Kindermark Kids Blog

5 Valentine's Day Activities for Preschoolers

Valentine’s Day is almost here, which means you can incorporate some fun love themed activities into your lesson plans. In today’s blog, Kindermark Kids offers details on a variety of Valentine’s Day activities that your students are sure to enjoy! Keep reading to check them out.

 1. Candy Heart Math & Science Activities

Conversation hearts are more than just a fun snack; they can be used in a variety of learning activities and experiments. These candies can be used for counting, sorting and creating patterns. The hearts can also be used for science experiments. Gather a variety of liquids such as water, vinegar, soda, rubbing alcohol, etc. Then have the students drop the conversation hearts into each liquid to see which one dissolves the candy the fastest. This is a fun way for preschoolers to explore the scientific method.

 2. Create an “I Love” Book

In preparation for this craft, teachers will need to cut out paper hearts to use as pages for the book. Use a red or pink heart for the front and back covers, and use regular white paper for the interior pages. On the front, write “I Love by [student’s name]”. Ask each student what they love and write that on the white pages. Then let them draw pictures and color on the hearts to make it their own. Once the children are finished “writing” and decorating their books. You can staple the pages together and they have something to take home and show their families.

3. Mosaic Heart Craft

Creating mosaic hearts is both fun and educational. This craft helps students develop their fine motor skills. Learning to cut it tricky, and this craft allows them to practice with scissors. Hand each child a heart shaped piece of white paper (you want to use some thicker paper for the hearts). Then give them some scrap paper or tissue paper in red and pink colors. Let them cut the colored paper into pieces. (To make the cutting easier you might pre-cut the paper into strips so they only have to make one cut to create a small piece.) Then have them glue the pieces inside the heart.

 4. Valentine’s Slime

Creating homemade slime in Valentine’s Day colors is a fun and easy science activity to do with your students. You can make it with red glitter, confetti hearts or just a simple pink color. The possibilities are endless. While there are several different slime recipes you could use, a common one is just water, glue and liquid starch. In a bowl, mix half a cup of water with half a cup of clear or white Elmer’s glue. (Use white glue for pink slime, but clear works better for the glitter or confetti ones.) Stir together until completely combined. Now add your color, glitter or confetti. Once that’s mixed completely, add half a cup of liquid starch. You will see the slime start to form immediately. Mix with your hands until the majority of the liquid is incorporated into the slime.

5. Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin

Sensory bins are easy to put together and provide an awesome hands-on learning experience for preschoolers. Sensory play may calm a child, focus a child and/or engage a child. Sensory bins allow children to explore, discover and create through dumping, filing and scooping. This activity also helps them understand their senses better. Put a Valentine’s Day twist on your sensory bin by filling it with some of the following items: pink and red water beads, cellophane grass, colored craft sand, artificial rose petals, feathers, shredded paper, buttons, and/or pink and red pompoms.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Kindermark Kids! We hope you enjoy some of these fun and educational Valentine’s Day activities with your preschoolers. To help you keep all your craft supplies organized, we offer a variety of storage units and shelving. Our children’s furniture helps create a workspace for children to both play and learn, while our child-height sinks make clean-up after these activities a breeze. We’re here to help you setup an organized and functional classroom with great quality products!

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6 Proven Classroom Management Tips for New Early Childhood Educators

When you have 25 or so little kids running around, managing them can be difficult. Whether you’re a brand new teacher or have some experience, having some management strategies up your sleeve can help. Today’s blog from Kindermark Kids offers some proven classroom management techniques that you can start implementing today.

1. Strategically Organize Your Classroom.

Before attempting to organize your students, make sure the space they are in is organized. Not only will a strategic room help you avoid chaos, it can help ensure that effective learning is happening. Separate noisy areas of the room from the quiet areas. As an example, the building blocks shouldn’t be right next to the reading center. Bonus Tip: Stay organized both physically and emotionally by tightening up time management.

