How to Make a Window Sticker
As summer continues – and the kids may be looking for new things to do – here is a link to a fun and inexpensive craft: make your own window stickers.
You will need:
PVA glue (which is just plain white glue)
Paint brush
Coloured tissue paper (or other colored paper – junk mail is a good source for this)
Non stick surface/mat to work on – that you can leave undisturbed for many hours
Have fun ~
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“The Legend of the Dream Catcher
As the legend goes, the Dream Catcher was used by the Woodland Indians and was hung close to where they slept. The Indians believed that Dream Catchers would catch all the dreams whether they were good or bad. The bad dreams would get caught up in the webbing and be held there until first morning light when the sun would burn them off. The good dreams were also caught and held in the center of the Dream Catcher. These dreams would filter down into the feathers and be held there, only to return another night to be dreamed again.” (from the PlayConnection curriculum)
How to Make A Dream Catcher with Your Children:
Materials: paper plate, a hole puncher, a few beads, feathers, markers and glitter glue if you have some.
1. Cut out the center of the paper plate and punch 5-6 holes around the edges.
2. Help you child write down their dreams and aspirations around the rim of the Dream Catcher. Make one with them and discuss your dreams together. Sharing dreams and fears with your children is an excellent way to connect with them.
3. Tie the yarn onto the top hole, add a bead, weave into another hole, add a bead and so forth until your Dream Catcher is fully webbed. Odds and ends can be added for decoration and this is a great way to use up left-over craft supplies.
4. Tie another short piece of yarn to the bottom hole so that the ends of the yarn hang down (see picture.) Tie a feather to each end.
5. Hang above your child’s bed (a thumb tack in the wall above the bed works well.) Be sure to read them the Legend of the Dream Catcher.
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Games for the Bus
For those of you that ride the bus, I found a great website that has captured some of best old-time hand clapping rhymes (http://www.gameskidsplay.net). These easy games are great for children because they encourage hand-eye coordination, the rhyming element stimulates pre-reading and reading skills, many ages enjoy them, they are free and you can’t lose the pieces. Here are two we played at group this week:
Say Say My Playmate
Say, Say my playmate
Come out and play with me
and bring your dollies 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rain barrel
into my cellar door
and we’ll be jolly friends
forever more – more – more !
Verse 2:
Say, say oh playmate,
I cannot play with you.
My dolly has the flu,
Boohoo, hoohoo, hoo, hoo.Ain’t got no rain barrel,
Ain’t got no cellar door.
But we’ll be jolly friends,
Forever more,more, more,more,more.
Short Legged-Sailor
Directions: When you say “Short legged” you make a short distance between your hands. When you say “Long legged” you make a longer distance between your hands. When you say”Knock-kneed” you touch your elbows together.)
Have you ever, ever, ever in your short legged life seen a short legged sailor with a short legged wife?
No I’ve never, never, never in my short legged life seen a short legged sailor with a short legged wife.
Have you ever, ever, ever in your long legged life seen a long legged sailor with a long legged wife?
No I’ve never, never, never, in my long legged life seen a long legged sailor with a long legged wife.
Have you ever, ever, ever, in your knock-kneed life seen a knock-kneed sailor with a knock-kneed wife?
No I’ve never, never, never in my knock-kneed life seen a knock-kneed sailor with a knock-kneed wife
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Games for a Snowy Day: Create Your Own Word Search
Our children’s coordinator introduced me to these wonderful online tools that allow you to create your very own word search. Each puzzle can be custom designed for your child. You can have them find their name, their friends’ names, books they love, silly nick names you have given them, etc. You could create one especially for a birthday party. You can also add words that describe their positive qualities such as artist, kind, smart, loving, thoughtful, strong, etc.
Here is a link to create a puzzle for early elementary kids: A to Z Teacher Stuff
Here is a link for a little more difficult puzzle: word search maker
Children love these puzzles because they are all about them! Try one today or save one for when the weather is bad and everyone is spending the day inside
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Corn Starch Slop
For one of our recent play connection classes, residents got to play in corn starch slop. Mezmorizing to adults and children, this is a cheap and easy activity to do with children!
Corn Starch Slop 1/2 cup regular corn starcha little bit of watera drop of food coloring – optional Mix cornstarch with water a little bit at a time until it has just turned into a liquid. Add one drop of food coloring if desired. This will make the activity a little messier – but the color is fun. This mixture will feel like liquid sometimes, and sometimes it will feel solid. Careful- playing with this stuff will make time fly by~
