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Putting the Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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preschool

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

March 14, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

St. Patrick's Day treasure blocks featuring a leprechaun and shamrock themed craft supplies and coins.
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Leprechauns add an element of fun to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. And a leprechaun is the star sighting in these St. Patrick’s Day treasure blocks that are sure to appeal to little learners.

St. Patrick's Day treasure blocks featuring a leprechaun and shamrock themed craft supplies and coins.

[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks
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Filed Under: preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: block play, leprechauns, loose parts

Handprint Angel Christmas Keepsake

December 21, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Handprint Angel Christmas craft with silver metallic leaf wings. An easy to make keepsake craft that all children can do.
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Handprint Angel Christmas craft with silver metallic leaf wings. An easy to make keepsake craft that all children can do.

There are so many adorable handprint crafts, and the choices for Christmas are incredible. One of my favorites is a handprint angel. It is a cute craft that doubles as an adorable keepsake. It is also a piece of cake to make and can be whipped up at the last minute.

[Read more…] about Handprint Angel Christmas Keepsake
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Filed Under: art, Christmas, preschool Tagged With: angels, Christmas, gifts, keepsake

Reptile Egg Science

September 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Reptile egg science activities. Make a rubbery reptile egg and use turtle and snake figurines with egg matching play mats.
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Reptile egg science activities. Make a rubbery reptile egg and use turtle and snake figurines with egg matching play mats.

Animal eggs come in different colors, shapes, sizes, and shell textures. Bird eggs feel hard. Snakes and many turtles lay soft-shelled eggs with a rubbery feel. Snake eggs are usually oval; turtle eggs are round to slightly oblong.


Make A Reptile Egg

Here’s an easy to do Science experiment to transform an unshelled, boiled egg into a rubbery reptile egg!  It’s perfect for the classroom or to do with your children at home. 


Supplies Needed:

A container of cider vinegar and an egg.

One unshelled, boiled egg

1 ½ cups / 375 ml cups of cider vinegar

Clear 2 cup / 500 ml jar

Tablespoon

Dessert plate


Boil the egg and let it cool. Ask children to describe the color and feel the hardness of the egg.

Place the unshelled, boiled egg in a jar of cider vinegar.  Discuss the color of the liquid…yellow, red, and orange are words children might use for the hue. I suggest the word amber.

Put the jar in the fridge.

A boiled egg immersed in a jar half-filled with cider vinegar.

[Read more…] about Reptile Egg Science
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Filed Under: preschool, reptiles, science, sensory Tagged With: eggs, experiment, snakes, turtles

Mother’s Day Crafts And Gifts

April 30, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Tan denim cloth flowers and butterfly and flower table scatter.
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Mother's Day paper crafts with jewelry and decorative key chain accents. Art ideas all children can do.

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 cream, gold, and silver tones

Gold and silver metallic bead stickers

White pearl and silver jewel stickers

Butterfly adhesive shapes

Template with the word MOM

Decorative silver key chains

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 or one classroom use only.

Mothers-Day-TemplateDownload

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

Add on sticker beads.

Decorate the word "mom" with gorgeous paper butterflies and flowers. This craft is suitable for all ages, and works great for Mother's Day or word review.

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 collage craft with flowers and butterflies glued on to the word 'Mom.' A starfish keychain is fastened on as a gift. This craft is suitable for all ages.

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Filed Under: art, Mother's Day, preschool Tagged With: family, gifts, keepsake

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

April 20, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Spring bunny Art activities suitable for all ages.
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Spring bunny canvas art with paint dabber technique. An easy to do all-ages art activity.

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 an easy spring bunny art activity 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)

Non-toxic paint dot 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.

Dot markers used to paint around a bunny template on canvas. An easy art activity suitable for all ages.

[Read more…] about Spring Bunny Canvas Art
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Filed Under: art, Easter, preschool, spring Tagged With: bunnies, canvas art

Saving Green Sea Turtles

April 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Green sea turtle activities for early learners. Sensory bin, small world, art and dramatic play for preschool and kindergarten children.
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Green sea turtle activities for early learners. Sensory bin, small world, art and dramatic play for preschool and kindergarten children.

One in a thousand baby green sea turtles lives to become an adult. Sea turtles face many challenges in trying to survive. Here’s how they get their start in life.

At night, baby green sea turtles scurry to the ocean from the deep hole they dig out of. They hatch from eggs deposited by their mother (also at night) on a sandy beach above the high tide line. The small, white eggs are buried in a blanket of sand to keep them warm and hide them from predators. The eggs are left alone to incubate for 50 -70 days.

The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the turtles. Warmer eggs become males; cooler eggs become females. Both males and females can dig out of the same nest, because the temperature can vary in different parts of it.

The hatchlings hurry to the ocean in the dark when it is less likely that they will be eaten by crabs or shore birds like gulls or herons. Most babies do not make it to the ocean. Even if they safely make it to the water, they could be eaten by birds hovering above the waves or predatory fish lingering close to shore.

