• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

trying to keep smiling: quick trick, candy countdown

home / math / counting / trying to keep smiling: quick trick, candy countdown
227 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

After taking care of three on-and-off sick kiddos for the last three weeks, and after a crazy week of Halloween parties and craziness, I was finally hit with the bug yesterday.

From my bedroom, I could hear Maddy, Owen, and Cora asking my husband every two seconds for another piece of candy.

Every. Two. Seconds.

I know there are very cool ideas out there about a “Halloween Trade“– a small gift in exchange for the children’s bag of candy–which is a super idea, but I just didn’t get there this year.

Plus, being a sweet tooth myself, I do want my kids to have some candy. Call me crazy. Some candy. Some.

So this Quick Trick I came up with on the fly, from my bed, and I was just thanking my lucky stars that I had been keeping empty egg cartons for a while and had enough to do this.

  • Candy Countdown Cartons: I grabbed the egg cartons, taped a piece of paper that said “Maddy’s Candy Countdown” onto one carton, “Owen’s. . . ” on another, and “Cora’s . . .” on the last one.

Maddy’s Candy Countdown Carton

Then I said, I’ve heard enough crying for candy. Enough! I am trying to rest, and all I hear is ‘More candy! More candy! Can we please have candy?’

First of all, we don’t eat candy all day long. Secondly, we’re not going to finish all of this candy anyway. Imagine how your bellies would feel if we let you eat junk all day long. Remember the Berenstain Bears and ‘Too Much Junk Food’? It’s Mommy and Daddy’s job to help keep you safe and healthy.

So here is your Candy Countdown Carton. Owen, how many little holes are in this container? He counted and told me.

Right. Twelve. So I’m going to dump all of our candy onto the floor, and each of you can pick twelve pieces of candy. That’s it. Stick one piece in each of these holes, and when Daddy or I say it’s time for candy–for dessert or when we say it’s time–then you can pick one of your pieces.

When your Candy Countdown Carton is empty, candy’s gone. There’s no more. So go through the candy, pick your favorites, and fill up your containers.

Blockquote

Owen fills his Candy Countdown Carton

So they did. And maybe giving them some ownership over a tiny bit of candy, maybe because ‘twelve’ seems like such a big number to them, or maybe because they just they were happy to play with their candy for a bit, Maddy, Owen, and Cora were content.

I could hear them, after lunch, picking out a piece from their cartons. One piece and they were done.

Maybe this ‘Good-bye Halloween Candy‘ Quick Trick worked after all–or at least for today.

Just a little something to try if you’d like. Hope you had a great Halloween!

Thanks for subscribing to teachmama! Have a good one!

You May Also Like...

  • how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
    how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
  • halloween class party: 10 quickie activities for that extra 10 minutes
    halloween class party: 10 quickie activities for that extra 10 minutes
  • Cool Advent calendars for teens
    Cool Advent calendars for teens

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:dinner in a pumpkin teachmama.comdinner in a pumpkin
Next Post:wiggly words: fun ways to get kids to writewiggly words: fun ways to get kids to write

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christy

    November 2, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    I hope you feel better soon! My boys both have H1N1. I hope the rest of us can avoid it.

    This is a great idea. I am impressed that you did this when you were sick! You are a super mom!

    Reply
  2. The Activity Mom

    November 2, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    GREAT idea!

    Reply
  3. Stimey

    November 2, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Wow. You are brilliant! Great idea!

    Reply
  4. Multi-tasking Mommy

    November 3, 2009 at 12:56 am

    You're sick and you're still able to think up amazing ideas! You are truly an inspiration.
    GREAT idea.

    Reply
  5. Tara Rison

    November 3, 2009 at 2:28 am

    Oh, no! I hope you feel better soon. We fought it at my house for two weeks. Knock on wood, I have not gotten it.

    By the way ~ I think you were really at my house yesterday because the dialogue you quoted was the exact same as the dialogue at my house. I think you were a bit more patient than me, though!

    Reply
  6. Tech Savvy Mama

    November 7, 2009 at 3:34 am

    I love this and it isn't too late for me to do it with the abundant candy supply that is left in our house. Thanks so much and I hope you are feeling better!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

227 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Mmmmmuahhhh!

