Materials: Crayons, Marking pens, Colored paper, A drawing
of a bottle or jar (any size or shape)
1. Draw the outline of a jar or bottle.
2. Now think about what you might put in that jar that would
really fill it. Use your imagination - think of something
that wouldn't usually be found in a jar!
3. Now you're ready to draw. Make sure it fills the
jar.
4. Try it again with a different jar and a different
'filler'.
Materials: a firm apple (not too ripe), Paring knife, Lemon
juice, Wire or pipe cleaners, Salt , Shellac, Cloves or pins
for eyes, Cotton, Scraps of fabric or yarn
Procedure: Peel an apple. Cut out the core and stuff the
center with cotton. Carve features into apple (eyes, mouth)
but don't carve very deeply because the areas you carve will
look deeper as the apple dries. Dip apple in lemon juice.
Then cover with salt. This will keep your apple from
shrinking too much. Let the apple dry in a warm place for
about 4 weeks, or 1 W & oven 5 hrs 100 degrees. After
drying process, wash and dry the apple. Cover apple with
shellac and add decorations you wish.
- mix salt, flour and water. Add more (or less) water as
needed to make an easy-to-handle dough.
- Knead the dough until it's smooth.
- Roll out to a 1/2 inch thickness.
- Cut shapes with a knife or cookie cutters.
- Bake at 300 for an hour
- Paint and shellac.
Materials: Flour Water Food coloring or tempera
Spoons Measuring spoons and cups Bowls
Mixture: Let children mix: 1 C flour (1 C per child) plus
1/2 C water and food coloring or tempera. Stir (Should be
the consistency of playdough.)
Procedure:
1. Play, create, mold, pound, stir, etc.
2. If dough is sticking to hands, have a small bowl of flour
available. Children should pat their hands with flour.
3. This dough can air dry within 24 hours if you want to
save the sculptures. Note: Let children mix as much as they
wish (within reason).
Materials: Clay, Rolling pin, Waxed paper, Knitting needle,
Tempera paints, Brushes, Shellac, Newspapers, Twine or
leather strips
Procedure: Roll thick clay slabs on waxed paper. Cut shapes
from the slabs (any kinds of shapes you like). Make a hole
through each slab with a knitting needle. When the shapes
are dry, paint and shellac them. Connect the shapes by
stringing twine or leathr through each one. Tie a knot
beneath each piece. Hang the wind chimes outdoors in a place
that 'catches' the wind. (For example: from a tree, on a
porch, from the garage).
Materials: Construction paper, Glue, Pencil
Procedure:
Make links by cutting strips of paper, or by cutting your own
shape. Be sure to cut them double with a fold across the top
edge.
Link the piece together or join the end, with a little glue.
Mix the cinnamon and applesauce together. Roll it out
between 2 pieces of wax paper. Peel off the top layer, then,
let the kids cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Use a straw
to make the hole for the ribbon. Let the shapes dry for 2-3
days, and tie a ribbon through the hole.
Materials: Clay that hardens without firing, Tempera paints
and brushes, Shellac or varnish, Newspapers
Procedure:
Shape some foods from clay. Let them sit until they are very
dry. Paint each food with tempera paint. When the paint is
dry, cover the food with shellac or varnish.
Materials: Flour, vegetable oil, water, powdered tempera
paint, large bowl
Preparation: Mix 6 cups flour with desired amount of
powdered tempera paint in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups oil
and 1 cup water and knead well. If necessary, add more
water, in small amounts, until the dough is soft and fluffy.
More flour can be added if the dough becomes too sticky.
Playing with this soft, elastic dough is like playing with
clouds - great for little fingers! Let the children
experiment with patting, squeezing and pulling the dough into
various shapes. Since the dough contains oil, you may wish
to have the children wear smocks. Store dough in a covered
container in the refrigerator.
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cornstarch
- mix soda, water and cornstarch in a saucepan
- cook over low heat and stir until mixture becomes very
thick
- add food colouring if desired
- cool and knead until it's smooth
- model into figures or roll out dough and cut shapes
- let dry. Figures can be painted and shellacked
- store the dough in a plastic bag in the refrigerator
1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup hot water, 1/4 cup cold water, 1/2 cup
cornstarch, pan, bowl, board
Process: Mix salt and hot water and boil in pan. Stir cold
water into cornstarch in bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to
boiling water and stir. Cook over low, stirring until like
pie dough. Remove and turn onto a board. When cool, knead
until smooth. Explore dough freely.
Hints: Texture is grainy. Hardens in 1 to 2 days. Is
white. Speed drying time in oven 200 for 1 hour. Keeps a
long time if stored in container.
Materials: Salt,Pan,Cornstarch,Spoons,Water,Bowls,
Measuring cups,Food Coloring or Tempera,Brushes,Heat
Mixture:
1 C salt 1/2 C boiling water 1/2 C cornstarch
Tempera or food coloring
1. Mix salt, cornstarch, water and colour in pan. Heat over
low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is too stiff to
stir.
2 When cool, knead until smooth.
Procedure:
1. Give each child a lump to play with freely.
Note: This modeling mixture will not dry well.
1 1/2 cups torn crepe paper pieces
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup flour
- Let torn paper soak in water overnight
- Drain off water
- Mix in flour and knead like dough
- Mold the mixture into shapes
or
-Spread the 'clay' over a form made from cardboard or wire
Materials Needed: Detergent Water Food coloring
Cardboard, boxes, bags Bowls Spoons Measuring cup
Eggbeater
Mixture:
1. 1 C detergent mixed with 1/8 C water plus color.
