Archive for February 2009
Start by making a large uppercase N on the cardboard. Don’t worry if it’s perfect, as long as your child can tell it’s an N, it’s doing it’s job. 
Invite your child to art time and have them paint the N, I try to have everything laid out so it’s enticing and organized when my son comes to see what we are doing, on those days everything really does go much more smoothly.
While they paint write numbers on the small pieces of paper, I am using some scrap card stock, which will hold up to being glued better than thinner paper.If your child is able to , have them write the numbers themselves. Add whatever numbers your child is interested in.
Grab the glue.
Add your numbers and label them as your child adds them. Let dry. When dry cut the N out and glue onto the construction paper.
Books
” 1, 2, 3 To The ZOO” by Eric Carle is fun counting book perfect for toddlers. Actually as I type this my toddler is reading it. There are no words, just pictures and numbers and that makes it perfect for toddlers who are just learning both numbers and animals because parents can read it slowly counting , naming the animals and making the animal sounds, or more quickly just counting!
” Daddy Hugs” by Karen Katz is a cute little counting book for toddlers. I gave it to my husband last year for his first father’s day and my son hated it. However in the year since it’s become a favorite and nothing beats a board book for when toddlers get to that destructo stage.
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What better way to learn the alphabet than with things around your house! Older children can do this with little to no help , and toddlers will love to help find things to photograph. Using things that children are familiar with will help with the letter recognition and sounds that each letter makes. How many times have you been reading an alphabet book and the letter is I and the picture is of an ibis and the child says bird! They are correct but still confused, so using things they know will be fun and educational!
Edit 9-12-08 : I just saw on Crafty Crow that another crafty blog did this same idea, and can I just say theirs was much more polished, check it out here :
- Gather your materials. You will need some card stock or construction paper, a camera, a marker, some pre cut letters, double stick tape, 3 binder rings and a hole punch.
- Start by making a list with the alphabet, and start going around your house to photograph what you can find that starts with each letter.
We found A for apple, D for digger ( surprise surprise!) , H for hat and lots more! Even with a list I ended up with 3 things for the letter s ! - After you have found all your letter objects upload the photos to a photo site and have them sent to your house if you want to wait, or to a local store like Walgreens or Target to pick up that same day!
- Now we make the book! I used construction paper and although I didn’t choose to have my son decorate the pages, this would be a fun added step. Whether you decorate the pages or not here is where we add the letters. I used double stick tape to add the letter .
- Add the label –
I used a random old 4×6 picture to estimate where the photograph would go so I could write the label with enough room. I used both sides or each paper. - Next punch three holes in the left side of the pages.
- Add the binder rings.
- Go pick up the pictures at the store, and try not to buy too many other things while there , I got a cute top for $4 !
- Add the photographs. You can cut them out, or decorate the book any way you want.
- Enjoy your very own Alphabet book!
We have been posting a lot of crafts lately and I think it’s time to get back to having a little old fashioned free art fun! If you are new around here you probably haven’t heard me rant on and on about allowing your child free art time. What I mean is that there is no specific product in mind, it’s all process and your child’s imagination at work. Kids learn best by doing and creating so make sure that this is the biggest chuck of art time. I may have lots of fun , cute crafts but they are the add ons to the business of being a child, play!
We added a little water to thin our paint which makes it easier but also much much messier, be warned!
Start by cutting out the middle of small paper plate, and punching 6 holes on each side of it. Older children can do this with little or no help.
Next wrap a small amount of tape around the end of the ribbon to make it stiff and easier to thread through the holes.
Next thread the ribbon through the holes, I secured the ribbon with tape so it wouldn’t slip through. 
Tape down the other end when you are done as well and put it aside for now.
While your child is threading the ribbon, or after if they needed help ( my little guy needed some) draw a bat on the cardboard with a marker. 
Have your child color it to their hearts content. 
Cut out. 
Tape the baseball to the bat.
Gather your materials. You will need 3 pieces of construction paper, glue, some sticky back foam ( regular will work too, just glue it) , cotton balls, a marker, and scissors.
Start by cutting out a base and a top of the cup cake.
Ask your child a number they want to put on the base. I was hoping for 3 or 4 but 7 it was! Write that number on the base with marker. This will determine the number of candles you put on the cupcake.
Grab the glue!
Glue your cupcake on the paper.
While your child is gluing cut out the candles from the foam , making both candles and flames for each.
Time to add the frosting! Use lots of glue for the cotton balls.
Add your candles
make lots of references to the number your child chose, and count the candles often saying ” Do we have 7 yet?” keep adding them on until you do! Add the flames as you go!
” Moira’s Birthday” by Robert Munsch is a silly book, most of his books are, but silly is great! Moira is excited about having her birthday and doesn’t know how to say no to all the kids at school when they beg to come to her party. She ends up with the whole school at her house and her parents don’t know what to do! Luckily Moira does. This book at first look may seem like Moira is a spoiled brat who gets her way but really she is problem solving and when she gives away a present to each child who helps clean up, you can see she just wanted a good party, and isn’t a gift grabbing brat at all! Kids LOVE this book, I have never read it to a class that didn’t laugh hysterically.
“If You Give A Cat A Cupcake!” by Laura Numeroff is the newest installment of her ever popular “If You Give…” series. I like this one , I mean any book with a cat in a bathing suit is worth a look. I am a big fan of these stories not only because they have just the right amount of text for young preschoolers, but also because the illustrations by Felicia Bond are so detailed you can spend ages talking about what your child sees in the book after the words are read. I love the cause and effect , and after a few readings your child will have fun telling you what’s next.
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