Easter Water Table

It was a beautiful day here on the "wet coast". It actually felt like summer if you were in the sun! Lady & Bug spent the day outside enjoying the sunshine and what could be better than a big bin full of water, plastic Easter eggs and glass stones. Nothing like finding an activity that will consume their every waking moment for an entire day! 

First I emptied a plastic bin I found in the garage. Makes a great water table...who needs to spend $100  on one of those fancy ones...just put it on a low table on the deck.

I added glass stones (5 bags) that I got from the dollar store (best $5 I've spent on them...can't wait to use these again and again!)

Tossed in the plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday...why not use them for more than just Easter!

Then filled the tub with warmish water (and kept refilling as the water got tossed overboard).

Added some spray bottles, spoons & small bowls to make it a little more fun (Lady is obsessed with her spray bottles as you can see).

They played and played and played and played...

The sun finally went down and it got too cold to play outside - 8 hours of fun from one little tub of water.

We are doing this again!

~Adel~

Best Ever Pizza Dough

Now you can end your relationship with the Pizza Delivery Guy, you can make it at home!

Best Ever Pizza Dough

1 can or bottle of Beer (I usually use some Sleeman's Honey Brown Lager - something with lots of flavour. If you don't want to use beer, just use water).

1 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 1/2 tsp Salt

4 1/2 cups Flour

2 tsp Yeast

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Italian Seasoning

Put all the ingredients into a bread machine. Use the dough setting and press start. If using a stand mixer, use a dough hook and knead until the dough is soft. Allow to rise for 1 hour.

Once dough is ready, divide it. Divide in 1/2 for a thick crust and in 1/3 for a thin crust.

Flatten dough ball and spread dough until it is the size of the pan. Add sauce, desired toppings and cheese.

Bake at 350F for 17-20 minutes (depending on desired crispiness of crust).

The dough can be frozen divided in a small freezer bag or freeze unbaked pizza in plastic wrap with all the toppings for a quick meal. Also an easy Big Cook meal.

My little bitty Bug ate 3 pieces tonight (even the crust)..I can't even eat that much!

Delicious home-made pizza.

~Adel~

Easy Meatloaf

I'm bringing back Meatloaf Mondays! I can't help it, Lady & Bug LOVE it & it's Uncle Ladybug's ultimate favourite food!

Meatloaf

1 lb  Lean Ground Beef

1/2 cup Oatmeal

2 Eggs

1 Tbsp Onion Soup Mix (make your own!)

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Salt

1/3 cup Ketchup

Mix all the ingredients together. Line the pan with foil and place the meatloaf in the pan. Bake for 1 hour @ 350F. Use BBQ sauce instead of Ketchup for a different flavour. This is a great freezer meal for a Big Cook day.

Serve with Make-Ahead Herb & Garlic Mashed Potatoes for a fabulous dinner.

Happy Meatloaf Monday!

For more Freezer Friendly ideas for your Big Cook Day, check out my Freezer Meals page.

Adel

Spring Menu

The Crocuses are out at Ladybug's Landing & it's time for a new menu.

I make a menu for each season to help me stay focused each day when it's dinner time. It also really helps with planning, Big Cooks, and shopping! I make a 4 week menu with 5 meals each week (one day left out for leftovers and one day for take-out or a meal with extended family.

If you would like to make a menu for your own family try my Blank Menu Template!

Here's my Spring Menu! (*missing recipes coming*)

Week 1

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Tacos

Beef Stir Fry & Rice

Sweet Potato Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Sweet & Sour Pork

Butter Chicken, Rice & Naan

Week 2

Easy Rootbeer Pulled Pork

Veggie Primavera

Greek Chicken

Steak & Baked Potatoes

Chicken Stew & White Cheddar Biscuits

Week 3

Chicken Lasagna

Roast Lamb & couscous

Bacon Vodka Rose Pasta

Hawaiian Chicken

Perogies & Sausage

Week 4

Avocado Salsa & Limey Chicken

Roasted Salmon, tomatoes & asperagus

Spicy Apricot Meatballs

Orange Chicken

Mushroom Pork Chops

There's probably a Big Cook day coming up soon!

