Putting the Pretty In Preschool - Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

“Oh, The Places I’ll Go” Dr. Seuss Theme

June 26, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

The storybook “Oh, The Places I’ll Go! By Me, Myself”, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss is perfect for the last theme of the year and end of term class party! It’s the companion book to the Dr. Seuss title “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”, a popular book for gifting.

“Oh, The Places I’ll Go!” is an interactive storybook. It offers many opportunities for discussions and creativity. The topics encourage preschoolers to
-illustrate
-contribute thoughts
-make choices
-learn about resiliency

At preschool, the subjects in the book help give direction to group interactions. Preschoolers are super confident in their verbal skills near the end of the school year. They have so much to share! The book themed topics for discussion make it easy to include everyone’s thoughts in an orderly way.

Art projects, pictures of children, and discussion charts can be displayed at an End Of Year Class Party. This gives all classmates a chance to shine!

“Oh, The Places I’ll Go, by Me, Myself” Theme Activities

Suitcase Printable

Have children decorate a suitcase and add their name to the tag.

Download suitcase printable here.
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“My Head Looks Like This” Adventure Themed Picture

Create a station with books about our heads, gel felt pens, and a “My Head Looks like This” printable for children to decorate.

Download “My Head” printable here.
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“I Can Steer Myself In Any Direction” Ocean Themed Photo Op

Display a beach scene background on a wall. Provide a self esteem building prop for children to be photographed with. Featured below: “I’m Sharktastic” photo prop.

“A Place I Will Go” Asian Small World

Set out Oriental blocks, an Asian animal set, and some pretend play people figures for children to create Far Eastern scenes with.

“Planet I Would Like To Visit” Chart

Read a book about planets. Set out a planetary small world.

Space themed table diorama with objects to rearrange. — A Space Themed Diorama

Afterwards, document the planet each child would most like to visit.

“My Favorite Way To Travel” Chart

Document each child’s favorite way to travel.

Dr. Seuss Inspired Hot Air Balloon

Have students use black felt pens to draw a large teardrop shape and add a small triangle at the bottom to create a Dr. Seuss style hot air balloon. Display the balloon shapes on a wall.

Musical Instruments

Offer musical instruments and/or have a musical instrument making station.

“Place I Love Most” Circus Small World

Set up a small world with circus performers and props.

“I’ll Be Famous” Trophy

Have children decorate a trophy coloring sheet.

Download trophy printable here.
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Display colored card stock trophy pictures on a wall with children’s names and a character quality they exemplify.

“I Will Hike In The Woods” Small World

Set out a forest/hiker small world. Balancing a hiker on a log placed across water adds STEM challenge to this sensory activity.

“I Will Move Mountains” Photo Display

Display 8 1/2 x 11 inch color copy pictures of the children building, fixing, discovering, creating, and performing. This is a fantastic way to feature children completing activities offered during the school year.

“Today Is My Day” Banner

Have children decorate a “Today Is My Day” card stock paper banner by adding stickers or sticker jewels. Add a wooden chopstick or sturdy straw for the handle.

The activities featured in this post are just some of the story extensions that could be offered. The possibilities for discussions, art, and small world play using the book “Oh, The Places I’ll Go by Me, Myself” are endless. The book also works well for Dr. Seuss Day.

This book makes a great gift and keepsake. It allows children to think about and document their hopes and dreams over time. The picture book compliments the very popular Dr. Seuss read “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”

Both books are great choices for having teachers leave personalized comments at the end of the school year.

More Book Themes

For “Just Itzy” storybook inspired spider and nursery rhyme theme activities, click here.

For book inspired tree art, click here.

A Dr. Seuss Craft

For a paper plate “Cat In the Hat” Dr. Seuss inspired craft, click here for one by Glued to My Crafts.

Best Friends Forever Printables

June 9, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

There is less than two weeks left of school, and the last day of class is just around the corner. My preschoolers have made such precious friendships, but soon they will be parted for the summer holidays. Come Fall the older children will be heading to different kindergartens, as there are many choices in our city. Most preschoolers will no longer see each other on a regular basis.

