Archive for January 2009
Number Card
I haven’t had a lot of number activities because I have been following my son’s lead with most of our projects and he has been into many things but numbers weren’t one of them, until now. So for the reader that emailed me yesterday about numbers here is just the first of many to come! This project is fun, fast and perfect for kids who love stickers. Not only is your child developing one to one correspondence , they are practicing their fine motor skills while peeling off the small stickers!
- Gather your materials. You will need some stiff paper, a marker , scissors and a good number of small stickers.
- Fold your paper accordion style.
I prefer to fold first because I am terrible with rulers, but you can switch step 2 and 3 if you want. - Draw the outline , boxes and numbers. For younger children keep it simple with a few numbers, older ones can do many! If your child is able have them write the numbers themselves.
- Sit down with your young child to do this- they may need some help.
With my two year old I asked him what the number was, praised him up and down when he recognized it and helped him if he didn’t. Then I said ” Can you put 1 sticker under the number 1?” ect.. for each number. He needed no other help but fizzled after 4. 
That’s ok, don’t push it if your child fizzles, praise them for what they did do and trim the card so they see they completed the task. Have realistic expectaitions, more than 4 was a little lofty for my guy! - Count your beautiful numbers as the mood strikes !
- Gather your materials. You will need some heavy paper ( I am using card stock but construction paper will work) , some markers, scissors, glue and a white piece of paper. I also used a full piece of construction paper to use as a backing for the finished masterpiece!
- Have your child draw the dinosaurs habitat using the markers on the white paper.
- While they do that , draw out the shapes that will make up the dinosaur on the back of the heavy paper. I used a semi circle for the body, triangles for the spikes, a circle for the head, rectangle legs and square feet.
- Cut the shapes out.
- When the habitat is drawn, grab the glue
and start adding the shapes. 
Start with the semi circle and remember to label the shapes for your child or have them tell you what they are. - For the spikes I added some glue in the shape of a triangle and that guided my son , without me telling him.
He was very proud of himself when he figured it out! - Add the feet !
- Add the circle head and an eye and a mouth ! I just used marker but a googly eye would look cute too!
- Let dry.
“Dinosaur Roar!” by Henrietta and is a board book that I’ve read often enough , I don’t need to look at the book. The premise is simple, using 2 different dinosaurs every page illustrates a pair of opposites. Toddlers and young preschoolers adore this book and I can’t blame them, it’s adorable and a great tool for teaching !
“How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon” by Jane Yolen is another favorite. I like the whole series and think this book is a great one to read before doctor appointments especially if you have a child like mine who is never happy to go! I love the details in Mark Teague’s illustrations and never tire of reading this book, even when my son grabs it again and again.
If you aren’t familiar with Blissful Kids or the whole Blissfully Domestic online magazine you must check it out. It’s a one stop shop for real women! I am excited to be a part of this wonderful group of talented women who come together to make the internet Blissful !
My mother in law was asking me what I could make with hand prints besides a turkey, and this sun topped my long list of crafts. We all need a little sun during the dark days of winter, this craft is so easy and fits well with themes likes space, seasons, and learning about weather !
- Gather your materials. You will need a paper plate, some construction paper, yellow paint, a paint brush , a container, glue and scissors.
- Start by tracing your child’s hand a few times on a piece of construction paper.
I am using yellow paper but white or orange would work too. In a class you can do one of each child’s hand if you want to make a large sun as a cooperative project. - Cut out.
- Have your child paint the paper plate yellow. We are using a number of different paints, for variety but plain yellow paint , crayons or markers are all great.
- Add some sparkle paint, bet you thought I was done sparkles just because the holidays are over!
- Paint the cut out hands. My son decided he wanted to dip them in the paint and the result was really cool. You can also simply use the brush if you prefer.
- Let dry.
- Glue the hands on the under side of the plate.
- Bask in the glow!!
Mr. Sun, Sun Mr. Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me!
Oh Mr. Sun , Sun Mr. Golden Sun,
hiding behind a tree!
These little children are asking you ,
to please come out so we can play with you,
Oh Mr. Sun, Sun Mr.Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me!
Books!
“Un Brella” by Scott Franson is such a cool book. There is not a single line of text in the book , and it’s not missing a thing! The illustrations are so vivid, so layered and tell the story perfectly. A little girl has a magical umbrella that brings sun on a snowy day and snow when her yard is green and sunny. My 2 year old was beside himself laughing and saying “No no” to the little girl wearing her swim suit in the snow. Grab this book and enjoy!
- Gather your materials. You will need 3 pieces of white paper, a marker, some construction paper ( any color but use the same color for all of it), some small containers, double stick tape or glue , paint and scissors.
- Start by drawing 3 mittens on 3 separate pieces of paper.
- If you have an older child who needs more of a challenge you can do a hat and scarf as well, but little guys may get confused on whether to match the item or the color , so start small if you aren’t sure.
- Have your child paint the mittens, one color for each page.
- My son was hard to convince to use only one color, so I had an extra page for him to use all of them on after he did the mittens.
- Let dry and cut out.
- Using double stick tape or glue use construction paper as a backing. This will make them sturdier so they last while being played with!
- Using the small containers match your mittens!
” Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic for a reason. My son has loved it since day one and it really does a great job of calming before bed, like all great bedtime stories should. As a teacher I hated this book probably because it’s not a great book for groups I admit I was wrong, this is a gem ! Also for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, there are mittens in the story, which is why it works well with this activity!