~Adel~

Spring Menu Week 1
Spring Menu Week 2
Spring Menu Week 3
Spring Menu Week 4

Paska (Easter Bread)

Yum. It's Paska day in the Ladybug house!

Paska has become an annual tradition since I was about 18 and moved to a city that is predominately of either Indian or Mennonite heritage. You can't escape the Butter Chicken & Daal and you can't escape the Vareniki & Paska. So rather than fight it, I've joined in and slowly learned to enjoy and cook these wonderful things.

It's almost Easter so that means it's time to make some Paska (Easter Bread). My favourite recipe is Lovella's Paska from Mennonite Girls Can Cook, it's sweet and citrusy. I've also tried to make some other interesting versions..strawberry paska and coconut paska, both good, but Lovella's is still my favourite!


I grated my orange & lemon with a fine grater, then cut off the white part so it was just the juicy fruit left.

Then I wizzed up the grated peels & the fruit in my magic bullet.

Combined all my ingredients in a mixing bowl and added the flour until I had a soft dough, then let it rise.

Put it in loaf tins & let rise again.

Add the Frosting (recipe below) and sprinkles...the most important part!

I don't use Lovella's icing recipe, here's the one I use.

Paska Icing

1/2 cup Butter, softened
250g (8oz) Cream Cheese, softened
3 & 1/2 cups Icing Sugar
1 Tbsp Vanilla
2 Tbsp Cream (or more to desired consistency)

So happy for the sunshine today.
Mmmm...Tastes like Spring!

~Adel~

Calming Bottle

Bug is a bit emotional and very energetic. 

He's a 2 year old boy and it's not exactly easy being a parent of one of these!

Not much is working in the way of discipline right now. Time outs are still a bit of a joke to him - he thinks it's some kind of game. 

It's frustrating.

I'm experimenting with different techniques, trying to find something that clicks with him. I came across this idea on Pinterest from My Crazy Blessed Life and decided to use what I had on hand in my house to make it.  The basic concept...add water, glitter & glue to a clear container & use it as a time-out, calming tool.

Here's what I used:

2 empty Gatorade bottles left over from Daddy Ladybug's hockey game

2 - 4 oz bottles of clear glue (I used Elmer's Glue)

Green & Pink glitter Glue (about 2 oz of each was actually used)

Regular glitter (I used some larger silver glitter, and fine pink & green glitter)

Warm water

Super Glue

I washed the bottles well and added 4 oz clear glue, 2 oz glitter glue, about 1 Tbsp silver glitter & 1 Tbsp of the fine glitter for each bottle, then filled with warm water (warm water is important to make the glue melt). I shook each one very well and timed them to see how long it took for the glitter to settle - added more glue or water to make it about 5 minutes. Once I was happy with them, I glued the lids on with super glue...important step!

Bug likes his calming bottle. I guess time will tell if it actually works, but he likes to look at the glitter falling and wants to pack it around everywhere he goes. Lady likes her pink one too - she likes anything with sparkles! 

Here's to hoping this one sticks!

~Adel~

Easter Monster Cookies

Easter Monster Cookies

1 & 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup White Sugar

3 Eggs

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1 & 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (I use crunchy)

1/2 cup Butter, softened

2 tsp Baking Soda

4 & 1/2 cup Quick Oats (not the instant kind)

1/2 cup Flour* (optional)

3/4 cup Spring M&M's

1/4 cup Chocolate Chips

Combine the eggs & sugars in a mixer until smooth. Add salt, vanilla, peanut butter & butter. Mix well. Add baking soda, oats & flour (optional). Add the candies & chocolate and mix carefully by hand so the M&M's don't break.

Using an ice cream scoop, drop large balls of dough on the cookie sheet. Ensure there is lots of space for cookies to spread out on the pan. Press a little dent in the dop of each with the back of the scoop and place an M&M in the centre.

Bake one pan at a time at 350F for 8-10 minutes on the middle rack. Careful not to over bake.

* these cookies will still be great without flour if you need this option, just a little less structure.

