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Teach Your Kids to Be Earth Buddies

Did you know? The average American produces about 1,700 pounds of garbage every year, which means your personal annual trash pile weighs about the same as two large grizzly bears! Multiply that by a family of four and that’s a whole lot of trash filling our landfills, because although 75% of our trash can be recycled, only about a third is actually being recycled. In fact, more than 2.5 million tons of recyclable paper and paperboard waste end up in landfills every year, with packaging accounting for roughly a quarter of that total. More than 30 million tons of food waste also ends up rotting in the trash each year. Yup, our gross, grizzly-bear-sized trash piles are maxing out our landfills and polluting our environment. Luckily, there’s still hope – and our kids can help!

4 Family-Friendly Ways to Be Better Earth Buddies:

1. Pay attention to what you’re putting on your plate. Serve only what will be eaten, save the rest for another meal, and compost any uneaten food instead of throwing it in the trash. Kids can get hands-on composting experience with the Nancy B.'s Science Club® Garbage to Gardens Composting Kit, the only transparent composting kit designed just for them.

 

2. Become a conscious consumer. This means bringing your own bags to the grocery store (your kids can be responsible for remembering to bring them!) and a refillable coffee cup to Starbucks (when that’s allowed again), using a metal straw instead of plastic, and purchasing unpackaged items.

 

3. Research your city’s recyclable materials list and be sure to toss those items in the recycling bin, empty, rinsed, and dry. Our free, downloadable worksheet is a fun way for kids to learn about the different types of recyclables (while building fine motor and critical thinking skills, too).

 

4. Practice through play, like with the Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ Pick-It-Up Truck. Kids use a real, working, power drill to construct their own recycling truck, then play out their own community helper pretend play scenarios with the included sanitation engineer and his kitty cat co-pilot. Plus, all Design & Drill Bolt Buddies packaging does double duty as a playset, saving space in the landfill.

Teach Your Kids to Be Earth Buddies

Did you know? The average American produces about 1,700 pounds of garbage every year, which means your personal annual trash pile weighs about the same as two large grizzly bears! Multiply that by a family of four and that’s a whole lot of trash filling our landfills, because although 75% of our trash can be recycled, only about a third is actually being recycled. In fact, more than 2.5 million tons of recyclable paper and paperboard waste end up in landfills every year, with packaging accounting for roughly a quarter of that total. More than 30 million tons of food waste also ends up rotting in the trash each year. Yup, our gross, grizzly-bear-sized trash piles are maxing out our landfills and polluting our environment. Luckily, there’s still hope – and our kids can help!

4 Family-Friendly Ways to Be Better Earth Buddies:

1. Pay attention to what you’re putting on your plate. Serve only what will be eaten, save the rest for another meal, and compost any uneaten food instead of throwing it in the trash. Kids can get hands-on composting experience with the Nancy B.'s Science Club® Garbage to Gardens Composting Kit, the only transparent composting kit designed just for them.

 

2. Become a conscious consumer. This means bringing your own bags to the grocery store (your kids can be responsible for remembering to bring them!) and a refillable coffee cup to Starbucks (when that’s allowed again), using a metal straw instead of plastic, and purchasing unpackaged items.

 

3. Research your city’s recyclable materials list and be sure to toss those items in the recycling bin, empty, rinsed, and dry. Our free, downloadable worksheet is a fun way for kids to learn about the different types of recyclables (while building fine motor and critical thinking skills, too).

 

4. Practice through play, like with the Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ Pick-It-Up Truck. Kids use a real, working, power drill to construct their own recycling truck, then play out their own community helper pretend play scenarios with the included sanitation engineer and his kitty cat co-pilot. Plus, all Design & Drill Bolt Buddies packaging does double duty as a playset, saving space in the landfill.