2. Effectively Plan Transitions.

Transitioning from one activity to another presents an opportunity for chaos. Find an effective way of transitioning and use that to help children avoid distractions. Guide them through these moments, so that you keep their attention and can move to the next activity without a bunch of wasted time. Try announcing how much time they have left at their current station, or creating a fun countdown to help students prepare to move on to the next thing. Bonus Tip: Get students engaged and actively involved to avoid disruptions.

 3. Create a Routine.

Consistency is important, especially for children of a young age. When students are aware of the routine, they start to feel a sense of obligation to follow that routine. It gives them a sense of ownership over the routine and eventually you won’t have to keep reminding them what comes next. Bonus Tip: Consistency is important for not only your routine, but also for expectations and discipline.

 4. Choose Your Rules Wisely.

More rules does not lead to better behavior. Make sure to set rules early on, but in a way that doesn’t create an atmosphere of rebellion. Rules and routines are great for communicating expectations, but not necessarily the only way to “manage” your classroom. Bonus Tip: Always have a plan in mind for handling misbehavior.

5. Avoid Confrontations in Front of Students.

If you’re dealing with a child that’s misbehaving, speak to them away from the other students. Take them out into the hallway or wait until class is over. Having confrontations in front of peers can not only impact the child’s self-esteem, but the situation can escalate quickly. They will likely be more quickly to defend themselves when in the public eye. Public shaming is never a good way to set an example. Bonus Tip: Pick your battles wisely.

6. Use Positive Language Always.

What usually happens when you tell a child not to do something? They are tempted to do it. Avoid using negative language and focus on positives. Try “Be prepared” rather than “Don’t forget your pencil” or “Shut the door quietly” instead of “Don’t slam the door.” Bonus Tip: Use the word “consequences” instead of “punishments.”

From classroom organization and storage to engaging your students in interactive learning, Kindermark Kids is here to provide you with quality products for your classroom. We offer everything from educational toys and child height furniture to storage units and portable sinks. Browse our website to see what you could use in your space to make managing your classroom easier.

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Meeting Your Handwashing Needs with Portable Sinks!

The single most effective way to prevent the spread of illness is to use proper handwashing techniques. Therefore, it’s important to teach hand washing procedures to children at a young age. Whether you’re a Head Start program director, daycare provider or preschool teacher, you need to not only teach children about proper hand washing, but also provide a place for them to do so. Our portable sinks are perfect for accomplishing just that. They also come in handy for quick cleanup between different activities.

Head Start Programs

Not only do sinks come in handy for a variety of children’s activities, they are required. One or two handwashing sinks is required for every 10-20 children in a Head Start program. In the event you want to expand the size of your Head Start program, additional sinks are needed. That’s where the mobility of Kindermark Kid’s portable sinks becomes your solution. Our sinks create the ability for added handwashing stations, without the need for traditional plumbing.

Daycare Centers

When working with toddlers and young children, it’s important to have a sink in the diaper changing area and a separate sink for food preparation. In buildings that only have one plumbing source, a portable sink is your solution. We offer both adult and child-height portable sinks for use in these types of businesses. Check out our Changing Station Sinks for a two-in-one diaper changing table and hot/cold water sink! For larger facilities, a portable hot water sink can also be used as a backup sink to offer an extra, sanitary handwashing station when the primary sink is already in use.

Preschool Classrooms

A portable sink is essential for promoting day-to-day hygiene in preschool classrooms. Young children are known for making a mess, so having a convenient portable hot water sink comes in handy for quick cleanup between activities. These sinks can be easily moved around for use during arts & crafts time or snack time. For classrooms with limited space, easily roll the portable sink into a storage room. Be sure to check out our sink accessories too, like the Ozark River Li’l Step Booster to help those smaller children reach the sink easier.

Kindermark Kids is excited to be able to offer these convenient portable sinks in addition to our children’s furniture and educational toys. You can view all the varieties of sinks available on our website. Fill all your classroom needs with the help of Kindermark Kids!

