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If you don’t have a backyard, you can bring nature indoors through these great crafts, activities, books, and online resources.

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Upcoming Events | North Valley Public Library

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During this adult craft night, we will make whimsical doors and windows perfectly sized for the fairies or gnomes in your yard. Attach your new fairy door to a tree, flowerpot, or large stone, and prepare to be enchanted. All materials provided.

Craft Start Time Rule

Programs begin promptly. Please arrive on time. In order to ensure that everyone has time to complete their craft and receive the full instructions, registrants who arrive more than 10 minutes late to craft programs are welcome to stay and watch cannot participate.

No-Show/Late Cancellation Rule

When a patron registers but does not arrive, or cancels less than 24 hours before the event, someone on the waitlist is prevented from being able to enjoy the program. Registrants who are no-shows or cancel less than 24 hours before the start time of a craft program will be transferred to the waitlist of the next craft program they register to attend if the program is full.

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Upcoming Events | Bitterroot Public Library

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Join us to unlock your inner artist. Learn about artists, style, technique, and work with a wide variety of mediums! Please register for each session you wish to attend, space is limited. Ages 7 +

Programs & Take Home Kits are for families and individuals. For those with a group of 5 or more, please contact the library at 363-1670. We may be able to accommodate a special event or kits for your group.

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Jan. 6th-Happy Gnome Year!
Welcome the New Year as you paint an adorable plaster gnome! It is said that gnomes bring good luck!

Jan. 13th-Repurposed Jars
Cover a glass jar with bits of colorful tissue paper then decoupage the entire surface. Beautiful!

Jan. 20th-Paper Robots
Design a robot to be out of this world amazing with striking features and technological advances.

Jan. 27th-Printmaking
Today we learn simple printmaking techniques as we print a full moon over a winter landscape.

Feb. 3rd-It's a Small World!
Wooden peg dolls come alive with creativity, imagination and a plethora of craft elements!

Feb. 10th-Heart Treasure Boxes
Celebrate Valentine's Day with your own heart shaped treasure box to someone you love!

Feb. 17th-Animal Tracks
Choose from an assortment of plaster animal tracks and paint them with acrylic paint.

Feb. 24th-Leap Frogs!
It's Leap Year! Let's make origami frogs and send them leaping across the museum floor! We will have designs for all skill levels.

Check our Facebook Event page for up to-date Series information. https://www.facebook.com/ravallimuseu m

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Jan. 6th-Happy Gnome Year!Welcome the New Year as you paint an adorable plaster gnome! It is said that gnomes bring good luck! Jan. 13th-Repurposed JarsCover a glass jar with bits of colorful tissue paper then decoupage the entire surface. Beautiful! Jan. 20th-Paper RobotsDesign a robot to be out of this world amazing with striking features and technological advances.

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Jan. 6th-Happy Gnome Year!
Welcome the New Year as you paint an adorable plaster gnome! It is said that gnomes bring good luck!

Jan. 13th-Repurposed Jars
Cover a glass jar with bits of colorful tissue paper then decoupage the entire surface. Beautiful!

Jan. 20th-Paper Robots
Design a robot to be out of this world amazing with striking features and technological advances.

Jan. 27th-Printmaking
Today we learn simple printmaking techniques as we print a full moon over a winter landscape.

Feb. 3rd-It's a Small World!
Wooden peg dolls come alive with creativity, imagination and a plethora of craft elements!

Feb. 10th-Heart Treasure Boxes
Celebrate Valentine's Day with your own heart shaped treasure box to someone you love!

Feb. 17th-Animal Tracks
Choose from an assortment of plaster animal tracks and paint them with acrylic paint.

Feb. 24th-Leap Frogs!
It's Leap Year! Let's make origami frogs and send them leaping across the museum floor! We will have designs for all skill levels.

Check our Facebook Event page for up to-date Series information. https://www.facebook.com/ravallimuseu m

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Jan. 6th-Happy Gnome Year!Welcome the New Year as you paint an adorable plaster gnome! It is said that gnomes bring good luck! Jan. 13th-Repurposed JarsCover a glass jar with bits of colorful tissue paper then decoupage the entire surface. Beautiful! Jan. 20th-Paper RobotsDesign a robot to be out of this world amazing with striking features and technological advances.

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Wildfires

A wildfire is an unplanned fire that can happen anywhere, at . The risk increases during periods of little rain and high winds. Child care providers must prepare in advance so they have the supplies and plans necessary to keep the children in their care safe in the event of a wildfire.

Preparing for Wildfires

Child care providers can take steps to be prepared for wildfires.

Sign up for your community's warning system.

Know your community's evacuation plans and find several ways to leave the area. Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations.

Gather an emergency supply kit (link "emergency supply kit" to the page with that name), including N95 respirator masks that filter out particles in the air you breathe. Keep in mind each person's specific needs, including an updated asthma plan and medication.

Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows.

Keep important documents in a fireproof, safe place. Create password-protected digital copies.

Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.

Find an outside water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.

Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home or facility.

Review insurance coverage to make sure it is enough to replace your property.

Pay attention to air quality alerts.

For more specific information about these steps, visit the

Air Quality

Children are more susceptible to poor air quality than adults. Use the Air Quality Index to understand when to take action.

Other Resources

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Wildfires A wildfire is an unplanned fire that can happen anywhere, at any time. The risk increases during periods of little rain and high winds. Child care providers must prepare in advance so they have the supplies and plans necessary to keep the children in their care safe in the event of a wildfire.

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Zero to Three-Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires

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Zero to Three-Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires

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Resource for parents

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Follow safety advice and evacuation orders issued by local officials.

Collect emergency supplies you may need: water, canned goods, paper products, medications, and batteries. Don't forget diapers, formula and baby-friendly foods as well. If you can't find bottled water, fill as many containers as you can. Fill your gas tank, withdraw some cash from the bank, and identify your evacuation route and nearby shelters. If you are told to evacuate, then gather what you need and do so.

Pay attention to your facial expression and body language.

Your baby or young child is watching your nonverbal cues to decide whether they are safe. When you can, take a moment to breathe, un-knit your brow, and relax your shoulders. These small physical shifts go a long way in creating a solid sense of safety for your child.

Notice your tone.

It's perfectly normal during this time to have anxiety in your voice, but your baby senses your fear (as early as 3 months, according to research). If everyone is physically safe, try to focus on that. By being aware of your tone, and keeping your voice calm, you can help your little one feel safe.

Keep routines consistent.

You will surely be stressed and overwhelmed with prepping or packing. But try to keep your young child's daily schedule as normal and consistent as possible. Knowing what to expect can help children feel physically and emotionally safe-and it might help you feel more grounded as well.

Bring along a "lovey" and extra snuggles.

If you are planning to evacuate and making difficult decisions about what to pack, make room for one of your child's special stuffed animals, blankets, small toys or books. This "transition object" can help your child adapt to a new place for a few days, or longer. Young children may need more soothing physical touch than usual during this time. When surrounded by everything new, your little one is probably going to want their most loved and familiar person (you!) close by at all times.

Let your children know what's coming next.

While you are navigating the fires, life may be chaotic. Understanding what might come next can help children feel more safe and secure. Even in situations where you need to move quickly, tell children what is about to happen. "We are getting ready to go to a place where we'll be safe. There will be many other families there and we'll all stay safe together."

Shield your child from frightening conversations or images.

Keep the details of the fires away from your children as much as possible. If you are in a place, like a shelter, where you can't easily move away from an intense conversation, tell your child a story or sing a song. This can be a good distraction strategy.

Play, sing, and tell stories.

