Jumble House I SPY TRASIMENO WITH LIZZIE WITCH, Kids, Learning for young children, Travel with kids, Umbria

I Spy

I’m tired! I’m hot! I’m bored! I want an ice cream!

Sightseeing for children especially on hot summer days can be hard. If it’s hard on the kids then it’s also hard on the parents and it’s tempting just to spend the time on the beach or pleasure park.

But what if you want to sightsee? We tried lots of ways to keep our girls motivated even hiding coins in trees to encourage them to take a few more steps! But the most successful and the easiest solution was the old favourite ‘I Spy’ game.

Like most people we researched places before visiting so had a pretty good idea of what to see. Then a few pics from tourist magazines and we had a pocket of photos to use for ‘I Spy’.

Then, add a bit of competition, ‘I wonder who will spot this first,’ and suddenly a couple of tired, hot kids spring into action!

I put together objects and places around Lake Trasimeno that have interested our own children and made them into this little book which is available around Trasimeno and from Jumble House in Castel Rigone.

If you can’t find one then email me at: judibrereton@gmail.com

Its also available on my channel together with travel videos of the area for adults and children to watch.

LINK TO ‘I SPY TRASIMENO ‘ PLAYLIST

The booklet takes children on a Treasure Trail around San Feliciano,Castel Rigone, Castiglione, Passignano, Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese.

It contains photographs of places and objects for them to ‘spot’ and focuses on improving their observational skills and making  visits really fun.

I’ve used my toys, the ‘JUMBLES’  in the various locations and it is quite possible you will spot some of them on your way round!

Jumble House Children, Creativity, Kids, PreSchool, Science

Floating Egg Experiment

Why don’t they do this kind of thing at school? By that I mean in  first or primary school.  

If you catch them young so many more children would be interested  in Science! 

Lizzie demonstrates how to make an egg float and delivers a challenge.  

A quick and fun activity to do at home.  Parent supervision is needed. 
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Jumble House Kids, Lizzy Witch, Science

Make a fun Cloud Lamp


Don’t pack all those Christmas Lights away! 

The small battery powered type can be used to make fun Cloud Lamps.

It’s an easy and fun craft activity your children will enjoy sharing with you. 

             Click on this link for the instruction video

Questions often asked by young children are ‘What are clouds?  How are they made?  What do they feel like?’ 

Well, Lizzie Witch is very good at catching clouds!  

She is also very good at answering those tricky questions.


       Click on this link to watch the programme: Catch a Cloud in a Jar

Watch more fun Science programmes on the ‘Fun Science for young children with Lizzie Witch’ playlist on the Jumble Fun channel 

                Click on this link to be taken to the Jumble FUN Channel
I hope you enjoy the programmes. If you do please subscribe to the channel. 

Jumble House Animals, Kids, Science, Uncategorized, wildlife

Wow! He’s BIG! 

Remember our Little Lizzie Lizard?  (See previous blog post). 

She looks a bit small compared with this one doesn’t she?  But then Lizzie is a typical European lizard and they don’t grow very big. These lizards are found in much hotter places like Africa and Asia. We filmed this one in Singapore. 

It is a Monitor Lizard and they DO grow very big!  (Although a few are very tiny) 

They do, however share some of the same characteristics as Lizzie Lizard. They are cold bloodied, have a scaley body, a partly detachable tail which will regrow and they lay eggs. 

Unlike Lizzie, however, they are carnivorous and eat fish and insects and birds and small mammals. 

Most are completely harmless but the Komodo Dragon (the largest Monitor lizard) has a weak venom (poison). 

They are also very good swimmers!  (Click on the link below). 

https://youtu.be/joVk-w5P26s
There is an old story (a legend) about monitor lizards which says that they are a sign that crocodiles are near by!  

We didn’t see any in Singapore!  This story probably came about because these lizards stand on their hind legs to check if any predators are near. 

Here’s a short clip of a monitor lizard: 

https://youtu.be/UlKzpfwY3gs

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Jumble House Education, Food, Investigations, Kids, Lizzy Witch

How much sugar is in your fruit juice?

A fun but quite tricky investigation for older kids.

You do need to ask an adult before carrying out this investigation.

Do you know how much sugar is in your fruit juice?

No?

Lizzie Witch wants you to find out!

