Back to School

When I was young I remember my first day in Kindergarten and I was so nervous. The cafe lines were long and the milk was not quite cold. I would run to class everyday and eventually fell down and bruised my knee because I believed somebody had "pushed me". But I'm pretty sure I just fell down because I was running too fast. I have many elementary memories that come flooding back to me but the most prominent memories are my teachers. I remember each and everyone of their names, what they looked like, and even what they wore. It's amazing to think back on who guided you through life by teaching you the basics of education.

One of my most prominent memories was when I was in 1st grade and was in the middle of a spelling test. I was so nervous in taking my test that I was trying to sneak a peak at the answers. I knew I was going to get some of them right but I wanted it to be 100% correct. Eventually my eye caught the teachers eye and I was publicly announced in front of the class that I was looking at my cheat sheet. Throughout the years I've been in school I've thought about that one moment of humiliation and directed myself to finish the test without cheating. It also had to do with studying more and of course maturing, but there's always that one memory that brings you back to the beginning of it all.

My favorite parts of elementary other than recess was literature. In 3rd grade I had to complete a short story in the form of a book and draw illustrations for it. We could choose whatever we wanted to write about, either fiction or non fiction. I chose to write about me going to my grandma's house to make food for Christmas. I never let anyone throw it away because I thought it would someday guide me with inspiration to write my first novel. I also remember my teacher commenting on how well I had created it. Just the other day I was cleaning out my garage and happen to come across it. When I look at it now I think it was much shorter than I had realized. When your a kid everything is ten times larger. It's interesting to see the differences of measurement when you were little compared to 15 years later.

Those are just some key highlights I wanted to share about my childhood and going back to school. Lastly, I just want to thank all of my teachers for being there for me throughout the years and teaching me every step of the way. They have had such an influence on me and I am so grateful to have received the education I did. I hope that every teacher has a positive influence on everyone as well. Have fun and good luck back to school!

Frugal Art Ideas For Kids!

I can count a myriad of ways in which you can use canvas and make cheap and fun art projects for the little ones! Many of you probably know the melted crayons on the canvas or dripping paint to make an aesthetic look, but there is much more to do on a canvas than that. You can trace their hands, trace their silhouette, paint a picture, or even have them make their own word and glue wood right on the canvas! I will take you step by step through two art projects found online and how cheap they really are!

1. Trace of Hands

What you'll need:

• 2 canvas 12 x 12  ($6.56 x 2 = 13.12)  
• Watercolor paint or Watercolor crayons ($12.81)
• Brushes ($4.99)  
• Acrylic gloss (This product is optional but you can find it at any art store)

This whole project comes out to be $30.92 without tax. Also it is just suggested that you go to this site, but there are plenty of other places to get all of these products. Before painting remember to use some newspapers or even an old sheet to protect any surfaces from getting paint on them!

First off just have your kids trace their hands boldly onto the canvas, then have them use a different color to paint on the inside.

Second and lastly, paint over the finished art with an acrylic glaze to seal the paint onto the canvas. After that you have just completed an art project in less than 30 minutes!



2. Paint Pictures on a Canvas

What you'll need:

• Tissue Paper  ($3.89) 

Or

• Circled Tissue Paper ($5.99)
• Canvas ($7.97)
• Mod Podge (Any art store; $3.87))
• Acrylic Paint (Set of 6 for $4.43)
• Foam Brush (Any art store; $2.11)

This project came out to be a total of $22.27 with the regular tissue paper or with circled tissue paper= $24.37.

First have your kids cut out anything they would like out of the tissue paper, or you can just buy the already cut circles. Then have them paint whatever color your kids would like onto the canvas. It can be blue, pink, or white! Then let the paint dry on the canvas (about 30 minutes) and paint the mod podge with the foam brush lightly onto the canvas. Stick your tissue paper onto the canvas and then gently paint over the tissue paper with the mod podge again. Here are some examples and inspiration of what you can do with your art!

Hopefully this gives you some excitement to start a new project in your home or even the classroom!

Top Three Reasons Why You Need To Replace Your Baby Crib

What is so important about replacing your crib? Why does everyone always say you need to renew it? What are the CPSC, ASTM, JPMA certificates anyways? What will the law do if you don't? Many of you have probably asked these same questions yourself. I will explain in three reasons why this is so important to your baby, daycare, and for the law.