~Adel~

Dying Easter Eggs

First I boiled a dozen eggs, then I made the dyes. (40 drops food colouring, 2 tsp. white vinegar, 1 cup hot water)

I put everything out on the lawn in the back yard & put the kids in clothes that I didn't mind them getting dirty (Lady was not happy about this at all).

Then we dipped eggs in the dyes.

Beautiful eggs.

Then we ate them for lunch! 

~Adel~

Avocado Salsa & Limey Chicken

Avocado Salsa & Limey Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts, cut in 1/2

1/4 cup Lime Juice

1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, minced

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 cloves Garlic, minced

Salt & Pepper

Place Chicken pieces in a large freezer bag and add remaining ingredients. Toss to coat chicken and let marinade for 30 minutes. While waiting for chicken to marinade, make Avocado Salsa. 

3 medium Tomatoes, diced

2 ripe Avocados, diced

3 Tbsp. Red Onion, diced

1 clove Garlic, minced

3 Tbsp Cilantro, minced

1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

1/4 cup Lime Juice

Salt & Pepper

Combine ingredients in a bowl and toss gently. Let sit while chicken is cooking.

Preheat grill to medium-high (or oven at 350F). Once chicken has been marinading for 30 minutes, place chicken on grill until no longer pink inside.

Serve Limey Chicken topped with Avocado Salsa and Yummy Yummy Rice & Beans on the side (recipe coming).

A tasty light meal!

~Adel~

Green Pancakes

Green Pancakes

1 1/2 cup Flour

1 1/2 Tbsp Sugar

3 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

2 Eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups Milk

3 Tbsp Cooking Oil

Green Gel Food Colouring

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine wet ingredients. Mix wet ingredients into dry and stir mixture until just moist. Add food colouring last.

Pour batter onto a medium heat pan and cook about 2 minutes on each side (until pancakes are golden brown or until bubbles start to pop on uncooked side).

Serve with butter and maple syrup.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

~Adel~ 

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Garland

This week Lady & Bug worked on decorating foam shamrocks with glitter glue & stickers. They spent hours at their little table "painting" and creating gobs of glitter glue.

We stapled them together and hung them on our front window. 

They only lasted a few hours until they pulled them down and pretended they were food, but it looked like we were in the St. Patty's Day spirit for a few hours anyway!

Ahh, life with toddlers...

~Adel~

Grilled Naan Bread

Grilled Naan Bread

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

1/4 cup sugar

4 Tbsp. Milk

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. salt

4 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. minced garlic (optional)

1/4 cup butter or olive oil (optional)

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt and flour. Knead for 6-8 minutes or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and set aside to rise for 1 hour (or until doubled).

Punch down dough and knead in garlic (optional). Divide dough into 12 balls. Place on a tray and cover with a damp cloth for 30 minutes. 

During the second rise preheat the grill.

Roll out each dough ball into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill and cook for 2 minutes until puffy and lightly browned. Turn over and cook for another 2 minutes until both sides are lightly browned. Optional: Brush with butter/olive oil after cooking.

Keep in foil wrap until ready to serve.

During the cold & rainy months of the year I make this in my oven. Preheat oven to 350 F and follow the same cooking directions with the rack in the middle of your oven. 

This Naan Bread is delicious with The Best Butter Chicken Ever!

Enjoy!

~Adel~

The Best Butter Chicken Ever

Mmmm...Butter Chicken.

I am seriously addicted. Every time I make this dish I think that it is the best I've ever made. I could eat Indian food every day of my life and be perfectly happy. Bug loves this meal so much he has 3 helpings and Daddy Ladybug swears it's better than anything we had in India.

The Best Butter Chicken Ever

3-4 Chicken Breasts, cubed

2 Tbsp Tandoori Masala*

2 Tbsp Flour

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 cup Butter, melted

1 Onion, diced

3 cloves Garlic, minced

680 ml (23 oz) can Tomato Sauce

3 cups Cream (half & half makes it lighter, but still thick)

2 tsp. Salt

1 1/2 tsp. Garam Masala*

1/2 tsp. Tandoori Masala*

Cayenne pepper (optional if you want some heat)

*Tandoori Masala and Garam Masala can be found in your "ethnic" or asian isles at your grocery store. I use Hanif's Garam Masala Powder & Tandoori Masala. I find mine at the little Indian Market down the street (plentiful here, but perhaps not in every community!).