2. Beat with eggbeater until it gets smooth, shiny and
stiff.
Procedure:
1 Let the children pile mixture onto boxes, bags or
cardboard. It will stick and pile up.
Materials: Paper, Crayons or Markers or Coloured Pencils
Procedure:
1. With a black marker, draw a simple doodle on your
paper.
2. Turn it every direction, and look at it hard until you
'see' a possibility for a picture.
3. Use your crayons to change the doodle into a drawing!
Materials: dry yeast, 1 egg, honey, water, salt, flour,
shortening, bowl, waxed paper, spoon, oven, hot pads, cookie
sheet, measuring cups, shellac and brush
Procedure: Sprinkle, 1 package of dry yeast into 1 1/2 cups
of very warm water. Stir to dissolve yeast. Mix in egg, 1/4
cup honey, 1/4 cup shortening, 1 t. salt. Stir in flour, a
little at a time. (About 5 cups of flour). Knead the dough
5 minutes on waxed paper. On a cookie sheet, shape the dough
into a large figure or some small ones. Make only flat
figures, and remember that the dough will grow. Cover and let
rise in warm place 25min. Bake 20 min. 350 degrees, then eat
or shellac when cool.
Material: India Ink and pen or crayons, Drawing Paper
Procedure:
1. Draw a basic shape or free form outline.
2. Repeat the outline inside the first line.
3. Continue repeating the shape until the paper is
filled.
4. You might want to try making some of the lines thicker
than the others.
Paint a large, empty coffee can or cover with shelf paper or
mac tac. Cut a
slot in the lid and either purchase a box of checkers (too
small for infants
or young toddlers) or save the lids from juice cans. Have
toddler drop lids
into the slot.
Water colors, tempera paints, wax paper, 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup
cornstarch, 1 cup boiling water, pan, wet cloth
Process: Mix all ingredients in a pan, Boil to a soft ball
stage, Knead on wax paper until dough-like. Wrapin wet
cloth to keep for a few days. By holding a lump of clay in
hands, pull out the clay to make legs or arms and head and
tail. Let animals dry and then paint.
Variations: Make free-form designs. Make ornaments for
holidays or birthdays.
1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups salt, 1 1/3 cups cold water, paint,
pan, bowl, spoon, plastic bag
Process: Put salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan and boil. Mix
cornstarch with remaining water in bowl and stir well. Add
salt mixture to cornstarch mixture in bowl. Knead. Model or
mold clay and let dry several hours. Paint when dry, if
desired.
Hint: Makes 3 cups. Keep unused clay in a covered
container, or plastic bag in refrigerator.
Dries in several hours good for younger children.`
Materials: Coloured string or thin yarn, Pencil, Ruler,
Cardboard or stiff fabric or wood, nails, and hammer
Procedure: You can string the lines through holes on
cardboard or cloth. OR You can string the lines from nails
pounded around the edges of a piece of wood.
With a pencil mark points around the edges of cardboard or
wood or cloth piece. The points need to be an eual distance
apart. Pound a nail or poke a hole at each point. Choose
the colours of string you want to use. Thread each string
through a hole across to the second hole and tie it securely
or wrap the string between 2 nails.
1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup
water, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, food coloring (equal parts
of red and green make brown), allspice, cinnamon
Directions: Mix the dry ingredients. Add allspice and
cinnamon (lots --- play until you find the amount you like)
for a wonderful scent. In another bowl, add food coloring to
water (the color blends better this way.) Add colored water
and oil to dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the
mixture for two to three minutes, stirring frequently. Knead
the dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow to cool
and store in an air tight container (ie, tupperware.)
Mix salt and water together in a saucepan. Heat for 3 or 4
minutes, until salt dissolves. Remove from heat.
1 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup water
Mis cornstarch and water. Add to saucepan, stirring very
quickly to mix. Stir 2 to 3 minutes until mixture thickens.
Add food colouring if you wish. Store indefinitely in foil
or plastic.
Blend Together: 2 cups while liquid glue and 2 1/2 cups of
water
Dissolve 1 tblsp of Borax powder in 1/3 cup of water and add
to the above. Blend with hands.
Dissolve another tblsp of Borax in 1/3 cup of water and add
again. (gets thicker) Blend with hands.
You can probably vary the consistency of dough by using more
or less Borax. You must experiment.
Consistency of the playdough is kind of oozey-slime. It's
not suitable for rolling and cutting. Nor is it edible.
Store in an airtight container but refrigeration is not
necessary. It bubbles a lot like fermenting yeast.
Resource: Mary-Jane E-mail garnett@mindlink.bc.ca
Keep the clay tightly covered when it's not in use. While
you're working, keep the clay moist by dipping your hands
into water. When you model an object, try to squeeze it into
shape. If you must stick two pieces of clay together: mix
some clay with water until you've made a liquid-like clay
called a 'slip'. Paint surfaces of clay with this slip
before you attach them together. Smooth joints with a wet
finger. Allow finished object to dry for a few days before
painting with tempera paints or shellac. Roll clay into
coils-shape figures-press slabs together to make a box-roll
balls into animals-make jewelry-press coil on top of clay
slabs-scratch on clay
Buy a magnetic board (I had a teacher tell me once that you
could turn the
door of a fridge freezer into a magnetic board, but I have no
idea how you
would go about that!!). Save lids from juice cans and stick
stickers on
them. Stick magnetic tape on the back and let children stick
to magnetic
board or fridge. Make doubles of each one for a Memory game.
