Most Helpful Customer Reviews
110 of 111 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great resource for caregivers of energetic preschoolers, March 4, 2003
This review is from: Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds (Paperback)
I have gotten a lot of use out of the author's book for toddlers, and feared this book might contain too much overlap, but I figured it was worth a few dollars to find out and I was pleasantly surprised. This edition dives into math, reading readiness and more challenging crafts. Kudos to the author, who could have been lazy but wasn't! The book is nicely organized and the author writes with humor and affection. A chapter of introduction helps you plan, supply and mentally prepare for those long days when you are running out of ideas, and subsequent chapters organized projects into the following sections: Rainy Day Play; Kids in the Kitchen; Outdoor Adventures; Out and About; Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic and More; Music, Dance and Drama; Arts and Crafts; and Birthdays and Holidays. Most activities are simple to set up, generally using two to four common household items. Appendices list recipes for basic paints, doughs, glues and clay; activities for a Crazy Can (a random drawing setup implementing activities that aren't messy and need little supervision); gifts children can make; best books for young children; and resources. The index lists projects (but not materials, which would be helpful in later editions). The book subtitle, 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to 6-Year-Old Busy, says it all. I found quite a few good ideas in this well-organized, friendly guide.
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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for anyone who needs a creative boost, October 21, 2004
This review is from: Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds (Paperback)
I am a working mother with an active, highly imaginative 3 1/2 year old. I used to be a teacher and always prided myself on being able to come up with great lesson plans. But with the fast-paced, frantic lifestyle of a working mother trying to succeed at 3 and four full time jobs (career, mother, wife, housekeeper), I have temporarily lost that creative spark.
I was shocked at myself when I realized I had fallen into the easy TV trap and was encouraging my daughter to watch TV so I'd have some time to take care of all of my things. I knew that something else had to be done, but I couldnt' come up with any great ideas on a spur of the moment, and I didn't have time to sit and figure out activities. This book was an exciting discovery. I have expanded the book's idea of a "crazy can" and developed several categories-including activities she can do by herself while I'm making dinner, paying bills, etc, and do-togethers for quality time together. Everything is already planned out for me, so we can use the time we have on the activities, not planning and wondering what is age-appropriate.
They are simple, engaging, creative, and quick enough that they don't over extend short attention spans. Most of the materials are already on hand. And, they are "Mom-tested". The first time I read this book my daugther was asleep and I wanted to wake her up just to do them because I knew how excited she would be. She loves the activities as much as I expected and I am able to decrease her TV time, and increase her mind, and our time together.
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as wonderful as the Toddler Busy book, October 10, 2005
This review is from: Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds (Paperback)
I ordered the two books together and they are highly recommended. Ms. Kuffner doesn't repeat (much) in the books so it's worth it to have both. My 3 year old and his 11 year old sister love the activities in this book as well as many adults who have played with us.
I have been using both books to put together a homeschool preschool program for my 2 sons, and they're great for that.
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