Putting the Pretty In Preschool
Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences
This shiny spooky hands craft is effortless to do and uses easy to gather materials. The supplies for this project can be found at your local grocery and dollar stores.
white corn syrup
orange, green, and purple food coloring
paint containers and brushes
spoons
spider-themed fake nails
skull-themed fake nails
polka dot fake nails
Q-Tips
spider gems
sturdy white paper
black permanent felt pen
scissors
The Ugly Christmas Sweater trend has resurfaced, and for a few years I couldn’t figure it out. Having a passion for fashion, I didn’t understand why anyone would want to wear a tacky sweater. Until…I read that people host Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties, often to raise funds for charity. Then I saw purpose and humor in them.
Aside from wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, the trend shines in some easy to introduce early learning activities the whole family can participate in.
As everyone can attest, Superhero activities are hugely engaging for children. Superheroes are 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 afterward!
The Superhero activities were a hit and turned out to be perfectly manageable. Dress up props were available in the gymnasium, where loud noises and running were the norms. A number of books read in the classroom highlighted good character traits of Superheroes. Puzzles, manipulative toys, and sensory trays rounded out the play choices.
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 theme working for our next Father/Preschooler evening (held this past March.)
The Father/Preschooler evening started out with a potluck supper. Open-ended toys were available for guests to explore, with Superhero figures added in.
Here’s a Hawaiian Party that works for all ages. We did it with a group of seniors, preschool children and their parents. It was dreamed up because this school year our preschool classes were invited to visit a seniors home to socialize with the residents. February was a great month to show some kindness, so we planned our visit then.
Hawaiian Holiday was the theme of choice. Our city was in the middle of a cold-weather spell, so the thinking was “If we can’t be in Hawaii, (where we would ALL rather be), then let’s bring Hawaii to us.”
Our preschool brought food and activities for the visit.
As seniors, preschool children and preschool parents entered the social room at the home, music from the CD “Golden Hits Of Hawaii” wafted through the air. (This is a favorite CD of Hawaiian music, and we’ve played it at school on some of our coldest days. The music lifts our spirits every time.)
As everyone chose a spot to sit, they were invited to make a paper lei.
Next, our school group performed some action songs for seniors and parents. Songs from Dr. Jean Sing Along Read Along books and CDs were our choice. (Dr. Jean has many singing and learning activities available on her website and her YouTube Channel.)
Then refreshments were served. Hawaiian themed paper plates were passed out.
Little muffins with parasols for decoration were offered.