Materials: Cardboard, Yarn, Rick Rack, Ribbon, Popsicle
sticks, Glue, Scissors
Procedure: Cut a lollipop shape from cardboard. Spread a
layer of glue on the cardboard. Decorate the lollipop with
yarn, rick rack, felt, ribbon, buttons or other trims. Glue
a stick to the back. Please don't try to eat this lollipop.
But you might write a happy message on the back and give it
to a friend. Or you could make several small ones and hang
them on a tree for decoration.
Materials Needed: Liquid starch Rock salt Spoons
Glue with food coloring Bowls Cardboard
Mixture:
1. Mix 1/2 C liquid starch with 2 C rock salt and 1/2 C glue
plus food coloring or tempera.
2. This makes a goey, rocky mixture.
Procedure:
1. Let the children freely pile onto cardboard to create a
three dimensional structure.
2. These will crystalize and dry hard.
Material: Colored construction paper, Scissors, White chalk,
Glue or rubber cement
Procedure: 1. Fold a 9 in. X 12 in. piece of construction
paper in half the long way.
2. With chalk, write your name along the fold.
3. Cut around the outside of the letters. Don't cut too
close to the chalk, or your letters will be too skinny.
(Dotted lines on the sample show where to cut.)
4. Put glue on the chalky side and glue your 'insect' on a
different colour paper.
Materials: Flour Oil Water Bowls Food Coloring
Spoons Measuring Cups Aprons or smocks
Mixture:
1. Mix 4 C flour, 1 C oil with 6 C water and color.
2. Knead! Add flour if needed.
Procedure:
1. Play freely.
2. This is oily. Therefore, children may want to wear
aprons and wash hands afterwards. Use hot water for clean
up.
Materials: Newspaper or paper towels, Wheat paste, Water,
Bowl for mixing mash, Waxed paper, Tools for applying and
carving mash such as: spoon, knife, nail, stick, rolling
pin, Paints and brush, Shellac, Vaseline
Procedures: Shred or tear paper into tiny pieces. Soak the
shredded pieces in a wheat paste water mixture overnight.
Squeeze out the liquid. Then mold the mash or spread it over
a form. When the mash is wet, or after it has begun to dry,
you can carve or mold the surface with various tools. Let
the sculpture dry completely, then paint or decorate.
Materials: Construction paper, Scissors, Ruler, Glue
Procedure: Start with 2 different colours of the same size
paper. Cut one piece into strips. Fold the other sheet in
half. Starting at the fold, cut slits across the paper,
stopping about an inch or 2 centimeters from the edge. The
slits don't have to be straight or even. Weave the short
strips in and out of the slits you've cut. Start the first
one going over one slit, under the next one. The second
strip should start under, then go over..and so on. Glue each
strip at the ends so it doesn't slide around.
1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup white corn syrup, 1 cup powdered
sugar, 3 cups powdered milk
In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, corn syrup, and powdered
sugar together. Add powdered milk and knead until smooth.
(Add more powdered milk if you need to.) The children can
mold dough into any shape they wish.
Additions: provide children with various decorating
materials (raisins, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, dried
fruit, butterscotch chips, smarties etc.)
Children should wash hands before use and eat finished work
or throw it out. Objectives: fine & large motor control,
size, shape discrimination, lang. development, making
decisions, increased attention span, working out feelings
1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup liquid honey, 1 cup powdered milk,
1 cup rolled oats
Mix the above together. Use.
Decorate with: chocolate chips, razberry chips, pretzels,
butterscotch chips, colored shredded coconut, raisins
etc.)
Children must wash hands before play. Finished art work must
be eaten or thrown out.
Objectives- fine motor control, large motor control, size,
shape discrimination, language development, making decisions,
increased attention span, working out feelings, social
interaction/co-operation
Materials: Plaster of Paris Water Bowls, spoons
Meat trays, matt board Styrofoam, sawdust, shredded paper
etc. Bucket Towels Liquid Tempera
Procedure: 1. Mix enough plaster 2-3 children doing sculpture
at one time. Mix approximately 1 C. dry plaster to 1/2 C.
water per child in one container. (Don't overmix as plaster
will set up quickly.) 2. Add styrofoam, shredded paper,
sawdust, or anything that will add bulk to the plaster. 3.
Give each child a base to work on (meat tray, cardboard,
etc.) and an equal portion of the plaster in individual
containers. 4. Let children scoop plaster onto the base as
they wish. Work fast. Clean plaster tools in bucket - do
not dump in sink.
Materials: Powdered plaster for molding, Large bowl for
mixing plaster, Water, A mod (clay, cardboard, plastic,
balloon), Tools for carving or modeling, Petroleum jelly for
greasing molds, Tempera paints and shellac or india ink or
food coloring or stain, Brushes, Newspapers, String
Procedure: Cover your work area with newspapers. Prepare a
mold from clay. Coat the inside of the mold with petroleum
jelly. Mix the plaster carefully (warm water). Break up all
lumps. Pour the liquid plaster into the mold. Shake the
mold to release air bubbles in plaster. Insert wire or
unbent paper clip. Let plaster harden.
1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 2/3 cup warm water,
food coloring or poster paints, shellac or clear nail polish,
saucepan, board
Process
Mix baking soda and cornstarch in saucepan. Add water and
stir until smooth. Over medium heat, boil and stir until
lake mashed potatoes. Pour onto board to cool. Knead when
cool. For color, knead coloring into clay until blended or
paint when finished. When dry, brush with shellac or nail
polish.
Hints: Makes 1 1/2 cups, doubles well. Hardens quickly.
Store in airtight container for several weeks.