Cube chicken breasts and toss with 2 Tbsp Tandoori Masala, Flour & Vegetable Oil in a bag. Shake until coated. 

Stovetop Instructions: In a large skillet, cook coated chicken and onions until chicken is fully cooked, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more. Add butter, tomato sauce, half & half, and remaining spices. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Slow Cooker Instructions: Add floured chicken to the slow cooker. Combine melted butter, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and spices/seasonings together in a bowl. Pour on top of the chicken and stir well. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 7 hours. Add cream, stir and cook for another 1/2 hour before serving.

Freezer Instructions: Coat chicken in flour mixture, add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cream to a freezer bag and freeze. to use, defrost in fridge for at least 24 hours and empty contents of bag into a slow cooker. Follow slow cooker instructions above.

I serve this with Basmati Rice made with whole cumin & peas, and Grilled Naan Bread.

YUMMMMMMM.

~Adel~

Disclaimer: this recipe is based on an amazing recipe I found online at allrecipes.com called Easy Butter Chicken. I've done some changes to make it the teeniest bit healthier, adjusted for my family's tastes and my process is slightly different (I think easier), but I have to give credit to such a great recipe for the inspiration. If you want to try the original version please do...it's amazing too!

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder

6 slices Bacon, chopped

1 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 potatoes, cubed

3 cups corn

3 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cup milk

4 tsp flour

salt 

pepper

red pepper flakes

In a large sauce pan, cook bacon until crisp. Add onion & pepper, cook until soft but not brown.

Add chicken broth & potatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add corn and cook for another 10 minutes or until potatoes and corn are tender. 

Add milk, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.

In a small bowl, combine a small amount of water with the flour. Add slowly while stirring  Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute until thickened.

Delicious!

~Adel~

Taco Soup

We had Mexican food last night with our family and just couldn't get enough. Today we had Taco soup for lunch too. So yummy!

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 - 796ml (28oz) can diced tomatoes

2 cups frozen corn

1 cup black beans, drained and washed

1/2 cup taco seasoning (or 2 packages of prepared)

8 cups water

grated cheese

sour cream

nacho chips

Brown the beef in a large pot. Add taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, beans, corn and water. Boil until corn is soft and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 

Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and nacho chips.

I make this recipe as part of my freezer cooking days. I brown the beef then add the seasoning. I add the meat, corn, beans, and tomatoes to the freezer bags and freeze. Just add the water at time of cooking.

Freezes really well and is great in the crock pot too.

~Adel~

Mennonite Cabbage Borscht

This week one of the people in my household is getting dental surgery and will need to eat jello and soups for the next few days. I decided to share our favourite soups this week.

Here's today's soup!

Mennonite Cabbage Borscht

3-4 links Farmer Sausage, cubed

4 cups Water

4 cups Beef Stock

4 Potatoes, cubed

4 Carrots, sliced

2 Onions, diced

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 small head Cabbage, thinly shredded

1/4 cup Ketchup

796 ml (28 oz) can Diced Tomatoes

2 Tbsp dried Dill

2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp whole black pepper

In a large stock pot, combine water, beef stock & farmer sausage. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil again and simmer until veggies are tender. Serve with sour cream and fresh dill if desired.

Great for freezer cooking!

~Adel~

Bath Paint

I've seen these posts on Pinterest about bath paints using shaving cream, so we decided to give it a try as Lady & Bug LOVE baths.

We used:

• sensitive skin shaving cream (unscented kind)
• gel food colouring
• a muffin tin
• paint brushes

Lady & Bug were so excited to paint in the bath!

First we mixed the colour into the shaving cream.

Then they painted the sides of the bathtub.

It occupied a good hour of their time and there was no floods in the the bathroom like usual - they were concentrating so hard! We did have to change the water a few times and then actually wash the last time to get all the shaving cream off, but they had so much fun.

Definitely doing this again!

~Adel~

Soothing a Sore Throat

I have been sick this week - terrible sore throat and cough. It's not fun. To make it worse, my favourite remedies seem to be made by the same company that just happens to be doing a huge facility upgrade in the middle of cold & flu season.