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5 Items to Have in a Pediatric Dentist's Waiting Room

As a pediatric dentist, you want your waiting room to appeal to kids. You need to offer fun toys, activities, etc. to keep them entertained while they wait for their dental appointment. Health and nutrition go hand in hand with oral hygiene, and we have some great health and nutrition related toys and furniture. Add some of these items to the waiting room for your pediatric dentist practice today!

Smile Magic Wall Panel Toy

There’s nothing more perfect for a pediatric dentist’s waiting room than this wall panel toy! The frame features positive dental health images – toothpaste and brushes, floss, smiles and tooth fairies – identified in both English and Spanish. The heat sensitive panel responds to the warmth of your hand and changes color.

Fresh Fruit Table and Chair Set

Eating healthy foods is an important part of caring for your teeth. This cute child-height table and chair set promotes healthy eating through vibrant images of fresh fruit. Perfect for a waiting room, this table and chair set provides a place for children to sit and play while they wait their turn to see the dentist.

MyPlate Island Play Cube

Bring fun into your waiting room, while also teaching children about health, with the MyPlate Island Play Cube! Build a better plate, make half your plate fruits and vegetables, be aware of portion sizes and increase your daily activity are all healthy messages promoted through this fun activity cube. 

Fruit Stacking Toy

Enhance your waiting room with toys that provide more than just fun! This fruit stacking toy is a fun-filled, sensory exploration toy. It teaches counting, shorting and shape selection. The surface of each of the fruits is textured to provide sensory stimulation and help develop fine motor skills.

MyPlate Kinderbox Book and Media Storage

A waiting room just wouldn’t be complete without books! Use this health and nutrition themed book holder to keep all those children’s books organized. The colorful MyPlate graphics on the sides help to re-enforce education about healthy eating habits.

These are just a few of the amazing items from Kindermark Kids that you can use to enhance your waiting room! Visit the Waiting Room tab on our website to browse the variety of other choices we offer for educational toys, children’s furniture and more. We’re here to help you create a relaxing, inviting waiting room for your clients!

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Healthy Snack Ideas for Daycare Providers

It’s snack time! As a daycare provider, it’s important that you provide nutritious foods for the children, and that you help instill healthy eating habits in children at a young age. Here are few ideas from Kindermark Kids for some fun and creative, healthy snack ideas that you can use in your daycare setting.

1. Fruit Kabobs

While an apple or banana by itself seems like a pretty boring snack, fruit kabobs can make healthy eating fun! They are a delicious, easy-to-eat treat that kids will love. Cut up various types of fruit, from apples and bananas to strawberries and pineapple. Place them on a stick and you’ve turned a simple snack into a fun, new way to eat fruit.

 2. Cheese

Packed with protein, cheese has always been a go-to choice for a kid’s snack. Instead of just handing out some slices of cheese with crackers. Make snack time fun by sticking mini pretzel rods into cheese cubes or using cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes! If you want to get really crazy, add the cheese shapes to your fruit kabobs.

 3. Quesadillas

Take a delicious, calcium-rich cheese quesadilla and add some protein. Throw some chicken in there or black beans. Children can easily pick up the triangles; it’s the perfect finger food. Leave the salsa on the side, as some picky eaters may not like tomatoes, onions or whatever else could be hiding in the salsa.

 4. Popcorn

Popcorn is sure to be a hit with the kids, and it’s whole grain. As long as you don’t drench it in butter, popcorn is quite nutritious, with 4 grams of fiber per 3-cup serving. You can even add your choice of topping such as grated cheese or nutritional yeast.

 5. Smoothies

Frothy cold drinks are a great way to disguise fruit as a tasty treat! Kids go crazy over these nutritious, sippable snacks. Use non-fat vanilla yogurt, 100% orange juice and a banana for the smoothie base. Then experiment with different flavors such as strawberry or peach. Smoothies are a great way to sneak several servings of fruit and fiber into a child’s diet. 