Materials Needed: Pretzel Dough Pretzels of various sized
and shapes
Mixture: 1 pkg. yeast 1 t salt 1 T sugar 4-5 C flour
WW 1 1/2 C warm water 4 C gr.cheddar cheese
Dissolve yeast & sugar in water. Combine salt, 4 C flour
& cheese. Stir in yeast mixture. (Add more flour if
necessary.) Knead 5-10 min. until smooth.
Procedure: 1. Give each child a ball of pretzel dough and
have other pretzels on the table.
2. Use dough to connect pretzels. Have fun.
3. This can be baked at 475 F for 10 min. and eaten.
1 cup Liquid Laundry Starch, 3/4 cup glue
Pour starch into a bowl. Pour in glue. Glue will become
rubbery on contact with the starch. Use hands to mix and
squeeze the gooey mess until it joins together. Discard
remaining starch. Keeps will in refrigerator. Softens
when warm. This one is alot like silly putty.
Mix 3/4 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons cornstarch (or 1/3 cup
all purpose flour) in a saucepan. Add 3 cups milk. Cook and
stir over medium heat until it is thick and bubbly. Cook and
stir 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and gradually stir 1
cup of hot mixture into 4 beaten egg yolks. Return egg
mixture to saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat
and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir
in 1 tablespon margerine and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Pour
into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and cool. Add food
coloring if you want to.
Contributed by Karen
Material: Drawing paper, A sink or pan of water, India Ink,
Drawing pens, Water colours and brush, Newspapers, Glue
Procedure: Spread newspapers over your work area. Cut a
piece of drawing paper in half lengthwise. On the top half,
draw a scene with India Ink. Think of a scene that would be
on the edge of a river or lake. Dip the bottom half of the
paper in water. Lay it on newspaper. Lay first drawing
above it. Use India Ink to draw reflection of your first
scene. Notice that the scene often reflects at an angle.
The lines will grow fuzzy in the wet paper. When dry glue
papers together. Add colour.
Materials: Plaster, Water, Bowl for mixing plaster, Gauze
strips, Clear tape, Heavy string, Waxed paper, Cylinders such
as: pencils, crayons, fat marking pens, cans, bottles,
Newspaper, Tempera paints and brushes, Shellac, Very fine
sandpaper
Procedure: Tape waxed paper around a cylindrical object. Mix
plaster in bowl. Soak strips of gauze in plaster and wrap
them around the cylinder. When the rings and things are dry
and hard, paint and shellac them.
Combine and knead by hand 7 - 10 minutes. Form dough into
balls about the size of marshmallows. Flatten slightly. Make
feature with a toothpick. Use peppercorns for eyes, us a
garlic press to create hair, beards, moustaches. Bake at
300 F (150C) 1 hour. Finish with clear nail polish.
To make the faces into magnets, buy a strip of stick-backed
magnetic tape at a craft supply store. Cut in pieces and
press on back of face. (These make great gifts for
grandparents, teachers, etc.)
Materials: Sand, Plaster and water, Container for mixing
plaster, Frame for the plaster casting: flat box or styrofoam
meat tray or tin foil pie tins, Tools for digging and
molding: knife, spoon, cups, cans, Decorations: shells,
bottle caps, wood, Newspapers, Foil
Procedure: Put newspaper or foil under your frame. Fill the
frame with wet sand. Don'tget the sand too sloppy. Dig and
poke and scoop the sand until you have created a design you
like. Use any tools you can find that will make interesting
shapes and patterns. Mix the plaster. Pour the plaster into
a mold. You should pour it at least 1 inch. Wait 1 hour.
Shake off loose sand.
Materials Needed: Sawdust, Wheat paste, Water, Bowls,
Spoons, Measuring Cups, Liquid tempera
Mixture:
1. Mix 4 C sawdust plus 1 C wheat paste plus 2 1/2 C water.
(Add color if desired).
Procedure:
1. Let children mix and play freely. It will harden and
dry.
2. If you do not add color, the dough can be painted when
dry.
Materials: Plaster, Water, Bowl for mixing plaster, Waxed
paper, Nail or sharp tool for scratching, Dark tempera paint,
Brush, Shellac, Yarn for pendants
Procedure: (The Eskimos made whale-bone carvings called
scrimshaw. You can use plaster to make carvings that look
like scrimshaw.) Mix plaster. Drop globs of plaster onto
waxed paper. Flatten them with your fingers. Make a hole in
the globs that you wish to hang. When the plaster is hard,
scratch a design in the glob. Mix some dark paint with water
so that the paint is very thin. Brush one coat of paint over
the plaster. Shellac the scrimshaw when the paint is dry.
Materials: Salt, Liquid starch, Liquid Soap, Water, Glue
Cornmeal, Measuring Cups, Measuring spoons, Bowls, Spoons
Mixture: 4 T salt, 1/2 C liquid starch, 1/8 C water, 1 C
liquid soap, 2 C cornmeal, 1 T glue
To this liquid add and mix: 1 1/2 C cornmeal, 1/2 C glue
Procedure:
1. Play and have fun.
2. Wash hands. Surprise! It makes bubbles!
Materials: Colored string or yarn, White glue, Heavy paper
or posterboard, Pencil
Procedure: Choose a piece of paper or posterboard for the
background, and a few colours of yarn or string for the
design. Lightly sketch a pattern for the design. Squirt
glue along the major lines of the design (one at a time) and
lay the string on the glue. Let the yarn come to the edge of
the paper. Continue gluing string to follow the lines of the
design. You may want to leave some areas open for the
background to show through.
Try using string and yarn of several thicknesses in one
picture.
