Free printable photo frames, picture frame crafts special needs children can make for gifts

 Parent-themed holidays like Mother's Day (second Sunday in May), Father's Day (second Sunday in June) and Grandparents Day (third Sunday in September) are perfect times for homemade gift-giving. Here are photo frames crafts for kids to make as birthday or Christmas presents and holiday gifts for mommy and daddy for their special days. Use these free printable picture frames for children to print, color, cut and assemble. They they can frame photos of themselves with mom or dad. Use free printable photo frames to make greeting cards, too. These crafts are perfect for special needs children to make.  Free printable photo frames, picture frame crafts for kids | Examiner.com

Burned 8 y/o Safyre, sole survivor of arson fire, wants Christmas cards

Do you send Christmas cards? Here's a name to add to your list--Safyre, and she is a true gem. When you read her story, you'll smile through your tears. Because this little lady has true grit in the face of staggering adversity and all Safyre asks for is Christmas cards. KSDK reported on Dec. 9, that Safyre was badly burned at 5 years old and is the sole survivor of a 2013 arson fire that killed her entire family. As you might imagine, life has not been easy for the fire orphan. Her auntie and uncle care for her, but what with scarring, surgeries, skin grafts, stares, disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, loneliness, emotional scarring from arson, fear, perhaps survivor guilt, life isn't easy. The holiday season is particularly difficult for anyone struggling with grief, loss, pain and suffering.   Burned 8 y/o Safyre, sole survivor of arson fire, wants Christmas cards | Examiner.com

Free printable origami Christmas ornaments, folded paper crafts, holiday decor

Need hands-on activities to keep children busy during holiday preparations? Here are free printable origami Christmas ornaments, cut-and-paste Christmas crafts, folded paper crafts and holiday decor. Making origami gives children practice in math, measurement and fine motor skills (and keep them productively occupied so parents can actually get something done!) These activities are perfect for elementary and middle school students, math lesson plans, homeschool and winter vacation fun. With assistance, special needs, disabled students, preschoolers and senior citizens can make these crafts.   Free printable origami Christmas ornaments, folded paper crafts, holiday decor | Examiner.com

Homeschool Montessori learning centers: Preschool practical life learning areas | Examiner.com

Homeschooling parents, do you use a Montessori style education? Then you'll want this rubric for homeschool Montessori learning centers. Montessori is adaptable to homeschool, early childhood special education (ECSE) and preschool students. Both Montessori and special education employ learning areas (also called areas or learning stations) to engage children in hands-on, multisensory, individualized tasks. Even parents who don't homeschool might like to set up their children's playroom with learning centers. Learning stations focus on different content: reading, math, science, building, gross motor, art, dramatic play and practical life area. Here are ideas for preschool practical life learning areas.Homeschool Montessori learning centers: Preschool practical life learning areas | Examiner.com

 

Free printable challenging coloring pages, designs for gestalt art therapy | Examiner.com

Hey parents, did you know coloring is good for you? Yep, coloring isn't just for children. Grownups and adults can benefit from coloring designs and challenging patterns. Crayola just releases adult coloring pages and you can print free samples of these challenging coloring pages online. Get your grownup gestalt art therapy with free printable coloring pages for grownups!Free printable challenging coloring pages, designs for gestalt art therapy | Examiner.com

 

Halloween party at home for sick kids or families that don't Trick or Treat | Examiner.com

Halloween is one of most kids' top two favorite holidays. Some children plan their Trick or Treat costumes months in advance. So what happens when your child is too ill to go out for trick or treat ? You plan a Halloween party at home for sick kids. Perhaps you're one of those families that don't trick or treat. Here are not-too-scary Halloween activities for an at-home party. Use these tips if you can't or don't want to do door-to-door trick-or-treating. These Halloween party ideas are homemade, easy, cheap (or free) and flexible. Adapt them to your needs.   Halloween party at home for sick kids or families that don't Trick or Treat | Examiner.com

Special needs kids and child sexual abuse: How child molesters like Josh Duggar groom victims

