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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

Wink The Ninja Book Theme

October 24, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The picture book “Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap”, written and illustrated by J. C. Phillipps, 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.

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 Wink The Ninja Book Theme
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Filed Under: book theme, sensory, trees Tagged With: Japan, ninja

Book Inspired Tree Art

August 14, 2018 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Tree Art inspired by the storybook "Wow" by Tim Hopgood.
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Tree Art inspired by the storybook "Wow" by Tim Hopgood.

Inspiration For The Tree Art

Trees are a popular art theme, and I love using tree art in a mosaic pattern on a bulletin board display.

I’ve done a few tree displays celebrating our four Alberta seasons over the years.  This year I chose an art project based on the storybook “Wow” by Tim Hopgood.  In the story an owl stays up past his bedtime one summer night and notices the beautiful colors of early morning, midday, and dusk.  The owl loves all the color schemes but decides the night colors are still the best.  As I read the story, I was saying “Wow” right along with the owl, because the illustrations featuring the owl and tree throughout the day are gorgeous!

Tree Art Set Up

Paper supplies needed to make the tree art pictures.

Based on the colors in the book, I used heart themed paper punches to cut a variety of leaves.  I used circle paper punches for the suns and moon.  Butterfly paper punches came in handy for the midday picture.  A sticker owl was available to complete each picture.

For the art project I used four different blue shades of 9 x 12 fade resistant paper.  This size displays perfectly as a mosaic pattern on a feature bulletin board I have access to.  I cut tree trunks in different shades of brown, and glued one on each piece of blue paper.

Then children got a little bag with shapes to create a tree scene.  Paper pieces were attached with a glue stick.  Some children questioned why we were using heart shapes for the leaves, so I showed them heart shaped leaves from real plants.

Tree Art Themes

Children completed at least two of the following projects.

  • Sunrise paper craft tree.
    Sunrise Paper Craft Tree
  • Mid day paper craft tree.
    Mid Day Paper Craft Tree
  • Sunset paper craft tree.
    Sunset Paper Craft Tree
  • Night time paper craft tree.
    Night Time Paper Craft Tree

Some of the completed pictures were saved for each child’s memory album; others were saved for the bulletin board display.

Completed tree art projects arranged in a mosaic pattern on a bulletin board.
Tree Art Bulletin Board

Tree Art Printable

Another (and slightly easier) way to do this activity is to use a template with a tree, owl, and butterfly. The tree can be decorated with dot or fingerpaint leaves, or any way of your choosing.

Tree art template to decorate with dot or fingerpainted leaves. Collage shapes would also work well.

Download the printable here. (This printable is for personal use or use in one classroom only.)

Owl-In-TreeDownload
For another book inspired art activity, you may also like the Book Inspired Calendar Art post.
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Filed Under: Art, trees Tagged With: owls, paper crafts

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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 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

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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
Instagram post 2160792206636782505_7004429201 Who could possibly be afraid of these adorable spiders.  They are inspired by a decorative pillow at Michaels.

#spiders #bows #homedecor #countingon #spiderweb #preschoolmath #earlylearning #funatschool #funathome #homeschool prekfun #funactivity #learningisfun  #learningathome #sensoryactivity #handson #handsonlearning #iteach #educator #itsthelittlethings #playpretty #glitter #sparkle
Instagram post 2160789004889874136_7004429201 Eyeball sensory tube with circle and cylinder shapes.

With this post I am joining in the SHAPES theme at #the12weeksofautumn .

Follow guest host Alison from @thechildhoodglen and @littliesactivities and @resolvetoplay to participate.

#eyeballs #sensoryplay #neon #playwithpurpose #playful #playbasedlearning #learningisfun #counting #circles #falltheme #autumn #playmatters #playallday #sensoryactivity #targetteachers #toddleractivities #busytoddler #simplesensory_playtime #prekteacher #prek #teachersfollowteachers
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Recent Posts

  • 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
  • Father/Preschooler Superhero Party May 28, 2019

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