small + friendly

An Easy Trick for Avoiding Tantrums

I am all for avoiding meltdown.  With this one technique, I think I have cut my son's potential tantruming by at least half.  This will not cure all tantrums, but it will make your life, and that of your child's, much easier.  I call it the five minute warning.  Here's the thing, toddlers (and I'd argue most humans) hate change.  Transitions are often difficult, especially if your toddler must stop doing something they enjoy (playing) to do something less desirable (napping).  This technique insures that they are not caught off guard by such changes, and letting them feel a little more in control.  Or at the very least, respected as an individual.  Okay here's how it works:

The Five Minute Warning

1.  Around 5 minutes before a transition, give your child a 5 minute warning.  (Oh, please put away the stop watch, actual time is of little importance).  Bend down, gain eye contact with your child, hold up 5 fingers and say "Five minutes until ... " (Five minutes until we leave the park, for example.)       

2.  The first complaint, if there is one, is met with further explanation of why the transition is happening. (We have to go home and have lunch.)

3.  At the two and one minute marks, repeat the warnings as described in step 1.  Again, this process sometimes takes us closer to ten minutes and other times three.  The actual time doesn't matter too much.

4. Further complaints are met with this phrase, "Enjoy your last minute(s)."  A gentle reminder that you can either play until it is time to go, or stand around and whine until it's time.

5. "Okay it's time to go."  That's it.  Your little one might protest, they may even end up tantruming the first time.  But if you stick with it, they will learn the drill, so to speak.      

We have been doing the warning the system since Jude was one, so he's pretty used to it at this point.  It really has made our lives run more smoothly.  I'd love to know if you do something similar.  How do you make transitions easier for your toddler?      

Here's to counting down, and avoiding a meltdown.     

Garden Glimpses

In the garden ...

... we are enjoying flowers

... and patiently awaiting fruit

... smelling the roses

... and making friends with ladybugs and bees

... picnicking on the no-mow grass

... so soft for people and kitties alike

... dreaming of a front yard free of sod

... and full of silvery herbs, food, and succulents

... soaking up the sun

... and grateful for the shade of our oaks and grapes

Wishing you and yours a garden-filled week!

P.S. - I'd have loads of pictures of ripe strawberries, if I could catch them faster than Jude pops them in his mouth! 

Sponsorship

Dear Readers,

You may have noticed the fancy new ad in my sidebar.  After much deliberation, I have decided to start running limited advertising.  This blog is a labor of love, and earning a little cash from it insures that I can keep providing the tutorials, tips, recipes, and rants you've come to expect from Small & Friendly.  I have signed on with BlogHer and they allow you to block ads that don't fit with your values.  If you see something offensive or obnoxious here, please let me know.  The last thing I want to do is offend or annoy my readers.

The good news is, I've also decided to offer a few slots for small businesses/blogs to advertise.  I am offering very reasonable rates.  If you are interested, please email me at [email protected].  

Wishing Everyone a Beautiful Weekend,

Carla

Simple Counting Game

Jude had out grown the simple sorting game I made him, so I decided to create a more advanced version.  Since sorting is an early math activity, I thought it only made sense to turn sorting feathers into counting feathers.  And so, this simple counting game was born.  

Want to make one?

You'll need:

Colored squares of felt or fabric

Feathers (or pom poms) of coordinating color

Numbers, cut out of felt (or purchased foam numbers)

A container (jar) to hold the feathers and numbers

To make the game:

Choose between three and six colors, depending on how difficult you would like your game to be.  Gather/create that many numbers; for my game, I made the numbers 1-4.  Add the numbers to the jar/container.  Add one feather of one color, two of another, three of another, and so on.  The number of feathers for each color can be changed frequently to keep the game challenging and interesting.   

To play the game (as with the sorting game, I recommend demonstrating once all the way through first):

1.  Lay out the colored squares and sort the feathers, matching them to the colored squares.

 

2.  Once all the feathers are sorted, count the feathers on each square and place the corresponding number on top.

3.  Check to see if everything has been matched up correctly.

4.  Shout hooray and give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done!

5.  Clean up!

Here's to making math fun!  Happy Counting!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Words (and inspiration) by Amanda Soule.

Linking up with Kids Stuff World.

Best Pancakes Ever

Okay, I love most pancakes, and I'm sure there are many people who could make a great case for another version.  But in my house, these are tops.  Robust whole wheat flour mingles with the nutty flavor of browned butter, studded with tart raspberries that caramelize when they hit the hot pan, topped with sweet pure maple syrup.  I often serve them for brinner (breakfast as dinner).  Seriously, you've got to try them ...    

