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Putting the Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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pretend play

Winter Sensory Trays

January 10, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Snowflake confetti rules in these three winter sensory trays featuring polar bears, penguins, and shiny accessories.
Snowflake confetti rules in these three winter sensory trays featuring polar bears, penguins, and shiny accessories.

Snowflake confetti makes an eye-catching base for three simple winter sensory trays. Combined with a few accessories, it sets the stage for sparkly sensory play experiences your little learners will delight in.

The find: shiny snowflake and dot confetti in a blue, silver, and white color scheme.

Basic Winter Sensory Tray

Supplies to collect:

Winter sensory tray loose parts.

snowflake confetti

turquoise gems

silver and white bead garland strips

large silver snowflakes

star cups

clear spoons

Set in a tray, these pieces make the perfect hands-on sensory activity for your little ones to celebrate winter with.

Snowflake studded winter sensory tray filled with shiny pieces.

Shiny pieces rule in this snowflake confetti based winter sensory tray.

[Read more…] about Winter Sensory Trays

Filed Under: ocean, preschool, pretend play, sensory, winter Tagged With: loose parts, penguins, polar bears, sensory bin, sensory play, snowflakes

Frozen 2 Inspired Sensory Bin

November 26, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin with pumpkins, apples, leaves, rocks, and craft supplies. A reindeer, snowman, and people characters complete the bin.
Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin with pumpkins, apples, leaves, rocks, and craft supplies. A reindeer, snowman, and people characters complete the bin.

When I came across the Frozen II based storybook “We’ll Always Have Each Other” earlier this year, I immediately fell in love with the fall color scheme. The rich red and orange forest colors, peppered with gold, green, and purple got me super excited about putting together a Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin.

This endearing story written by John Edwards touches on pumpkins, the changing seasons, and the close friendship between Olaf and Anna. The line “life may get harder sometimes, but we’ll stay strong for each other” seems even more relevant today than when it was written more than a year ago.


Sensory Bin Color Guide

These papers were my color guide for choosing craft supplies and loose parts for the vibrant sensory bin. I used leaf punches in two different sizes to turn cardstock into tiny leaves to sprinkle in the bin.

The color guide for a Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin.

[Read more…] about Frozen 2 Inspired Sensory Bin

Filed Under: apples, autumn, fall, friends, literacy, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: apples, Frozen inspired, looseparts, pumpkins

Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

November 10, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh, so fun skeleton and eyeball water play activities with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons. .
Oh, so fun skeleton and eyeball water play activities with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons. .

Your early learners will be oh, so excited to explore skeleton and eyeball waterplay activities with skulls, eyeballs, and bones. The supplies to collect are low cost: skeleton parts can be found at dollar stores and local party stores, especially in autumn.


Skeleton And Eyeball Soup

Collect:

plastic eye balls

squishy eye balls

plastic skulls

ice cube skulls

bones

extra large wiggly eyes

skeleton models

clear plastic cups

red and blue food coloring

water pitcher

spray shaving foam

ladles

clear cups

tulip shaped punch bowl

Skeleton and eyeball loose parts ready for sensory play.

A tulip-shaped punch bowl makes a handy container to fit 3-4 children around. But use whatever you have available…a container of any size or shape will have play possibilities.

[Read more…] about Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

Filed Under: preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: loose parts, my body, skeletons, water play

Flower Theme Activities

November 8, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Flower theme art, sensory, and pretend play activities. Early learners will love the winged creatures (dragons, unicorns, and an angel) featured in the theme.
Flower theme art, sensory, and pretend play activities. Early learners will love the winged creatures (dragons, unicorns, and an angel) featured in the theme.

Last spring I picked up two voluminous begonia plants that had large wing-shaped leaves. One plant was called “dragon wing begonia,” and the other was a double pink-flowered variety with similar wing-like leaves. The vigorous plants inspired dragon and flower theme activities for early learners, and angel and unicorn play.


Nonstop Pink Begonia Flower Activities


Nonstop pink begonia still blooming after Canadian Thanksgiving Day.
Nonstop Pink Begonia

Begonia “Through The Seasons” Sensory Tray

Around Canadian Thanksgiving Day, the nonstop pink begonia was still blooming profusely. At the same time collecting pine cones was on my list of tasks to do. By the end of the week, snow was in the forecast. Our area didn’t get snow, but many places in our province did. The mingling of elements of summer, fall, and winter in that week was the inspiration for this sensory tray for little learners. Included are flower leaves and blooms, pine cones, and cotton ball snow. Rocks, stone eggs, and a show-stopping dragon round out the tray.

Three seasons sensory tub with pine cones, begonia leaves and flowers, and cotton ball snow. A dragon and stone eggs complete the tub

[Read more…] about Flower Theme Activities

Filed Under: art, dramatic play, gardening, playdough, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory Tagged With: dragons, flowers, sensory bin, sensory play, unicorns

Toilet Paper Roll Monsters

October 21, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Toilet paper roll monster craft and activities. Easy to make watercolor painted monsters to use with stacking blocks or a red split lentil-based sensory bin.
Toilet paper roll monster craft and activities. Easy to make watercolor painted monsters to use with stacking blocks or a red split lentil-based sensory bin.