While the last thing you feel like doing may be playing together, try to find some time to connect with your child in a playful way. This is a form of normalcy for them and helps them feel close to you.

Know that during this time your child may seem to lose some skills they've already gained.

It's perfectly normal for a child to "lose" some potty training skills and go back to having accidents or to begin waking up again once or more per night, during periods of intense family stress. Your child may also show less self-confidence and independence and want to stay close to you and be held more than usual. This "clinginess" is a way for them to feel safe and close to you, which is so important to them now.

You may find that your child cries or fusses more, or seems to be too withdrawn, even after the event.

This means that children are still feeling unsure and unsettled. They will need extra cuddling, play, and attention during this time-which can be tough since it's likely you will be facing many demands in the aftermath. Be sure to tell your child when you have to leave him or her (avoid "sneaking out"), and consider using a good-bye routine-like a special kiss or song-to help with the parting. If your child's behaviors persist, think about talking with his or her health care provider or seeking out a mental health provider with experience in supporting young children. It is common for both children and adults to need some additional support following a scary and sometimes traumatic event.

Don't go it alone! Moms and Dads who talk to, and lean on, others will be better able to provide steady, calm guidance for their children. Reach out to neighbors, friends, and local service organizations. An event like this is scary and stressful. Parents need and deserve support in order to support their children.

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Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires

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As wildfires rage across Southern California, many parents with babies and young children will be affected. Whether you're in an evacuation zone or in an area where you can see, smell or sense the smoke, adults and kids alike will feel the stress. Some may be significantly impacted.

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How to talk to young children about wildfires

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How to talk to young children about wildfires

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Wildfires Families play a critical role in helping to reestablish a sense of normalcy and safety for a child before, during and after a disaster occurs. Please take a moment to read through these s...

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Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide

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Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide

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To access this, right-click the post and download the guide.

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Videos

Fire Safety at Home Anchor Chart

Teach your students how to stay safe in case of a fire with a fire safety at home discussion. Make sure to download and print your free anchor chart images here.

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Fire Safety at Home Anchor Chart Teach your students how to stay safe in case of a fire with a fire safety at home discussion. Make sure to download and print your free anchor chart images here.

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School/Early Childhood Program Activity guidelines for wildfire smoke

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School/Early Childhood Program Activity guidelines for wildfire smoke

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Activity Guidelines for Wildfire Smoke Events- Schools (2020)

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General outdoor activity guidelines for wildfire smoke

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General outdoor activity guidelines for wildfire smoke

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Activity Guidelines for Wildfire Smoke Events- General Public (2020)

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This map shows fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires and other sources. It provides a public resource of information to best prepare and manage wildfire season. Developed in a joint partnership between the EPA and USFS.

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The Louvre Kids application offers a selection of stories and tales about some of the most fascinating artworks in the Louvre.

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There are many ways to reduce your health risks during periods of wildfire smoke, including various home fixes, using a HEPA portable air cleaner, and more. ​Learn about how to breathe clean and stay healthy during smoke events on the clean indoor air page.

We all need fresh air, sunlight, and exercise. During periods of wildfire smoke, it's easy to feel unhappy or trapped when we're told to stay indoors or reduce physical activity, and when we can't see the sun through the smoke. Health officials know this, which is why it's important to find a balance that works for you, given the ever-changing conditions. Additionally, many people work outside and do not have the option to stay indoors. Visit our Outdoor Safety page for tips and tricks.

When it's hot and smoky, we need to check in on our friends and neighbors. We know COVID and wildfire smoke are a bad combination. If you or anyone you know is not yet vaccinated, please don't delay. And if you're recovering from COVID, do take extra preparations to stay healthy if smoke comes our way.

We're helping to provide clean indoor air for those most at risk, in order to protect health, and save lives. Studies show that health impacts from smoke exposure extend months or even years after smoke has dissipated, highlighting the need for interventions. If you're able, please support this work so we can reach more people in need.

Montana has a unique landscape with populated mountain valleys and dense forests covering much of the western half of the state. Our climate is changing and we're seeing hotter and drier summers, resulting in longer and more intense wildfire seasons, and more smoke. Can you work with local government and leaders in your community to begin planning and acting today? Visit page to learn more about our changing climate, and the reasons to prepare for and address wildfire smoke as a public health issue. The Science

​There are multiple ways for Montana communities to prepare for and adapt to changing fire seasons. Wildfire smoke is a public health issue, and strategies such as utilizing portable air cleaners and smarter building design can help people stay healthy and cool. There are other risks from climate change that we in Montana need to understand and build strategies to address. And we need to work together reduce the root cause by reducing carbon pollution!

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There are many ways to reduce your health risks during periods of wildfire smoke, including various home fixes, using a HEPA portable air cleaner, and more. ​Learn about how to breathe clean and stay healthy during smoke events on the clean indoor air page . We all need fresh air, sunlight, and exercise.

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Although we can't get rid of the smoke outdoors, there are options for limiting exposure to harmful, smoky air. Check out each of these pages: HEPA filters DIY fan/filter combo Home & Office...

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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

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Virtually visit Canada's farms and food producers

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Virtually visit Canada's farms and food producers

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Farm and food focused

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Virtual Reality

Take yourself on a real life expedition of Canadian farms and food processing facilities from the comfort of your home. It's a fun, simple and affordable way to educate and engage audiences in workshops, trade shows, classrooms and the like. This can be done through Google Cardboard or Gear VR. Grab one and get started!

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Virtual Reality Take yourself on a real life expedition of Canadian farms and food processing facilities from the comfort of your home. It's a fun, simple and affordable way to educate and engage audiences in workshops, trade shows, classrooms and the like. This can be done through Google Cardboard or Gear VR.

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NASA, JPL, and Google bring the real surface of Mars to your browser.

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Thinking about fire danger isn't fun. But it's important. Whether you live in a wildfire danger zone or are worried about a kitchen fire, it's essential for you and your family to know how to prevent fires ... and what to do if there is a fire. Fortunately, Every Star Is Different has some wonderful fire safety printables to help. They're 50% off through October 31!
Disclosure: I've been given a copy of these materials to review. My opinions are honest and my own. This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Printable Pack

10% of all sales from this pack are going to help a family whose 8-year-old son with autism died in a fire. The child was a classmate of one of Renae and Jason's daughters.

Here's what the Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Printable Pack includes:
Fire Safety Printable Pack Table of Contents

Firefighting Vehicles Nomenclature Cards

Air, Land and Water Firefighting Vehicles Sort

What Vehicles Put Out Fires? Sorting Cards

Fire Safety Gear Nomenclature Cards

Fire Safety Gear Writing Strips

Fire Safety Nomenclature Cards

Fire Starter Nomenclature Cards

Places You May See Fire at Home Nomenclature Cards

Safe Versus Unsafe Sorting Cards

Fire Extinguisher Matching Cards

Fire Word Scramble

Fire Safety Grammar Environment Word Strips

911 Outline Card

911 Do-a-Dot Card

911 Sign Language Card

911 Number Scramble

How to Call 911 Visual

My Home Address Writing Strips

My Home Address Visual Resources

Fire Truck Addition Clip Cards

Fire Truck Counters

Put Out the Flame Subtraction Clip Cards

Put Out the Flame Counters

Stop, Drop and Roll! Activity & Variations

Telephone Outlines

Fire Truck Outlines

Flame Outlines

The Fire Safety Printable Pack also includes two bonuses:

How to Call 911 Social Story

I Can Stay Safe if There is a Fire Social Story

I've loved all the materials I've used from Every Star Is Different. We're in love with the fire safety printables already, and we've just started to use them. We'll be able to use them for years, too!

