We got the perfect dot stickers activity set for 3-7 year-old kids. The Skillmatics Dot-It Activity Set was Gifted with love on Mishika’s 4th birthday by her Mama Mami (maternal uncle and aunt) and how she is in love with this! It is a no-mess sticker activity, absolutely perfect for us at this stage as Mishika is finding it tough to fill colours with crayons in colouring books and school sheets. She absolutely loved this Skillmatics activity and wanted to complete a few more sheets the moment she finished one.
Each sheet of dot stickers has three shades of colors and varying sizes. So based on the white space available, she picked the small and large stickers and pasted them with much enthusiasm. What a fun mom daughter time we had with these cute dinosaurs last evening as she made stories about dinosaurs while looking at the pictures 😍
Unboxing and Review of Skillmatics Dot-it Sticker Activity Set
Absolutely recommend this Dot-It Set for preschoolers and kids upto 7 years of age!!! Watch the detailed video on our YouTube channel @momandideas ♥️
Ever since I became a mom, I have been fascinated by websites and Instagram pages that have anything to do with parenting, activity ideas and recipes for kids. Few pages in particular always won my heart and one of those is VNMom School run by a very amazing mother – Nikita. She shares more about her motherhood journey, STEM activities, her struggles and insights in this interview. Do check out her ever-growing page @vnmomschool and my page @momandideas
Tell us a little about yourself. Hi I am Nikita, a mom of a 5-year-old boy Virat. We stay in Pune. I am ME/MTech in Electronics and was working as a software engineer before I became a mom.
I discovered your amazing Instagram page and have been a fan ever since. Tell more about @vnmomschool When the pandemic happened in 2020, it was very different to keep my son engaged who was just three that time. So I started doing STEM activities which I did in my childhood and I used to share those on my WhatsApp stories. My friends found the kids’ activities useful and asked me to put them up as Instagram posts so that they also refer and try at home.
So that’s how VnMomSchool born on my Birthday. I share our fun learning experience which is easy and almost no prep so that all parents can try with kids at home too.
VnMomSchool – STEM Education
Why is STEM so important in early childhood years? The STEM approach enhances creativity, critical thinking and curiosity that is beneficial throughout academic years. For example, when he was just three years old, my kid used to ask questions when we had power cuts – How does the fan work?, “Why did it suddenly stop when power went off? So I made a small playdough circuit with LED lights and small battery to show him how electricity works and his little eyes sparkled with curiosity and 1000 more questions! I am sure he will remember this fun experiment throughout his life. He doesn’t need to go through in-depth learning. Such fun learning helps children in problem solving and analytical, logical and critical thinking in future. Also it helps to avoid screen time a lot.
Check out VnMomSchool’s YouTube channel here. If you are more of a Facebook person, this is her page.
Check out MomandIdeas’ YouTube channel here. If you are more of a Facebook person, this is my page.
On tough days, what makes you feel better? Nature’s walk really make me feel better. Whenever I get time or am having a rough day, I just go out in the garden and observe plants, flowers and birds. It really helps me calm down.
What is your relaxation mantra for moms around? I get really less time for relaxation but whenever I get I go for a walk, talk to friends, listen to music or watch kdramas.
What would you like to know from other moms (small questions you always thought maybe someone could answer)?
Oh, I would like to ask two things: How do you manage their routine if no help is around? How do you define the current education system? Do you feel it should change?
Tips for other moms based on your experience. I really feel we are new-gen moms and instead of teaching kids about phonics, maths or rote learning, let’s focus on values first. Topics like nature, culture, kindness, empathy, no littering, how to help to save the environment, water, electricity, etc.
Every mom faces some struggles. Would you like to share your mom-struggles and how you overcame them or if you need any suggestions? We all face struggles as parents. I am no different. And when you have a super energetic toddler at home it’s like a roller coaster ride! I had temper issues and still have, but I am trying to be as calm as possible by counting numbers, using stress balls, etc. whenever kiddo throws tantrums or makes a house mess. Well I know it’s his time to do all the stuff, I understand very well, but sometimes it’s out of my control too. I would really love to know how you overcome them.
Something about you before you became a mom! I shifted to Pune back in 2008 to join an MNC as a software engineer after I completed my BE Electronics. After two years of working, I took a break to finish my Masters in Engineering and then again joined a startup but I really wasn’t sure what I really wanted to do until I became a mom. Now my goal is to provide the best learning experience to my kid beyond school and also share it with other parents too.
