Putting the Pretty In Preschool - Page 3 of 5 - Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Santa’s Beard Scissor Activity

December 18, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This Santa’s beard scissor activity is a fun way to introduce cutting practice. The combination of a favorite activity (using scissors) and a well-loved character (Santa Claus) is a win-win. Snipping the beard strands adds challenge, as yarn is more difficult to cut than paper.

Santa head wall decor repurposed as a beard trimming scissor activity for young children.

By participating in cutting activities, early learners grow in their physical development. They get practice in bilateral coordination: using hands and fingers on both sides of the body at the same time to do two different things. Hand muscles are strengthened. And eye-hand coordination (being able to cut with one hand while following the movement of scissors with the eyes) is improved.

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Build A Christmas Tree STEAM Activity

December 15, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This “Build A Christmas Tree” STEAM activity offers a unique opportunity to incorporate construction, lights, and Christmas decorations in an engaging way. Materials needed are readily available and easy to collect. In the process of building a tree and decorating it, young children progress in many areas of development.

Invitation to build a Christmas tree from clear plastic serving trays, plates, and cups, A family STEAM activity with many opportunities for learning.

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Llama Llama Holiday Drama Sensory Bin

December 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A “Llama Llama Holiday Drama” sensory bin is sure to captivate your little learners. It’s a superb way to give children access to the rich colors and textures of the Christmas season.

Llama themed sensory bin inspired by the picture book "Llama, Llama Holiday Drama" by Anna Dewdney.

This festive bin is inspired by the storybook “Llama Llama Holiday Drama,” written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. In the picture book, little Llama becomes overwhelmed helping his mama with holiday preparations. There are so many things to do, and the wait for Christmas seems much too long. Amid the busy, bustling season, Mama Llama takes time to stop and snuggle with Llama Llama, saying that “having each other is the true gift” at Christmas.

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Winter Forest Play Mat Activities

December 4, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Activities

November 19, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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.

Ugly Christmas sweater activities for young children and their families. Art, sensory, playdough, games, and cookie making.

Aside from wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, the trend shines in some easy to introduce early learning activities the whole family can participate in.

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Skeleton Preschool Theme

October 28, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Non-scary preschool theme featuring art, math, science, manipulative and dramatic play activities.

Skeleton preschool theme? It’s only something I considered doing recently. In the latter part of October, my activities usually focus on pumpkins…bright orange, happy ones! My preschoolers are encouraged to dress up in non-scary costumes. Skeletons are not on the list to plan a theme around for my little students.

Glam skull pillow. — My Skeleton Theme Inspiration

But I couldn’t help notice a glammed up skull on a shopping trip this fall. Inspired by its beauty, my thoughts turned to “Yes, I can introduce some skeleton activities, and do it in a way that is non-threatening to preschoolers.”

A focus for fall purchases became skeletons of all kinds. They were not hard to find … or expensive. Here’s what I bought and here’s what to do.

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Wink The Ninja Book Theme

October 24, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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.

Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap picture book theme featuring sensory, small world, art, large motor, and pretend play activities.

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.

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Reptile Egg Science

September 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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.

Reptile egg activities. Make a rubbery reptile egg and use turtle and snake figurines with egg theme 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.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to download free printables to extend this activity.

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Activities With Sunflowers

August 26, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Sunflowers are a summer showstopper on a patio or balcony, or in a garden. They make stunning cut flowers. When mature, sunflower parts are ideal for Art, nature, and sensory activities with young children.

Art, nature and sensory activities with a variety of sunflowers and their parts.

Growing Sunflowers

Sunflowers are easy to grow. And there are so many varieties to choose from! Featured below are golden yellow midsized ones (Golden Hedge), rust and yellow sunflowers (Evening Sun) and a fluffy double flower “teddybear” kind.

Sunflowers in different colors, shapes and sizes.

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Dinosaur And Sweet Potato Vine Activities

July 26, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

One Spring I was greenhouse shopping, and a ledge of sweet potato vines caught my attention. The sales clerk suggested that the leaves looked like dinosaur footprints.
That thought stuck with me, and soon after I picked two uniquely colored sweet potato vines to add contrast to the flowering plants on my deck. I was also eager to use some leaves in dinosaur-themed nature play.

Preschool dinosaur and sweet potato vine sensory, art and nature activities.

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