With "19 Kids and Counting" star Josh Duggar in rehab for sexually molesting his sisters, attention turns to child sexual abuse prevention. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Usually, DV usually refers to physical abuse, but there other faces: sexually exploited children. Stats show that 1 child in 10 is sexually molested by age 18 said Darkness to Light. And 3 in 4 of those children were abused by someone they knew well in places they trust (home, relative's home, school, church). So the stereotypical stranger molesting in strange places is far less common. Here are warnings signs that a molester is grooming a child. Note: special needs children fall prey to predators more easily because their disabilities and handicaps make them more vulnerable. Don't let your precious child be a target: know that signs! Child sexual abuse: How child molesters like Josh Duggar groom victims | Examiner.com

Parents let 6 y/o son get plastic surgery on ears: Ear pinbacks safe for kids?

Concerned parents let their 6-year-old son get plastic surgery on his ears, to correct the shape. Yahoo! Parenting reported on Oct. 1, that the surgery is called an ear pinback. It's a more common form of cosmetic surgery among children. But are ear pinbacks safe for kids? That's a question the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery wrestles with.Parents let 6 y/o son get plastic surgery on ears: Ear pinbacks safe for kids? | Examiner.com

 

Free printable September 11 lesson plans, 9/11 social studies printables

As Britain commemorates Guy Fawkes Day on November 5, Americans "remember, remember the 11th of September." On the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, how can we commemorate in a proactive way? A nonprofit called My Good Deed, suggests making it a National Day of Service and Remembrance reports the International Business Times. But how do you teach children why September 11 is so important? How do you explain what happened to the World Trade Center, Flight 93 and Pentagon? How can you help them understand war, violence and terrorism? Here are free printable September 11 lesson plans to help.Free printable September 11 lesson plans, 9/11 social studies printables - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Fat gene could revolutionize weight loss: FTO drug could bypass diet and exercise to help obese kids avoid adult obesity

An "amazing tour de force" study says a fat gene revolutionizes weight loss, reported the Associated Press on August 19. Scientists have finally traced how the FTO gene (the key obesity gene) makes people fat. Blocking the FTO gene with an obesity drug could bypass diet and exercise, as the only approaches to losing weight! Fat gene blockers could help overweight kids bypass an adulthood of obesity, too!Fat gene revolutionizes weight loss: FTO drug could bypass diet and exercise - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 

Free printable elephant crafts, Babar coloring pages, elephant-themed activities

Happy World Elephant Day on August 12! It's tusks up and trunks waving for elephants, or, as Winnie-the-Pooh would say, heffalumps! Children, do you want free printable elephant crafts and activities? Would you like to print coloring pages of elephants (of course you would!) Well, ask mom and dad to print these so you can celebrate Happy Heffalump Day! Special needs kids love animals, so why not use these for ECSE and PPI classes?



A famous elephant is Babar, and there are free printable Babar coloring pages from Educational Coloring Pages. Looking for children's literature about elephants? Read the Babar books, by Jean de Bruhoff. He introduced Babar to French children 1931 and was so loved the stories were translated. Laurent de Brunhoff continued his father's book series after Jean passed away. Get to know Babar then visit Hello Kids for even more free printable Babar coloring pages  Free printable elephant crafts, Babar coloring pages, elephant-themed activities - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable alphabet coloring pages: Preschool letter and number printables - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 Looking for fun summer reading activities for emergent readers? Fisher-Price offers hundreds of free printable alphabet coloring pages based on Fisher-Price and Mattel toys: Imaginext, Little People, Rescue Heroes, Power Wheels, Thomas and Friends. Here are free printable coloring pages of letters, numbers and shapes to use for preschool lessons. There are also free printable holiday greeting cards for kids to color.Free printable alphabet coloring pages: Preschool letter and number printables - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

A-Z fiber fatty acids food swaps: Cleanse, burn fat, reverse Type 2 diabetes - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 A study from the University of Finland links obesity to Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes (also called insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome). Juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity are intrinsically linked, But the good news is Type 2 diabetes is reversible with diet. I'm proof of that. After I lost 100 pounds, dropped 10 sizes and got my BMI to normal, I also lost pre-diabetes A-Z fiber fatty acids food swaps: Cleanse, burn fat, reverse Type 2 diabetes - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Free printable photo frames, picture frame crafts for kids