Sea turtle hatchlings scurry to the ocean at night.

Green Sea Turtle Life Stages

Young green sea turtles spend the first three to five years of their lives in deeper waters. They are carnivores, eating fish eggs, molluscs, jellyfish, worms, sponges, algae, crustaceans and small invertebrates.

Adults green sea turtles spend most of their time in shallow coastal waters with lush seagrass beds. They are herbivores, relying on food such as sea grasses and algae. Adults are at home in coral reefs, salt marshes and near shore grass beds. In these habitats they have lots of food and protection from predators and rough ocean waves.

Sea turtle life stages small world in a clear drawer tray.

Conservation of Green Sea Turtles

Green sea turtles are endangered. They face a high risk of extinction in the wild. The turtles are protected by law in most countries. Many countries also protect their nesting areas.

Some threats green sea turtles face:

  • Loss of nesting areas due to real estate development in coastal areas.
  • Poaching: There is illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells.  The skin is used for shoes, belts, and bags.  The meat is used to make exotic dishes like turtle soup.  Turtle oil is used for cosmetics.
  • Plastic and other marine debris

Help Keep Green Sea Turtles Alive

We can help green sea turtles stay alive!  We can:

  • read books about green sea turtles and how to help them survive.
  • limit the use of plastic and recycle the plastic we use.
  • buy sustainably harvested, ocean-friendly seafood.
  • support organizations that help protect green sea turtles and their habitats.
  • share social media posts about sea turtles and efforts to protect them.

People who live close to a sea turtle nesting area can:

  • join a beach clean up.
  • volunteer for a turtle watch night shift.
  • turn off porch lights at night.
  • refrain from using flashlights or making bonfires during nesting season.     

Porch lights, flashlights, and bonfires disorient hatchlings. They can head away from the ocean instead of towards it. 


Green Sea Turtle Activities

Green Sea Turtle Small World

Sea turtle seashore small world.

[Read more…] about Saving Green Sea Turtles
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Filed Under: art, ocean, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory Tagged With: conservation, sea turtles

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

March 12, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

St. Patrick's Day activities for the early childhood classroom. Sensory tray, writing center, and dramatic play center ideas included.
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St. Patrick's Day activities for the early childhood classroom. Sensory tray, writing center, and dramatic play center ideas included.

It’s March, but there is still lots of snow outside in Edmonton.  St. Patrick’s Day activities and the green color they surround us with are so welcome.  Here are three centers my class is currently playing in.


St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tray

Items included in this sensory tray:

spinach rice vermicelli noodles (broken up)
green bowls, sieves, and scoops
green buttons, beads and bead garland
shamrock and leprechaun shaped erasers
green coins
leprechaun mini hats
shamrock ice cubes

St. Patrick's Day rice noodle tray with leprechaun hats, green sieves, utensils and loose parts.

The green vermicelli noodles are a great find, as they are “ready-made” for this activity.

Green rice vermicelli noodles for sensory play.

St. Patrick’s Day Play Kitchen

Pretend play is hands down one of children’s favorite activities to do.  When effort is put into adding details to a play kitchen, children respond with delight.

St. Patrick's Day house center dramatic play accessories. Tableware, play food, jewelry, coins, and decorations are included.

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Filed Under: literacy, preschool, pretend play, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: holiday, prewriting, sensory bin

Igloo “Glamping” Pretend Play

March 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals. Pretend play winter theme.
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Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals.


It’s been said that you should buy beautiful things you are drawn to, even if you are not sure how they will fit into your decorating color scheme or wardrobe collection.

When I purchased a narwhal themed sequin pillow, I wasn’t sure how I would use it in preschool play. I loved seeing color and shape change sequins in children’s clothing, and thought a sensory item like this would be nice to explore in the classroom.

Then I saw some “Glamping” pretend play posts on social media and knew this pillow would be perfect for an igloo “glamping” pretend play center.


Arctic dramatic play center with polar animals and glam accessories.

Igloo “Glamping” Center Accessories

To set up a glammed up igloo pretend play center, collect the following:

  • Pop up igloo
  • Fur rabbit skin
  • Narwhal themed sequin pillow
  • Bird puppet
  • Toy flashlight
  • Water bottle
  • Drinking glasses
  • Food bowl and spoon
  • Fishing box and reel
  • Paper fish
  • Camping chair
  • Stuffed snowy owl
  • Polar bear puppet
  • Toque, hat, and mittens

Glam igloo dramatic play center with polar themed accessories.

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Filed Under: preschool, pretend play, winter Tagged With: Arctic, camping

World Book Day Story Book Feature: Just Itzy

March 6, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

World Book Day Just Itzy storybook theme. Spider sensory and small world activities for young children.
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World Book Day Just Itzy storybook theme. Spider sensory and small world activities for young children.

World Book Day is held every year on the first Thursday in March. It is a celebration of authors, illustrators, and books.  And it is most of all a celebration of reading.

