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Putting the Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Winter Forest Play Mat Activities

December 4, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Winter forest play mat and activities. Small world play opportunities with gingerbread decorations, paper Santa dolls, and forest animal figures. Free printable.
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A Winter Forest Play Mat is handy for Christmas topics and can be used into the New Year in winter-themed small world play. I first created the table mat in this post for Mr. and Mrs. Santa paper dolls and then thought of more early learning activities for it. The versatile play mat is free to download below. It was designed for size 11-inch x 17-inch photocopy paper but could be printed on 8 ½-inch x 11-inch cardstock or regular paper.

Winter forest play mat and activities. Small world play opportunities with gingerbread decorations, paper Santa dolls, and forest animal figures. Free printable.
[Read more…] about Winter Forest Play Mat Activities
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Filed Under: Christmas, pretend play, trees, winter Tagged With: forest, printables

Father/Preschooler Superhero Party

May 28, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Ideas for Superhero Party art, dress up clothes, activities, photo opportunities and table decorations. Suitable for all ages.
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Ideas for Superhero Party art, dress up clothes, activities, photo opportunities and table decorations. Suitable for all ages.

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.

[Read more…] about Father/Preschooler Superhero Party

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Filed Under: pretend play, sensory, Superheroes Tagged With: dress up, family

Spring Bunny Art Activities

April 20, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Spring bunny Art activities suitable for all ages.
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Spring bunny Art activities suitable for all ages.

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.

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Filed Under: Art, Easter, preschool, pretend play, spring Tagged With: bunnies, coloring sheets

Saving Green Sea Turtles

April 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Saving green sea turtles cover photo.
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Saving green sea turtles cover photo.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.

[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.
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TablePress

St. Patrick's Day activities for the early childhood classroom.

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’s three centers my class is currently playing in.

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

Igloo “Glamping” Pretend Play

March 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals.
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Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals.

Igloo “Glamping” 

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 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.

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

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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

Instagram post 2197050642454172087_7004429201 Nature wreath in traditional Christmas colors. I was originally going to post it during Christmas week, but changed my mind because the theme is “Get Creative With Wreaths” over at @get.creative.with .

To post your creative wreath activity, follow Susie @resolvetoplay ; @ohcreativeday ; and @littlebuttondiaries .

Tag your entry with #getcreativewith and  @get.creative.with

#naturewreath #transientart #natureart #greenleaves #redberries #Christmascolors #redandgreen #traditionalcolors #circleoflove #horsechestnut #edmonton #instateacher #teacherpost #takethechallenge #teaching #MerryChristmas #Christmasdecor
Instagram post 2195627326950400159_7004429201 Here’s a little play mat that can be downloaded on my blog (link in bio.). I first created it for the Mr. and Mrs. Santas I posted last week, and thought of other ideas for it afterwards. The winter forest scene can be used as a backdrop for unbreakable gingerbread decorations or game pieces. It could be a snack placemat or doodle sheet. The possibilities are endless. 
#winterforestplaymat #winter #forest #playmat #placemat #doodlesheet #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadcookies #decorations #itsChristmas #preschool #preschoolers #prekteacher #preschoolfun #kindergarten #homeschoolingideas #smallworld #smallworldplay #edmontonblogger #instateacher #teachersfillowteachers
Instagram post 2191257745670748175_7004429201 Paper roll Mr. and Mrs. Santa are dressed to impress in this “runway parade.” See the @ikeacanada wrapping paper they are cut from in the previous post. #notsponsored

#ikea #ikeacanada #paperdolls #mrsanta #mrssanta #wrappingpaper #toiletrollcrafts #craftpaper #papercrafting #Christmastime #Christmas2019 #Christmasfun #runwayshow  #prekteacher #teacherofig 
#display #recycle #creativepaper
Instagram post 2191251502935637975_7004429201 Hands down the @ikeacanada Mr. and Mrs. Santa paper doll wrapping paper is the best deal you will find this season. At $1.49 Canadian per roll, there is enough wrap for presents and paper crafting. 
Cutting and dressing paper dolls from the paper will encourage creativity, foster fine motor control, give experience in fashion co-ordinating, and provide hours of engagement. 
See my next post for a Mr. and Mrs. Santa “runway parade.” #notsponsored

#ikea #ikeacanada #paperdolls #craftpaper #wrappingpaper #mrsanta #mrssanta #finemotorskill #finemotor #hoursoffun #familyfun #papercrafting #papercrafts #prekteacher #teacherofinstagram
Instagram post 2185463251738170958_7004429201 Invitation to build and decorate a Christmas tree using clear plastic serving trays, plates and cups. A challenging STEAM activity with opportunity to investigate balance, symmetry, size, and height.

This activity is inspired by a post from @places_spaces_wonder_delight . Tracey’s brilliant “build a tree” activity uses nature materials and recycled items. See her original post in my stories.