Here's our shelf with the first activities we're using from the bundle! Protecting Your Home is a favorite book of my 2½-year-old grandson! He loves A Day in the Life of a Firefighter, too. (Note: You'll find lots of great fire safety books to go with the printables in my post "The Best Fire Safety Books for Kids.")

How to call 911 (or your country's emergency number) is so important for even preschoolers to know. I prepared a tray with the 911 poster and telephone outline from the pack to use for punch work (or scissor cutting) and gem gluing (adding bling to the cell phone). (Note: Montessori Services' wood handled puncher is my favorite tool for punch work because of the safety factor.)

My 2½-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, is great with scissors and cutting strips, but I have her do punch work for larger cutting projects. My 6½-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, can easily cut out much more difficult things than the phones, but this is a fun activity to reinforce the steps for calling 911. The phones can be decorated however the child wishes, and they can be used to practice calling 911 (and to make other pretend calls, too).

I have these materials on another shelf that's not shown here. They're the Firefighting Vehicles Nomenclature Cards and Air, Land and Water Firefighting Vehicles Sort from the Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Printable Pack. The book is by Gail Gibbons, a Montessori-friendly book with lots of easy-to-understand information about fire vehicles and fire fighting.

I printed out the Air, Land and Water Firefighting Vehicles sort at a reduced size so they would fit onto the Land and Water Forms Map we have from Pin It! Maps. (Caleb loved the activity!) I love the land and water forms map for land, air, and water sorting activities although many other maps or mats would work well, too.

You could use small bottles with real land, air, and water or even use 3 different colors of construction paper to represent air, land, and water. You'll find other ideas to use for land, air, and water transportation sorting here.

Caleb also had fun gluing pictures to make a booklet using the I Can Stay Safe if There is a Fire Social Story from the fire safety printable pack.

I used some of our grammar materials for this work along with a firefighter from the Safari Ltd. People TOOB, Fire Safety Nomenclature Cards (in this Montessori cards display box), Fire Safety Grammar Environment Word Strips (in this wooden tray), and Stop, Drop and Roll! Activity & Variations from the fire safety printable pack. I especially emphasized/reviewed the verbs stop, drop, roll.

While my 2½-year-old grandkids can use the stop, drop, and roll puzzles, Zoey is reviewing verbs as well as making sentences with the fire safety grammar environment word strips. The sentence in the photo says, "The tall firefighter extinguishes the flame."

All the activities we've done have been great! I highly recommend the Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Printable Pack from Every Star Is Different! It stimulated some important lessons and discussions for us. Again, it's 50% off through October 31!

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Non-Scary Montessori Fire Safety Resources for Preschool Through Elementary - Living Montessori Now

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Thinking about fire danger isn't fun. But it's important. Whether you live in a wildfire danger zone or are worried about a kitchen fire, it's essential for you and your family to know how to prevent fires ... and what to do if there is a fire.

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Join us for our Virtual Field Trips or watch them on-demand after their premieres. Each no-cost Virtual Field Trip comes with a companion guide packed with standards-aligned, hands-on learning activities! Select one of the options below to register.

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Take students beyond the classroom and into some of the world's most iconic locations with virtual field trips. Learn more!

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Ask a Ranger

Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful Geyser, bison, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone Lake, and a massive supervolcano. Yet, there is so much more to the park. Check out our Ask a Ranger section of commonly asked questions to learn more about this amazing place.

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Kids & Youth - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful Geyser, bison, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone Lake, and a massive supervolcano. Yet, there is so much more to the park. Check out our Ask a Ranger section of commonly asked questions to learn more about this amazing place.

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So, I started doing the yoga with the toddlers. The first time was, well, funny for all of us. I haven't done yoga in years and I ALWAYS did it in a studio...so doing it in the playroom floor with Jake and the Neverland Pirates playing in the background-funny. But, after a few times now, I've found these super-easy 6 Yoga Poses Toddlers Can Do -that they'll actually DO. And this, my lovelies, is how you yoga with toddlers. (I feel like a yoga-genius, heh)

6 Yoga Poses Toddlers Can Do

So, yeah, there's all sorts of benefits to doing yoga with your kids, in my opinion. And I'm not going to hash through those again, but, needless to say, they really like it and so do I. So, how do I get them to do these poses?

I show them. A couple of times. So, after our shower in the morning, I clear off a space in the playroom and go through these poses. Seriously.

I invite them to do it, too. If they seem more interested in me than Jake and those crazy pirates of his, I ask my girls if they'd like to help me or sit next to me. Whatever I can to engage them.

I show them the picture. This was a game-changer for us. They can even point to which one they want to do...awesome.

I tell them what we're doing. My oldest likes to know, verbally, how to do it before we do it. If that makes sense. Heh.

I help them. Sometimes, a little helping hand is all they need-so I give them a little boost.

Easy, right? And then we just hold the pose for as long as they'd like-I usually count to ten, then we're on to the next thing. Really, this has been a lot of fun and I don't see it changing for a long, long time.

You can download your free printable showing the 6 yoga poses toddler can do in JPG format here or your PDF format here.

And, don't forget, if you're just starting out with yoga (or starting over like me), you can get my free printable with 20 Yoga Poses for Beginners here.

So, what do you think of these 6 Yoga Poses Toddlers Can Do? Think your littlies will enjoy participating in yoga with you? Let me know how it goes! Just drop me a line in the comments below or find me over on Facebook!

Comments

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6 Yoga Poses Toddlers Can Do (with a free printable)

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So, I started doing the yoga with the toddlers. The first time was, well, funny for all of us. I haven't done yoga in years and I ALWAYS did it in a studio...so doing it in the playroom floor with Jake and the Neverland Pirates playing in the background-funny.

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Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks distance learning resources

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Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks distance learning resources

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About the Program
Montana WILD & Inspired Classroom Distance Learning Program is a problem-solving project hosted on a virtual platform.
Students participate in two interactive Livestream events allowing them to interact with wildlife biologists and other conservation specialists. Students walk through the steps of problem-solving as they react to a real-world scenario. As they research, brainstorm, apply criteria, develop action plans and submit solutions for review, students are critically thinking and developing real-world skills.

Teachers can embed the program into their curriculum any way they choose-use it as a whole class, student teams, or independent project.

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EDUCATION :: Montana WILD Distance Learning | Montana FWP

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Montana WILD & Inspired Classroom Distance Learning Program is a problem-solving project hosted on a virtual platform. Students participate in two interactive Livestream events allowing them to interact with wildlife biologists and other conservation specialists. Students walk through the steps of problem-solving as they react to a real-world scenario.

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Glacier National Park offers free distance learning programs for classes throughout the country. Distance learning programs are designed to meet national teaching standards and are appropriate for students in grades K-12. These interactive programs are conducted live from the park via your preferred video conferencing/meeting platform (e.g., Zoom, etc.).

Program and Registration Schedule

Registration for the 2022 fall season will begin in September 2022.

Programs are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm MT.

Program descriptions and supporting information can be found below.

Special request programs for adult groups are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Register for a Distance Learning Program

Glacier's distance learning programs will resume in October and run through mid-December 2022. We will be accepting reservations for these dates in September 2022. Teachers can sign up through this webpage. This webpage will be updated with a registration link and more instructions in September 2022.

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Ranger-led Distance Learning - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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Glacier National Park offers free distance learning programs for classes throughout the country. Distance learning programs are designed to meet national teaching standards and are appropriate for students in grades K-12. These interactive programs are conducted live from the park via your preferred video conferencing/meeting platform (e.g., Zoom, etc.).

