Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley, Author at GeekMom

Encourage Imagination and Creativity with Mindware Toys Unbored Games Treasure Hunt Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley My Little Poppies GeekMom

‘Unbored Treasure Hunt’ Sparks Imagination and Creativity

October 21, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

We are a game loving family and we cannot resist a new find. Today I’m going to tell you about a new favorite game in our closet: ‘Unbored Treasure Hunt.’

Make Bath Time Educational with Tub STEM

October 11, 2016December 9, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

I do not think you need to spend much money to have some STEM fun. My children have enjoyed STEM challenges using cardboard boxes and broken pool toys. They have built forts and fairy houses. And one time I make a tinker kit for only $5.

That said, I spent a little money on our Tub STEM and the learning and peace has been priceless.

My Favorite Milestone: And Why This Mom Loves Brave Writer, milestones, reading, reading development, writing, writing development, curriculum, language rich environment, the homeschool sisters podcast, julie bogart, awesome adults, cait and kara

My Favorite Milestone: And Why I Love Brave Writer

October 9, 2016December 9, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley5

Last Thursday, my youngest son read his first three books to me. As a bibliophile and homeschool mom, building a love of written language has been on my mind from the beginning. That is why I chose Brave Writer as our homeschool language arts curriculum. I know, without a doubt, that Brave Writer helped us to grow a love of the written word in our children.

ThinkFun’s ‘Memory Yoga’: A Fun Twist on an Old Classic

September 28, 2016December 8, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley1

What happens when your traditional memory game meets yoga poses? ‘Memory Yoga’ from ThinkFun! Work on balance, coordination, mindfulness, and memory in this fun twist on an old classic!

10 Ways to Make Talk Like a Pirate Day Fun…and Educational!

September 19, 2016December 16, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

September 19th is a favorite day for the buccaneers out there: International Talk Like A Pirate Day! Kids love pirates, and with good reason. They get to dress up, speak differently, and attack enemies… but did you know you can take an educational spin on Talk Like a Pirate Day?

science, stem, STEAM, daughter, education, homeschool, scientists, education, resources, science ideas

Fostering a Love of Science in the Early Years

September 13, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley4

Early science education should be far more hands-on and fun. It’s important to foster a love of science in the early years.

Using Games in your Homeschool Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley, GeekMom, homeschooler, play, educational games, board games, homeschooling

Games in Your Homeschool: Learning Through Play

September 6, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley7

Among the biggest of homeschooling perks in my world is the fact that our family is able to play games frequently. We don’t have to try to squeeze in a family game night on an already jam-packed weekend, but rather we can play daily and sometimes multiple times daily if we desire.

Poetry Doesn’t Have to Be Scary… And Here’s Why

August 28, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

When I was a little girl, I loved poetry. Somewhere along the path to adulthood, I became disconnected from poetry… until I had children. And now, as an unexpected homeschooler, I find myself appreciating poetry in a way I hadn’t before. Thanks to the Brave Writer curriculum we love, we make space for poetry every week! Today, I’m sharing our family’s favorite titles and a few tips for adding poetry to your homeschool routine!

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What’s Your Parenting Kryptonite? (Mine Is Puke.)

August 20, 2016December 8, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley10

Puke is my parenting kryptonite; it makes me feel like a failure, powerless.

Parenting Thunder-Phobic Kids

August 16, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley6

Oh my gosh, you guys. We had a night over here.

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Ignite an Interest in STEM With Groovy Lab in a Box

August 8, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

With all the monthly box subscriptions available on the market these days it can be tough to choose. As an educator mom and unexpected homeschooler, we have tried a number of monthly subscription kits over the years. Some are fantastic and some are anything but… and then there is ‘Groovy Lab in a Box’, which is amazing.

Brave Writer, writing, curriculum, homeschool, homeschooling, writing program, Julie Bogart, writing development, written language

Allow for Natural Writing Development With Brave Writer

August 1, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley2

The Brave Writer lifestyle is not only fun and easy to incorporate into your family’s routine but it also results in oodles of fun family experiences and memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Beat Boredom With Big Bubbles

July 24, 2016December 8, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley2

It’s summertime and the living is easy… until a kiddo comes up to you complaining that he is bored. Today, I’m sharing one of our tried and true boredom busting strategies: big bubbles.

Stealth Summer Learning

July 17, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

I am a big fan of stealth learning. When children are engaged in fun, hands-on activities, they are often unaware that they are practicing important skills. So much learning can happen through fantastic books, play, and games!

Grisham’s ‘Theodore Boone’ Series: Legal Thrillers for the Younger Audience

July 10, 2016December 8, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

Gone are the summer days when I could while away the hours reading everything ever written by an author. As a mother to three little people, I’m lucky if I can finish a chapter without interruption, let alone a series! But did you know that John Grisham has written a legal thriller series for young adults?

ThinkFun’s ‘Escape the Room: Mystery at the Stargazer Manor’

July 3, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

Escape the Room games originally started as digital adventures. More recently, Escape the Room games have turned into physical adventures for small groups. Players are locked in a room and in order to escape, they must work together to find clues and solve puzzles. These in-person games have become widely popular across the globe. Now, ThinkFun has developed a tabletop Escape the Room game.

sharks, shark book, picture books, shark week

Shark Week for Little Kids

June 26, 2016December 9, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

June 26th marks the beginning of the Discover Channel’s annual and much-anticipated Shark Week. My children love to learn about sharks. Over the years, we have amassed quite the collection of shark-related reads!

Using Books to Ignite Your Child’s Imagination

June 22, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

As a bookworm and homeschooling mom, I absolutely love a good read aloud. I always know I’ve picked a good one when my children reenact the book once the book has ended. Together, they travel to a world of play and imagination. The story fuels their interactions and sparks their creativity.

I thought it would be fun to share three of our family’s recent favorites. These read alouds are fairly new to us, and yet already well-worn. Each of these titles ignite creativity and imagination in my children. I hope your children love them too!

Why Haven't We Evolved Past This, current events, parenting, sensitive children

When News Is Nightmarish: Parenting Sensitive Souls

June 16, 2016December 8, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley4

Let’s face it: The news is scary.

It’s always been scary, but it has certainly upped the ante recently.

And this week? Downright painful.

When I was in 6th grade, I remember reading about Darwin and the theory of natural selection. I was wholly fascinated by it all. I fantasized about traveling to the Galapagos one day. I wanted to swim with the sea turtles and make important discoveries.

And then the Gulf War hit.

Entice Busy Toddlers With Irresistible Read-Alouds

June 8, 2016December 15, 2017Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley

As parents, we all know how important it is to read aloud to our children daily. Still, I will be the first to admit that it can be tough to reel in raucous toddlers. How do you get busy little bodies to sit still for a read aloud?