 6. PB&J Wraps

What child doesn’t love PB&J? Unfortunately, these sandwiches are usually packed with a ton of sugar. For a healthier option, make a peanut butter strawberry wrap. Instead of jelly or jam, substitute real strawberries. Instead of bread, use a tortilla to help hold the strawberries in. The peanut butter not only makes the wrap delicious, but adds a bit of protein.

 7. Trail Mix

Trail mix is a tried-and-true snack option! You can add whatever you want to the mix. From whole grain cereal and pretzels to dried fruit and chocolate chips, the possibilities are endless. Make sure none of the children in your daycare have a nut allergy before adding peanuts, almonds, etc. to your trail mix.  

Make snack time much easier with some amazing products from Kindermark Kids. Our child-size tables and chairs make sitting down for snack time a breeze. Our child-height sinks make cleaning up after snack time easy as well. Check out all our classroom furniture, portable sinks and more online, and start designing your snack time area today!

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5 Christmas Activities for Your Classroom

The holiday season is upon us, and now is the time when preschoolers start getting excited about Christmas. For teachers, there are so many fun ways to incorporate the holiday into your lesson plans. Keep reading for a few fun Christmas activities that you can do with your students this month!

1. Create a Handprint Santa Ornament.

Handprint crafts are a great way for children to make something unique and memorable. For the Christmas season, why not use handprints to make a Santa ornament! Items you will need for this craft are white paper, black and red markers, googly eyes, small white pom poms or cotton balls, ribbon, glue, scissors and a hole punch. Start by tracing the child’s hand on the white paper. Then cut the handprint out. Use the markers to draw santa’s hat in the thumb area. Add a pom pom or cotton ball to the tip of the thumb/tip of the hat. Add pom poms or cotton balls to all the remaining fingers to create Santa’s fuzzy beard. Glue googly eyes to the center of the face, and use the markers to create a nose and mouth. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in the top of the hat. Then tie a circle with ribbon to create a way to hang it on the tree!

2. Play Pass the Mistletoe.

For this game, all you need is a piece of plastic or silk mistletoe! Have the children sit in a circle. Then have them pass the mistletoe around the circle as Christmas music plays. When the music stops, everyone blows kisses to the child holding the mistletoe.

3. Make Paper Bag Reindeer Puppets.

Puppets are a fun way for children to express their emotions or explore new ideas in a safe way. Students can easily make their own puppets with paper bags. During the holiday season, what’s more fun than creating reindeer puppets? Teachers can find free printables online here or create their own. Have children find a seat at one of the child-size tables and pass out the supplies. Children can cut out antlers, eyes and a nose from the printable template. Once the children have glued their reindeer parts to the paper bag, let them use crayons, markers (and glitter if you’re feeling adventurous) to decorate their puppets.

4. Sing Christmas Carols.

Music is an important part of learning that helps with memory and language. Studies have shown that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. Singing Christmas carols is a fun activity for children to participate in this time of year! Songs like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman are good choices to sing with little children. Make it even more fun by choreographing some actions to go along with the words or letting the children dress up. Get them up and moving, and interacting with the song in more than one way!

5. Play Santa, Santa, Reindeer.

Duck, duck, goose has always been a fun and easy game for young children. Put a Christmas twist on this classic game by playing Santa, Santa, Reindeer. Have the children sit in a circle and choose one child to start. That child will walk around the circle tapping the other children on the head saying Santa. Then when the child chooses someone to call Reindeer, that child gets up and runs around chasing the first child back to that spot. If the second child doesn’t make it back to the spot before the first child, that child becomes the one to say Santa, Santa, Reindeer.

Kindermark Kids offers a variety of items to assist in your classroom crafts. From child-size tables and chairs to child-height sinks for clean-up and storage units to keep craft supplies organized, we’ve got everything you need to create a safe and fun environment for learning. Happy Holidays from Kindermark Kids!

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