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Learn more about how to be a fire-adapted community

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Learn more about how to be a fire-adapted community

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Fire Adapted Site Resources

Wildfire is part of the Montana landscape. Fire adapted communities work to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire. As all Montanans share wildfire risk, a fire adapted community approach emphasizes that everyone shares responsibility. This includes residents, businesses, policy-makers, land managers and emergency responders, as well as local, state, tribal and federal governments.

Please dig into the following resources to learn how you can lend your skills and knowledge to creating fire adapted communities across Montana. When you are ready, take action. Reach out to the Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network and we can connect you with local resources and partners.

Helpful Resources

The work being done in Montana is part of the national Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network. This national network of people is working to improve wildfire adaptation in wildfire-prone communities.

Montana is #1 in the country, with the highest percentage of households in areas with extreme fire hazard. To begin conversations on how local leaders can help prepare your community, learn about Community Planning Assistance for Wildfires. Connect with your neighbors before a wildfire to help ensure effective preparedness and evacuation by residents when the time comes by using the Ready, Set, Go program.

The loss of homes to wildfire is as much a social problem as it is a wildfire problem. The Wildfire Research (WiRē) Team brings diverse expertise in sociology, economics, and wildfire risk mitigation to attend to the fact that learning to live with wildfire is a social issue - so we need a social solution. Their unique approach unites research and practice to collect and study community-specific data to tailor wildfire programs that support local solutions.

Current wildfire information in Montana is available at InciWeb, an interagency incident information management system. With wildfire comes smoke, to learn about the current air quality levels in your community visit today's air report. If smoke is affecting you, read Health Tips for Dealing with Wildfire Smoke and How to fit a N-95 Mask to reduce your exposure.

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Resources | Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network

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Wildfire is part of the Montana landscape. Fire adapted communities work to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire. As all Montanans share wildfire risk, a fire adapted community approach emphasizes that everyone shares responsibility. This includes residents, businesses, policy-makers, land managers and emergency responders, as well as local, state, tribal and federal governments.

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Offering virtual field trips

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Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium - Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium - arthropods, butterflies, millipedes, and more!

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Join us each week for a "Bug Encounter" livestream via our Facebook page. You'll hear fresh stories from the world of insects and arthropods and meet a variety of Bug Ambassadors. Browse our "Online Bug Encounters" page for past livestreams and family-friendly bug activities you can do in your own home!

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Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

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"Did you lock the house? Turn off the coffee pot? Pack the books?"

That will be me next week, as my husband and I hit the road for a long-awaited beach getaway. Along with the beach towels, shade structure and sunscreen, books are at the top of my packing list. Thinking some of you may be on the cusp of a similar summer excursion, FAC Net members, staff and partners kindly provided reviews for some of their recent favorite reads regarding behavior change, collaboration and wildfire.

Behavior Change

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

"Decisive provides great examples of how people, groups and organizations have managed to make some pretty good decisions, instead of falling into the traps of narrow framing, confirmation bias, short-term emotion and overconfidence."

-FAC Net staff

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein

"This book reviews and recommends policies that can and have improved people's lives. Cass Sunstein worked at the Office of Information and Regulations from 2009 to 2012, where she implemented many of the ideas discussed in the book."

-FAC Net member

The Ostrich Paradox: Why We Underprepare for Disasters, by Robert Meyer and Howard Kunreuther

"An enjoyable read, though it definitely had some hindsight bias. That said, it was valuable to categorize people's resistance to preparation into specific categories. It helped me understand the mindset of homeowners who do not want to complete mitigation projects, allowing me to respond to their concerns in a more targeted way. I can now consider their logic in terms of the biases explained in the book and respond to the underlying issue, not just the concern that they vocalize."

-FAC Net member

Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

"By one of the founders of the field of behavioral economics, this book goes a long way toward answering the question "Why won't those people do the thing that's obviously in their best interest?" (Also, it addresses the less frequently asked question, "Why do I keep doing stupid things?") Bottom line is, we have two systems for thinking: a fast one that works on rules of thumb (quick decisions), and a slow one that gathers and compares information ("rational" decisions). Guess which one takes less effort?

The book is a fascinating read - I read it just for fun, but kept coming across bits that made me think "Oh, everyone who is doing outreach should know this," or "Wow, this would be useful when trying to get people to change their behavior." If that reminds you of the book 'Nudge,' that's because it's from the same body of work. This book is less applied in its focus - and far richer."

-FAC Net staff

Co-Learning and Collaboration

Breaking Robert's Rules: The New Way to Run Your Meeting, Build Consensus and Get Results, by Lawrence Susskind and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank

"A quick read and point of reference for anyone the needs to facilitate groups or run productive meetings. The book provides great insights and solutions for good group decision making processes."

-FAC Net staff

Learning in Landscapes of Practice: Boundaries, Identity and Knowledgeability in Practice Based-Learning, by Etienne Wenger-Trayner; Mark Fenton-O'Creevy; Chris Kubiak, Steven Hutchinson and Beverly Wenger-Trayner

"Landscapes of Practice provides a useful update to Wenger's original ' Cultivating Communities of Practice.' It outlines an integrated version of net weaving that includes communities of practice and social learning in-between practices, describing those "in-between places" as landscapes of practice. It's a bit nerdy for summer reading, but it bridges the academic and practice parts of social learning."

-FAC Net staff

Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder, by Kent Nerburn

"Nerburn challenges your perspective on the cultural landscapes that many of us are endeavoring to engage with. We all have assumptions that shape our approaches, as well as how we see and how we learn."

-FAC Net staff

Wildfire Reads

Florida: A Fire Survey, by Stephen Pyne, is the first in Pyne's "To the Last Smoke" series and focuses on Florida.

"If you are asking yourself, 'Why start with Florida?' you will know exactly why by the time you finish reading this book. In a style unique to his writing, Pyne mixes history, fire management practices and programs, policies, personal stories of key individuals, and his own scintillating insights to distill a must-read for anyone interested in why Florida, and more generally why the Southeast, is at the forefront of wildland fire."

Read the rest of Alan Long's review of Florida: A Fire Survey. His review was originally published in the Southern Fire Exchange's June 2017 newsletter.

Land on Fire: The New Reality of Wildfire in the West, by Gary Ferguson

"To understand the complex interactions of conditions, policies and practices that have gotten us to the present point, and the choices we face in managing forest lands in the future, we need sources of information that present us with clear, unbiased, unpoliticized exposition. 'Land on Fire' is such a book. It seeks to be informative, but not prescriptive. It tells a complex tale, rich in historical insight and natural science, of a relationship between land and fire that seems presently out of balance."

Leland Buck's review of Land on Fire was originally published on TreeSource.org.

An Oldie but a Goodie

Connecting to Change the World: Harnessing the Power of Networks for Social Impact, by Peter Plastrik, Madeleine Taylor and John Cleveland

"This book doubles as a handbook for network builders. The book starts by comparing networks to other group efforts (such as coalitions, alliances and associations). The case for how networks can be uniquely leveraged to work in hyper-complex situations - offering a nimble and expansive approach - helps readers see how taking the leap into a network way of working can yield big impacts."

Read the rest of Michelle Medley Daniel's review of Connecting to Change the World.

On the Road or Pressed for Time?

If your summer adventures will involve a road trip, or even if you're just looking to spice up your morning commute, don't forget to check your library's audio book collection and make the most of your time behind the wheel!
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Summer Reading: 10 Wildfire and Behavior Change Books to Choose From

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"Did you lock the house? Turn off the coffee pot? Pack the books?" That will be me next week, as my husband and I hit the road for a long-awaited beach getaway. Along with the beach towels, shade structure and sunscreen, books are at the top of my packing list.