These Best Friends Forever drawing and coloring printables offer the children a chance to document their friendships. Preschoolers can decorate the pictures to give to friends and/or to keep themselves.

Some completed pictures will be included in the memory albums the students receive at the end of the term. Feedback from preschool parents has shown that the albums are cherished by the children, and provide treasured memories of their preschool experience.

The Best Friends Forever printables are available for downloading. They are provided for your use with the children you have the privilege of spending time with. As well as being a handy resource at year end, they make great valentines!

Pet Themed BFF Printable

Download printable here.
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Friends Forever BFF Printable

Download printable here.
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Shark Themed BFF Printable

Download printable here.
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There is so much value in friendships. Research shows that friends
-add happiness
-boost self confidence
-provide a sense of belonging
-give purpose
-offer support in dealing with life’s challenges

These Best Friends Forever printables provide an artsy way for children to remember their friends and show them some appreciation!

For a Father’s Day craft, click here.

For a Mother’s Day craft and gift, click here.

Father/Preschooler Superhero Party

May 28, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

As everyone can attest, Superhero activities are hugely engaging for children. Superheroes is also a topic I was hesitant to plan a full theme around for many years. I was afraid that the children’s excitement level would go up, and never return to a manageable rate.

One year I decided a generic Superhero theme could be feasible as the last one of the school term. I thought the children might get riled up, but I would be sending them home for the summer afterwards!

The Superhero theme was a hit, and turned out to be perfectly manageable. Dress up props were available in the gymnasium, where loud noises and running were the norm. A number of books read in the classroom highlighted good character traits of Superheroes. Puzzles, manipulative toys, and sensory trays rounded out our activities.

Edmonton Comic And Entertainment Expo

Last Fall I attended the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo because it looked so fun! I also hoped to get some more ideas for my Superhero theme. The multitude of booths showcasing art, toys, outfits and much more offered loads of inspiration. And I visualized a Superhero Party theme working for our next Father/Preschooler evening (held this past March.)

Father/Preschooler Superhero Party Night

The evening started out with a potluck supper. Open ended toys were available for guests to manipulate, with Superhero figures added in.

Superhero Sensory Tray

This tray was kept simple so everything could be washed afterwards.

Superhero coloring sheets were available to decorate. DIY board games, game chips and dice were set out around the eating area.
Flags, eucalyptus sprigs and themed table scatter adorned the tables.

After dinner adults and children were invited to visit feature centers. Everyone was encouraged to take a strip of tickets out of a bowl to “pay” for each center activity.

These were the options:

1) Photo Op: Take A Picture With Your Favorite Superhero

Justice League props and backdrop purchased from Party City were used for this activity. Individual, adult/child and group photos were taken. The snapshots turned out amazing!

2) Purchase Superhero Art

Guests could purchase a picture of a Superhero Father made by a preschooler. Family members bought their own child’s work of course!

3) Photo Op: Take A Picture Dressed Up As A Superhero

Dress up clothes were available for children and adults to wear. There was a telephone picture and calendar Superhero action word backdrop. Individual, adult/child, and group photos were taken.

The reflective aviator sunglasses pictured with the table decor above were my favorite look!

4) Purchase Superhero Self Portraits

Guests could purchase a preschooler’s Superhero self portrait.

For a fabulous all ages Hawaiian Party, click here:

Mother’s Day Crafts And Gifts

April 30, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and every mom deserves to be treated special. Here is an easy Mother’s Day craft that is bound to hit the mark. A key chain or brooch makes a lovely addition as a gift.

Supplies used:

Flower and butterfly paper punches
Craft paper with gold, cream, silver and grey tones
Metallic sticker beads
Template with the word MOM
Glue stick

Preparing The Mother’s Day Craft

Create a template with the word MOM on it or download my template. This template is for personal use only.

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Paper punch small flowers and butterflies from patterned paper with complementary tones.

Add on metallic sticker beads.