Look at the picture below. Lizzie has a glass which contains two different fruit juices.

The bottom layer is pear juice

On top is fruits of the forest.

They stay separate because they have different densities. Different sugar contents.

We tend to think that fruit juice is really good for us but actually it does contain a lot of sugar. Some juices contain more than others and this investigation will show you which juices have the least sugar.,

 

Your challenge is to make a drink with four fruit juice layers ! It's more fun if you can also make your drink multi coloured.

The trick is to pour each layer over the back of a teaspoon so it sits on top of the one below without mixing BUT there are a few things you need to remember :

  • The more sugar there is in a juice the denser and heavier it becomes so start with putting the one you think is the heaviest at the bottom. The one that contains the most sugar . It helps to look at the sugar content on the container.
  • If you try to layer two juices which have the same density they will mix together.
  • You do need to use pure fruit juices and not fruit drinks.
  • Don't be wasteful. Try just an inch of the juices to see if it works.
  • Make sure your parents or carers are happy for you to do this investigation.

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Jumble House Children, Creativity, Early Learning, Kids, Lesson Plans, parenting, PreSchool

Why is creativity important?

Creativity

Why is it important to develop a child’s creative thinking skills? Because it’s probably the most important skill they will ever learn!

Developing creative thinking is about developing self esteem and self confidence. It is about developing a love of learning. Of having the means to deal with the confusion, risks and failures that are part of everyday life. The confidence to lead and to be different from the crowd.

I believe that all children are creative by nature but, unfortunately, many lose their creativity before reaching adulthood. In our education and social system where examination success, conformity and peer pressure reign supreme, creativity is often squashed or at least buried.

Creative thinking is vital in all areas of life. It is a skill which will give your children the edge over others in their chosen career enabling them to be the person who initiates new procedures rather than one of the majority who follow already established routines. It opens the door to new opportunities and new inventions.

So how do we recognise a creative thinker?

A creative thinker is able to think 'out of the box'. They are curious and questioning and not afraid of making crazy suggestions knowing that there may be many possible answers. They make mistakes and learn from these mistakes being happy to try and try again. Creative thinkers don’t feel guilty about daydreaming knowing that often this is when the best ideas are born and when they realise these new ideas they put every ounce of energy into making them a sucess. They are optimistic, have boundless energy and, despite accomplishing a great deal, still have free time to enjoy their family and hobbies. Last, but not least. They enjoy life, their work and are never bored!

‘Jumble Fun’ aims at developing creative thinking by:

Asking open ended questions:

The stories and programmes from Jumble House use narrative which includes open ended questions which require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. “What do you think we should use to make …?” “what would happen if …?” “What could we change…..?” “What choices do you have….. ?” They encourage children to think for themselves. To see that often there are many possible answers not just one. To think 'out of the box'.

Making choices

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The programme encourages children to make their own choices. To make decisions and try them out. If their choices fail to achieve the desired result they are encouraged to try again. From this they learn to view making mistakes as a new beginning and not as a failure or the end of a project.

Story telling and dramatic play

There are opportunities for children to make their own ‘Jumbles’ and to weave stories around them. They are encouraged to daydream. To make up stories. To tell stories. To present their stories in many different ways , as story boards, picture stories, puppet shows or in video format. All the movies, pictures and stories featured on 'Jumble Fun' are produced using only an iPad and basic, usually free apps so children are able to obtain a similar product easily at home.

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Creating

The ‘Jumble’ characters enjoy inventing and making things from well, …… jumble! In other words, from ordinary, everyday household items and objects they can collect in their local environment. Using the characters as inspiration and role models, children will become collectors and inventors, viewing ordinary objects as blank canvasses on which to stamp their own individuality. Hopefully they will also become more conscious of the environment and conservation.

Challenges

The Sunday Challenges present children with a range of challenges. They may be art and craft challenges like 'what can you make from ….. ?' or creative thinking challenges, ' Why was the fridge empty?' or “How many uses can you think of for ……” or perhaps a word association game to play. Whatever the subject these activities encourage children to think creatively.

Fun !

Fun is important ! Learning should be fun.

The JUMBLES are fun and they encourage your child to have fun being creative and being active in mind and body. To be inquisitive. To ask questions. To be independent and resourceful. To enjoy learning.