What are your kid’s favourite books? We will compile a handy list based on recommendations by moms. My kiddo loves books based on facts. He prefers encyclopaedias over stories so our collection is also a bit different. DK’s Children Encyclopedia Zayn and Zoey Collection The Hungry Little Sky Monster – Rohini Nilekani The Germ Academy – Rea Malhotra Look Inside Space – Usborne collection Amma Tell Me – Mythology BooksMoral Stories from Panchatantra
3 favourite websites for parents. https://www.momjunction.com – Parenting Tips and Must-Haves for All Parenting Stages National Geographic Kids khanacademy.com we use their app and it’s free (it’s a fun learning app for kids)
5 favourite Instagram pages. @thedadlab my one of most fav and inspiration to create my page @ev_yapimi_hikayeler @mom_funda @true_parenting_story @mothercould
Such an inspiring and insightful conversation with Nikita! Don’t you agree? Please comment to share your experiences or ask a question if you like.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to momandideas.com as we have many more inspiring interviews of moms, parenting articles, DIY ideas and fun learning activities coming up. Join us on Instagram and Facebook.
I used to take up this blogging challenge when I was much younger and when I wasn’t a mom 🙂 This year, two friends, Deepa and Aparna, asked me if I would be participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge in 2022. Without much thought, I answered in affirmative. I know that unless I commit to something and tell about it to someone, I might just not do it. Especially, with the new challenges on motherhood (not complaining, I love it but you know it makes one really busy) and the existing ones of Fibromyalgia.
Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2022
So here I am – committed to complete the challenge in 2022. I am saying this because, just like a dialogue in a Salman Khan (Bollywood actor) movie, ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, toh phir main khudki bhi nahi sunti… meaning – once I commit something, I don’t back out whatever happens. I might get delayed, I might feel like giving up, but I will definitely finish the task just perfectly 🙂
Well, like some of my friends taking up the #AToZChallenge, I haven’t been able to chart out the entire month’s plan. But the theme will definitely be around Motherhood/Parenting. It won’t be all gyaan (like this post LOL) but will cover various things revolving around my life as a mother who loves to have fun with her child but also faces several emotional and physical challenges. The posts will be more or less like this:
Fun posts, incidents, jokes made by us, etc. DIY – Art, crafts, etc. Cool activities Easy and healthy recipes Parenting, challenges, learnings, etc. Motivation Fiction / Short Stories Being a parent Comic stuff Instagramming as a mom And some more (I need to still think)
I would love if you comment with some post prompts related to this theme. If I use your prompt (something not already listed above), I will definitely give you a mention with a link to your blog and also a shoutout on my social media pages (Instagram and Facebook) where I will be promoting all my posts.
Looking forward to your comments and post recommendations!
Happy Blogging! PS – If you are participating too, drop me a comment about your theme and let’s check out / follow each other’s blogs.
Love festivals, art and craft? Here’s your chance to share your doodle and craft ideas with the world! Inviting entries for WORLD FESTIVALS CRAFT & DOODLE CONTEST
The contest is open to all Kids and Parents (why not, moms and dads, right?).
You can pick any festival you love from any part of the world and participate in one or both categories:
Category 1: WORLD FESTIVALS CRAFT CONTEST Category 2: WORLD FESTIVALS DOODLE CONTEST
Age Groups (for judging purpose): Below 5 years/5-7 years/ 8-12 years/13-18 years/Parents
Submit entries by: 25th September 2021, 10 pm IST.
All participants will receive a digital certificate. Winners will get featured on our blog and social media pages.
This contest is not affiliated with WordPress, Instagram, Facebook or any other platform.
Rules –
HOW TO ENTER:
Entry Fee: INR 150 Email momandideas@gmail.com and deepaseth25@gmail.com (marking both) for payment details. The entry fee is non-refundable under any circumstance including the inability to submit the entry by the due date.
Only one entry per entrant will be accepted in each of the Craft and Doodle Categories after payment of the entry fee of INR 150 per entry before the due date of submission. So you can send one Craft entry as well as one Doodle entry.
Visit thisGOOGLE FORMto complete the entry form and submit your work.
Entry should be submitted in the form of square format images in a PDF file. Kindly submit at least 3 images of the steps involved in creating the work (to ensure authenticity).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
It must be original, unpublished work created for the purpose and must comply with the theme of this contest. It must not be derogatory, offensive, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libellous or contain any content that is unlawful, inappropriate, indecent, sexual, profane, tortuous, slanderous, discriminatory in any way, or that promotes hatred or harm against any individual/person.
JUDGING: Each entry will be evaluated and scored based on the following Criteria: 1. Creativity 2. Originality 3. Usage of Festival Theme 4. Adherence to the rules and criteria The judges’ decision shall be final and binding.
Well, like some of my friends taking up the #AToZChallenge, I haven’t been able to chart out the entire month’s plan. But the theme will definitely be around Motherhood/Parenting. It won’t be all gyaan (like this post LOL) but will cover various things revolving around my life as a mother who loves to have fun with her child but also faces several emotional and physical challenges. The posts will be more or less like this:
MOM AND IDEAS 