For most of the year, there has been a plethora of recycled crafts and activities posted on blogs and social media, and toilet paper rolls have been a “hot” material for craft and sensory projects. Debuting in this post are spunky toilet paper roll monsters. They are so simple to make and can be used with toys or in sensory bins for imaginative play.

[Read more…] about Toilet Paper Roll Monsters

Filed Under: art, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: block play, monsters, sensory bin

Reptile Theme Activities

May 4, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Reptile-themed art. science, small world, and pretend play activities for early learners. Topics include snakes, turtles, and lizards.
Reptile-themed art. science, small world, and pretend play activities for early learners. Topics include snakes, turtles, and lizards.

A Reptile Theme is THE WAY to encourage early learners to get more comfortable with animals such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. Little ones often have a fear of these animals, partly because of how they get depicted on television. Hands-on activities alleviate fear and encourage an interest in learning more about these creatures.


[Read more…] about Reptile Theme Activities

Filed Under: art, pretend play, reptiles, science Tagged With: family, lizards, small worlds, snakes, turtles

Frozen Inspired Shadow Box

February 5, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Frozen inspired shadow box. Invitation for children to create a scene with Frozen bathtub stickers and loose parts. An all-ages activity.
Frozen inspired shadow box. Invitation for children to create a scene with Frozen bathtub stickers and loose parts. An all-ages activity.

This Frozen inspired shadow box scene features neutral and cool colors and textures. The color palette is gorgeous and is relatable to my experience of winter. Your child will enjoy using similar hued loose parts to create unique shadow box scenes.


[Read more…] about Frozen Inspired Shadow Box

Filed Under: art, pretend play, sensory, winter Tagged With: Frozen inspired, loose parts

Chinese Valentine’s Day Activities

February 2, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Chinese Valentine's Day celebration activities. Art, reading, math, light table and block play. These activities are perfect for a Chinese multicultural theme.
Chinese Valentine's Day celebration activities. Art, reading, math, light table and block play. These activities are perfect for a Chinese multicultural theme.

On the weekend of August 25 and 26, 2017, Chinese Valentine’s Day was celebrated at the Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Center, located in downtown Edmonton.  This traditional Valentine’s Day celebration dates back to the 1800s in China, and is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, in late August.


[Read more…] about Chinese Valentine’s Day Activities

Filed Under: art, Chinese Valentine's Day, Math, pretend play, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: block play, holiday, literacy, multicultural

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

January 30, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Invitation to cut craft supplies to make fake snow. The snow is featured in small world and sensory activities. Scissor skill practice for early learners.
Invitation to cut craft supplies to make fake snow. The snow is featured in small world and sensory activities. Scissor skill practice for early learners.

A scissor skill snow cutting activity snipping craft supplies is sure to attract your child’s attention. A rich base will be created for small world and sensory activities. A bonus is that this snow will never melt or be too cold to play with.


[Read more…] about Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Filed Under: pretend play, sensory, winter Tagged With: fine motor activity, polar animals, scissor skills, snow

Ninja Theme Facts And Activities

October 24, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Ninja theme featuring sensory, small world, art, large motor, and pretend play activities. Ninja facts and picture book inspiration included.

This ninja theme draws inspiration from the picture book “Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap”, written and illustrated by J. C. Phillipps. The book is filled with energy, wisdom, and tidbits about Japanese culture. For young children, the story is a captivating read. The illustrations provide inspiration for multicultural story extensions.

Ninja theme featuring sensory, small world, art, large motor, and pretend play activities. Ninja facts and picture book inspiration included.

In the story, a little ninja named Wink is excited that he is a famous circus performer.  But he cannot get in a much-needed nap because his fans follow him everywhere!  He walks through a garden of cherry trees, and moves through and hides in different parts of town, but his followers persist.

[Read more…] about Ninja Theme Facts And Activities

Filed Under: book theme, pretend play, sensory, trees Tagged With: Japan, ninja

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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

The bright sun streaming through my office window The bright sun streaming through my office window belies the fact that it is -16  degrees C /  3.2 degrees F outside. So an icy ice drum post it is!  This activity can be done indoors or outside any time of the year. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ 🌞🌞🌞 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

How is the weather in your part of the world?