Materials: Aluminum foil, White glue, Scissors, Small can,
Brush, India ink or tempera paint, Liquid detergent, Cloth,
Scraps and junk for sculptures (yarn, nails, paper clips,
screws, washers, beads, coins, cardboard cut out shapes,
heavy string)
Procedure: Plan a picture that uses junk you have. Glue
junk on a piece of heavy cardboard. After dry, cover top
entirely with (2part glue to 1part water). Lay foil on top
and gently mold it onto sculpture. Glue edges down securely
or wrap over sides. If you want a dark antique look finish,
mix a few drops liquid detergent with some tempera paint or
india ink. Paint & polish when dry.
Materials: Plenty of aluminum foil, Clear tape, Wire
(optional), Long straight pins, Acrylic paints and brush or
permanent marking pens, Scraps of fabric and paper, Glue
Procedure: Crumple aluminum foil to form shapes of objects
or creatures. Fasten clumps together with pins or clear
tape. Use paint or markers to add colour. Glue on scraps of
fabric, paper, yarn, etc. to add details.
4 rolls of toilet paper Shave 2 bars of soap
3 cups of ivory snow or (Irish Spring or your
choice)
1 gallon warm water Shred 2 rolls of toilet
paper
Add 2 cups warm water
Let toddlers help unroll the toilet paper. Mix soap and water
together in a bucket. Add toilet paper and allow paper to
absorb the soap mixture. This mixture keeps at least one
month. To make it colourful use coloured toilet paper or add
food colour to the water before adding the paper.
Add 1/4cup wall paper paste to this mixture to have creations
that will harden and the children can keep.
Contributed by(jhunter@rconnect.com) & (BizzyTime
@aol.com)
Materials: Fat yarn (rug yarn), White glue, Water, Can or
cup, Waxed paper, Pencil, Drawing paper, Newspaper, Paper
clips
Procedure: Draw a simple picture or design on paper. Every
line in the design must touch other lines. Mix 2 parts glue
with 1 part water in a cup. Spread newspaper on your work
area. Lay waxed paper over your drawing. Clip the papers
together. Cut a piece of yarn to match. Soak the yarn in
the glue. Squeeze it out some so that it doesn't drip. Lay
the wet yarn over the outline. Cut, soak, and lay yarn for
the other lines. Make sure yarn touches-let dry-peel wax
paper off- glue loose ends.
Materials: Copper wire or aluminum wire, coloured telephone
wire, Wire-cutting tool, Optional (wood block for base,
hammer and nails, scraps of paper, wood, metal or fabric for
detail)
Procedure: Choose a figure or plan a design for a sculpture.
Shape the wire until you are happy with the figure you've
created. (Glue wire against cardboard for wire picture -
Twist wire around a pencil to make coils.) Add colour,
details or a new texture by using bits of other materials as
part of your sculpture. Try wood scraps or snips of tin or
cloth.
Materials: Flexible wire, Wire-cutting tool, Gauze strips or
old nylon stocking, Plaster of Paris, Container for mixing
plaster, Water, Newspapers, Scissors
Procedure: Build a figure or design with wire. Attach the
wire to a base if it needs support. Nail it to wood, or
stick it into a block of styrofoam or cork. Mix plaster into
warm water in a bowl. Soak strips of gauze or nylon in
plaster and wrap them around the wire figure.
Material: large sheet of paper, some of these: pens and ink,
crayons, markers, colored chalk, paints and brush, paper,
scissors and glue, wrapping paper
Procedure:
Use a dark crayon or marker to fill the paper with the
letters of your name. Color or paint in the spaces formed to
make an interesting design. OR Cut (or tear) your initials
or your name from colorful paper. Paste the letters in a
pleasing arrangement. Try to make the spaces interesting
too. Use a pen to design the areas around the letters. OR
Make a chalk design using your initials. You might print or
write your initials once or many times. OR Repeat name is a
design.
In just a jiffy you can make a handy mobile. Trace around
your hand, on four pieces of construction paper of different
colours. Cut out four hand shapes. Tape a hand shape to
each end of two straws. Tie a string to the middle of each
straw and connect the straws. Tie another string to the
middle of the top straw and hang your mobile where it can
move around freely. You've got to hand it to yourself - it's
a handy dandy mobile.
You wiggle your thumbs and clap your hands,
And then you stamp your feet.
You turn to the left, you turn to the right
And make your finger meet.
You raise them high and let them down;
You give another clap.
You wave your hands and fold your hands,
And put them in your lap.
There are many things that I can do,
All by myself.
I can comb my hair and lace my shoes,
All by myself.
I can wash my hands and clean my face,
All by myself.
I can put my toys and blocks in place,
All by myself.
Next, we all join hands and sing this:
(Tune: Frere Jacques)
I am special, I am special.
Turn around, you will see
Someone very special, Someone very special
Yes, It's me! Yes, It's me!
Then I go around the circle and say:
Maggie's special and Lucy's special....etc....
Then THEY go around the circle and say something or someone
that is special to them!
Contributed by Lori (Loriaxo@aol.com)
Everyone copycats the actions and sound of the leader. The
leader sings the rhyme below. Go first to give the children
examples of the range of sounds and movements possible. Use
any sounds motions should involve body parts moved in
different ways. Repeat the same sounds and movements until
everyone is able to imitate. Repeat the musical rhyme and
begin again.
This is a wonderful activity for even the introverted child.
Copycat, Copycat
That's what I am,
Copycat, Copycat
Do what__________ does, if you can!