I decided to try out my mom's childhood remedy and it worked like a charm.

Hot Lemon & Honey

In your favourite mug, combine 2 Tbsp Honey & 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice with boiling water and mix until honey is dissolved.

Sip slowly with a good book or movie and a cozy blanket.

The lemon breaks up the mucous and the honey soothes the sore throat.

Sipping my Hot Lemon & Honey.

~Adel~



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Going to the Zoo

This week's theme was the Zoo. We actually had a break in the rain and had a chance to head to the Zoo. Lady & Bug love to run their little hearts out and to see their favourite animals; the giraffe, the lion, the cheetah & the black panther (who they call black kitty).

Visiting Mr. Cheetah

We also did some play with Zoo Animals.

Stamping Zoo Animals

Lady is so careful about her stamps and Bug just wants to spread paint all over everything. Tells you a little about their personalities too! This activity was immediately followed by a bath.

Foam Zoo Animal Stickers

I found this great pack of Noah's Ark foam stickers at the dollar store the other day and Lady has been very intrigued by them, carefully picking out her animals and peeling the backs off the stickers. With a little help she made a little collage of her favourites.

We also looked at pictures of our safari in Africa and showed Lady & Bug where some of the animals really live. 

And not to be forgotten, this week has been full of singing Raffi's Going to the Zoo song...over and over and over...

This week was a good learning experience for them and we all had a great time being outside at the zoo, learning, and creating.

~Adel~

Spicy Apricot Meatballs

Spicy Apricot Meatballs

40 meatballs (I make my own, but pre-made ones are good too)

1 Tbsp Butter

1 Onion, diced

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 cup Apricot Jam

1 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

hot sauce (to taste)

Melt butter in a sauce pan. Sauté onions and garlic until soft. Combine remaining ingredients into onion mixture and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over meatballs and bake at 375 F for 30 minutes or in slow cooker for 3 hours on high.

Great freezer meal!

This is Lady & Bug's ultimate favourite meal, I am always amazed that they eat way more than me when this meal comes out.

~Adel~

Better than JRM - St. Patty's Day Dessert

I don't know what it is about Jonathan Rhys Meyers, but ever since I first saw Bend it Like Beckham, I've been in love. Maybe it's the voice (accent) or the lips, or the eyes, but I think he's fabulous.

So, in honour of my favourite Irish actor, I have created a St. Patrick's Day version of my favourite dessert.

Better Than JRM

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup finely chopped pistachios (or use pecans or walnuts)

1 pkg cream cheese (8 oz or 250 ml)

1 cup sugar

3 cups prepared whip cream

2 Package of Pistachio Pudding mix (99g/4 servings)

2 Packages of Chocolate Pudding mix (99g/4 servings)

4 cups milk

Chocolate shavings

• Combine flour, butter and nuts in a food processor. Press into a 9x13 baking pan.
• Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Beat sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of prepared whip cream. Spread over cooled crust.
• In another bowl, combine chocolate pudding mixes and 2 cups of milk. Spread over cream cheese layer.
• In one bowl, combine pistachio pudding mixes and 2 cups of milk. Spread over chocolate layer.
• Top with remaining 2 cups whip cream and chocolate shavings for garnish.

mmm...mmm...mmm

~Adel~

Rainbow Shot of Gold

Perhaps it's the Irish blood coursing through my veins or my love of the colour green, but St. Patrick's Day has been one of my favourite holidays as long as I can remember. 

Rainbows fascinate me and I just couldn't resist making rainbow Jello for the kids. Yumm...I had forgotten how much I love Jello! It brings back memories of elementary school and the clear plastic cups of lime Jello with whip cream and green sprinkles. 

I decided to make mini versions with rainbow Jello in shot glasses.

Rainbow Shot of Gold

Strawberry Jello

Orange Jello

Lemon Jello

Lime Jello

Blue Raspberry Jello

Grape Jello

Boiling Water

Cold Water (or ice)

Whip Cream

Chocolate Gold Coins (My Canadian version has Loonies!)