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5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids

If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion. 
5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion. 
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Little Kids, Big Feelings
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6 Spooky Ways to Celebrate Halloween at Home

This pandemic has touched every corner of our lives, from work to school to home – and now it’s messing with some of our most favorite holidays! Since many cities across the country may not be allowing trick-or-treating, we’re sharing some spooky ideas (six to be exact) for celebrating Halloween at home. Whether you’re gathering your small, COVID-careful pod of people together to party in your backyard or keeping the fun to family only, check out these ghoulishly great activities and make this Halloween one to remember!1. Carve A Pumpkin (or just decorate it)!Nothing says Halloween quite like carving a pumpkin. Younger kids can paint a spooky face using non-toxic tempera or acrylic paint or try a totally awesome drip design using glow-in-the-dark paint!  Older kids and grown-ups can use stencils, cookie cutters, lemon zesters, and pumpkin carving knives to carefully carve their own creepy creations. Need some inspiration? Check out these ideas for no-carve pumpkins or carving pumpkins– extra points if your pumpkin is wearing a mask!2. Bake Some Scary Snacks!Your kids may not be bringing home pillowcases of candy, but you can still make the day super sweet with Halloween-themed nummies including voodoo doll cookies, cupcake witches, Halloween candy bark, and more! We especially love these simple chocolate chip spider cookies ???? For more fun, check out these delicious Halloween spooky snack ideas on our Pinterest board.Photo credit: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/3. Play Some Ghoulish Games!Have an in-home scavenger hunt (find free, printable clues on PlayPartyPlan.com!), set up your own spider-and-straw races, and make a Witch Pitch out of goodies from the Dollar Store, and get gaming! Find tons of great Halloween-themed games to make and play at home, on our Pinterest board.Photo credit: onecrazyhouse.com4. Make Some Creepy Crafts!Crafts are perfect for a Halloween party! Set up a table with construction paper and paint and make handprint vampires and witches, make vanishing ghosts out of biodegradable packing peanuts, or construct your own haunted house out of toilet paper tubes. Or, for a less messy but totally tactile Halloween activity that doubles as a great guest gift, grab a 24-pack of Playfoam® Pals™ Surprise Party or a case of 64 Playfoam® pods from educationalinsights.com. Order now and SAVE 50% for a limited time! WOW!  Each pod includes squishy, squashy Playfoam – perfect for sculpting everything from pumpkins to black cats, as well as a surprise, neon-colored Pal, and mystery party backdrop.Click to shop & SAVE 50%!5. Take It on Parade!Just because you’re not trick-or-treating doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about. Spread the word in your neighborhood that the kids are going to be on parade, dress them up as their favorite celeb or superhero (you can find some super fun DIY costume ideas on our blog and some fun make-your-own mask printables on our Pinterest board!), wait till dusk, then hit the sidewalk! Keep a socially distant six feet between families and leave an adult at home to wave and holler as the parade goes by.Photo credit: gigglesgalore.net6. Watch Some (Not-So) Scary Movies!Wrap up your Halloween-at-Home with some not-so-scary movies (and Halloween popcorn balls, of course!). Toddlers will love Room on the Broom; Toy Story of Terror and Goosebumps are good scary fun for little ones, while in-betweeners might be ready for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or The House With a Clock in Its Walls. Click for Good Housekeeping’s list of 40 Halloween Movies That Won’t Keep Them Up All Night.