First off the importance of replacing your crib is for the absolute safety of your child or someone else's child. Since 2000 there has been over 32 cases of infant deaths due to "drop side cribs". Every daycare and user of these certain crib designs have until December 2012 to remove them with safer and tested ones (WishTv8). Also, CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System conducted a case study through 2000 to 2004 where they found "27 cases of infant death involving bumper pads or similarly padded bassinets" (Thatch). Either your crib or your mattress, the main concern here is to show everyone that crib related injuries and deaths do occur.

Secondly, all of these certifications are put in place in order to guarantee the product is completely flawless. CPSC stands for Consumer Product Safety Commission, ASTM stands for American Standard Test Method, and JPMA stands for Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. If you're not a daycare owner or a childcare supply store then you might not even know what the break down and definitions of these certifications really mean. CPSC tests "crib slats [which] must be able to handle a lot of stress on them, the mattress support panel must stay in place, and parts must not come apart during stress testing" (La Baby). ASTM tests for "corner post vertical extensions, dynamic impact testing for crib structural integrity, crib interior dimensions and component spacing, and impact testing of crib side rails" (ASTM). JPMA certificaton is the seal shown on all of their approved merchandise while ASTM does the initial testing, JPMA continually follows up with retailer and randomly tests retailers and products on a yearly basis (JPMA).

Third, its the law. Under the Consumer Product Safety Act there are numerous penalties against your facility and your own liability that will throw you under the bus if you don't change out your cribs by December 28, 2012. You might think you can get away with it but risking a civil lawsuit, personal liability, and $100,000 per crib which is not certified in your facility after the date is just far too huge of a risk to take (Wiki).

Our manufacturer, La Baby, believes every baby is a star which also means they guarantee safety in any of their cribs. Here is a list of cribs that we think are the very best and would love for you to take a look at!




Lastly here is a product recall finder from Baby Center: PRODUCT RECALL FINDER. If you have any cribs or designs on this list I highly recommend you switch them out today or December will creep up on you!

Look for other great daycare cribs at Honor Roll Childcare Supply!

Helping Parents Help Children with Autism

       THERE'S MORE TO AUTISM THAN MOST THINK

     Most people think autism is a disorder that is stuck with your child for life. But I have to say that there is research that states that you could be doing more than you think to help your child with their autism. Foremost I believe kids with autism have a big heart. There are more the parents can be doing and I know that is a fact because my very own cousin is autistic and he gives me the biggest hugs out of any children I have ever met! Even though research conducted says that usually they are inapt to smiles and laughter, this is not a true statement for everyone. I believe it is easier to make a child with autism laugh and giggle more than a  regular child who gets bored of you! This is not stating that one is better than the other but I think there needs to be more blogs with expressions of hope, inspiration, and joy towards autism.

     Watching my aunt take care of her child with autism has been incredible. She has read every page there is to know on the topic of this neurological disorder. She’s even tampered with his food to see which types of food makes his behavior better or worse. She’s done foot therapy for him which scientists would argue is just a regular foot massage. But believe me when I say this, her child is one of the most disciplined, loving, caring, and outgoing children I have ever met!

Here are three steps to help you and your child:

1 .    It’s not about you, its about them.

I’ve read numerous articles about parenting and steps to help you with your child’s disorder but I believe that you should give your child, disorder or not, all the love and all of the attention they deserve. Listen to them, talk with them immensely, and lastly love them unfathomably. I realize it’s hard for parents, but it can’t be harder than what they are going through. Here is a great book that helps you understand your child’s disorder and helps you through it: http://www.honorrollsupply.com/products/teaching-young-children-w-autism

2 .    Watch your child’s diet.

Gluten- free products, wheat free products, low carbs, low sugars, natural and organic foods will help create a stable behavior in your child. Every kid is different so you need to pay close attention to exactly what they are eating. For example my aunt realized that a certain color dye was affecting her child’s behavior and increased crankiness and tiresome characteristics. If you would like to know more information on this here is a great article: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/807819/calming-foods-for-hyperactive-kids

3.      Learn with them while loving them!

One of the main things that autistic children lack is attention from others. Since their attention span is usually slim, parents may interpret that this means they are not following along and therefore spend less time with their child. But I encourage everyone to keep trying even when they are not looking at you because you never know when your hard work and determination is actually going to show in your child’s education. Check out these great games and helpful guides: Photo Conversation Cards,

Language Building Cards, and Mastering Basic Living.

I hope that all of this information will help you and your child throughout your journey in life! Just remember don’t give up and that there are people out there just like you! I encourage you to even find a support group with people just like you who can help you in any way that you might need it.