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Exhibit rentals: special pricing for EC programs

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Veterinary Clinic & Animal Shelter Kindness

Our Mobile Vet Clinic comes with a large animal care structure, lots of items to help little fury friends, and early literacy activities. Kiddos will learn about different animals, ways to care for them and the importance of empathy for all things.
Western Montana Humane Society partners with Families First Learning Lab to make this exhibit extra special. Children will have the opportunity to create cat and dog toys that will be given to animals in our local shelter.
Supplies Include:
-Dramatic play veterinary supplies for several participants
-Large vet clinic structure
-Stuffed animals and vet costumes for dramatic play
-Books about animals
-Literacy & Writing Activities
-Supplies for the partnership with the Western Montana Humane Society (items for kids to make toys for shelter animals)

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Our Mobile Vet Clinic comes with a large animal care structure, lots of items to help little fury friends, and early literacy activities. Kiddos will learn about different animals, ways to care for them and the importance of empathy for all things. Western Montana Humane Society partners with Families First Learning Lab to make this exhibit extra special.

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Missoula Public Library welcomes all people in pursuit of their freedom to read, learn, and discover. Gain 24/7 access to books, movies, events, and more!

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Rain or sleet, hail or snow; it's easy to turn on the tv to entertain the kids when they are stuck at home due to bad weather. Screen time is hard to pull away from and an easy habit to form. Parents and child care professionals can beat cabin fever with these helpful ideas.

Craft Your Own Entertainment

Get messy and create your own playdough using your favorite food coloring dye and simple ingredients found in your kitchen. Try a different texture with homemade gak in a resealable plastic bag. If you prefer to keep the mess on paper, try making homemade puffy paint with glue and shaving cream.

Full STEAM Ahead with Winter Science Experiments

Changing temperatures can help you explore the natural world without leaving your front yard. Discover the change in volume from different states of matter. First, grab a clear jar and fill with snow. Mark your snow line with one color marker and your guess to the amount of water that will be leftover with another, then monitor how it melts. Blow bubbles in freezing temperatures and watch them freeze before your eyes. Once frozen solid, knock them over and see if they shatter!

You can find more fun and educational activities for children when you follow our Pinterest page, or read through resources and tips our 4-C blog!

Work Out Built Up Energy

Don't have an indoor jungle gym? A few household items can create a fun, active play space. Play the classic game of 'Don't Touch the Lava' and place 'stepping stones' between furniture that the children can use to hop from place to place. Line up a row of pillows to balance on as they walk to challenge their gross motor skills. A few lines of tape on the ground, evenly spaced apart, easily becomes a track and field long jump. Watch the kids hop and stretch to see how far they can go.

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Activities to Keep Children Active When Bad Weather Keeps Them at Home - 4-C

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Rain or sleet, hail or snow; it's easy to turn on the tv to entertain the kids when they are stuck at home due to bad weather. Screen time is hard to pull away from and an easy habit to form. Parents and child care professionals can beat cabin fever with these helpful ideas.

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These Indoor Activities For Toddlers are perfect for winter or a rainy spring or summer day and many will help develop fine motor skills. Plus tips to make them harder for pre-school aged kids.
{Originally published Jan 2017}

Hi Friends!

Today we're talking indoor activities for toddlers. It's been almost two years since I shared this post so I thought I'd bring it to your attention again in case you missed it the first time! I'm always looking for fun new activities to do with Squish and a lot of you seem to like when I share them on Instagram so I thought I'd round up some of my favorites to share with you guys!

When I was in middle school, I did a lot of babysitting. I had some sort of babysitting certification from The Red Cross and during that course, they gave us the idea of making an activity kit to bring with you when babysitting. Sure, kids like their own toys, but there's something about new games and activities that is especially exciting and tends to hold their interest longer.

When I was in high school, I had a steady after-school nannying job for a two-year-old (who I just realized has probably no graduated high school and I now feel very old). Anyways, she wasn't allowed to watch any TV and I spent several hours with her every day....so I had to get creative with things to keep her busy.

When I graduated from college, I worked at a pre-school for 6 months. Although my classroom was 4-5-year-olds, I spent a lot of time in the 2-3-year-old classroom as well.

Now, I follow a lot of kid-focused pages on Facebook and Instagram, I browse Pinterest, I read family magazines and am constantly seeing new ideas I want to try.

This post is a roundup of some of my favorite indoor activities for toddlers that I've seen and tried over the years. I've tried them all with Squish over the past couple years or so and he really enjoys most of them. Note- I took all these pictures on the same day, but I wouldn't advise trying them all out on the same day! Remember the new & exciting part? Save them up and try a couple at a time. We've got several more months of winter ahead of us!

I also included some ways to make them harder. As kids get older, some of the things they could do six months ago are getting too easy....but there are ways to add a bit of a challenge to most of them, to make them more developmentally appropriate for older toddlers and even preschoolers!

A few months ago I placed an Amazon order to stock up on supplies but you could probably find a lot of these at the dollar store as well! Here are (affiliate) links to the ones I bought but there are tons of options

I bought:

And here's how I've been using them!

If you need activities for slightly older kids, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten check out my Indoor Activities for Kids or At-Home Activities for Kids posts! And if you like baking, here are some Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes!

Indoor Activities for Toddlers

I blow up a couple of balloons, we each grab a fly swatter and go to town hitting them around the room. I let him hit it around for a while and then we also work on hitting it to keep it up in the air.

Set up a goal and let them try to score.

Have a contest to see how long they can keep it from touching the ground.

Let them try to keep two balloons in the air at once!

Take a plastic container and cut holes in the top and let them push the pom poms through the holes.

Draw circles around the holes with a marker and let them push the blue pom poms through the blue hole, the green ones through the green holes, etc.

Set a timer and see how many they can get in the container in 30 seconds or a minute.

Save your toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Tape them to a door or wall and let them drop the pom poms through.

Give them tongs or a clothespin to make picking up the pom poms more challenging.

Let them tape the tubes up and see if they can get the angles right so the pom poms go through all the tubes on the way down.

You drop the pom poms from the top and see if they can catch them in the bottom in a small bowl.

Have them sort the pom poms into different containers by size or color.

Divide the pom poms in half and have a race to see who can sort theirs the fastest!

Give them a clothespin to use to pickup and move the pom poms into the different containers.

Cut plastic straws into pieces. Let them thread the straw pieces onto the pipe cleaners.

Have them thread the pieces on in a pattern of colors.

Twist some pipe cleaners together to make rings and toss them into bowls or buckets.
Make it harder:

Have them stand farther away.

Set up multiple buckets and tell them to throw them into a specific one.

See how many they can get in a row.

Poke golf tees into a cardboard box and let them hammer them in.

Give them a smaller hammer.

Tell them which color nails to hammer.

Let them practice pulling them out and setting them back up again.

Ziploc Bag Fingerpainting

Put a few blogs of paint into Ziploc bags. Seal them tightly and tape to a window or table. Let them fingerpaint just like they would on a piece of paper.

Ask them to draw specific shapes or objects.

Talk about what colors mix together to make new colors.

Card Slot Drop
Cut a slot in the lid of a container and have them drop the cards in.

Cut some holes as well and have them put q tips in.

See how fast they can get them all in.

Have them put them in by color or number.

Cut pipe cleaners in half and let them push them through the holes of a colander.

Give them Cheerios to thread onto the pipe cleaners.

Draw lanes on a cardboard box to make a car ramp. Let them race their cars down it.

See how high they can stack them up. Set them up like bowling pins and let them bowl with a wiffle ball or tennis ball.

Like the ideas in the post? Be sure to pin it and share with your friends!

