we’re already having.  February and March get so much attention from young readers, from I Love to Read month to the swooning over the birthday of Dr. Seuss.  I am a former elementary guru, the two month reading binge happens every year.  What about April?

Instead of publishing a brand new calendar of 30 ideas for you and your child’s time together, I have a one line proposal for this month.

I’m talking library books here.  Stomp the library, check out fifteen now if you want, and another fifteen on tax day.  Visit weekly, bi-weekly, or whenever it works this month.  Books don’t (have to) cost any money.  We love libraries around here.  My two year old is loving non-fiction books about animals these days, making the library the perfect place in the world for us.  Especially when it’s rained for eight days straight. 

We want to get outside as much as possible now that spring has sprung.  A spring playground, hiking trail or park is a majestic place.  Freedom to explore this “new” playground is important.  This month, keep it simple.  Just spend a few minutes a day with a book and your child.  Exercise your freedom, play in spring’s playground. 

In case you feel “read out”… Some of the things I love about reading with young kids and older kids: reading gives perspectives – limitless perspectives; it offers something for everyone: from cookbooks to train books to wordless books to how-to, maybe no one loves books as much as a listening baby; and, reading is just the best way to prepare kids for education and beyond.  Early reading sets a strong stage for kids, in language, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and… reading.  

30 books in 30 days can mean new favorites not yet discovered, fun adventures and authors, and that “what will we experience today?” wonderment.  And it’s quick and easy.  You can keep the outside time, the favorite reads, and whatever you do.  Questions as you read are all the more, book discussions even better. 

Make it fun.  Real, quick, read!

…And if you have extra time together, remember some of these?  Recycle away. 
January
February
March

April One A Days: