7 Toddler Activities to Try at Home

Having a toddler can be overwhelming. Toddler age is a time when curiosity and creativity begin. It can be challenging to get your toddler to do the right thing and not focus too much on the wrong activities. 

These fun toddler activities to try at home will keep them engaged and develop their learning abilities. Always check your toddler’s limitations and capabilities to handle such activity. They have a short attention span so getting their full attention can be tricky.

Color Matching with Cars

This is one of those activities for toddlers that will help them recognize colors at an early age. In this activity, all you need are toy cars and some colored construction paper (rainbow colors are perfect).

Line up the pieces of paper on the floor (either randomly or one single line – depends on the space you have at home). Bring the toy cars out from storage. Then point to each piece of paper telling your toddler the color name as you go. The papers will be their parking spaces. You may guide your toddler at first as they park their car on each piece of paper. You can be as creative by drawing parking lines on each paper. 

As you go along, you can start to let your child do this on their own. Let your kids’ imagination work. The papers can be a walking path or even houses.

Bath Time with Toy Animals

The great thing about this activity is that it is cleaning disguised as an enjoyable water game. Toys eventually need a good wash and toddlers will have fun in the process. This is a good opportunity to let your toddler review animal names and sounds. Learning animal sounds can be advantageous for a toddler’s language development.

For this productive, fun, and educational activity, you will need a large container, washcloth, plastic animals, water, and a bit of soap. You might need a shower curtain liner to keep water off the floor and lessen the mess. Fill the tub with water and put all the animals in. Let your toddler wash the dirt away. Let them pretend they are giving each animal a bath. Once done, lay down the animal on the washcloth to dry.

Indoor Color and Shape Game

One activity to try that will help your child learn about different shapes and colors is this simple indoor game. Draw colored shapes on a large art paper and tape it on the floor. Let your child come up with all sorts of ways to play with this activity. They can walk from one side to another on the same color or the same shape.

Roll and Hop Shape Game

Another fun idea to introduce shapes and colors is this game for toddlers. This is also a great opportunity to develop their gross motor development. You will need a large cube, painter’s tape (test on the floor first to make sure that the finish will not be damaged), and a marker to draw the shapes. You can also check online and print out some downloadable shape cards.

Use the print-outs and tape them to the cubes. You may also choose to draw the shapes instead. Using the painter’s tape, make the corresponding shapes on the floor.

The cube will serve as the “dice” for this game. Let your child roll the dice and then hop on the corresponding shape. Have fun playing until your toddler gets tired.

Cotton Ball Races

While you might have difficulty getting your toddler to understand the dynamics of this game, this is still one that is great for their motor skills. This is good for the little muscles in their tiny hands. You will need cotton balls, squeeze bottles, and painter’s tape for this activity. Use the painter’s tape to mark the start and finish lines on the floor. Demonstrate to your child first how to squeeze the bottle to make the cotton balls move. Once your toddler understands the concept, you can let the race begin.

Learn How to Count Through Number Paths

This fun learning activity is suitable for toddlers – crawling or walking ones, and even for preschoolers. Not only do they learn to count and familiarize themselves with numbers, it can also help them improve their motor skills.

For this activity, you will need construction paper, markers, and tape (clear or masking tape). Cut the papers in half and write 1-10 on each piece. Tape the numbers on the floor in order with some space in between. You might need to have the papers closer together if you have a toddler since their movements are not that big yet.

Let them go at their own pace and count the numbers as they go along. If they start to walk backwards, count the numbers in descending order. You can also be creative and use colored paper. Let them review colors as well while moving from one piece of paper to another.

Walk the Line

Another fun motor skill activity for your toddler is by using colored tapes. Tape some fun lines on the floor – be as creative as possible. Create a red zigzag line, blue straight line, or a curvy green one.

Simply let your child walk along the lines, one foot in front of the other. Make sure that they stay on each color while keeping their balance. If you want to make it harder for them, have them walk sideways or backward.

Final Thoughts

Toddlers are capable of learning so many things through play and everyday interactions with their parents at home. Doing these fun activities as much as possible is a great way to encourage your toddlers to learn and explore at their own pace in a stress-free way.

Need more fun learning toddler activities to try at home? Visit Creative Learning Academy for more resources that will help your toddler develop their skills.

 

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How Can Families Celebrate National Tater Tots Day?

Every February 2nd, people celebrate National Tater Tots Day. People dedicate this day to remembering how good bite-sized potato nuggets taste. They savor this treat whose name  literally means baby potatoes.

How tater tots came to be?

Tater tots came to life through two brothers, Nephi and Golden Grigg. Aided by their brother-in-law, they began playing with the idea of frozen food. They leased a plant on the border of Oregon and Idaho back in 1934. By 1952, they bought the plant and began Oregon Frozen Foods Company. After a number of years, it transformed into Ore-Ida.

To create tater tots, they season potatoes with different spices and bake them into casseroles. This makes tater tots anall-around food. From a meal, side dish, or even a snack, people just keep eating them. They dip it, pop it, or just merely savor its taste.

Recipes to try for National Tater Tots Day

Read through this for different recipes that your family will enjoy  this National Tater Tots Day!

Cajun Tater Tot Waffle topped with Fresh Avocado Lump Crab Salad

Ingredients

Fresh Avocado Lump Crab Salad

• 4 ounces Lump Crab Meat
• 1 ounce Mayonnaise
• 1 ounce Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
• 1 ounce Avocado, diced
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 tsp Fresh Garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
• Kosher Salt, to taste
• Black Pepper, to taste

Pickled Charred Tomato Chive Relish

• 2 ounces Charred Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
• 1 ounce Red Onion, fine diced
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Chives, chopped
• 1 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
• Kosher Salt, to taste

Cajun Tater Tot Waffle

• 32 ounces Frozen Tater Tots, Thawed
• Cajun Seasoning, to taste
• Kosher Salt, to taste
• 1 ounce Fresh Parsley, chopped

Method

• Combine all ingredients for the crab salad together and fold together lightly; careful not to break up the crab or bruise the avocado. Set aside for future use.
• Combine all ingredients for the charred tomato relish together. Set aside for future use.
• Preheat waffle iron, per instructions.
• Spray top and bottom of the waffle iron with non-stick spray.
• Place thawed tater tots in a tight, even layer into the waffle iron; making sure each one is touching each other.
• Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt and parsley on top of tater tots.
• Close the waffle iron, and follow waffle iron cooking instructions.
• Remove the finished waffle and place on a plate.

Chef’s Tip: Top the waffle with the Avocado Lump Crab Salad and garnish with the Charred Tomato Chive Relish!

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Potato Tot Casserole

Ingredients for the braised beef

• 5 pounds beef short ribs, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ½ tablespoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 yellow onion, peeled, quartered
• 1 carrot, peeled, quartered
• 1 stalk celery, quartered
• 24 ounces stout (substitute other strong beer, beef stock or mushroom stock)
• 6 cups beef stock
• 1 sprig thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with cold water to form a paste

For potato tots

• 12 large Idaho russet potatoes
• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 2 cups for frying
• 4 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For casserole

• Braised beef (ingredients above) plus reserved braising liquid
• 2 cups pearl onions, cooked
• 2 cups cremini mushrooms, cooked, quartered
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons black truffle paste
• Potato tots (see below)
• 1 cup gruyère cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

*Note: If you cannot find truffle paste, replace the gruyère for grated truffle cheese. Unfortunately, truffles are so unique that there isn’t a substitute, especially in a dish that already uses mushrooms.

Preparation for braised beef

1. PREHEAT the oven to 325°F. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and sear the beef on both sides, working in batches. Then remove it from the pot.
2. KEEP the pot over medium heat, add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the onions, carrots and celery; brown slightly. Add the stout. Turn down the heat to low and reduce the liquid slightly. Place the beef back in the pot and add the beef stock, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover and braise in the oven until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
3. REMOVE the meat from the braising liquid and reserve. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch to thicken slightly.

Preparation for potato tots

1. HEAT the oven to 350°F. Wash the potatoes well with water to remove all dirt. Lightly prick the potatoes with a fork and toss with 4 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons salt.
2. SPREAD the potatoes out on a large baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Discard the skins.
3. CUT the potatoes in half and press the flesh through a baking grate into a large mixing bowl. Season with 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon black pepper, then fold in 4 tablespoons olive oil.
4. LINE a half sheet tray with parchment paper and lightly grease with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Firmly and evenly, press the potato mix into the tray. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill overnight.
5. CUT the potato mixture into about 1-inch squares. Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a shallow fry pan to about 325°F. Carefully place the potato squares into the oil and fry until golden and crispy, flipping as needed and working in small batches so not to crowd the pan. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Preparation for the casserole

1. PREHEAT the oven broiler to medium-high. Heat the braised beef in a large sauté pan with the thickened braising liquid, pearl onions and mushrooms. Once hot, add the heavy cream and fold in the truffle paste.
2. DIVIDE the mixture between 6 metal dishes and top each with fried potato tots. Sprinkle gruyère cheese over the top. Broil until the cheese is melted. Garnish with chives and serve.

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Now, what are you waiting for? Try out these recipes and feast with your families!

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Top 3 Recipes to Make for National Chocolate Cake Day

Throughout the year, people celebrate a number of different holidays. Be Black Friday or Thanksgiving, people have assigned almost every single day to any holiday that they could think of. But what’s so special about chocolate to have a day for it?

Chocolate, just like wine, is fermented. This happens when farmers harvest cacao pods, clean them, free them from the white material, and dry them out. Cacao beans undergo the process of fermentation. Little by little, the papery shell gets removed and reveals the cacao nibs. Afterwards, chocolatiers grind them into a cocoa mass and separate it into solids and butter. Others then process the mass and mix in milk and sugar. Some transform it into white chocolate by just using chocolate butter, milk, and sugar. People celebrate National Chocolate Day every October 28! Remember to mark that on your calendars as it’s a very chocolatey day!

What recipes can you try for National Chocolate Day?

A lot of people wonder how to incorporate chocolate into almost anything that they eat. Now, we have these three (3) recipes that you may try in order to celebrate this very chocolatey day!

Chocolate Chip-Date French Toast

Ingredients

For the French toast:

• 6 large egg yolks (save the whites for your ultra-healthy breakfast tomorrow!)
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Kosher salt
• Unsalted butter, for frying
• 1 small loaf challah bread, sliced 1 inch thick
• Small handful of semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 dates, pitted and chopped

For the syrup:

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon bourbon

Directions

1. Make the French toast: Whisk the egg yolks, milk, vanilla, orange juice and zest, brown sugar, cinnamon, garam masala and a pinch of salt in a large glass baking dish.
2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Put a wire rack on a baking sheet and place in the oven.
3. Set a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. While the butter melts, prick a few holes on each side of a slice of bread with a fork. Lay it in the egg mixture and, using either a fork or your hands, push the bread into the egg mixture so the bread loosens up a little and soaks up the liquid. Flip and repeat.
4. Using a slotted spatula or tongs, pick up the bread, allowing the excess egg mixture to drip off, and lay it in the hot pan. As the first side is cooking, 2 to 3 minutes, push chocolate chips and chopped dates into the soft, uncooked side of the bread. Be assertive! Then flip and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove and set on the rack in the oven to stay warm. Repeat with the remaining slices of bread, adding more butter to the pan if needed.
5. Meanwhile, make the syrup: Combine the maple syrup and bourbon. Warm it in the microwave, if you want. (You can make the syrup the night before; store in a jar in the fridge, then warm before serving.)

Chocolate Lasagna

Ingredients

• 36 Oreo cookies
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk, cold
• 1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip, divided
• 2 (4 ounce) packages chocolate instant pudding
• 3 1⁄4 cups milk, cold
• 1 1⁄2 cups mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk and sugar, then mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the crust.
4. In a bowl, combine the chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions

• Prep: 30 m
• Ready in: 3 h 30 m

1. Grease a 9×9 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until ingredients are well blended. Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the other half for topping.
3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan, and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon.
4. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently. Cover, and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before cutting into bars.

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Hopefully, this makes your National Chocolate Day more sumptuous!

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5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Preschool

Starting preschool is a major milestone for any child. This stage in their lives brings huge change and involves a whirlwind of emotions. While preschool offers a plethora of benefits to young children, the transition isn’t always as easy as most parents wish it would be. But don’t worry. There are ways you can make it more exciting for your kids.

How to prepare your child for preschool?

Take a look at this list and learn about some helpful tips to prepare your child for preschool.

Establish a set schedule

Establishing a schedule at home is one of the most helpful ways to prepare young kids for preschool. Getting used to following a specific routine can help ease the transition to preschool. Routines teach children about time, order and sequencing, which are part of the many things they will learn in preschool. So, while classes have not started yet, start establishing schedules for your child at home. Establish a specific time for getting up, eating meals, playing outside, reading books, and other activities. Adapting to a particular routine will make it a lot easier to adjust to the structure of a preschool setting.

Develop independence by practicing self-help skills

Try giving your little one simple tasks to develop their independence. Some examples include making their bed in the morning, dressing up, taking off their coat, lacing up their shoes and more! Make it more exciting by turning it into a game. You can give them a little reward for every task they finish to further encourage the habit. However, it would be best if you take time to make them understand what these activities are for. Let them know that those are some of the things they will practice in preschool. This approach isn’t only going to help ease your child’s transition to preschool. It will also boost their sense of independence knowing they can accomplish certain things without an adult.

Make time for reading

Making it a habit to read to your child every day will not only help prepare them for preschool. It will also enhance their vocabulary and language skills. There are a plethora of books about preschool that are available. Also, try to take them book shopping with you on a weekend. Let them choose books they would be interested in. Then, establish a regular schedule for reading every day. You can do it before bedtime or after playtime.

Visit the new preschool

Before classes officially begin, take time to visit the preschool with your little one. This will help increase their comfort in the new environment. It is also best to do your visit while preschool is in session. Introduce your child to the teacher. Then, allow them to become familiar with the classroom as well as other areas of the preschool. It’s also a great idea to allow them to play in the playground. This will make them feel more comfortable in the preschool setting and give them something to look forward to.

Emphasize the fun things about preschool

Most young children dread the idea of school. They hate the thought of being without their parents. The general idea of preschool isn’t something that they look forward to. But there’s something you can do to change that! Talk about preschool with your child as if it’s the most exciting things that can happen to them. Highlight the fun things they can do at school like playing with other kids, making new friends, playing games in the classroom, singing songs, listening to stories and a lot more!

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Preparing kids for preschool seem like a daunting task but it’s not as difficult as you think. Use this guide to help ease the transition to preschool. Also, be sure to enroll your child in a preschool that focuses on holistic growth and development – Creative Learning Academy. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

 

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How to Keep your Child from Getting Sick at School

Be proactive with your child’s health. Prevention is better than cure!

One thing that concerns parents the most when sending their children to school is their health. At school, sickness and viruses can spread easily. It means that there’s a good chance for children to catch a common cold, cough, or flu. As much as we want to shield our children from germs and viruses, these things spread like wildfire. Don’t worry. We have put together a list of things you can do to keep your child healthy throughout the school year and avoid getting sick at school.

Get plenty of sleep

Getting an adequate amount of sleep is one of the best ways to strengthen your child’s immune system. Make sure they are well rested and getting about 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. It’s also important that they don’t stay up late so they wake up refreshed. If you are having difficulty sending your children to bed early, one of the things you can do is to avoid screen time at least an hour before bedtime.

Maintain a well-balanced diet

The habit of eating healthy should start at an early age. Make sure that your child’s diet includes the right mix of vegetable, fruits, proteins and adequate water. Their consumption of junk foods such as candies, chips, and sodas should also be minimized. To keep their immune system strong, you can have your children eat yogurt because it contains probiotics, which are known to be healthy bacteria. To help rid the body of flu viruses, it is best to consume foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, shellfish and mackerel.

Exercise regularly

Just like adults, children also need regular exercise. They need to be physically active to be healthy and to keep their immune system strong. Exercise also increases a child’s ability to fight off infections. Help your child achieve an active and healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to play sports or outdoor games with other children.  Take them to the park on weekends;go to the beach or visit a nearby walking trail.

Use utensils to eat

Instead of using their hands to put food in their mouth, teach your children to use utensils every time they eat. This will help reduce the possibility of contaminating food with germs.

Wash hands thoroughly

Effective hand washing is another habit that children should be taught. As soon as they get home from school, send them straight to the sink to clean their hands. They should also do the same before and after meals. It’s also important to teach them the proper way of washing their hands.

Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth

Germs and bacteria can easily enter the body when children place their hands on their eyes, mouth, and nose. If there’s a need to wipe these areas, have them use a tissue.

Use hand sanitizer

Soap and water are not always accessible at school. That’s why it is best to have children use  hand sanitizer. You can have them bring a small bottle in their bag or keep it handy in your purse or car.

Stay away from stress

Your child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. In fact, their mental well being can significantly affect their overall wellness. Make it a point to check with them and observe if there are any drastic changes in their behavior. Children get stressed when they are dealing with a sudden change. Be with them as they cope with stress.

There’s no doubt that germs and viruses spread uncontrollably at schools. You can always refer to these tips to make sure your child is protected from getting sick at school.

Looking for a preschool that offers a fun and educational toddler program? Please feel free to visit Creative Learning Academy.

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6 Fun Educational Activities with Toddlers

Toddlers need fun and engaging activities

It is true that kids have brains like sponges. Especially young children between the ages of one to three. Because toddlers absorb new things fast, parents should make the most of this stage. They can help their kids achieve their full learning potential. You should choose activities that are both fun and educational for your little ones. By selecting the right kind of activities, you help boost your child’s physical, emotional and cognitive skills.  Below is a list of some fun and educational activities you can try with your toddler.

Cookie cutter painting

The cookie cutter painting activity is perfect for toddlers who love to play with colors. It is simple and fun. You only need cookie cutters, paint in different colors, a large sheet of white paper and trays for the paint. Pour the paint on to different trays and have these trays placed on top of a long sheet of paper. Let your toddler make use of the cookie cutters as stamps from the paint trays to the paper. Doing this will develop your little one’s fine motor skills as they try to get a good grip of the cutters. This is also a perfect opportunity to introduce them to basic colors.

Simon Says

Simon Says is an excellent game for teaching kids how to listen and follow instructions. This game can be played one-on-one or with a group of kids. The mechanics are easy. You play the role of Simon and all you have to do is to give out commands or instructions such as, “Simon says raise your hand!” or “Simon says hop like a frog!” They should only follow commands starting  with Simon Says. Instructions without this phrase shouldn’t be followed. If they do, they are eliminated. Try this game to help improve your child’s listening skills and concentration while having fun!

Scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is another exciting game your kids will love! Send them hunting for objects around the house based on your specific commands. For example, you can say, “Find me something soft” or “Find me something colorful”. You may also ask them to bring you a couple of random objects, teaching them how to identify shapes and colors. You can ask which object is round, or which one is blue.

