April 6, 2007
Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate by spending time together as a family. Some of the greatest childhood memories come from family holiday traditions like Thanksgiving dinners, baking holiday cookies, and Easter egg hunts! This year, make Easter egg-stra special by setting aside family time for an activity of your choice. Here are just a few suggestions:
Washcloth Bunny
This Easter learn how to turn an ordinary washcloth into a cuddly toy bunny.
You'll need:
- Washcloth
- Rubber band
- Glue
- Googly eyes
- Small pom-pom
- Large pom-pom
Instructions:
- First, evenly roll your washcloth’s two diagonally opposite corners toward the middle.
- Fold the rolled washcloth in half.
- Fold the cloth in half a second time and wrap the rubber band around the second fold to form the bunny's head.
- Gently pull apart the rolled ends that extend above the rubber band so that they resemble bunny ears.
- Next, glue the eyes onto the face and the small pom-pom in place for a nose.
- Glue the large pom-pom onto the back of the original fold to serve as a cottony tail, and the bunny is finished.
Additional ideas:
Turn a frown upside down using the new cuddly bunny for an instant puppet show or a “boo boo” bunny that holds an ice cube to help soothe unexpected bumps or scratches.
Easter Chick Card
Everyone loves a craft that uses a child's hands to create it. This cute and sunny yellow chick makes a perfect Easter card for Mom, Grandma or anyone that you care to share it with.
You'll need:
- 2 sheets of yellow construction paper
- 1 sheet of orange construction paper
- 2 paper fasteners
- 2 large google eyes
- White craft glue
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Black marker or dark crayon
Instructions:
- Trace child's hands onto yellow construction paper and cut out.
- Draw an oval onto the other yellow piece of construction paper. Cut out.
- Lay the oval on the table and position the wings (hand cut outs) behind it, using the photo as a guide.
- When the wings are where you want them, carefully poke the fasteners through the construction paper to attach the wings. Using fasteners allows the wings to flap up and down.
- Cut out a beak and legs from the orange construction paper.
- Glue googly eyes above the beak.
- Position the legs under the oval. When you have them where you want them, glue them in place.
- Use the marker or dark crayon to write a message on the front of the card.
April 13, 2007
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Happy Healthy Monsters
Available on DVD or VHS
Elmo's Breakfast Bingo
by Random House
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Young children are naturally active. They need opportunities to run, jump, climb and move to exercise their muscles and develop their physical coordination. Exercise does not need a formal routine. Something as simple as running and playing provides opportunities for large muscle development.
With this activity children will:
- know that exercise is fun
- understand that exercise is necessary for developing stamina and strength
- know that exercise is appropriate for all ages
- learn that chasing bubbles is good exercise
Skills:
- Gross motor
- Math (measurement)
- Following directions
Materials:
- Open area
- Water
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- Measuring cup
- Glycerine
- Bubble blowers: clean plastic fly swatter, embroidery hoops, empty wooden spools, small juice cans (with both ends removed), sieves, and colanders.
Directions:
Children love to run and chase, and it's great exercise too! Choose a wide-open area like a park or playground for this activity.
Here's a simple recipe that makes lots of bubbles:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup liquid dishwashing soap
- one-fourth cup glycerin (available at drug stores - not necessary, but a small amount helps make better bubbles!)
When the bubble solution is mixed, give children objects to blow bubbles with. They can use bubble blowers, or some suggestions for making a variety of bubble sizes include a clean plastic fly swatter, embroidery hoops, empty wooden spools, small juice cans (both ends removed) sieves, and colanders.
After children blow the bubbles, they can chase and pop them!
April 20, 2007
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The Garbage Monster
by Joni Sensel
Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids
by Gail Gibbons
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Earth Day was first established on March 21, 1970 as a day to celebrate the natural wonders of our planet. This was the moment when night and day are equal throughout the Earth known as the Vernal Equinox.
Earth Day is one way we remind ourselves of the Earth's beautiful systems of balance which humankind has partially upset. This day has traditionally been celebrated as the beginning of spring and symbolizes renewal of life. It’s also a day that many people focus significantly on restoring the Earth.
Interestingly, three thousand years ago men built Stonehenge with stones arranged to measure the very moment of the Vernal Equinox.
Make an octopus from recycled cardboard tubes.
Supplies needed:
- Empty Paper Towel Tube
- Tacky Glue
- Paint and Brush
- Two Wiggle Eyes
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- Construction Paper
Instructions:
To make octopus legs cut strips down one side of a paper towel tube. Bend or curl the pieces around a fat marker. Trim. Paint. Glue on wiggle eyes. Punch out holes and glue on to decorate.
April 27, 2007
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If You're Angry And You Know It
by Cecily Kaiser
I Like Me!
by Nancy Carlson
I Was So Mad
by Mercer Mayer
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It is important for young children to identify their feelings and learn appropriate ways for expressing them.
The children will:
- understand that happy and sad are two different feelings
- learn to distinguish and express different feelings
- identify when they feel happy and when they feel sad
- understand that talking about their feelings is a good way to cope with sad feelings
Skills:
- Art
- Problem- solving
- Life skills
- Language expression
Materials:
- Crayons and markers
- Paper plates (2 per child)
- Craft sticks
- Tape
Directions:
Ask children to tell about a time they felt happy. How can your child show with their faces and/or bodies that they feel happy? (smiles, head held high, etc.) As the children to tell about a time they felt sad. How can your child show with their faces and/or bodies that they feel sad? (frowns, hanging head, etc.) Children can draw a happy face on one paper plate using crayons or markers and a sad face on another paper plate.
Tape a craft stick to the back of each plate as a handle.
Tell a story about a child who had a happy day (won a soccer game, climbed to the top of the slide and came down all by himself, etc.), and ask children to hold up the paper plate face describing how they would feel if this happened to them.
Next, tell a story about a child who had a sad day (felt sick, fell on the playground, dropped a lollipop on the ground, etc.), and ask children to hold up the paper plate face describing how they would feel if this happened to them.
Extension:
Sing: "If You're Happy And You Know It"
Hold up paper plate faces and sing this fun song with your child. Sing it again substituting other actions, such as:
"If you're sad and you know it, cry a tear," and "If you're happy and you know it, wave your arms"
Children will practice using their faces and bodies to express various emotions.
Your child may notice a friend having a bad day. Discuss the idea of helping and being helped. Pick a "Helping Hearts" buddy, secretly assist the buddy for a week and write or draw thank-you notes to caring buddies.
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