Crackers 'N' crumbs
Crackers 'N' crumbs
These are my fingers
These are my thumbs
These are my eyes
These are my ears
They're going to grow big
In the next ten years
Oh, if you're a bird, be an early bird
And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.
If you're a bird, be an early, early bird --
But if you're a worm, sleep late.
Everybody says
I look just like my mother.
Everybody says
I'm the image of Aunt Bee.
Everybody says
My nose is like my father's
But I want to look like me!
(Student's name) is important, important, important.
(Student's name) is important to me and to you.
In work and in play
He (she) does his (her) best each day.
(Student's name) is important to me and to you.
1,2,3,4,5 fingertips,
I can touch them to my lips.
I can cover up my eyes,
I can clap them on my thighs.
Now let's do the other hand,
Are you sure you understand?
Please stand on tip toes. (Caregiver)
I will stand on tiptoes. (Child)
Wiggle your nose. I will wiggle my nose.
Please reach up high. I will reach up high.
Point to the sky. I will point to the sky.
Wave your right hand. I will wave my right hand.
Stand and look grand. I will stand and look grand.
Please jump in one place. I will jump in one place.
Please cover your face. I will cover my face.
Have each child stand on a piece of construction paper.
Trace around one foot and cut out the shape. Next, glue a
tongue depressor to the heel of the foot for a handle. Let
the children draw faces on their foot puppets. Then have
them answer questions addressed to their puppets.
Where have you walked today?
What are your favorite shoes?
How high can you jump?
Do you like to run or walk best?
Do you like to wear socks? Why?
Gather a group of items that includes pairs of items that go
together.
Shoe --- Sock
Pencil --- Paper
Comb --- Brush
Soap --- Wash Cloth
Flower ---Vase
Mix up the items.
Let children take turns matching items that go together.
I can be an airplane flying in the air.
I can have four feet and walk just like a bear.
I can be a monkey climbing up a tree.
I can be a buzzing yellow bumblebee.
I can be a pony galloping around.
I can be a frog puffing out his chest.
I can be a bird sitting on a nest.
I can be a porcupine with needles on my back.
I can be a yellow duck, quack, quack, quack, quack.
I can be a fish swimming in the sea.
I can be a just anything that I want to be.
No one looks
The way I do.
I have noticed
That it's true;
No one walks, the way I walk.
No one talks, the way I talk.
No one plays, the way I play.
No one says, the things I say.
I am special.
I am me.
There's no one
I'd rather be than me!
Materials: Large piece of craft paper, paper plate, crayons
or paint
On a large piece of construction paper have children glue a
paper plate that will become their face. Have the children
draw their face on the plate and their body on the
construction paper, trying to duplicate themselves, ie:
colour of eyes, hair and what they are wearing. They may add
buttons and wool for hair. It is always fun to see how they
draw themselves and the paper plates add dimension to their
drawings.
Each child finds a partner. As you call out body parts, each
child connects with his partner. 'Toe to toe! Elbow to
elbow! Knee to knee!' Then try calling 'finger to shoulder'
or 'lips to ear' or 'heel to back.' Experiment with
connecting cheeks, thighs and knuckles.
The children will watch and learn as they successfully bond
in these 'kid connections.' They will discover more and more
body parts and all the ways these different parts move, bend,
twist, turn.
Here are my fingers and here is my nose.
Here are my ears, and here are my toes.
Here are my eyes that open wide.
Here is my mouth with my white teeth inside.
Here is my pink tongue that helps me speak.
Here are my shoulders and here is my cheek.
Here are my hands that help me play.
Here are my feet that go walking each day.
Cut the top off two cardboard milk cartons (pint or quart
size). Insert one carton inside the other. Glue the child's
picture on one side, then glue paper on the other sides and
let the child decorate. Cover with clear contact paper or
clear packing tape. Use in the block center, then send home
at the end of the year.
by Jean R. Feldman, PHD
Contributed by Tisha
There are millions of people, In millions of places
And all of the people, Have different faces.
The tilt of the nose, May vary a bit;
The slant of the eye, The curve of the lip.
You may look and look, At the fat and the thins
But no two are alike - 'Cept identical twins.
And they too may differ, Even as we,
In some little way, That you cannot see.
No one can explain it, No one is to blame -
There are millions of people, And no two the same.
Children can practice naming the parts of their bodies while
looking in a mirror. They will also enjoy practicing
different facial expressions. Observing how they look when
they have different feelings inside helps children to
understand the Body Language of others,
Standing face to face, the children imitate each others
movements. Have them take turns being the reflections and
the person looking into the mirror. They should move slowly
and keep a close eye on their mirror images while making
identical whole-body movements and facial expressions.
This is my book, it will open wide,
To show the pictures that are inside.
This is my ball, so big and round,
To toss in the air
Or roll on the ground.
Here's my umbrella to keep me dry
When the raindrops fall
From the cloudy sky.
This is my kitty; just hear her purr
When I'm gently stroking her soft warm fur.
(Actions - Translate words into actions)
On each hand I have five fingers,
One, two, three, four, five.
With five fingers here,
Five fingers there,
Each hand has five fingers,
All together now let's count,
One, two, three, four, five.
Where are you hiding?
Where are you hiding?
I can't see you.
I can't see you.
Are you here or over there?
Are you here or over there?
Peek a boo!
Peek a boo!
Make a very large shape on the floor with masking tape. It's
fun to make letters and numbers. One by one the children fit
their bodies along the outline shape until the puzzle is
complete. Let some children watch as the people puzzle comes
to life.