The impact of the picture book “Just Itzy” spanning my preschool storytime, a teacher aide’s home, and three children and their classrooms makes the story worthy of a shout out for World Book Day.


The “Just Itzy” Story


“Just Itzy” is written by Lana Krumwiede and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. This story was one of the many books about spiders I chose last Fall in gathering resources for a Spider theme. It is an entertaining read about a spider named Itzy Bitzy and his first day of school. In the story, Itzy wants to catch his lunch instead of taking a lunch box that had been packed for him. In learning to make a spider web to trap food he becomes part of the nursery rhymes “Little Miss Muffet”, “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly”, and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” By the end of the tale, Itzy builds a successful spider web AND rescues his big brother Gutzy who had been teasing him about his “smallness.”


The Story’s Reach

My class enjoyed the story. The teacher aide liked “Just Itzy” so much she borrowed the book from a library for her three children. After numerous readings at home, the story was further enjoyed at her children’s school:

  • Both grade school children took the book to school to show it to their teachers and classmates.
  • One teacher had the teacher aide’s child read the book to the class.
  • The teacher in the kindergarten class ordered the book, and it fit in perfectly with the Fantasy Theme the students were working on.

The teacher aide said that for weeks afterward, their family would add humor to their day by chanting “Keep your eye on the fly,” a saying Itzy’s “spindergarten” teacher taught the class about never giving up.


“Just Itzy” Story Centers

Spider Small World

Spider themed small world with translucent pipe builders, spiders, a fly, flowers, and a spider web on a patch of grass.

[Read more…] about World Book Day Story Book Feature: Just Itzy
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Filed Under: book theme, literacy, preschool, sensory Tagged With: construction, picture books, spiders

Hawaiian Party

March 3, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Hawaiian party ideas for an all-ages get together. Food, crafts, songs, and music for an easy to manage get together.
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Hawaiian party ideas for an all-ages get together. Food, crafts, songs, and music for an easy to manage get together.

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 Theme

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.

Paper Hawaiian lei party craft suitable for all ages.

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.)


Hawaiian Party Food

Then refreshments were served. Hawaiian themed paper plates were passed out.

Little muffins with parasols for decoration were offered.

Muffins decorated with parasols for a Hawaiian party snack.

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Filed Under: music, party, preschool Tagged With: Hawaii, multicultural

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you find inspiration and leave some for me! Feel free to stay awhile!

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puttingtheprettyin.preschool

Chickpea based Chinese New Year sensory tub. The c Chickpea based Chinese New Year sensory tub. The chickpeas are dyed with varying amounts of red acrylic paint, and some are left undyed. Read my latest blogpost  to find out more about the chickpea dying process. Link in profile.

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Penguin sensory tray with a snowflake confetti bas Penguin sensory tray with a snowflake confetti base. See the confetti base used for three different winter sensory trays in my latest blogpost. Link in profile.

The confetti base is inspired by @places_spaces_wonder_delight . Check out that beautiful account!

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How I spent my afternoon.

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Glitzy, easy to make New Year’s craft. Link in p Glitzy, easy to make New Year’s craft. Link in profile leads to art and math New Year’s activities and resources for home or the classroom. 

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Season’s greetings to all. 

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Christmas tree decorating center with miniature Ch Christmas tree decorating center with miniature Christmas trees.  Keep a lookout for after Christmas sales to purchase little trees for next year. 

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These handprint Christmas crafts are all done usin These handprint Christmas crafts are all done using paper bags as a base. Click the link in my profile for a blogpost featuring the crafts.

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Sending a little angel your way today. #angels # Sending a little angel your way today. 

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Squish painted Christmas dove. Click the link in Squish painted Christmas dove.  Click the link in profile for a blogpost on dove Christmas art, and to snag a free dove printable. 

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Butterfly Christmas decorations. #Christmasdecora Butterfly Christmas decorations.  #Christmasdecorating #Christmasdecorations #butterflydecorations #iteachprek #prekteacher #teacherofig #teachersfollowteachers #preschool #kindergarten #homeschooling
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all those celebratin Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all those celebrating. This post is inspired by the Frozen II based storybook “We’ll Always Have Each Other.” The line “life may get harder sometimes but we’ll always have each other” seems even more fitting today than when it was written in 2019.

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“Spot The Turkeys” sensory tubes.

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Recent Posts

  • Chinese New Year Sensory Play January 14, 2021
  • Winter Sensory Trays January 10, 2021
  • Color Explosion Science Experiment January 1, 2021
  • New Year’s Countdown Activities December 30, 2020
  • New Year’s Crafts December 29, 2020
  • Christmas Tree Decorating Center December 23, 2020
  • Christmas Tree Art December 21, 2020
  • Scissor Skill Gingerbread Man Craft December 19, 2020
  • Handprint Christmas Crafts December 18, 2020
  • Handprint Angel Craft December 16, 2020

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