Whole Wheat Brown Butter Raspberry Pancakes

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Makes 4 large (6"-7") pancakes

Notes: During raspberry season, fresh berries are great, but I often use frozen berries (no thawing required) with great results.

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup AP flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3-4 tablespoons butter, browned (plus more for the pan during cooking)
• 1- 1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, or any favorite berry for that matter
• Real pure maple syrup

 1.  In the pan you will use to cook your pancakes melt the butter over medium heat until nut brown and fragrant.

2.  In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients. (Flours, baking powder, salt, sugar)

3.  Add wet ingredients (milk, egg, vanilla, browned butter) and stir until fairly smooth.

4.  Heat skillet over medium heat, add a pad of butter.  Pour a large ladle of batter into pan.  

5.  Sprinkle with raspberries (about 1/4 cup per 6" pancake).  Wait for air bubbles to dot the surface of the pancake, then flip.

6.  Cook for a few more minutes until golden brown.  Repeat with the remaining batter, wiping your skillet and adding fresh butter each time.

7.  Serve with lots of maple syrup and more raspberries.  Enjoy!

Here's to pancakes for dinner!

P.S. - I highly recommend the saute pan pictured above.  I collect cookbooks and cookware like some women collect handbags and shoes.  When I was in the market for a non-stick skillet that didn't have a toxic coating, I was thrilled to find this ceramic coated beauty.  It is so slick you have to be careful not to slide your eggs right out of it.  It has held up very well so far (I've had it about 4 months), and the white bottom makes it ideal for watching butter brown.  If you need a non-stick skillet and are looking for something healthy (other than cast iron) look no further.    

Dear Mom ...

How does one thank their mother for all they've done?  Becoming a mother really clarifies the magnitude of appreciation required, and yet the words never seem to add up to the amount of love and gratitude dwelling in your heart.  Knowing that words alone wouldn't cut it, that no lanyard (no matter how fancy) would ever be enough, I thought a public card (you know, the kind you can share on "the facebook") would be better than nothing.  (Don't worry mom, I bought you something too.)  

Dear Mom,

You are my best friend, and let's face it, no one else could put up with us.  With each passing year, I become more like you, and you know what?  There really are worse things.  We don't always agree, but we do always communicate.  (I painted you a picture of a butterfly, I'll call you in five minutes.)  Speaking of calls, what would we do without our morning chats?  They started when I couldn't get out of bed with morning sickness, and you called to help get my mind off it.  Then they became crucial to report on the little one's sleeping habits, or lack thereof.  Now we vent, recap TV, sip coffee, and it just wouldn't be morning without it.  We see each other through thick, thin, and every point in between, we always have.  Thank you so much for your unending support.  You are more than my mother; you are my sounding board, my focus group, and my biggest fan (not to mention hairdresser and personal shopper).  Thank you for taking such good care of me, I realize it wasn't always easy.  Thank you for taking such good care of Jude, I know that isn't always easy.  You know you have an awesome mom when your child clearly prefers her to you.  You gave me life, I gave you a blog post (and a grandchild).  I love you.  I love you so much words don't come close.  I'm tearing up, so I'm pretty sure you're sobbing by now.  It's always good to end a card on a tear.  Happy Mother's Day.  

XOXO,

Your Little Galia

Toddler Art Bookmarks

Okay, this post might be a little too last minute, but I really wanted to share this super easy last minute Mother's Day gift idea.  Ahem, all those dads out there still wondering what to do, this one's for you:  bookmarks made with toddler art.  They couldn't be simpler to put together and they are such a nice way to show mom or grandma a little love.  Just think of the smile it will bring to her face each time she opens her book.

Want to make some?

You'll need: art by your toddler, a paper cutter (or ruler and scissors), a glue stick (optional), clear packing tape (AKA the resourceful guy/gal's laminate)

1. Have your child paint one or two pages (depending on how many bookmarks you need, two watercolor sheets makes 6 bookmarks).  We used liquid watercolor to achieve pretty bright colors.  You could always start with previously completed masterpieces.

2. Cut the art into 1 3/4" strips.  To create two sided bookmarks simply stick two strips together with a little glue stick action.

3.  Laminate them by laying down one piece of clear packing tape (sticky side up), then the bookmark (there should be an 1/8" on either side), then another piece of tape (sticky side down).  Smooth it out and cut any excess tape from the top and bottom.

4.  That's it!  Give and enjoy!

 Looking for another toddler art idea?  How about Toddler Art Mother's Day Cards?

Wishing all you lovely mamas out there a beautiful, relaxing, pampered Mother's Day.