Materials: photographs or self-portrait (done with crayons
on paper), clear contact paper, scissors
Take photographs of the children or use self-portraits they
draw themselves. Cover each picture with clear contact paper
and cut them into puzzle pieces. Let the children fit the
pieces of their own and their friends picture back together
in a very personal puzzle experience.
Using childs own picture or self-portrait in a puzzle will
add more meaning to the activity and give the child a better
sense of self and body awareness.
My kids sing a few songs everyday for circle time. We start
with this one:
(Tune: If you're happy and you know it)
If you're friendly and you know it say hello!
(shout) HELLO, LUCY!!
(Then everyone says 'Good Morning, Lucy!)
Then we sing:
(Tune: Frere Jacques)
Lucy stand up, Lucy stand up.
Turn around. Touch the ground.
Reach up really high now.
Jump to touch the sky, Wow!
Now sit down, Now sit down.
Stretching, stretching boys and girls,
Show the world who you are,
Reach above the moon and stars
Show the world who you are.
Stretching, stretching boys and girls,
Reach above the moon and stars.
I have ten little fingers,
They all belong to me.
I can make them do things,
Would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight,
I can open them wide.
I can put them together,
And I can make the hide.
I can make them jump up high,
I can make them jump down low,
I can roll them around
And fold them just so.
I laugh,
You laugh,
We all laugh together;
Spring laugh,
Fall laugh,
A laugh for wintry weather;
Light laugh,
Dark laugh,
Night and morning laughter;
But it takes
The BIG laugh
To shake the roof and rafter.
We're jumping up and down
We're jumping up and down
We're getting lots of exercise
We're jumping up and down.
We bend and touch our toes.....
We kick our legs up high......
We jog around the room.......
We wiggle our whole body.......
We stretch up to the sky.......
There's no one who's just like me,
No one who knows how to be.
Me when I am mad or sad.
Me when I am very glad.
There's no one who's just like me.
Me is who I'm proud to be!
Materials: ink stamp pad, tempera paints or chocolate syrup,
paper, markers or colored pencils or crayons
Press your thumb or fingertip onto a piece of paper. This
will leave your thumbprint on the paper. Make as many prints
on the paper as you like. Let the prints dry. Draw faces,
legs and other features on your critters with markers. Tiger
(1 print body 1 print head, strips, legs, tail, and ears) -
Turtles (1 print body, shell blocks, legs, tail, head) -
Butterfly (4 print wings, body, head, attenas) - Lion (1
print body, 1 print head, legs, tail, main) - fish,
rhinoceros, hippopotamus
Tommy thumb is up,
Tommy thumb is down,
Tommy thumb is dancing;
All around the town.
Dance him on your shoulder, (dance thumb on shoulder)
Dance him on your head, (dance on head)
Dance him on your knees; (dance on knees)
And tuck him into bed. (hide under arm)
Also (Peter Pointer, Toby Tall, Ruby Ring, Baby Finger and
Family)
Wiggle wiggle little toes
Oh! my goodness what a pose.
Up above my head so high
Dancing way up in the sky.
Wiggle, wiggle little toes
Won't you come and touch my nose.
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little hands go clump, clump, clump.
Two little feet go jump, jump,jump.
One little body turns round and round.
And sits quietly down.
I can spin like a top.
Look at me! Look at me!
I have feet and I can hop.
Look at me! Look at me!
I have hands that can clap.
Look at me! Look at me!
I can lay them in my lap.
Look at me! Look at me!
When I was little we went for a picnic
Up to a magic Foresty place.
I knew there were tigers behind every boulder,
Though I didn't meet one
Face to face.
When I was older we went for a picnic
Up to the very same place as before.
And all of the trees and rocks were so small
They couldn't hold tigers
Or ME any more.
When we walk down the stairs we walk next to the wall.
We hold on to the handrail, so we won't fall.
We never push or shove because it's not the thing to do.
We walk the stairs so carefully and hope that you do too.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, snap your fingers this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, clap your hands this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, wink your eyes this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, fold your hands this way.
Make one eye go wink, wink, wink;
Make two eyes go blink, blink, blink,
Make two fingers stand just so;
Then ten fingers in a row.
Front and back your head will rock!
Then your fists will knock, knock, knock.
Stretch and make a yawn so wide;
Drop your arms down to the sides.
Close your eyes and help me say
Our very quiet sound today.
Sh.....Sh......shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
This little boy, all ready for bed.
Down on the pillow he lays his head,
Wraps himself in his covers tight,
And this is the way he sleeps all night,
Morning comes, he opens his eyes.
Back with a toss the covers fly,
Up he jumps, is dressed and away.
Ready to work and play all day.
(Actions: put one finger up as boy on one hand make bed and
put boy on wrap fingers around boy as covers take off covers
stand finger up straight pinch pointer finger with right hand
with thumb and pointer finger left hand.
Contributed by Stephanie
Give each child a paper plate and sliced fruit. Ask them to
create themselves using the slices of fruit. Example; grapes
for eyes, sliced apple for eye brows, banana sliced
lengthwise for a mouth and a kiwi slice for a nose. This
presents an ideal time to disucss the importance of eating
well to maintain healthy bodies. When their creation is
finished they may eat the fruit plate for snack!
Let the children create me pizzas using english muffins,
pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, green pepper slices. The
children can use the pepperoni and green pepper slices to
create faces on their pizzas. Bake in oven and serve. These
are sure to be a big hit.
Materials: Picture of child, transparent adhesive paper
Mark each child's place at snack time with a personalized
placemat. Using a 9 X 12 inch sheet of construction paper
glue the child's picture on it and print the child's name
underneath the photograph in large letters. Cover it with
transparent adhesive paper for protection. Instead of using
a photograph have the child do a self portrait.