6 Spooky Ways to Celebrate Halloween at Home This pandemic has touched every corner of our lives, from work to school to home – and now it’s messing with some of our most favorite holidays! Since many cities across the country may not be allowing trick-or-treating, we’re sharing some spooky ideas (six to be exact) for celebrating Halloween at home. Whether you’re gathering your small, COVID-careful pod of people together to party in your backyard or keeping the fun to family only, check out these ghoulishly great activities and make this Halloween one to remember!1. Carve A Pumpkin (or just decorate it)!Nothing says Halloween quite like carving a pumpkin. Younger kids can paint a spooky face using non-toxic tempera or acrylic paint or try a totally awesome drip design using glow-in-the-dark paint!  Older kids and grown-ups can use stencils, cookie cutters, lemon zesters, and pumpkin carving knives to carefully carve their own creepy creations. Need some inspiration? Check out these ideas for no-carve pumpkins or carving pumpkins– extra points if your pumpkin is wearing a mask!2. Bake Some Scary Snacks!Your kids may not be bringing home pillowcases of candy, but you can still make the day super sweet with Halloween-themed nummies including voodoo doll cookies, cupcake witches, Halloween candy bark, and more! We especially love these simple chocolate chip spider cookies ???? For more fun, check out these delicious Halloween spooky snack ideas on our Pinterest board.Photo credit: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/3. Play Some Ghoulish Games!Have an in-home scavenger hunt (find free, printable clues on PlayPartyPlan.com!), set up your own spider-and-straw races, and make a Witch Pitch out of goodies from the Dollar Store, and get gaming! Find tons of great Halloween-themed games to make and play at home, on our Pinterest board.Photo credit: onecrazyhouse.com4. Make Some Creepy Crafts!Crafts are perfect for a Halloween party! Set up a table with construction paper and paint and make handprint vampires and witches, make vanishing ghosts out of biodegradable packing peanuts, or construct your own haunted house out of toilet paper tubes. Or, for a less messy but totally tactile Halloween activity that doubles as a great guest gift, grab a 24-pack of Playfoam® Pals™ Surprise Party or a case of 64 Playfoam® pods from educationalinsights.com. Order now and SAVE 50% for a limited time! WOW!  Each pod includes squishy, squashy Playfoam – perfect for sculpting everything from pumpkins to black cats, as well as a surprise, neon-colored Pal, and mystery party backdrop.Click to shop & SAVE 50%!5. Take It on Parade!Just because you’re not trick-or-treating doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about. Spread the word in your neighborhood that the kids are going to be on parade, dress them up as their favorite celeb or superhero (you can find some super fun DIY costume ideas on our blog and some fun make-your-own mask printables on our Pinterest board!), wait till dusk, then hit the sidewalk! Keep a socially distant six feet between families and leave an adult at home to wave and holler as the parade goes by.Photo credit: gigglesgalore.net6. Watch Some (Not-So) Scary Movies!Wrap up your Halloween-at-Home with some not-so-scary movies (and Halloween popcorn balls, of course!). Toddlers will love Room on the Broom; Toy Story of Terror and Goosebumps are good scary fun for little ones, while in-betweeners might be ready for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or The House With a Clock in Its Walls. Click for Good Housekeeping’s list of 40 Halloween Movies That Won’t Keep Them Up All Night. READ MORE

Teachers (and Parents Helping from Home), You’ve Got This!

Seven Reasons Why You’re Going to Be AWESOME This Year and Seven Sweet Ideas, to Boot!We’re the first to admit, this school year may be a little bit crazy. No matter your school’s current scenario, things are definitely not status quo. But teachers, you’ve got this! Here are three reasons why you’re going to ROCK this school year, from us, your biggest fans!First, you’re fab on the fly. What you teach may be mandated, but how you teach it has always been up to you! You’re flexible, you try different approaches with different students, and you turn on a dime when something’s not working. Second, you’re cool with collab. You’re used to collaborating with your colleagues, bouncing crazy ideas off each other, and sharing resources. And you’ll be there for each other now, too, to test each other’s online platform sign-in processes, do trial runs of video calls, troubleshoot technology issues, and share the awesome TED Talks, Khan Academy lessons, free downloadable EI worksheets, and funny teaching memes you find. And third, you bring the fun! From putting their packs on the right pegs to lining up for lunch, you’re used to making even the most mundane activities more fun – and we know you’ll keep finding awesome ideas to do just that ????Speaking of awesome ideas, we’re sharing a few of our own, meant to make your learning space, day, and overall outlook just a little bit brighter:1. Keep Things Quiet!If you’re teaching or learning from home, create a customized doorhanger to let the rest of your crew know that you are online. Cut your own door hanger out of sturdy cardboard, purchase a blank wood hanger at Michael’s and paint it yourself, or follow these easy instructions to transfer an inkjet page onto wood.Photo credit: FamilyShoppingBag.com2. Add Some Inspiration!Print a positive message each day and post it where your kids can see it. Or, if you’ve got great writing, write your words of encouragement on your whiteboard. Then read it aloud with your kids at the start of the day (and again the middle and end, if need be!). Find some great quotes to copy at Greeting Card Poet. Visit our blog for some super tips on building back-to-school confidence and print out our adorably awesome mini posters to help set the tone for an inspiring year!3. Stay Organized!If you’re working from a smaller space than usual, it’s especially important to have a place for everything and keep things organized. Our Small Space Place Pocket Chart is a great way to store your materials! You can also use it to plan and organize your week, revealing one pocket at a time to your students.4. Get to Know Each Other!Kids crave connections and teachers want to get to know their teachers, so host a virtual show and tell. Save a bit of time each week for kids to show off their pets while you share your prized coffee cup collection or whatever other wacky things you’ve got to get your kids giggling. Here are some ideas on how to get set-up!Photo caption: sarahchesworth.com5. Get Moving!A welcomed break from the computer screen, send your kids on a scavenger hunt! Have students find items from around the house as they relate to lessons.  Teaching Science or STEM? Have them go find a real-world example of an inclined plane. Teaching math? See if they can snap a pic of a parabola. Check out these fantastic 22 Scavenger Hunt Ideas.6. Play Dress Up!Keep things light with a spirit week! Have the class dress up in a different theme each day – and you do it, too! Think crazy hair, Hawaiian shirts, mismatched socks, and pajamas. Odds are, your online students won’t even have to change! Here are 4 serious benefits of playing dress up for child development.[caption id="attachment_6939" align="alignnone" width="700"] Photo credit: mommyevolution.com[/caption]7. Bring in Reinforcements!You’re not in this alone. Use your parents and online resources to add some variety and keep your kids engaged. Host a reader’s workshop with parent guest readers or authors reading their own books online. Type “Children’s Book Authors” into YouTube and take your pick or click here for awesome options from PBS Kids.  Join this read-along of "You Matter" with author Christian Robinson.This year is a huge ask, for sure. Teachers are going above and beyond what they ever imagined they’d be doing in the name of educating our kids and keeping them safe. There’s no one we trust more than you to do it – and we’re here for you! Find free resources, including ideas, experiments, printables, and downloads perfect for teachers and homeschooling parents alike, on EducationalInsights.com. You’ve got this! 
Teachers (and Parents Helping from Home), You’ve Got This! Seven Reasons Why You’re Going to Be AWESOME This Year and Seven Sweet Ideas, to Boot!We’re the first to admit, this school year may be a little bit crazy. No matter your school’s current scenario, things are definitely not status quo. But teachers, you’ve got this! Here are three reasons why you’re going to ROCK this school year, from us, your biggest fans!First, you’re fab on the fly. What you teach may be mandated, but how you teach it has always been up to you! You’re flexible, you try different approaches with different students, and you turn on a dime when something’s not working. Second, you’re cool with collab. You’re used to collaborating with your colleagues, bouncing crazy ideas off each other, and sharing resources. And you’ll be there for each other now, too, to test each other’s online platform sign-in processes, do trial runs of video calls, troubleshoot technology issues, and share the awesome TED Talks, Khan Academy lessons, free downloadable EI worksheets, and funny teaching memes you find. And third, you bring the fun! From putting their packs on the right pegs to lining up for lunch, you’re used to making even the most mundane activities more fun – and we know you’ll keep finding awesome ideas to do just that ????Speaking of awesome ideas, we’re sharing a few of our own, meant to make your learning space, day, and overall outlook just a little bit brighter:1. Keep Things Quiet!If you’re teaching or learning from home, create a customized doorhanger to let the rest of your crew know that you are online. Cut your own door hanger out of sturdy cardboard, purchase a blank wood hanger at Michael’s and paint it yourself, or follow these easy instructions to transfer an inkjet page onto wood.Photo credit: FamilyShoppingBag.com2. Add Some Inspiration!Print a positive message each day and post it where your kids can see it. Or, if you’ve got great writing, write your words of encouragement on your whiteboard. Then read it aloud with your kids at the start of the day (and again the middle and end, if need be!). Find some great quotes to copy at Greeting Card Poet. Visit our blog for some super tips on building back-to-school confidence and print out our adorably awesome mini posters to help set the tone for an inspiring year!3. Stay Organized!If you’re working from a smaller space than usual, it’s especially important to have a place for everything and keep things organized. Our Small Space Place Pocket Chart is a great way to store your materials! You can also use it to plan and organize your week, revealing one pocket at a time to your students.4. Get to Know Each Other!Kids crave connections and teachers want to get to know their teachers, so host a virtual show and tell. Save a bit of time each week for kids to show off their pets while you share your prized coffee cup collection or whatever other wacky things you’ve got to get your kids giggling. Here are some ideas on how to get set-up!Photo caption: sarahchesworth.com5. Get Moving!A welcomed break from the computer screen, send your kids on a scavenger hunt! Have students find items from around the house as they relate to lessons.  Teaching Science or STEM? Have them go find a real-world example of an inclined plane. Teaching math? See if they can snap a pic of a parabola. Check out these fantastic 22 Scavenger Hunt Ideas.6. Play Dress Up!Keep things light with a spirit week! Have the class dress up in a different theme each day – and you do it, too! Think crazy hair, Hawaiian shirts, mismatched socks, and pajamas. Odds are, your online students won’t even have to change! Here are 4 serious benefits of playing dress up for child development.[caption id="attachment_6939" align="alignnone" width="700"] Photo credit: mommyevolution.com[/caption]7. Bring in Reinforcements!You’re not in this alone. Use your parents and online resources to add some variety and keep your kids engaged. Host a reader’s workshop with parent guest readers or authors reading their own books online. Type “Children’s Book Authors” into YouTube and take your pick or click here for awesome options from PBS Kids.  Join this read-along of "You Matter" with author Christian Robinson.This year is a huge ask, for sure. Teachers are going above and beyond what they ever imagined they’d be doing in the name of educating our kids and keeping them safe. There’s no one we trust more than you to do it – and we’re here for you! Find free resources, including ideas, experiments, printables, and downloads perfect for teachers and homeschooling parents alike, on EducationalInsights.com. You’ve got this!  READ MORE