Simple Lego Challenges

Lego blocks make for great toys

The Simple Lego Challenge is a fun and interesting game for kids. It brings out the natural creativity in children. For this activity, you will need different colorful card boards cut into rectangles. Then make them look like paper Legos by drawing small circles on one side. Flip the cards to the other side and write one secret challenge for each card. Some of the challenges may include, “Draw your favorite stuffed animal” or “Build your dream house”. Taking on each challenge will get their imagination and creativity working.

Obstacle course

A simple obstacle course is a perfect game for restless toddlers. This will help promote balance, coordination and gross motor skills in kids. If you have adequate space at home, you can set up a small course inside your living room or outside in the backyard. Your child can safely run around, roll and jump.

Puzzles

Puzzles are excellent for toddlers. They cover all aspects when it comes to their growth and development. This activity requires physical efforts as they try to make the pieces fit. The solving of the puzzle is good practice of their cognitive skills. Because they may not solve the puzzle immediately, the game is a good test of their patience. This taps into their emotional well-being. You can also squeeze in an introduction to recognizing basic shapes as they complete the puzzle.

If you’re looking for the best activities to keep your toddler busy, these are excellent ideas to try. Not only are they fun and exciting, they are also educational! If you’re looking for a preschool that offers a fun and educational toddler program, please feel free to visit Creative Learning Academy.

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Find out How You Can Help Others on World Food Day

World Food Day is observed on the 16th of October each year. This day is celebrated to honor the date when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded in 1935. It is also recognized to raise awareness about hunger, as well as encourage the public to take action is to help eliminate world hunger.

The World Food Day is celebrated by organizing food drives and distributing free meals for the homeless and less fortunate. If you have the heart to participate in this holiday, here are some of the ways you can take a stand against hunger and make a difference.

Take a photo of your meal and share it on  social media

If you think taking photos of your sumptuous meals and uploading them on the social media is meaningless, then you have been thinking wrong. By sharing photos of your meals, you are also literally sharing your food. All you have to do is to download FoodShareFilter or Feedie. Both applications were designed to help fight global hunger. Every time photos of food are shared using the app, the restaurant donates a meal to an organization called the Lunchbox Fund that provides meals for orphaned children in South Africa.

Volunteer in your local community garden

Food scarcity and insecurity affect people living in poverty and those who have limited access to healthy and fresh food. Help make a difference by volunteering in your local urban garden. Address hunger by getting outside, by connecting with people, and by distributing fresh produce to people who need it most.

Participate in local community events

There are plenty of local events you can participate in if you want to help fight hunger in your community. Search World Food Day USA on Google to find some ways you can help. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities: packing meals for the homeless, walking for hunger, or helping out in a soup kitchen to name a few. No matter how big or small, your efforts will make a difference. However, you help out will be valuable for the nourishment of those who are in need. So serve your community by giving your time and efforts.

Help improve the quality of school lunches

In different parts of the United States and throughout the world, a school lunch or breakfast may be the only full meal a student eats in a day. The sad part is that these meals do not always contain important nutrients a child needs for growth and development. By improving the quality of food at schools, children can enjoy better health and improve their academic performance.

Treat yourself

Did you know that by treating yourself with your favorite food at your favorite restaurant, you are also making a difference in the world’s problem with hunger and food scarcity? So go ahead and invite a friend for a meaningful and sumptuous meal. As soon as the check arrives, donate the cost of your meal by joining the #HungerFree movement. This movement is organized to help fight hunger in South Sudan, Kenya, and many other parts of the globe.

Attend an event

If you are looking for other ways to participate in  World Food Day, you can visit foodday.org and enter your zip code to find an event near you. It doesn’t matter which event you choose, whether you dine or donate, the important thing is that you are helping spread awareness. You are also encouraging people to join the fight against hunger.

Food scarcity and hunger may seem to be overwhelming global problems. But if we all decide to take action, even in our little ways, and become advocates for health and food, we can all make a difference to make this world a better place.

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