• In a bowl prepare the Grape Jello according to the directions.
• Pour into your chosen serving dish (I used shot glasses, but you could use a clear baking dish, wine glasses, clear fruit bowls, a large crystal bowl, or any other nice clear serving dish you can find. If you're making tiny ones like I did, you'll need a secondary dish for all the extras.
• Refrigerate until set (make sure it's level!). Make sure the layer is set before adding another one.
• Repeat with the Blue Raspberry, Lime, Lemon, Orange & Strawberry Jellos until you have all the colours nicely layered. 
• Top with a dollop of whip cream and a gold coin.
• I made these for kids...if you wanted to make adult versions, just replace the cold water with Vodka.

This is not for those looking for instant results...the process takes a whole day so don't expect to serve it the day you make it!

Slainte

~Adel~

Now I Know My ABC's: Helping Toddlers Learn the Alphabet

Next to social skills, I think learning to read and write are some of the most important skills you can learn, so we have made it an important part of raising Lady & Bug. I don't even know if it was a concious decision, but somewhere along the way it became a focus of our activities.

Whatever we did...it worked, Lady & Bug started recognizing letters on signs and calling them out as we were driving & picking up novels and pointing out all the letters they knew. I would say to myself...aren't they a little young to know that?! I'm pretty sure I didn't learn the alphabet until just before kindergarten...they aren't even 2! They were interested and I just went with it. Now at 2 & 1/2, they are ready to move on to more complex things, but we still make sure we reinforce their learning. I have found that the key is to make learning letters a part of your everyday activities and repetition. This week's theme is the Alphabet.

If helping your children learn their ABC's is important to you, here are some of the thing you can do to help:

• Read them books. Lady & Bug love books...come to think of it I haven't met a toddler that doesn't like books. They will read anything you give them. Start early, I think hubs read them a book in the nicu! We even have specific Alphabet books - there are lots of great choices out there.
• Buy books instead of toys. If you do buy toys, find some that are educational and help them learn the alphabet.
• Love reading yourself. Reading is ME time, it's my escape from the demands of life. Children like to imitate the people they love. If you read, they will read! There are books all over our house, even a designated "library" area where we do a lot of our own reading. It's a fun cozy family place and they love being there when we read. 
• Give books and reading value. Our books are pieces of art, prize possessions, collections, memorabilia from adventures, experiences, dreams, teachers, and a story of our life's journey. We proudly display them and allow our children to touch them, play with them, and read them (ok, not the valuable ones). We have had no ripped pages or destroyed books - our children have learned to value books from day 1 because they have value to us.

• Sing the Alphabet song to them. We usually sing it at night before they go to bed. ABCDEFG - HIJKLMNOP - QRS - TUV - WX - Y & Z, now I know my ABC's next time won't you sing with me. Lady & Bug demand that song over and over. I'm glad it has a bit of a lullaby tune and doesn't get them all excited right before bed.
• Let them watch educational TV and play educational games on the computer or tablet. I know there's a variety of opinions on this one, but they are specifically made to teach young children reading skills, especially the alphabet and numbers. Sesame street is a great example as are many others.
• When they create, draw, or colour, do it with letters. We make letters on the side walk with chalk, colour letter pages from crayola, make letters out of play dough, & do crafts with foam letters.
• Make meals with alphabet pasta or bake letter cookies. Lady & Bug love picking out the letters and saying each one as they eat it.
• Point out letters as you go about your day. We talk about the letters on the road signs, the box of cereal, the grocery store displays, & license plates. There are letters everywhere you look.
• Take your kids to activities or events in your community that encourage reading. We have programs here for toddlers to help prepare them for school, sunday school, reading programs at the library, and events at local pre-schools & elementary schools. These are also great resources to parents who do not have the desire or skill to teach their own children.
• Get foam letters for the bath. Lady & Bug spend at least a 1/2 hour in the bath most days and play with those letters the whole time. We spell their names, talk about what an apple starts with or a train or a princess...whatever they're into. They usually make it into the play room too.
• Make learning letters fun. Make up silly songs and actions. Laugh lots & play.
• Most importantly - repeat!

Enjoy reading!

~Adel~