Parent-themed holidays like Mother's Day (second Sunday in May), Father's Day (second Sunday in June) and Grandparents Day (third Sunday in September) are perfect times for homemade gift-giving. Here are photo frames crafts for kids to make as presents for mommy and daddy for their special days. Use these free printable picture frames for children to print, color, cut and assemble. They they can frame photos of themselves with mom or dad. Use free printable photo frames to make greeting cards, Crafts are perfect hands-on lessons for special needs students, too. Kids practice scissors cutting skill, eye hand coordination and fine motor. Free printable photo frames, picture frame crafts for kids - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable star charts, constellation maps, sky maps for astronomy lesson plans

Hubble Space Telescope celebrates her 25th birthday April 24, which is also Arbor Day. Earth science and astronomy are fascinating subjects to teach kids. Children can enjoy stargazing anywhere and everywhere and it costs nothing. Looking for free printable star charts and constellation patterns to teach kids about space science? Here's a galaxy of astronomy diagrams, star charts, constellations patterns and night sky maps. Use these in special education classes to give special needs kids hands-on, interactive science lessons. Free printable star charts, constellation patterns, sky maps, astronomy fun - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable Easter basket patterns, Easter crafts, Easter bunny templates - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Parents, do you get tired of constant holiday spending? Seems like it was just Christmas, then Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. Now we're buying for Easter. Call me Scrooge, but I say it's time to curb spending before we drown in debt. Kids don't need more occasions to expect stuff. All that getting sets a dangerous precedent for greed. It makes for entitled (tiresome) children. Instead of bowing to marketing ploys this Easter, why not make your own homemade Easter baskets? They're just as nice and save a lot of money. Here's how.Free printable Easter basket patterns, Easter crafts, Easter bunny templates - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Free printable math activities, math manipulatives, crafts, games for Pi Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

March 14 celebrates Pi Day and math! (3.14 is pi, a Greek symbol and commonly used math quantity). The best way to teach math is with real-life applications. The best way to explain math concepts is with hands-on materials that are multi-sensory. These tools are called math manipulatives because kids can touch and interact with them. They're not just paper and pencil activities or textbook lessons. Math manipulatives include real or play money (for market math), clocks for telling time, fraction bars, pattern blocks, parquetry blocks, peg boards, base ten blocks, Unifix cubes and Cuisinaire Rods. Here are websites with free printable math manipulatives for homemade materials.  Free printable math activities, math manipulatives, crafts, games for Pi Day

Free printable felt board patterns, book stencils, story templates for reading

March in National Reading Month. To teach emergent readers, preschool educators use felt boards to illustrate books and tell stories. Here are free printable felt board patterns, stencils and felt board reading lesson templates from First Palette. First Palette has free printable stencils and templates of shapes, animals, nature, leaves and trees, flowers, numbers, letters, people, clothing, cars, transportation, food--any pattern you need for any preschool unit!Free printable felt board patterns, book stencils, story templates for reading - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Free printable preschool Valentine worksheets, games, crafts, activities

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Pinterest, email, and blogs overflow with valentine crafts. Alas, many are also costly. So, don't pay. Here are free printable preschool valentine worksheets, games, crafts, learning activities and lesson plans.These are perfect for special needs and disabled children as they're easy to use and make.  Fru-gals and fru-guys, use these for Valentine's Day fun.  Free printable preschool Valentine worksheets, games, crafts, activities

Vacuum cleaner salesman hero makes autistic boy's dream come true

A vacuum cleaner salesman doesn't top most people's list of children's birthday party entertainers. But he does for 14-year-old autistic Dylan Green. Fox2 Now reported Jan. 20 that a Kirby vacuum salesman gave Dylan his heart's desire demonstrating a vacuum at his birthday party. And the viral story is becoming the internet's feel-good news of the day.  Vacuum cleaner salesman hero makes autistic boy's dream come true