1 C butter, 1/2 C gran. sugar, 2 eggs separate,
1 tsp vanilla, 2 C flour, jam.
Flaked coconut, finely chopped nuts or crushed cornflakes
In a bowl cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolks
and vanilla. Blend in flour. Shape into small balls. Dip
into unbeaten egg whites and roll in coconut, nuts or crushed
cornflakes. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Make a
depression in centre of each using thumb. Bake at 325 for 12
to 15 minutes or until just firm. Fill centre with jam.
ENJOY
Materials: coloured construction paper, scissors, white
chalk, glue or rubber cement
Procedure: Fold a 9 in. X 12 in. piece of construction paper
in half the long way. With chalk, write your name along the
fold. Cut around the outside of the letters. Don't cut too
close to the chalk, or your letters will be too skinny. Put
glue on the chalky side, and glue your 'insect' on a
different colour paper.
1) write large, fat letters and fill the paper
2) make your letters touch the fold
3) don't cut where they touch
4) if a letter has a tail, leave it off
1 cup glue, 2 cups water, divided, Liquid temprea paint
1 1/2 teaspoons Borax Powder(available near laundry
detergents) In a medium size bowl combine glue, 1 cup water,
and several drops of paint, stirring constantly. In a large
bowl, mix remaining cup of water and borax powder stir until
dissolved. Pour glue mixture into borax mixture, stirring
constantly. (Kids love to watch this part) A glob will form
as you stir. When the glob seems all stuck together, pick up
the glob and play. There will be liquid left in the bowl,
discard it. Note: Not edible! If goop gets on clothing,
rinse with warm water immediately. Do not use on carpet or
upholstery as it may be difficult to remove. Do not pour
goop down the drain. Store in sealed plastic container.
Heat until it begins to thicken- stirring constantly- let
cool. Divide into 3 containers, add food coloring, put a
little of each color into a ziplock bag. seal shut .. let
the dck squeeze the bags and the colored dough
turns colors.................
Contributed by Cheryl
We say, 'Thank you.'
We say, 'Please.'
We don't interrupt or tease.
We don't argue. We don't fuss.
We listen when folks talk to us.
We share our toys and take our turn.
Good manners aren't too hard to learn.
It's really easy, when you find.
Good manners means
JUST BE KIND!
Have the children make a Miss Bea Polite puppet using a
yellow paper plate with black stripes and pipe cleaner
antennae glued onto another yellow circle. Do two of these
and glue them together but have a happy Miss Polite on one
side and a sad Miss Polite on the other. Now see what how
she feels about:
Beatrice Butterfly said,'Pass the flowers, please.'
Gracie Grasshopper said, 'thank you', when she was given a
treat.
Bobby Bumblebee bumped his brother off the beehive.
Arnie Ant waited his turn in line. Cari Caterpillar crunched
quietly.
Continue Contributed by
Chrysy Caterpillar chatted with her mouth full. Sammy Spider
played with his food.
Christopher Cricket chirped while another cricket was
chirping.
Casy cricket, 'Excuse me,' before interrupting.
Lucy Ladybug borrowed a leaf without asking.
3 Nice Mice
3 Nice Mice
See how nice they are
See how nice they are
They're always polite when they nibble their cheese
they never forget to say thank you and please
they cover their noses whenever they sneeze
ahhh ahhh ahhh-choo (pretend to sneeze)
3 nice mice, 3 nice mice. Contributed by
Place a large sheet of kraft paper on the floor and have the
child lie on it. Trace the child's outline with a crayon or
marker, then cut it out. The child can then add facial
features, body parts and clothing using paint, crayons or
fabric. Help the children identify body parts starting with
the head. Point out differences when they are finished, the
different sizes, (tall, short) colour eyes, hair etc. We are
all different and all special!
Have your child paint the palms of their hands and make a
print on a piece of paper. Make your own hand print next to
each child's. Compare the prints. Discuss growing up and
the changes that take place.
I can do the can-can just like this.
I can do the hoola hoop.
I can do the twist,
Queens go curtsy,
Kings go bow,
Boys go, 'Hi there!'
Girls go, 'Wow!'
Let's go to Kentucky
Let's go to the fair
To see a senorita.
With flowers in her hair.
Shake it, shake it, shake it.
Shake it if you can;
Oh, rumble to the bottom.
Rumble to the top.
Round and round,
Round, and round.
Until you cannot stop.
Prepare pom-poms by rolling half sheets of newspaper into
stick shapes. Tape bottom half to form handle. Cut top half
into strips.
Play records with varying rhythms from marches to hulas.
Children 'swish' their pom-poms as they move to the rhythm of
the music.
Holiday Adaptation: Have a parade using marching music.
One child sits in the middle of the circle, and you sing:
'What can you do Punchinello, funny fellow?'
'What can you do Punchinello, funny you?'
The child picks an action and does it. The rest of the
children imitate th action and sing:
'We can do it too Punchinello, funny fellow'
'We can do it too Punchinello, funny you'
This old man, he played one,
He played nick-nack on my drum.
With a nick-nack, paddy-whack,
Give a dog a bone
This old man came rolling home.
Two...nick-nack on my shoe. Three...nick-nack on my knee.
Four...nick-nack on my door. Five...nick-nack on my hide.
Six...nick-nack on some sticks. Seven...up to heaven.
Eight...nick-nack...at my gate. Nine...on my spine.
This old man, he played ten.
He played nick-nack once again.
