Exploring with the Spot App

by Kamerine

Kids are natural explorers. It starts with infancy - they want to touch and feel everything. Soon they are toddling around their environment. They put things in their mouths and get so dirty! Their desire to learn is insatiable.

It's no different with technology. I think they push all the buttons on remotes and iDevices because they aren't worried about breaking the thing. They just want to know what happens when they push THIS button or THAT button! And it's amazing what they can learn about devices in a short time. I swear my kids know how to work the remotes and my phone better than I do!

Screen time is part of our reality these days. Limited screen time is good but sometimes letting the kids watch a show or play on the iPad is what gets us through the day. The new Spot app is perfect for little explorers. The app opens to a white screen with a ladybug and then the exploring begins.

Little fingers pull apart to make the ladybug bigger... and bigger... and BIGGER! until a new world is uncovered. This goes on and on in the app, exploring what's inside cookies and papers and the table. The whole world can be explored and fun things found.

It was so much fun watching those little fingers going all over and the looks of excitement at discovering what there was to see next. The Spot app is very creative and fun, but it's no wonder when it was created by David Wiesner, a celebrated story teller. Spot allows kids to come up with their own story.

Without a specific task or bad guys to battle, my 5 year old son didn't stay interested too long, but my 4 year old daughter had fun exploring until it was time to turn off the screen. I love how this app encourages exploration and imagination.

This app is for iPads and is available for purchase in the App Store for $4.99. What apps are your kids loving these days?

Disclaimer: I was provided a code to download this app for free. All opinions are my own. 

The Dailey Method

It's our weekly "Worth a Visit" series! Have an idea you'd like to submit? The only requirements are that it must be in the Ottawa region and kid-friendly! Email Misty at kidsinthecapital@gmail.com

I think we can all agree that exercise is important and if you want to read more about lifting weights, check out this fabulous article about lifting more than babies (Moms in the Weight Room). Sometimes, though, a group exercise class is the kind of motivation we need to get out of the house. A room full of people all working towards the same goal, the pump-you-up music, the camaraderie, the schedule. There's a new studio in the Glebe that provides all that and more.

The Dailey Method is a group exercise class that combines barre work with moves from yoga, pilates, and core conditioning. During the hour-long class you'll work on all the major muscles groups using light weights, the bar, balls, and your body weight. It's an incredible workout with a focus on proper alignment and stretching. The Dailey Method is located in the Glebe and offers classes 7 days a week. This workout is appropriate for any fitness level including pregnant women. 

The greatest part is that the room next to the bright studio is a childcare room. Along with listing the class schedule online, they also list the times that childcare is available (free of charge to members and $5 for drop-ins). So if the only time you can make a class is when you have your little one with you it's no problem. They play while you get in a workout. You'll both have a great time!

If you've never done a barre class before, I urge you to try it out. It is an amazing workout and a nice change if you've been doing the same thing for a while. Your body will thank you.

Arctic Alive! Giant Arctic Floor Map at the Museum of Nature

There is a giant map of the Arctic at the Museum of Nature. You can go check it out over the holidays and let me tell you: it's really cool. I got to see first hand the impact this map had on students' awareness and perception of the Arctic. It was impressive.

When we think of the Arctic we think cold, snowy, and quiet. Those are some of the exact words students from a grade 5/6 class used in the beginning. After spending 20 minutes walking over the map and learning about the plants, animals, fossils and minerals found in the Arctic, you know how they described it? Vibrant, colourful, and alive. Just how the plant scientist who collected specimens there did. Their understanding of the great white North had completely changed.

From December 26th to January 4th anyone visiting the Museum of Nature can take a stroll through the Arctic. Five copies of this 8mx11m map and real specimens will spend 2015 traveling across Canada to schools where students will learn about the Arctic. In fact, there are lesson plans available from kindergarten through grade 12.

While you're at the museum I strongly encourage you to check out the special exhibit called Arctic Voices. There were lots of great hands-on things for kids, beautiful images, and interesting info.

Arctic Alive! is a joint venture between the Canadian Museum of Nature and Canadian Geographic Education. The map and specimens will be available to the general public from December 26th to January 4th as part of the holiday programming at the museum.

Arctic Voices is a fascinating new exhibit at the museum that runs from December 5th, 2014 until May 3rd, 2015

Disclaimer: I was able to check out Arctic Alive! and Arctic Voices free of charge. All opinions are my own.

Twice Upon a Time

Reading with the kids is something that is so important to me. For that, we need to have books around. We have lots of books because we're fortunate: we're able to buy them, but we also get a lot given to us. Not all families are as fortunate and I was happy to learn about a non-profit group in Ottawa that gives away books to kids. Twice Upon a Time have given away more than 1000 books since they opened in May. They have a pop-up book store, staffed with volunteers, to give out new and gently-used books for kids up to age 12 in Ottawa.  They are located in Vanier inside Heartwood House at 404 McArthur Avenue.

This weekend they are having a fundraiser, a concert of holiday music with Voices in Harmony. Full details below.

Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 4pm Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank St Doors open at 3pm – join us for coffee and a holiday bake and craft sale

Tickets: $15 – children under 12 free Available at at the door and in advance from: Kaleidoscope Kids Books, 1018 Bank St Ottawa Folklore Centre, 1111 Bank St Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank St

Sounds fun! And if your kids have outgrown any of their books, please consider donating them to Twice Upon a Time and share the love of reading with less fortunate children in Ottawa.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I think this is a great program and am glad we have it available for the kids of Ottawa.

Santa Letter Writing Program

Do your kids write a letter to Santa or are they like mine and cut up the toy catalogs and say they want everything? This year, as part of our 25 activities in December, I'm going to help my 3- and 5-year old write a letter to Santa. It'll help focus them and hopefully show them they can WANT everything but they certainly can't HAVE everything! We'll be using the templates from Canada Post (on their website HERE) so that we include some info about the kids and not just a list of things they want.

Over 6000 elves are working away, answering every letter received before December 16th, in more than 30 languages... incredible! Watch the video to see more:

Some things to remember:

• include your mailing address so your child will get a letter back
• mail by December 16th
• you don't need a stamp!

Santa's address: SANTA CLAUS NORTH POLE H0H 0H0 CANADA

Thank you to Canada Post for this wonderful program to keep the magic alive. Will your child be writing to Santa?