#drums #ice #musicalinstruments #musicforkids #musiceveryday #musicoutside #musicmaking #musical #preschoolmusic #kindergarten #homeschool #preschool #tots #eyfs #drumming
This post is inspired by the storybook “The Snow This post is inspired by the storybook “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. The book was published in 1962 and features an African-American boy as the main character. I read the story every winter to my preschoolers and they are spellbound each time. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

#snowyday #bookinspired #blackhistorymonth #picturebook #readaloud #classicbooks #favoritebook #winterbooks #preschoolteacher #teacherofig #kindergarten #homeschooling #tots #eyfs #Canadianteacher #teachersfollowteachers #instateacher
A heart jewelry sensory tray that goes beyond Vale A heart jewelry sensory tray that goes beyond Valentine’s Day with its spring colors. The jewelry theme is inspired by a post by @littlelilacpreschool .

❤️💚💙💛🧡💜❤️💚💙💛🧡💜❤️💚💙💛🧡💜❤️

#jewelry #jewellery  #jewelrytray #ricebin #sensorytray #hearts #heartjewelry #tactileplay #playtolearn #tots #prek #kindergarten #homeschooling #erasers #looseparts #trayfortheday #playtray #playtrayideas
Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a last minute cr Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a last minute craft for dinosaur lovers. Link in profile to a free printable. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#dinosaurcraft #dinosaurvalentines #rawr #pompomcraft #ValentinesDay2021 #kidscrafts #crafter #craftersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #eyfs #papercraft #preschoolcrafts #homeschooling #totsschool #Sundayvibes #teacherofig #Canadianteacher
Make a last minute purchase at this Valentine’s Make a last minute purchase at this Valentine’s Day store! 😍

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#ValentinesDay #pretendplay #dramaticplay #hearts #playtolearn #prek #preteacher #teachersfollowteachers #playallday #playingislearning #playing #totsschool #eyfs #preschool #kindergarten #homeschooling #schoolathome
Invitation to decorate a Chinese money tree. This Invitation to decorate a Chinese money tree. This activity is inspired by an invitation to decorate a cherry tree by @rubberbootsandelfshoes .  Money tree facts and a free tree printable are #ontheblog .
💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

#ChineseNewYear #lunarnewyear #trees #treeprintable #invitationtocreate #money #gold #sensorytray #waldorf #reggioinspired #playtray #prek #eyfs #moneytree #festiveplaylearn #trayfortheday
A woolly Valentine’s Day craft. The pattern for A woolly Valentine’s Day craft. The pattern for this craft is now on the blog...link in profile.

This craft was first featured last year and is inspired by a post from Agnes @hellowonderful_co . I’ve shared her adorable version in my stories.

❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑❤️🐑

#keepsake #valentinesdaycraft #kidscrafts #craftykids #artoftheday #heartart #celebratinglove #finemotorskills #artwithkids #craftswithkids #crafting #craftingwithkids #valentine #valentines #preschoolathome #preschoolactivities
Valentine’s Day playdough invitation. The dough Valentine’s Day playdough invitation. The dough in the middle is jello playdough. The dough on the right is my all time favourite basic playdough recipe.  The recipes for these three varieties are on the blog. Link in profile.

#playdough #ValentinesDay2021 #hearts #jelloplaydough #mainananak #montessori #playdoughfun #sensoryplay #toddleractivities #playbasedlearning #earlylearning #eyfs #playmatters #playtime #mainanmurah
Sometimes you just want to use designer erasers fo Sometimes you just want to use designer erasers for their original purpose. 😅😅😅

#erasers #minierasers #looseparts #hearts #prek #lovenothate #kindness #kindergarten #homeschooling #totsschool #teachersfollowteachers #teaching #schoolsupplies
Dinosaur fossils have been found all over the worl Dinosaur fossils have been found all over the world, even in cold, icy places like Alaska and Antarctica. But could dinosaurs have survived in polar regions? Link in profile to a blogpost that explores this topic with scientific views and sensory activities.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

 #polardinosaurs #dinosaurs #dinosaurfossils #earlylearning #paleontology #playdoughtray #prek #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #playdough #winterplay #sensory #tactile #handsonlearning #playandlearn #learningthroughplay #Canadianblogger
Sensory tray inspired by polar ornaments.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

#sensorytray #sensorybin #trayforrheday #playtray #polaranimals #narwhal #seal #letsplay #playtolearn #earlylearning #itscoldoutthere #preschool #kindergarten #homeschool #iteachprek #teachersfollowteachers #Canadianteacher #Canadianblogger
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.

#ChineseNewYear #yearoftheox #ChineseNewYearsensorybin #sensoryplay #colourful #redandgold #earlylearning #playtolearn #playing #handsonlearning #teachersfollowteachers #teaching #playsetup #iteachprek #tots #multicultural #Chineseholiday
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Recent Posts

  • Ice Drum Musical Instruments February 26, 2021
  • Arctic Animal Facts And Sensory Trays February 25, 2021
  • Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies February 18, 2021
  • Jewelry Sensory Tray February 15, 2021
  • Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments February 14, 2021
  • Dinosaur Valentine Craft February 13, 2021
  • Scissor Skill Heart Collage February 10, 2021
  • Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities February 7, 2021
  • Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes February 6, 2021
  • Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts February 6, 2021

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