Give your brain a kiss.

I learned so, so much from Maddy’s incredible preschool teachers when I parent-aided in her first classroom.

She was only there two mornings a week, and I was there a few times a month, but these women were amazing, patient, and seriously skilled at with working with the teeniest of teeny two-year-olds.

So today’s Quick Trick is from them. Just like arm circles and a lot of the Conscious Discipline that they demonstrated, this is something that we’ve used for quite some time and have had much success with.

  • Brain Kisses: Whenever Maddy, Owen, or Cora show us that they’re really thinking–really using their growing brains to figure something out, remember something, or to share something they learned with us–we say,

Give your brain a kiss! Your brain is really working hard today. Or,

How did you figure that out? . . . Give your brain a kiss. Or,

Did you really remember that? Oh my gosh, your brain is working so hard. Give it a kiss.

And then that person kisses his or her hand and then puts the kiss on the top of his or her head.

It might sound strange or quirky or weird to some (and it is a little funny. . .), but it’s really normal for us around here to talk about brains and the hard work our brains do to help us learn and grow.

Teachers talk with their students about metacognition–thinking about thinking–so why not start here at home? By giving our brains a little love now and again, we’re helping our kiddos to become more aware of their own processes of learning and developing.

Sometimes, if we see Maddy, Owen, or Cora doing something especially loving towards one another or someone else, we say, Give your heart a kiss. I love it.

A lot of discipline techniques do sound different before they become norms for households, and this is certainly one of them; believe me, I know.

Brain–and heart–kisses reflect the idea behind noticing–or sharing with children the times when we observe them demonstrating positive behaviors in hopes of having them repeat those behaviors independently. We’re all about celebrating little successes, kind of like the big ole Special Plate, letting them make some choices, or looking at things through a positive lens.

Here’s to a weekend full of brain kisses and getting-smarter-(and kinder)-everyday kiddos!

Thanks for subscribing to teachmama! Have a good one!

You May Also Like...

  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
  • how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
    how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:we’re counting–hats, cats, and pumpkins: halloween grid games
Next Post:tutor me happy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JKilpatty

    October 10, 2009 at 2:39 am

    I can't wait to kiss their brains and their faces this weekend! Love you!

    Reply
  2. The Activity Mom

    October 10, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Dr Jean has some great cds out and on one of them she has the song "Kiss your Brain". It is so fun and catchy. You can actually download them from her website.

    Reply
  3. teachmama

    October 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Awesome! Thanks for the info, Activity Mom–maybe that's where Maddy's preschool teachers got it in the first place. . ?

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Haas

    October 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    I love it. When I was a teacher we gave our brains a kiss quite often!!!

    Happy SITS sharefest Saturday!!
    Your site is cute. I am a new follower now!

    Reply
  5. FranticMommy

    October 10, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    This is great! My SIL is teaches special needs kids and they do "kiss my brain. now I'm a rock star!". CUTE!
    Happy Saturday Sharefest!

    Reply
  6. barefacedapproach

    October 10, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    This is such a darling idea. I'm definitely going to have to try Brain Kisses with my little girl. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

    And thanks for stopping by my blog ๐Ÿ™‚ I really appreciate you sweet words.

    Reply
  7. Gabrielle

    October 10, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    What fantastic information, thanks for sharing it! Have a great SITS Saturday!!

    Reply
  8. Bona Fide Mama

    October 10, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    An inspiring post! Thank you so much for this fabulous idea.

    Reply
  9. SquiggleMum

    October 11, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Ok, this is a new one for me as a teacher and a mum – but we'll give it a go! Sounds like just the kind of silly-fun (but purposeful) that I like! Thanks.

    Reply
  10. ONe PiNK FiSH

    October 11, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    You will love Dr. Jean. You might be able to email her and see if she is visiting a school district near you.

    Check out her cheers. There are tons of ways to acknowledge accomplishments and good deeds.

    Reply
  11. Tara Rison

    October 12, 2009 at 12:05 am

    I LOVE Dr. Jean. I used her website and music all them time when teaching Pre-K. We even got her to come to our school for a visit. It was a ton of fun for the kids and the teachers.