Back to School (Or Not) Part 1: What the Heck Is STEM Learning?

Over the last 15 years or so, STEM learning has weaved its way into the American curriculum, with STEM activities showing up in classes as early as preschool. But what IS STEM? And why is it so important?STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – areas that are growing by leaps and bounds as we become more and more reliant on technology. In fact, while there are millions of jobs in STEM fields around the world, employers are struggling to fill them because, until recently, these subjects were not emphasized in schools. Current thought holds that exposure to these subjects and opportunities to explore them through hands-on learning experiences will excite kids and inspire them to continue to study STEM subjects and then go on to pursue STEM-related careers.Teachers across the country have been working hard to infuse their daily lessons with STEM examples, ideas, conversations, activities, and experiments. And you can, too! The STEM experts at EI are sharing easy ways to introduce and reinforce STEM learning right now, at home![caption id="attachment_6537" align="alignnone" width="840"] GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope[/caption]S is for ScienceKids are naturally curious about science and there’s not a rug rat around who doesn’t love an awesome science experiment. Introducing your little ones to the amazing world of science is easy, with the GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope! Featuring extra-large, dual eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized focusing knob, this sturdy microscope is perfect for preschoolers. Kids collect everyday objects, place them on the sample tray, turn on the LED light, and take a peek to see their object magnified up to 8x larger. They can examine everything from a postage stamp to a piece of pizza, gaining an understanding of the physical composition of different objects around them and getting invaluable, hands-on experience with a real, scientific tool! On sale NOW for $14.14 on Amazon Prime. Keep the science fun going with the FREE, downloadable science activities and Home’s Cool Videos on our website, like our beginning science activity cards and erupting apples experiment how-to video![caption id="attachment_6538" align="alignnone" width="840"] Artie 3000™ The Coding Robot[/caption]T is for TechnologyCoding is a key STEM skill and kids as young as 7 years old can get in on the fun, thanks to Artie 3000 the Coding Robot, the creative way to learn to code! Using a computer or tablet, and Artie’s on-board WiFi, kids follow easy instructions to create the code, then Artie draws whatever they’ve coded. Artie’s simple set up and pre-programmed designs are perfect for beginners; more advanced coders can create their own, custom code. From basic shapes to advanced drawings, words, even secret code, Artie grows with your child as their skills advance. Check out this amazing list of 45 fun things to do with Artie 3000 and the awesome Artie Home’s Cool Video series for a visual how-to. Available on Amazon Prime for $54.99.[caption id="attachment_6540" align="alignnone" width="840"] Design & Drill® Space Circuits[/caption]E is for EngineeringKids as young as five years old can explore the incredible world of engineering with Design & Drill® Space Circuits sets! Mini-STEMgineers use a kid-friendly drill to complete 20 space-themed missions, including making lights turn on and off, spinning simple motors, activating buttons and switches, and more, all while building basic problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of simple circuitry. On sale now on Amazon Prime for just $27.70! Looking for even more building and construction fun? Browse our At-Home Activities page and Home’s School Videos for additional activities including drawing with your drill and practicing simple bolt addition.[caption id="attachment_6541" align="alignnone" width="840"] Hot Dots®[/caption]M is for MathMake math practice WAY more fun, with interactive Hot Dots®! The Hot Dots Jr. Let’s Master Pre-K Math set gives kids a jumpstart on math success with 85 pre-K math lessons, 15 advanced lessons, and a talking pen. Preschoolers press Ace-the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen to any answer dot for an immediate audio and visual response. Silly sounds and fun phrases keep kids engaged and motivated as they tackle lessons on counting, numbers, patterns, time, fractions, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime for $30.14. Kids can also practice counting, numbers, patterns, sequences, shapes, colors, and more with the free, downloadable math activities on our website!With a bit of forethought, sneaking some STEM learning into your at-home play time is simple – and fun!
