Mosaics are a fun process with an awesome product. Mosaics really require using those spatial relationship skills that are needed progressively in reading in math. Think of mosaics as the ultimate puzzle. There are a lot of mosaic kits that use geometrics shapes and magnets that are great for younger kids but not sophisticated enough for this creative age group who looks forward to finishing and showing off their creations. With 13 fun posters and over 7,000 mosaic tiles this gift for eight and nine year olds is picture perfect for Christmas 2012 and priced right at around $12.00 at Amazon.com.
September 27, 2011
Gifts for 8 & 9 year olds: Best Mosaic Kit
September 21, 2011
Easy Play Dough Recipe
1 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/2 cup salk
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup floor
food coloring, natural coloring or scents if you like (like beet juice to make it red and cinnamon for scent).
Combine all ingredients in a pan on the stove. Cook until playdough like consistency. Store in an air tight container.
Gift Idea: Divide out into portions. Add a small cookie cutter to the container.
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September 6, 2011
Learning to cut exercise: Clipping coupons
Do you have a preschooler who is working on their skills using scissors? I had one child absolutely determined to learn how to cut because for her it was a sign of being a big kid. As parents and teachers we also know that learning to cut teaches hand eye coordination as well as some basic pre-writing skills (graphing, holding, following lines etc.)
There is one exercise at home that really helped out daughter learn how to cut using scissors. Each Sunday afternoon we look through the coupons and clip them to use for our grocery and other shopping. These are perfect for helping your child learn how to cut too. Those dotted lines around the coupon images help your child learn to cut in a straight line as well as to follow directions. I recommend giving them the sheets of items you don’t plan on buying, that way if the scissors get carried away, it doesn’t matter what happens to the coupons.
My daughters think it’s great fun and it is absolutely helping with cutting skills.
Find out what you can do with those coupons that they have clipped here.
September 1, 2011
4 Nature crafts for Labor Day Weekend
Spend an unplugged weekend this Labor Day weekend getting kids connected to nature with these fun Nature Crafts for Labor Day. Decorate, play and create the all natural way.
May 9, 2011
What children learn from puzzles
So many skills and concepts “come together” when children work puzzles. Find out here What Children Learn from Puzzles.
May 7, 2011
Playing with Blocks: What children can learn
Children are drawn to blocks to stack, build and of course knock down but what can they learn? Get the most from block play time by reading What Children Learn from Playing with Blocks.
October 2, 2010
Jewelry Making & Beading with Preschoolers
Jewelry making can be a fun family activity that allows kids to express themselves through their own creations. Making jewelry is a great hobby for kids because it allows them to “dress up” and also to have hand made gifts to give their loved ones and friends.
It also has many educational benefits. (Shhhhh! Keep this quiet and just let them think they are having fun!) The keys to success are knowledge of the child’s developmental skills, organization of the materials and lots of praise and adoration for their work.
Tips:
Use bead boxes or even egg cartons to store and sort beads. Having them in bags makes them hard to retrieve and likely to get spilled.
Also, always give your child an edged tray to work on to keep beads from rolling or getting scattered. When one hundred beads roll across the floor, jewelry making goes from friend to foe.
Preschoolers:
For preschoolers, who are learning to master fine motor skills, Continue Reading …
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