Science-Related Activities for Kids under Five

Science-Related Activities for Kids under Five

Every parent knows that eliminating boredom during the kids’ vacation from school is next to impossible without an unlimited budget and a small army of helpers. The years before your child is ready for kindergarten can be just as difficult to fill with endless activities and entertainment.

These wallet-friendly, educational experiments will not only keep your children entertained but also introduce them to education and science before their school debut- they are mainly created with common household products but might require a trip to the local pharmacy, supermarket or hardware store.

Be sure all work areas are clean and cover surfaces with newspaper. Make sure your kids are dressed in old clothes or a long-sleeved bib or apron. As always, remember that all experiments require continuous adult supervision.

How to Make Slime – Solid or Liquid

You will need: blender, plate, tablespoon, water, guar gum.

Talk to your child about the difference between a solid and a liquid. You can do a demonstration of liquids and solids of different consistencies.

Place half a tablespoon of guar gum and a cup of water in a blender. Blend together and pour slime onto a plate. Discuss with your child whether or not the product is a liquid or solid- then play with it!

Create an Explosion

You will need: a ziplock sandwich bag, paper towels, half a cup of white vinegar, a quarter cup of warm water, one and a half tablespoons of baking soda, scissors, an outdoor area to complete the experiment in.

Draw a six-by-six inch square on both sides of a paper towel and cut it out. Scoop the baking soda into the square and fold the sides inwards to create a small sachet or pouch of powder. Mix together the water and vinegar before pouring it into the sandwich bag.

Carefully place the baking soda sachet into the sandwich bag and seal it. Shake the bag quickly and put it on the ground before moving to a safe distance- at least six feet away. Go fast! Explain to your child that as the vinegar and baking soda mix, a chemical reaction is caused which releases carbon dioxide into the bag. Carbon dioxide will cause the bag to inflate and eventually explode with a large bang.

Solid or Liquid – Gloop

You will need: two cups of corn starch, one cup of water, food coloring, a large container (plastic storage box) or an old paddle pool.

Place the corn starch in the container or paddle pool (double the mixture for a paddle pool) and add food coloring. Pour water into the bowl and mix the ingredients well – ask your child how it feels as the powder mixes with the water (it might take a few minutes to mix properly).

Once the ingredients are fully mixed explain to your child that gloop is neither a liquid nor a solid. Demonstrate by punching or slapping the mixture (you won’t be able to penetrate the surface) and then slowly allowing your fingers to sink into the mixture. Scoop some up to drip from your hands. If you made the mixture in the paddle pool your child will be able to jump on the gloop and enjoy the feeling (and messiness!) of sinking her feet into it.

*You can leave out the food coloring for a less-staining gloop (although slightly less fun) gloop or just wash hands and feet soon after the experiment.

Each of these activities should be good for a certain amount of educational entertainment, and the great thing about slime and gloop is that your child can play with them relatively unattended for hours afterwards. Happy experimenting!

Working & Pregnant: Tips for a Healthy Life

For those woman who are deeply invested in their career, both emotionally and professionally, finding a happy medium of work life and pregnancy can be a bit of a challenge. As we all know, it is extremely important to take extensive care of yourself while with child. Working, whether we love the job or not, can always bring stress and bad days. So, it’s important to maintain a healthy work lifestyle while pregnant. Here’s some tips for those working pregnant women on keeping things balanced:

Break time. Being pregnant can be exhausting and on top of a hectic work schedule, you can easily push yourself too far. While being pregnant in the office, take more frequent short breaks. Get up and walk around the office, or around the block outside. This common movement can help reinvigorate you. If you’re not up for a walk, then turn the lights down, put your feet up and close your eyes for a few minutes.

Take in more. This refers to all the good stuff, but especially sleep, fluids and protein-enriched foods. Aim for at least nine hours of sleep each night. This immense amount of rest accounts for improved blood flow to your baby and can also reduce swelling. Upping your intake of fluids can help reduce nausea. Try keeping a water bottle at your desk that you can sip on throughout the day. Lastly, by increasing the amount of protein you take in, it will help you keep your energy levels up so you can be at your best all day.

Beat “pregnancy brain.” It’s bound to happen: pregnancy guides your thoughts elsewhere, especially when trying to remain focused on the job. To help yourself stay on task and proactive, keep a notepad with you at all times to jot down ideas, tasks, etc. in order to you keep your brain at work while you’re still there!

Being pregnant at work is not the simplest time in life, but it is very doable! Above all, just make sure you are taking the best care of yourself and your baby. Listen to your body and take rest days as you need them! Enjoy your pregnancy!

This article was provided by Choices Pregnancy Care Center, a pregnancy clinic dedicated to providing pregnancy and abortion help in Gainesville, GA. With Choices, you are never alone!

How to Approach Your First Ultrasound

Do you have an ultrasound scheduled? Are you nervous about what to expect? If you feel that you aren’t ready for an ultrasound procedure, take a look at this list and see if there is anything left for you to do.

Step 1: Talk to Your Doctor

A doctor is there to keep you healthy but sometimes doctors can be a bit cursory concerning the procedure and all that it entails. But it is your job as the patient to ask any and all questions, tell him about any nervousness you feel as well as any type of medications or other medical procedures you’ve had recently.

Step 2: What to Wear

Getting an ultrasound is hardly a red-carpet event, but you should dress comfortably and in an outfit that you can take off whatever area the doctor is examining. Wear your normal casual attire. If you are pregnant and having an ultrasound, wear socks because you may be asked to take off your bottoms and sometimes the procedure rooms are cold. The key to remaining calm is make sure you are comfortable so if you need a friend or loved one in the room, don’t hesitate to ask.

Step 3: Before the Examination

Some doctors may ask that a patient not eat or drink 12 hours prior to the procedure because things like food or heavy drinks can interfere with the ultrasound image and convolute a doctor’s diagnosis. Others ask that the patient drink 2 glasses of water before the procedure and not urinate, a full bladder may be conducive to the aims of the procedure. Ask your doctor or nurse these questions before your examination.

Step 4: Relax

The most important aspect of any medical procedure is the success of the procedure as well as the comfort of the patient. What most patients fear is the unknown, but once you have a better idea of what afflicts you, you can be more pro-active in dealing and healing the affliction. Stay calm and usually the results of an ultrasound are determined in the room or shortly after. Ask questions, stay informed, it is your body and your health and having the procedure shows that you are already taking the proper steps to remaining healthy and in control of your medical health.

This guest post was written by Eric Kneff in association with Doctors Imaging near New Orleans, LA. They’re Radiologists concerned about quality patient care and the physical well-being of moms, and soon-to-be mom. More information can be found at http://www.doctorsimaging.com/. The views expressed herein are those of the author himself, and not necessarily those of any medical facility or physician. This article is intended to provide those reading it with information about matters of current interest. It should not be construed as legal or medical advice concerning a specific topic and should not be acted upon without contacting the appropriate professionals.