Attached some cotton balls (or bunched up paper towels if you're out of cotten balls like i was) to clothespins and let them paint! Work on colors, shapes, etc.

I wrote a post all about Kitchen Tasks For Toddlers !

Whew! I think that's enough indoor activities for toddlers for one post. If you're looking for more ideas, check out this post filled with Cheap Toddler Activities!

Like the ideas in this post? Please pin it and share with your friends!

[clickToTweet tweet="Can't go outside? Try these simple Indoor Activities for toddlers and preschoolers!" quote="Can't go outside? Try these simple Indoor Activities for toddlers and preschoolers!"]

Let's chat:

What's your favorite indoor activity for the kiddos? I'm always looking for new ideas!

Enjoy!
-Lindsay-

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These Indoor Activities For Toddlers are perfect for winter or a rainy spring or summer day and many will help develop fine motor skills. Plus tips to make them harder for pre-school aged kids. {Originally published Jan 2017} Hi Friends! Today we're talking indoor activities for toddlers.

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This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Looking for simple gross motor activities you can do indoors? This is the mega list!

I know how the winter goes - whether you're experiencing it now, or you're in the southern hemisphere and looking forward to it in a few months. You need things for your learners to get those wiggles out, or you're going to go a little crazy!

Here's a list to keep on hand! These are perfect for both the home and the early childhood classroom.
1 - Toss bean bags into baskets
Provide laundry baskets. Then get your learners in several rows, and have them take turns tossing bean bags into the target.

2 - Move on paper plates

Buy some colored paper plates. Then get creative! Place them in a row (red, green, red, green) and have students step on just the red ones. Or have them get down on all fours and "skate" with a plate under each hand. Put the plates in a row to get your students moving around the classroom. Put the plates far apart for biiiig steps. Or put them close together for tiny steps.

3 - Learn with a ball toss

If your learners are able to catch a simple toss, put them in a circle. Then think of a way to incorporate learning with a ball toss. For example, you can throw a ball to a student and name a word. Then s/he names a rhyming word and tosses the ball back to you. Toss it to another student with a new word for him/her to rhyme.

4 - Play "f ind and tag it"

This is a versatile game that can be used to review many different skills. Just tell your learners to find something and tag it. For example, "Find and tag something blue." Or "Find and tag something that starts with /s/."

5 - Move like an animal

You'll need some open space, but this is a great way to get kids using new muscles. Here are some ideas:

Move like a bird (run with arms outstretched)

Move like a snake (wiggle on tummies on the floor)

Move like a bear (walk on all fours)

Move like a frog (get down on haunches and hop)

Move like a kangaroo (take big leaps with arms in front of chest)

Move like an elephant (with heavy stomping)

Move like a penguin (waddle with ankles close together and arms pinned to sides)

Need more ideas? Check out 15 animal walks for sensory input, from Lemon Lime Adventures

6 - Have f un with painter's tape

Painter's tape is one of the best inventions ever. It goes on (and comes off) easily - whether you've got a smooth floor or a carpeted one (but be sure to test it first just to be sure). And there's so much you can do with it! Put it on the floor like a ladder. Then have students see how many rungs they can jump. Can they jump farther with a running start?

See how many rungs they can stretch - or how far they can go on one foot. Need more ideas? Check out this post at Hands on As We Grow.

7 - Play indoor hopscotch

I really think painter's tape is the way to go on this one. Create a simple hopscotch board with numbers. Then have students toss a bean bag on a space and jump to get there. Another idea is to use cardboard squares that you can pull out at any time.

Tip: Change the skill that learners review with hopscotch; instead of putting numbers on the squares, consider letters, shapes, or sight words.

8 - Use balloons

Blow up enough balloons for each of your learners (plus extras, because you know you'll need them after the inevitable popping). Have them put a balloon between their knees and walk like a penguin. Or they can toss the balloon and catch it so that it never hits the floor.

Can they balance the balloon on a part of their body (like an outstretched arm) and walk a few steps - or across the room?

9 - Alphabet action cards

Print our free alphabet action cards - then get active while reviewing the alphabet one letter at a time.

10 - Copy me!

This is where you can get in your workout for the day. Simply do a series of exercises or silly actions, and have your students copy you. Jump like a kangaroo. Scratch like a monkey. Run in a place. (Whatever it takes to get that heart rate up!)

11 - Create a wiggle jar

Print action cards and place them in jar. When your students need a movement break, pull a few cards for everyone to do. Here are some ideas for a preschool wiggle jar:

Jog in place while you sing the alphabet.

Touch the sky and then your feet five times in a row.

Pretend you're playing the drums.

Fly around the room like a bird.

For wiggle jar ideas, visit Homeschool Share.

12 - Tape balance beam

This is ultra simple, but surprisingly fun! Grab several rolls of colorful painter's tape, and set it on the floor in different lines; make the lines zigzag, curvy, straight, or shaped like a circle, square, or other shape.Then challenge your learners to walk each colored line from beginning to end.

13 - Dance like this

If your learners like to dance, put on some music - but give them instructions to dance a particular way. They can dance slow, fast, in a circle, silly, etc.

14 - Roll and move

Grab a large soft die (like this one), and write a list of simple exercises on cards. Have one learner draw a card, and another roll the die. The die tells you how many times to do the exercise. Here are some ideas for the exercise cards:

Touch your toes

Do arm circles

Run across the room

Hop on one foot

Jump forward

Take big steps

Take tiny steps

15 - Be an athlete

Have your learners pretend to do one of these sports. Think of it as heart-pumping charades!

16 - Be the weather

Children can use their bodies to be different kinds of weather, such as:

17 - Learning scavenger hunt

Write things your students are learning on sticky notes - they may be letters, numbers, shapes, sight words, etc. Put the sticky notes in various places around the room (some hidden and some obvious), and see how many your learners can find and identify.

18 - Sing active songs

Sing one of these classic songs, and add some actions!

I'm a Little Teapot

If You're Happy and You Know It

The Hokey Pokey

Ring around the Rosie

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around

Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush

19 - Do alphabet yoga

If you have nap mats or towels, pull them out and challenge your learners to do a yoga pose for various letters of the alphabet.

A - Airplane (hold still and move arms to the side)
B - Bicycle (lie on your back and pedal your feet)
C - Cat pose (get on all fours; then round your back while tucking in your chin; release)

For a list of yoga poses from A-Z (and how to do them!) visit Pink Oatmeal.

And for even more gross motor ideas, check out 3 Dinosaurs' gross motor printable list.

We hope this list gets your learners moving and saves your sanity at the same time!

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Indoor gross motor activities for preschool and kindergarten - The Measured Mom

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It's hard to know what to do with active kids on a rainy day! Thankfully, this post has a huge variety of indoor gross motor activities for preschool and kindergarten. No more crazies! #grossmotor #preschool #kindergarten #rainyday #largemotor

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A roundup of indoor gross motor activities.

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Oh my goodness, toddlers and preschoolers have a lot of energy, and sometimes we just cannot get outside. Or, we've been outside already and they still have a lot of energy! Yep, this is why I have a list of go-to gross motor activities for indoors. And I am thankful for it!

We recently had a morning where the preschoolers arrived with enough energy to run a 5K race. Okay, maybe a half-marathon. Those are mornings we open the doors to go outside as quickly as possible. However, because we share that area with 2 other classes, we cannot stay out there all morning. (Believe me, on those high-energy days, I would gladly do it if we could.)