Back to School (Or Not) Part 1: What the Heck Is STEM Learning? Over the last 15 years or so, STEM learning has weaved its way into the American curriculum, with STEM activities showing up in classes as early as preschool. But what IS STEM? And why is it so important?STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – areas that are growing by leaps and bounds as we become more and more reliant on technology. In fact, while there are millions of jobs in STEM fields around the world, employers are struggling to fill them because, until recently, these subjects were not emphasized in schools. Current thought holds that exposure to these subjects and opportunities to explore them through hands-on learning experiences will excite kids and inspire them to continue to study STEM subjects and then go on to pursue STEM-related careers.Teachers across the country have been working hard to infuse their daily lessons with STEM examples, ideas, conversations, activities, and experiments. And you can, too! The STEM experts at EI are sharing easy ways to introduce and reinforce STEM learning right now, at home![caption id="attachment_6537" align="alignnone" width="840"] GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope[/caption]S is for ScienceKids are naturally curious about science and there’s not a rug rat around who doesn’t love an awesome science experiment. Introducing your little ones to the amazing world of science is easy, with the GeoSafari® Jr. My First Microscope! Featuring extra-large, dual eyepieces and a chunky, kid-sized focusing knob, this sturdy microscope is perfect for preschoolers. Kids collect everyday objects, place them on the sample tray, turn on the LED light, and take a peek to see their object magnified up to 8x larger. They can examine everything from a postage stamp to a piece of pizza, gaining an understanding of the physical composition of different objects around them and getting invaluable, hands-on experience with a real, scientific tool! On sale NOW for $14.14 on Amazon Prime. Keep the science fun going with the FREE, downloadable science activities and Home’s Cool Videos on our website, like our beginning science activity cards and erupting apples experiment how-to video![caption id="attachment_6538" align="alignnone" width="840"] Artie 3000™ The Coding Robot[/caption]T is for TechnologyCoding is a key STEM skill and kids as young as 7 years old can get in on the fun, thanks to Artie 3000 the Coding Robot, the creative way to learn to code! Using a computer or tablet, and Artie’s on-board WiFi, kids follow easy instructions to create the code, then Artie draws whatever they’ve coded. Artie’s simple set up and pre-programmed designs are perfect for beginners; more advanced coders can create their own, custom code. From basic shapes to advanced drawings, words, even secret code, Artie grows with your child as their skills advance. Check out this amazing list of 45 fun things to do with Artie 3000 and the awesome Artie Home’s Cool Video series for a visual how-to. Available on Amazon Prime for $54.99.[caption id="attachment_6540" align="alignnone" width="840"] Design & Drill® Space Circuits[/caption]E is for EngineeringKids as young as five years old can explore the incredible world of engineering with Design & Drill® Space Circuits sets! Mini-STEMgineers use a kid-friendly drill to complete 20 space-themed missions, including making lights turn on and off, spinning simple motors, activating buttons and switches, and more, all while building basic problem-solving skills and gaining an understanding of simple circuitry. On sale now on Amazon Prime for just $27.70! Looking for even more building and construction fun? Browse our At-Home Activities page and Home’s School Videos for additional activities including drawing with your drill and practicing simple bolt addition.[caption id="attachment_6541" align="alignnone" width="840"] Hot Dots®[/caption]M is for MathMake math practice WAY more fun, with interactive Hot Dots®! The Hot Dots Jr. Let’s Master Pre-K Math set gives kids a jumpstart on math success with 85 pre-K math lessons, 15 advanced lessons, and a talking pen. Preschoolers press Ace-the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen to any answer dot for an immediate audio and visual response. Silly sounds and fun phrases keep kids engaged and motivated as they tackle lessons on counting, numbers, patterns, time, fractions, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime for $30.14. Kids can also practice counting, numbers, patterns, sequences, shapes, colors, and more with the free, downloadable math activities on our website!With a bit of forethought, sneaking some STEM learning into your at-home play time is simple – and fun! READ MORE

Free EI Printables to Inspire and Energize!

If there is no wind, row.If there is no wind, row. -- Latin proverbReadingI could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity. -- Malcolm XHumansWe, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves. -- Barbara Jordan
We've got a few free printable for your kitchen, home, or classroom from Educational Insights. These inspiring quotes are part of our You Can Quote Me™ Writing Activity Center, available online in our EI web store: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/you+can+quote+me--8482-+writing+activity+center.do?from=SearchSimply click each image to download a PDF for printing or framing. A tiny version left on someone's chair or inserted into a greeting card is an idea as well!
Free EI Printables to Inspire and Energize! If there is no wind, row.If there is no wind, row. -- Latin proverbReadingI could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity. -- Malcolm XHumansWe, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves. -- Barbara Jordan
We've got a few free printable for your kitchen, home, or classroom from Educational Insights. These inspiring quotes are part of our You Can Quote Me™ Writing Activity Center, available online in our EI web store: http://www.educationalinsights.com/product/you+can+quote+me--8482-+writing+activity+center.do?from=SearchSimply click each image to download a PDF for printing or framing. A tiny version left on someone's chair or inserted into a greeting card is an idea as well! READ MORE