A Fun Family Devotional Idea to Use with Children

by Lois Breneman, © 2006, Heart to Heart

Did you know the original Play-Doh just turned 50 years old and is still going strong?  Most of you moms probably grew up with Play-Doh yourselves and I hope you are still going strong, even at 50 years of age!  Here is a short version of a great homemade playdoh recipe, that I think lasts even longer than the store bought, as long as you wrap it well in plastic wrap when your children are finished playing.  Why not try it today?  Then talk together about how God is the Potter and we are the clay.

Homemade Playdoh

1 cup flour  - 1 cup water   - 1 Tbsp. oil  - 1/2 cup salt  - 2 tsp. cream of tartar  - food coloring 

Blend in blender.  Cook about 5 minutes in a Teflon pan sprayed with Pam.  Let cool.  Wrap well in plastic wrap and it will last a long time.  If it dries a bit, just add a few drops of water and work into the dough.  Does not need refrigerated. 

It is fun to make blue, yellow and pink.  Then mix colors to make orange, purple and green.  Coconut or peppermint flavorings may be added for fragrance.  Another method of adding color and fragrance would be to add Kool Aid. In fact, I think that's better than drinking it.

 

Family devotions do not have to be held in a living room or family room setting each time.  Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs parents to teach their children about the Lord diligently, as we go about our entire day - when we sit, when we walk, when we lie down and when we rise up.  That about covers all of life! 

 

Children often seem to learn better in a more relaxed setting.  Why not sit around the table together as your children are molding playdoh to form snakes, balls and animals, and talk with them about clay in the Bible.  Explain how we should be willing to be molded and made into whatever God wants us to be, as in the song, "Have thine own way, Lord.  Have thine own way. Thou art the Potter.  I am the clay.  Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still."  You could sing that song together until it is written in their hearts. 

 

Here are other scriptures to talk about as they play quietly and listen.  You may want to cover them all in several sessions:

Job 10:9 - Thou hast made me as the clay

Job 33:6  I am also formed out of clay

Psm. 40:2  Out of the miry clay

John 9:6  Jesus made clay and anointed a blind man with it.

Romans 9:21  Power over the clay

Additional scriptures: Isa. 29:16; 41:25; 45:9; 64:8; Jer. 18:4

 

Educational Experiences for Kids and Families

by Maxine Sprague

(Note from Lois: Keep the learning going during vacation! Here are some basic ideas of things to work on!)

Teaching kids how to learn will go a long way in helping them be more successful in school. With all the educational materials marketed to parents, one would think it takes a sizeable budget to teach kids the skills they need to succeed in today's electronic world. This is simply not true. Basic skills required for learning are the same as they have always been. Children need to have inquiring minds that propel them to find out about the world around them.

They need basic decoding skills that will help them learn to read and an understanding of fundamental concepts that will help them become proficient at Math. There are many easy and inexpensive activities you can do with your children that will help them become keen learners. Try some of the following and reap the spin-off rewards of spending time with your children.

1. Read, read and read some more. Kids learn from your example, so make reading a part of their lives from Birth and beyond. You will probably want to buy some new books for your child's collection but there are also lots of inexpensive ways to get your hands on books. Garage sales, secondhand stores, clear out sales, friends and relatives, and the local library are some resources you can tap into.

2. Experiences teach children a bundle about their world. If you live in the city, schedule a trip to a friend or relative's farm. Don't know anyone? Ask around and let your friend's know you want to visit a farm and there will be someone who knows someone who will help you out. If you live in the country, take a trip to the city for no other reason than to explore with your child. Visit high rises and ride the elevators, stop by repair shops such as shoe and bicycle stores to see how things are fixed. Some larger cities have underground tunnels that allow you to visit many places in the city center while remaining indoors. Other places to visit include the airport, fire station, ferry dock, farmer's market, television studio, garden center, and pet stores. Pack a fun bag lunch and you're sure to have a great day.

3. Stock up on inexpensive craft items. Keep a box handy to throw in items such as tin cans, cardboard, used ribbon and wrapping paper, old jewelry, sewing supplies, Styrofoam, wallpaper and whatever else you might have. Buy craft items such as googly eyes, sparkle glue, beads, felt and craft foam when they are on sale. These items will inspire creativity in your child for some great homemade fun. Borrow craft books from the library and make inexpensive gifts for friends.

4. Make some homemade play dough by mixing 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup flour, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 cup water, plus a couple drops of food coloring. Stir and cook over low heat until it turns rubbery. Knead. Roll out long snakes of dough and use to shape letters of the alphabet and numbers for beginning learners. Make cookie cutter cutouts and use to solve number sentences. For example: Tracy had 5 stars. Her teacher gave her 3 more stars. How many stars does she have in all? Make game pieces for games like Tic Tac Toe. Try making play dough dice to use with other games. Let their imaginations be your guide.

5. Save containers from food products and help your child set up a store with a toy cash register. Cardboard apple boxes from the grocery store make great shelves. Use money to teach them how to buy items and make change. A shopping cart and grocery bags add to the fun.

6. Get together with other parents and plan an educational play day. Each family is responsible for providing one educational game or activity. Make a station for each activity so the children can rotate and try each one. Use simple math, spelling, vocabulary and language games. You could set up stations involving measuring using sand or dry cereal. Don't forget puzzles, blocks and water play areas as well. This is a great way to share ideas while having fun and learning together with others.

About the Author: Maxine Sprague, BEd. is a parent, educator, and author of three books including her latest, Super Easy Bag Lunches - Recipes and Hundreds of Other Happy Baggin' It Ideas. Web Site:www.telusplanet.net/public/cscltd/