The first thing we do on these days is get moving with our collection of favorite active songs. If the wiggles are still there, it's time for some gross motor activities for indoors. Some can be done in our classroom, and others need a bit more space so we go to our indoor gym. And believe me, I am thankful for a variety of ways to burn that energy!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Gross Motor Activities for Indoors

Follow the Line: Grab a roll of painter's tape, push your furniture out of the way, and invite your child to push heavy objects. (Little Bins for Little Hands)

Tic-Tac-Toss: You only need 2 items for this gross motor activity, and it can be done right in your living room. (Adventures in Wunderland)

Simple Straw Javelin Throw: Launch a drinking straw through the air and see how far it can go. (Toddler Approved)

Skee Ball: Empty those laundry baskets, because they will be needed for this fun indoor tossing activity! (Frugal Fun 4 Boys)

Bean Bag Stomp and Catch: Stomp on the board and watch the bean bag fly while you try to catch it! This is a fun DIY project and works hand-eye coordination. (I Can Teach My Child)

Wheelbarrow Walk Puzzle Fun: This is a great activity for working on coordination and arm strength. I love how it involves picking up puzzle pieces along the way! (Stir the Wonder)

Popcorn Game: One of our favorites that involves a parachute. (Teach Preschool)

Noodle Jumping: Here is a super easy activity that encourages motor planning skills, coordination and body awareness. (Pedia Staff)

Throwing Skills Game: Make your own rings and use the dining room chair! (Learning 4 Kids)

Color and Movement Game: Download the free color action cards and invite your child to recognize colors while moving! (Learn, Play, Imagine)

Animal Yoga: Choose a pose that represents an animal and hold the pose for as long as you can. (Mother Natured)

Arrow Jumping Game: Download the free printable and place arrows around the room for a fun jumping game. (And Next Comes L)

Paper Plate Ring Toss: Let the kids help you make this fun indoor activity! (A Little Learning for Two)

Box Jumping: All you need is some painter's tape. Then, let the jumping begin! (Mama, Papa, Bubba)

Walk the Line: Practice balancing while also developing eye/foot coordination. (Moving Smart)

More fun ideas for young children:

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Oh my goodness, toddlers and preschoolers have a lot of energy, and sometimes we just cannot get outside. Or, we've been outside already and they still have a lot of energy! Yep, this is why I have a list of go-to gross motor activities for indoors. And I am thankful for it!

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Preschool and toddler

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Throwing newspapers!

Good for throwing practice, but also for hand-eye coordination, as well as some counting practice in there too!

Super simple setup. Some newspapers and a tub or bucket of some sort to throw into.

Henry and I made our newspaper balls together. Crunch them up any way you like. The tighter they are, the easier they are to throw.

We lined up our newspaper balls in a row and counted them.

Henry counted seven newspaper balls to throw into the tub.

Then we each took turns throwing the newspaper balls into the big green tub.

I have lines on my rug that I had Henry stand behind when throwing, but you could easily put a tape mark down too.

It was hilarious to watch, but also fun to do it too!

Once all the newspaper balls were thrown at or in the tub, we counted them up.

How many did you make into the tub?

How many did you miss?

Henry's first try? 6 missed. Made 1.

Henry improved a little each time, eventually making it to 4 made and 3 missed.

George and Dad watched from the couch. Dad thought it would be easy to throw it from sitting down on the couch across the room to the tub. It took several tries though before a successful shot. Henry kept wanting him to try until he got it. It was cute!

Check and wash your hands when you're done. Newspapers leave a nasty black ink residue.

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Indoor Throwing Activity That Won't Break Breakables

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Throwing newspapers! Good for throwing practice, but also for hand-eye coordination, as well as some counting practice in there too! Super simple setup. Some newspapers and a tub or bucket of some sort to throw into. Henry and I made our newspaper balls together. Crunch them up any way you like.

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I mentioned recently, I've been looking for more indoor gross motor options for James. I am a big believer that giving toddlers enough opportunities for big movement helps immeasurably with their behavior.

A toddler climbing on all of the furniture isn't being "bad," he just has a strong need to develop his muscles and gross motor capabilities and will use whatever is available to that end. So if we want to be able to redirect them away from unsafe / undesired climbing / running / throwing, it's only fair to provide an appropriate outlet.

Here are some options I love!

1. Beanbag toss - set up a basket and show your toddler how to toss beanbags into it. As he gets better at it, make the basket smaller or move it further away.

2. Appropriate climbing - For a young toddler, this could simply be placing large couch cushions on the floor to climb on. For an older toddler, establish clear guidelines for what they're allowed to climb on. For us, climbing on tables is strictly off limits, but he's allowed to climb on the couch (and has learned how to get down safely by himself). I also still really want one of these, but haven't pulled the trigger yet....

3. Carrying something heavy - Young children seek out "maximum effort" activities. They like to run as fast as they can and they like to carry objects as heavy as possible. They're like little cross fitters 🙂 Try providing something heavy, such as a weighted ball, for your child to carry around the room when he needs to use his big muscles.

4. Distance Games - Place a puzzle frame on one side of the room and a basket with the pieces on the other side of the room. Your toddler can walk back and forth across the room each time he needs a piece. This works better for older toddlers, as it requires greater concentration and memory than most younger toddlers would possess.

5. Balance Beam - This would be simple to make yourself and I definitely plan on doing it soon. Walking on a beam helps children with concentration and coordination, in addition to being a great gross motor option.

6. Large Blocks - Building with really large blocks encourages children to move around and reach up high, and also allows them to build paths or obstacle courses if they want to. (A more expensive, but really nice option )

7. Obstacle Course - You can get a tunnel or just use things around the house to make an obstacle course. Set one up for your child the first time, and then encourage him to make his own next time.

8. Walking the Line - Walking the line is a traditional control of movement game used in Montessori 3-6 classrooms. There is a line on the floor (often made with electrical tape, often in an ellipse shape) and children practice carefully walking on it, either as a group or individually. This is often done to music. This can be fun with older toddlers too, if they're interested.

9. Jump Boxes - Another fun one that requires nothing other than electrical tape and encourages coordination and controlled movement

10. Climbing Stairs - We have a one story house, but my son loves climbing stairs whenever we encounter them. If you have stairs at home, climbing up and down can be a great way for young toddlers to practice their new skills.

All of these activities can be done independently once you show your toddler how. This is key so that he'll have an appropriate outlet he can choose himself when he needs to move big.

If you're interested in more ways to encourage movement in young children, I highly recommend the book Movement Matters. I saw the author speak at a national Montessori conference and bought it immediately. It's written for teachers, but has many activities that would be great at home too.
How do you encourage appropriate gross motor in your home? I would love any tips! *Please note this post contains affiliate links - I get a small percentage if items are purchased, at no cost to you. I only include items I have and love. Thanks for your support!

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Ten Indoor Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers - Montessori-ish Mom

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I mentioned recently, I've been looking for more indoor gross motor options for James. I am a big believer that giving toddlers enough opportunities for big movement helps immeasurably with their behavior. A toddler climbing on all of the furniture isn't being "bad," he just has a strong need to develop his muscles and gross [...]

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These activities are for older kids, generally.

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Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

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"School's out, now what?" seems to be a common question for many parents these days as summer is in full-swing and physical distancing practices continue across the country. Families that were affected by school closures have pivoted right into summer activities, for better or worse. Many of us are scrambling; youth activities have been cancelled or adjusted to align with current safety precautions and distancing guidelines have made neighborhood playdates difficult. As a result, the 2020 summer season requires some extra ingenuity and creative daily planning! We have compiled a resource list of summer activity guides, wildfire education resources, and go-bag activities that may help make the transition to summer exploratory learning a little bit easier for everyone! We've also included a few curricula on local and regional plant knowledge to help build upon a foundation of ecological stewardship and connection to the landscape.