Mother's Day collage craft set up with paper flowers and butterflies, and a template with the word "mom." — Template With Watercolor Wash Background

Making The Mother’s Day Craft

Have children use a glue stick to attach butterflies and flowers, or just butterflies to the lines of the letters that spell the word “mom.”

Add a brooch or key chain gift to the finished picture.

Mother's Day paper collage craft with paper flowers and butterflies glued on to the word "mom". A bow brooch is added on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Silver Bow Brooch

Metallic sticker beads are the inspiration for this color scheme. I was thrilled to find a scrapbook pad called “Bless Our Home” with paper sheets in patterns of gold, silver, grey and cream. The paper theme is perfect for a Mother’s Day craft, and the colors and patterns complement the shiny gold and silver beads.

Mother's Day paper collage craft with flowers and butterflies glued on to the word "mom." A starfish keychain is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Starfish Keychain

Mother's Day collage craft with flowers and butterflies glued on to the word "mom." A key chain gift is ready to be fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With A Neutral Background

Mother's Day collage craft with butterflies glued on to the word "mom." An elephant key chain is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Paper Butterflies And Elephant Keychain

Mother's Day paper collage craft with butterflies glued onto the word "mom." A silver flower brooch is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Butterflies And Silver Flower Brooch

Leftover paper flowers and butterflies can be used as Table Scatter for a Mother’s Day Tea.

Tan denim cloth flowers and butterfly and flower table scatter. — Table Scatter And Tan Denim Cloth Flowers

Other Decorating Ideas

Have children to decorate the word “mom” with sticker pearls and jewels. This craft is simpler but just as beautiful. A sea turtle keychain is added to the picture below.

Mother's Day craft with sticker pearls and silver jewels added to the word "mom." A sea turtle key chain is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Sticker Pearls And Jewels And Sea Turtle Keychain

Have children decorate the word “mom” with jewel and butterfly stickers. A fish keychain is added to the picture below.

Mother's Day craft with butterfly and silver jewel stickers on the word "mom." A fish keychain is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Butterfly And Silver Jewel Stickers And Fish Keychain

A sparkly flower brooch is added to the picture below.

Mother's Day butterfly and silver jewel sticker craft on the word "mom." A brooch is fastened on as a gift. — Completed Craft With Butterfly And Silver Jewel Stickers And Brooch

Which of the above designs is your favorite?

What color schemes are inspiring you right now?

A Handmade Key Chain Option

Michelle (craftymorning.com) features Handprint Shrinky Dink Keychains that would go along well with a rainbow colored version of this craft.

Spring Bunny Art Activities

April 20, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

The birds are chirping, and there is excitement in the air. Everyone seems to have a skip in their step. I think it is because Spring has come early to our city and… it’s the Easter long weekend!
Here’s a couple of easy bunny art activities that will add some hop to the skip, and be sure to keep everyone’s good mood up.

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

A few simple supplies are all that’s needed for this activity:

White canvas panel (12 inch x 18 inch)
Dot paint markers
Colored cardstock
Bunny template
Scissors

The “How To”

Trace a bunny on colored cardstock in a size that leaves room to paint dab around it on the canvas board. I sized the bunny to fit just inside the edges of an 8 x 11 ½ piece of paper.

Cut out the cardstock bunny and place it in the middle of the canvas board.

Choose your favorite dot marker colors.

Dab paint dots around the bunny template.

Let the canvas dry.

For this project, I used inexpensive canvas board from a Dollar Store.

The dot paint markers were a great find at Michaels.

I was excited to see so many colors in the package! I chose blue and teal, inspired by a bunny art project I had seen painted in similar tones. Your favorite color scheme would work just as well.

This paint project dries quickly.

Spring Bunny Pattern To Color Or Paint

Bunnies with glasses and sunglasses have been spotted everywhere this Spring, and are so fun and lovable. Here’s a cute bunny picture to color, dot paint, or decorate with liquid watercolors.

Download the coloring sheet: (This template is for personal use only).

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Printable Bunny Glasses

For some printable bunny eye glasses to decorate and wear, head over to picklebums.com.

For another paint project, try these sweet potato vine dinosaur footprints.