Reem Araia

Looking for ways to save $ on groceries? 👇🏾

Calling all moms 📣

Summer is here and I have the schedule YOU need to survive it 💪

Even though school is out, children still need and benefit from maintaining a routine during the summer months.

I put together an easy Summer schedule that you can totally use as is, or modify to work for your family 🙌🏾

I have also compiled lists of ⭐️HIGHLY ⭐️ recommended Podcasts & Audiobooks suggested by me and other moms, for kids to enjoy during ‘quiet time’. Swipe to see 👉🏽

✳️Don’t keep this handy resource to yourself…SHARE the love and pass it on to another Mama who this could help.

Make sure to FOLLOW me for more time saving, child approved resources!

Working from home with the kids this summer? I can help 🙋🏾‍♀️

👉🏾I have put together a list of both active and quiet activities (that should require little or no parent supervision) that my kids love or plan to try.

These activities should keep your kids entertained while you focus on your work‼️

Active activities 🤸🏾‍♀️

✅ Scavenger hunt: write out a list of things to find around the house and have the kids check them off as they find them. Add some healthy competition and throw in a prize for the first child to complete! 📝

✅ Toy wash: Fill a large bowl with water. Provide towels and a box of toys that kids can wash 🫧

✅ Rock painting: Set up some washable paint, paintbrushes, rocks, glue and crafting supplies like googly eyes, feathers to add extra creativity to their rocks 🎨

✅ Magnifying Glasses: Provide a couple of magnifying glasses and send the kids off to explore nature safely in your backyard 🔎

Quiet Activities 🤫

✅ Kids Audio books & Podcasts: These apps are great ways to entertain children of all ages. A captivating story can entertain children for hours on end. 🎧

✅ Magnetic tiles, Lego, Playdough: These activities are always a hit because enjoy making all kinds of creations 🧱

➡️SHARE ⬅️ this with a busy mom who could use a few ideas this summer

🛑✋🏾Looking for the best gift ideas for your child’s teacher? Then this post is for you!

For many of us, school is a couple weeks away from wrapping up for the year, so it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your child’s teacher.

I have done ALL the leg work and read articles on this, talked to teachers and EAs personally, as well as read feedback from parent groups on Facebook.

Below are 3 of the BEST gift ideas for teachers and school staff ⬇️

1️⃣ Gift cards. This was voted #1 with all teachers and school staff! Gift cards to , and were rated their favs. Gift cards to LCBO was also mentioned, but many have pointed out that not everyone drinks alcohol.

2️⃣ Thank-you cards. A simple yet meaningful way to show your child’s educator that you care.

3️⃣ Insulated travel mug. Teachers often cannot get a break for several hours, so a good quality insulated travel mug will go a long way! They can use it to keep their beverages warm or cool throughout the day.

A few other honourable mentions were personalized tote bags, plants, and even collaborating with other parents from the class to get one large, more pricier gift.

Whatever you decide, it’s always a great idea to get your child involved in the process in appreciating their teacher 💕

👉🏾Share with a mom who needs this list 👈🏾

⚠️ Did you know: There are places in the Ottawa area that offer free or low-cost dental cleanings?

If you don’t have insurance, be sure to check out this article that lists a bunch of dental & public health offices that offer free or low cost services:

https://www.mytoothbetold.com/where-to-get-free-cheap-dental-care-in-ottawa/

Share with someone who may need to know about these services as well!

Great news for Ottawa parents 🙌🏾

As occupational therapists, we often have children in our practice work on climbing UP the slide. We do this, because it happens to be incredibly therapeutic.

Learn more about why it's beneficial to allow children to climb back up the slide (when no one is coming down of course!)

- From the perspective of a physical therapist:
https://www.pinkoatmeal.com/climb-up-the-slide/

- From the Child Central Station's original post:
https://www.childcentralstation.com/2014/01/yes-we-climb-up-slide.html?m=1

Did you know the city of Ottawa has both baby and child playgroups (0-6 yrs old) offered throughout the city for free?

It’s a great way to help your baby socialize and connect with other parents too!

Check out the city’s website for locations & schedules:

https://ottawa.ca/en/family-and-social-services/childrens-services/earlyon -24909235-e8aa-49c0-b4c1-f51b65d1785e

5 reasons why you should start reading to your child daily ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I know, I know! Between homework, extracurricular activities, dinner, baths, laundry and everything else you’re juggling…adding another thing to your list of to-do’s is the last thing you want.

But hear me out…

There are SO many important benefits to reading to your child daily, that is backed up by years and years of research. Adding reading to your daily routine can be life changing for your child ‼️

So when should you start the habit of reading to your child? Research suggests starting as young as the infant stage 👶🏽

Below are only 5 of the many benefits

1️⃣ Reading develops longer attention span, which is a vital skill for school.

2️⃣ Preschoolers who are exposed to words that are read to them generally do better in school.

3️⃣ Preschoolers who have greater exposure to reading at home, imaging studies show more activation in areas of the brain associated with mental imagery and understanding narratives.

4️⃣ Your child learns early that reading is fun and not a chore.

5️⃣ Many studies show that students who love learning and do well in school were exposed to reading before preschool.

📥 Share with a mama friend to encourage more reading at home!

References:

https://www.webmd.com/children/health-benefits-reading-children

https://www.raisesmartkid.com/all-ages/1-articles/14-the-benefits-of-reading-to-your-child?amp=1

https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/why-is-reading-important-for-children/

Check out this fun way to teach your kids the different type of clouds☁️!

Learning always sticks when it’s fun and can be easily applied 🙌🏾

While there are far more than just three types of clouds, it made more sense to focus on the main three types.

All you need:

✅ A piece of cardboard (we used the side of lan empty cereal box)

✅ Scissors to cut the ‘cloud spotter window’

✅ A marker to write the names and descriptions of each type of cloud

✅ Images of the three types of clouds ☁️

✅ Glue

Love finding these ideas on the internet 💡

Welcome everyone! This is my business page. Looking forward to connecting with you all 💕