    Reply
  12. Yaya

    October 12, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    I think that is an adorable idea, I'll have to do that with the kids I nanny for.

    PS Thank you for stopping by on my special day!

    Reply
  13. The Royal Family

    October 12, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    I think thats very cute. give your brain a kiss.. :))

    Thanks for visiting me on my special sits day, I hope you had time to enter my giveaways that now end tomorrow! See you soon.
    the Buzz, Brandy

    Reply
  14. Frugal Vicki

    October 12, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    That is a cute idea, I think I will have to give it a try! Stopping by from SITS, I am glad I found you!

    Reply
  15. Confessions of a Homeschooler

    October 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    That's a great idea, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama

    October 12, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    I learned that from a kindergarten teacher several years ago too- I love to do that with the preschoolers when doing music at church!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

amy mascott profile blog

join the coolest club around:

  • About
  • Contact
  • disclaimer
  • terms of use
  • privacy policy
  • Site-Map

Instagram


our books

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball ROCKS!! โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค๐Ÿ€

We absolutely love watching you play, @terpswbb !

We love watching you perform, @marylandcheer !

And @mightysoundofmd we love your music and your hilarious signs! ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ณ

See you in Greenville! 

#terpsbasketball #terpswbb #umd #familyfun #marylandcheer #umdfamily
View
Open
Tomorrow is St. Patrickโ€™s Day!

Are you ready? 

https://shop.teachmama.com/

#saintpatricksfun #stpaddysforkids #familyfun #classroomactivities #teachmamashop
View
Open
This is how we use the St. Patrickโ€™s Day Brain Teaser Scavenger Hunt! ๐Ÿ€

Super easyโ€”and makes kids work a little for their golden chocolates! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Grab them here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/st-patricks-day-scavenger-hunt-4-pack/

<< Tag a pal who needs to know about this and would LOVE to use it with kids or students! >>

#stpatricksdayfun #saintpaddysday #stpaddysforkids #stpatsfun #linkinbio
View
Open
and then there were six
๐Ÿฑ๐Ÿฆ๐ŸฆŠ๐Ÿฆ„๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿฐ

thank you @thewoobles for giving my mind, heart, and hands something fun to do during a really challenging few months. 

#crochet #thewoobles #brainbreak #teachersanitysaver #shescrafty
View
Open
With great sadness, I'm writing to share that my brother-in-law, Jeff Mascott passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this week--at home, surrounded by family and friends. 

The family is very grateful for the community's immeasurable help, encouragement, and prayers over the past several months since Jeff's diagnosis. 

Jeff's obituary will run this weekend in the Post: 
https://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jeff-Mascott?obId=27420280&fbclid=IwAR2YTRooCyaLTikfjLeqF4gM-GaB1amZI2OmVl1VtKLUOjWj3Wo4URD8lC8#/obituaryInfo
View
Open
Flowers and a basket of @traderjoes faves are salve for a tired and weepy soul. ๐ŸŒท

Thankful for great, longtime friends ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›

#itshardtobeahuman #thankfulheart #wlhs4evah #teacherbffs
View
Open
Almost 30 years of friendship!! I love these smart, beautiful, strong and creative women who walked with me through my early days of teaching. 

๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š

Thank you, Wilde Lake High School, for bringing us together way back when. 

๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›

Missed you, jigofjoy ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’š

#weareteachers #andoneprincipal #wildelake #wlhs4evah #teacherbffs #wildelakehs #teachersofinstagram #celebratewewill
View
Open
Today marks the 4th time in 3 weeks that I have had to hang new Kindness Reminders Tear-off Sheets! 

Makes my heart ๐Ÿฅฐ!! 

Some kids come by every day and give one to a new person. Others take a bunch for the week. One 2nd grade girl comes by evey morning to tell me who she gave hers to the day before. 

Every little bit helps, friend. And every interaction matters!

#kindnessrocks #adoormadeforme #teachersofinstagram #makeadifference
View
Open
Best crew for one of the best @terpswbb games weโ€™ve seen all season! 

And of course super job by @marylandcheer and @mightysoundofmd too! 

#terpswbb #terpsbasketball #familyfun #marylandcheer

Copyright © 2023 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

227 shares