This summer will be memorable for many of us, on many levels and across a broad spectrum. Getting outside and participating in a positive summer learning experience should be somewhere near the top of the list. Enjoy!

Curriculums and Lesson Plans

WILDFIRE EDUCATION
North Carolina State Extension K-12 and Youth Wildland Fire Resources Best for: Wildfire practitioners or parents looking for a comprehensive list of resources and options. FireWorks Education Program
provides students with presentations, handouts and more to study wildland fire. The curriculum can be selected by ecological region so parents and teachers can choose the region that is most applicable for them. According to the program developers with the US Forest Service, "students using FireWorks ask questions, gather information, analyze and interpret it, and communicate their discoveries."

While the full curriculum includes a trunk of materials, the curriculum can be used alone and at home. Trunk contents are clearly identified on the program website so parents or educators can identify what they have available or on hand. The FireWorks Educational Program is produced by the Fire Modeling Institute of the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program .
Best for: Educators looking to supplement existing curriculum with fire science or parents seeking an outdoor education, science-based curriculum to use at home. Oak Woodlands Fire-Science Curriculum Best for: Students learning about fire ecology in the Cross Timber ecoregion of Eastern Oklahoma, north central Texas, and southeastern Kansas. Wildfire Matters Curriculum
Einar Jensen with in Colorado has graciously South Metro Fire Rescue shared his curriculum guides for fourth-grade students to work through and explore! The curriculum packet includes seven lesson plans, including a Jeopardy-style wildfire game. Each lesson includes materials needed, goals and lesson outline. Einar has also included a Home structure Wildfire Hazard Assessment that you can work through with your kids (or without kids!) to assess your home's wildfire risk. This assessment offers a great activity for families or individuals to rate your defensible space, accessibility, and surroundings and assess the risk of nearby brush and debris.
Best for: Fourth-grade parents or wildfire practitioners working with fourth-graders or looking for an example of a customized, local curriculum. Wildland Fire Coloring Sheets
While not a curriculum per say, these interactive coloring pages definitely deserve a mention! The Smokey Generation put together 31 coloring sheets for kids to do as an interactive learning activity, with sheets translated into six languages. Each sheet includes a QR code that'll lead kids to a page with the original photo and more information about wildland fire. The young artist also has the opportunity to share their finished artwork with The Smokey Generation via their website!
Best for: Kids who like to learn through art, and use that art as a foundation for extended learning or older-age kids who just like to color (some of the sheets are intricate!). Keep Oregon Green Ranger Program Best for: Parents of kids ages 8-12 who want to emphasize fire prevention.
FIRE SAFETY RESOURCES (INCLUDING STRUCTURE FIRE EDUCATION)
Fire Safe Kids Interactive Website Best for: Parents and kids looking for printable activities like coloring sheets, word searches, mazes and online games - all with a fire safety emphasis. 'Let's Have Fun With Fire Safety' Activity Booklet
This activity book , published by the U.S. Fire Administration, gives children ages 5-9 valuable fire safety and prevention tips. Contains coloring pages and fun activities designed to cover fire safety topics like evacuation planning, kitchen fire safety, and what to do when you hear the smoke alam. Download the 16-page PDF in or .
Best for: Parents of young children who want to talk about fire safety in the home or fire safety practitioners who would like resources for classroom visits or virtual fire station tours.
ECOLOGY AND NATIVE PLANT EDUCATION
Okanogan Nature Camp: Resources for Home Learning
Okanogan Conservation District (and Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network member) has compiled their own resource list of engaging, hands-on education and STEM-based activities linked to state standards. They've included soil, water, animal, and plant sections to explore. They also have a community/citizen science page for local folks to participate in scientific research. Wouldn't it be cool to turn social distancing into data that can help conserve our local natural resources?
Best for: Parents who want to take nature learning outside! Native Plant & Ecoregion Curriculum
The curriculum introduces students to the biodiversity of flora, and the connections between plants and their ecosystems. It is designed to serve as a general template for any ecoregion in the United States, with guidance provided to make the lessons place-based for your specific ecoregion. You can also find state-specific curriculum guides for both Oregon and New Mexico on the IAE website. The lessons encourage students to study what is outside their door and in the surrounding region. Along with the knowledge gained through these lessons, students will gain the skills to be informed and active citizens in local natural area issues and decisions in their future. The curriculum is divided into seven sections, moving from easier to more complex lessons, giving students the option to jump into any of the seven sections depending on their level of knowledge or plant comprehension.
Best for: Teachers who want to expand student knowledge through place-based education.
RESOURCES FOR LIFELONG LEARNERS
Oregon State University Fire Science Core Curriculum
While OSU's Fire Curriculum is not a kids activity, this curriculum is a great resource for families with older students, young adults, or those interested in learning more about fire science at a higher level of learning. This curriculum is designed to teach the basics of fire to community members in order to reduce fire risk. The curriculum contains five units (and an additional introduction). The entire curriculum is 197 pages and can be downloaded for free. Additionally, individual units, PowerPoint presentations, and mobile-friendly versions can be downloaded .
Best for: Adult learners or young adults looking to take fire science learning to the next level. Go-Bag Resources + Activities
Ready to shift gears and move into hands-on preparedness learning? Creating "Go-bags" is a great hands-on activity for all ages..and it's never too late to put together Go Bags for the whole family! If resources allow, consider making a Go-bag for a neighbor or a friend in need of one. We've compiled some great Go-bag and evacuation resources provided by FAC Net members. Some of the resources include both English and Spanish language resources as well as thinking about Go-bag preparedness for kids that include special comfort items and items for helping kids cope. We've also included Living With Fire's Evacuation Checklist, which could make for a fun planning activity to work through as a family as you think about what you might need during an evacuation.
Create a Go-Bag
The Tahoe Network of Fire-Adapted Communities has sent out some great how-to tips in their monthly e-newsletter. They've covered Go-bag essentials: Creating a Go-bag as well as creative ways to give the gift of a Go-bag to a neighbor or friend, with some fun ideas for personalizing your gifted Go-bag. And if you're not already signed up for the monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up here . Think about making your Go-bag creation a scavenger hunt for even more fun family time!
Best for: Families seeking to take quick and easy actions to prepare for wildfire season. FEMA Go-bag Resources
A general emergency go-bag checklist that can be printed out and posted where family members can access it or work together to create a go-bag. The checklist is also available in . FEMA's library of emergency checklists can also come in handy for practitioners looking to provide resources to their community.
Best for: Practitioners who need ready-made materials to share with their community. Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
This single-page printable resource created by Living with Fire and adapted from University of Nevada, Reno Extension Wildfire Evacuation Checklist , offers a great checklist that covers evacuation essentials.
Best for: Families who want a single-page comprehensive list of materials and preparedness actions for wildfire evacuation. Family Emergency Planning Handbook Best for: Families who want to take their wildfire preparedness to the next level in a family-friendly and accessible way.
Additional FAC Net Blog Resources

For all the book lovers, don't forget to check out our previous summer reading blog posts for suggestions and recommendations from across the Network:

Wildland Fire Book List for Young Readers, August 2019 by Becca Samulski

, July 2017 by Summer Reading: 10 Wildfire and Behavior Change Books to Choose From Allison Jolley

#Fireadapted Summer Reading, July 2018, Allison Jolley
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"School's Out, Now What?" Activity Guides, Wildfire Education, & Go Bag Activities for the Whole Family | Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

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"School's out, now what?" seems to be a common question and concern for many parents these days as summer kicks off and physical distancing practices continue across the country. I've compiled a resource list of summer activity guides, wildfire education resources, and go-bag activities that may help make the transition to summer exploratory learning a little bit easier for everyone!