#STEAM #STEM #buildingproject #letscreate #letsbuild #buildit #ChristmasTree #makeit #balance #symmetry #measure #stack #clearplates  #clearcups #homeschoolingideas #preschoolfun #homeschoolpreschool #prek #prekteacher #collaborate #worktogether #decorate
Instagram post 2181111503624037250_7004429201 “Ugly Christmas Sweaters” or “Not-So-Ugly Sweaters?” What would you call them? Would you wear one?

My latest blog post is on “Ugly Christmas Sweaters,” and includes art, games, and sensory activities. There’s also Ugly Christmas Sweater trivia, entertaining resource books and links to free coloring sheets and more activities. Blog link in profile.

#UglyChristmasSweaters #uglysweaters #notsouglysweaters #preschooltheme #ontheblog #ChristmasParties #ChristmasParty #fun #Vancouver #CityOfVancouver #teacherblogger #iteachprek #prekfun #familyfun #ChristmasActivities #festive
Instagram post 2177486439666073888_7004429201 Artist Yayoi Kusama incorporates lights, mirrors, stripes, and polka dots in many of her works. At times her theme is about LOVE. 
Mirror blocks, oversized metallic bells, lights and patterned paper come together in this post inspired by Yayoi’s art pieces and installations.

Thanks, Gillian from @makingminimasters for introducing us to her work through your spectacular instagram posts.

Gillian is guest judge over at @a.pop.of.culture . The theme for the week is “artist of the moment” Yayoi Kusama . 
The post also fits for the Light theme at @get.creative.with hosted by phenomenal instagrammer @cara_florence .

@adventures.in.mommyland 
@4kids2moms

@ohcreativeday 
@littlebuttondiaries

#apopofculture
#getcreativewith

#yayoikusama #mirros #polkadots #dots #dotday #lights #infinityroom #Japaneseartist #artinstallation #artinstallations #earlyyears #blockplay #contemporaryartist #teaching #inspired #iteachprek #homeschoolingideas

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Instagram post 2176036193618434288_7004429201 Invitation to create a scene inspired by the picture book “Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap,” by J. C. Phillipps. The story ties in Japanese culture and geography, and is delightful to read. View the book theme on my blog. Link in bio.

#picturebooks #ninjas #dressup #invitationtoplay #invitationtocreate #playmat #ontheblog #newblogpost #booktheme #homeschoolpreschool #kindergarten #preschool #homeschooling #homeschoolingideas #prekteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersfollowingteachers #earlyliteracy #readit
Instagram post 2172405549348819474_7004429201 Kandinsky inspired Remembrance Day craft. Easy to do and liked by the parents. This craft takes inspiration from a Pinterest post from @thatartistwoman .

#RemembranceDay #getyourpoppy #poppyforever #kandinsky #papercrafts #preschoolcraft #weremember #neverforget #prek #prekfun #kindergarten #homeschooling #teach #getcreative
Instagram post 2165855807454086301_7004429201 Black or white? ...It’s a tough choice!

#blackandwhite #pumpkins #zooanimal #zooanimals  #lemur #lemurs #lemursofinstagram #prek #prekteacher #pumpkinpatch #stuffedanimal #stuffedanimals #playallday #partyday #preschoolparty
Instagram post 2165472400647788935_7004429201 Can you put a skeleton back together?  Check my latest blog post for a preschool friendly skeleton/skull theme. Link in bio.
💀💀💀 #skeletons #skulls #preschooltheme #ontheblog #tistheseason #preschoolplay #finemotorcontrol #finemotorskills #prek ##iteachprek #homeschool #learningathome #teachersfollowteachers #instateacher
Instagram post 2163972269922351196_7004429201 Sour crab apples get a glam makeover. 🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎 #crabapples #paintit #primarycolors #artistinspired #glitter #easy #sundayvibes #sundayfunday #prefun #toddlerfun #toddlerfuntime #toddlermum #toddlermom #childhood #homeschool #artclass #prekteacher #kindergarten
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Recent Posts

  • Llama Llama Holiday Drama Sensory Bin December 10, 2019
  • Winter Forest Play Mat Activities December 4, 2019
  • Ugly Christmas Sweater Activities November 19, 2019
  • Skeleton Preschool Theme October 28, 2019
  • Wink The Ninja Book Theme October 24, 2019
  • Reptile Egg Science September 10, 2019
  • Activities With Sunflowers August 26, 2019
  • Dinosaur And Sweet Potato Vine Activities July 26, 2019
  • “Oh, The Places I’ll Go” Dr. Seuss Theme June 26, 2019
  • Best Friends Forever Printables June 9, 2019

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Arctic artists bunnies calendar art cat Christmas sweaters color coloring sheets conservation construction Dr. Seuss dress up eggs experiment family forest games gifts Hawaii holiday Japan leaves light table llamas loose parts multicultural natural materials nature ninja owls painting paper crafts picture books play dough printables rice bin sea turtles skeletons skulls spiders sunflowers turkey water play

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