Putting The Pretty In Preschool – Page 64 – Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Canada Day Sensory Bin

June 27, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Canada Day rice-based sensory bin with red and white items perfect for little hands to explore.

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On July 1 each year, our country celebrates Canada Day. Festive decorations are typically red and white, with a good dose of maple leaves. This design scheme is patterned after the Canadian flag. So here’s a red and white Canada Day sensory bin incorporating our Canadian flag, maple leaves, and lots of red and white. The tactile bin is perfect for little ones to help celebrate our country’s birthday.

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Items in The Canada Day Sensory Bin

brown rice
red measuring cups
Canadian flag trinkets
maple leaf themed baking cups
miniature party hats
white pompoms
red feathers
maple leaf-shaped ice cubes
play food apples
heart-shaped toothpicks

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This Canada Day-themed sensory bin is easy to put together and promises loads of enjoyment.

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What day of the year do you celebrate your country’s birthday? Is there a favorite sensory bin or activity you offer? Share in a comment below.

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Related:

Canada Day Sensory Play

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

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[Read more…]

Reptile Theme Activities

May 4, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky 7 Comments

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

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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.

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Reptile Pet Store

An effective way to introduce a reptile theme is to set up a pet store pretend play center. Collect the following and display them on shelves and tables gathered for the store:

snake. lizard, turtle, frog, and insect figurines
baskets and cages
cash register and play money

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Reptile Store pretend play center. Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and insects for sale.

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At first, your early learners may say they are afraid of animals such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. But after playing in the store and organizing, buying, and selling the animal figurines, they will warm up to them.

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Geometric Shape Snake Craft

Geometric shapes snake craft suitable for all ages.

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Cut out large, winding snakes from 12-inch x 18-inch pieces of construction paper.

Paper punch circles, squares, triangles, ovals, stars, and hexagons from bright colored cardstock.

Ask your little learners to use glue sticks to attach shapes to the snakes. Offer tiny sticker eyes for a finishing touch.

Purchased sticker foam shapes would also work well for this craft.

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Mounted together, these snakes make a dynamic display.

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Beaded Snakes

Early learners love using craft supplies like pony beads.

Offer pipe cleaners and a variety of pony bead colors.

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Invite your early learners to string bead colors of choice on the pipe cleaners. Wrap the ends around the first beads so the rest will stay in place. Ask your little ones to stop stringing beads about 4 cm from the other end of the pipe cleaners.

Set the snakes aside and add beads to make the snake heads. Glue on tiny craft eyes.

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Pony bead snake replica of a sedge viper.

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Showing photos of real snakes and discussing their colors and patterns encourages little learners to bead a patterned snake of their own.

Pony bead replicas of a sedge viper, butter corn snake, and Arizona mountain kingsnake.

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Painted Turtle And Lizard

Set out this two-ingredient taste-safe paint in red, green, yellow, and blue colors.

You will need: white corn syrup and food coloring.

Pour corn syrup into paint containers. Stir in a little food coloring. Add a paintbrush to each color.

Cut out cardstock lizards and turtles. Feel free to download the turtle printable below.

Allow your little learners to paint them.

Lizard decorated with taste-safe paint. An all-ages craft.

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Turtle decorated with taste safe paint. An all-ages art activity.

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Turtle template for art and craft activities.

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Turtle PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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This craft needs generous time to dry. It also looks stunning displayed.

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Reptile Sensory Tub

Reptile small world with snakes and lizards, and animals they feed on.

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This sensory tub is sure to delight your little ones. It includes:

leaves and a play grass base
rocks and wooden pieces
snake, lizard, frog, and insect figurines

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Wildlife Worker Photo Op

Hang up a treed party backdrop and set up a table with hats, snakes, and lizards nearby. Ask your little learners to pick a few props and stand against the backdrop. Take lots of photos.

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Wildlife Worker Prop Box

Use the photo op props shown above, and add eggs, gloves, binoculars, and pails. Set all items in a prop box for your early learners to use during play.

Reptile-themed prop box toys for pretend play.

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Family Night

An epic way to end the Reptile theme is to plan a potluck supper family night:

Display art projects on the walls.
Create a spot for a Wildlife Worker Photo Op.
Set out Snakes And Ladders-themed paper placemats, dice, and game chips on the dinner tables.
Assemble plants and beaded snakes in vases for table decor.

Pony bead replica of a burrowing asp snake used in table decor.

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Enjoy a potluck meal together.
Hire a guest to give a live animal presentation (that includes a snake and lizard) afterward. Having explored the topic of reptiles in a variety of ways, early learners are more receptive to being near live ones.

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Locally, Butterfly Wings n’ Wishes gives wonderful animal presentations.

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This reptile theme allows children to participate in engaging, non-threatening activities that help them gain knowledge about snakes, lizards, and turtles. As a result, they value these animals more.

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Mother’s Day Floral Craft

April 29, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Themed scrapbook paper and punches are often my “go-to” for an early learner Mother’s Day floral papercraft with a WOW factor. Mint-themed supplies take center stage in this timely crafting project.

Mother's Day keepsake craft featuring mint themed punched paper shapes. An all-ages project bound to make any mother or grandmother feel special.

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Mother’s Day is an annual holiday held on the second Sunday in May in Canada and the United States. It is a time to make mothers and grandmothers feel special and appreciate their positive impact on families and society. This minty floral craft can be saved for when it is Mother’s Day where you live or can be given as a keepsake anytime.

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Mother’s Day Floral Papercraft Preparation

Gather together:

12-inch x 12-inch mint-themed cardstock paper
10-inch white doily
felt pen
glue stick or glue tape
flower, heart, and butterfly paper punches
mint-hued cardstock in complementary colors
accent cardstock paper
sticker jewels or pearls
tiny bag
mint candies

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Making The Mother’s Day Papercraft

Paper punch flowers, butterflies, and hearts from mint-themed cardstock. Patterned papers and complementary colors add a nice dose of contrast.

Add sticker gems or pearls to the flowers and butterflies.

Write the words: “Mom – You were mint for me.” on the middle of the doily.

Glue the doily on the center of the 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper.

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Mother's Day craft featuring mint themed punched paper shapes.

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Invite your early learner to use a glue stick to add hearts, butterflies, and flowers to the edge of the doily. Offering nine shapes works well, as it allows the doily edge to shine too.

Note: This project can be adjusted for a grandmother by writing the words “Grandma – You were mint for me.” on the doily.

Attach a pouch with mints and the craft is ready to make a mother or grandmother feel special.

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The minty floral theme also shines in a paper plate wreath.

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To introduce a simple version of the craft, download this template for little learners to decorate. Paper shapes could be glued to the rim of the white circle or anywhere on the page. A bow and packet of after-dinner mints work with the printable too.

Mint-themed template to decorate for a Mother's day craft. A perfect printable for little learners to embellish and give to their moms. A packet of after-dinner mints would be the perfect finishing touch.

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Mint Mother’s Day TemplateDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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[Read more…]

0ctopus Theme Activities

April 20, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky 2 Comments

This post has been updated to include a free downloadable octopus template.

The octopus is a fascinating creature with no shortage of unique characteristics. The sea animals make a cheery topic for early learning activities. And after learning a few surprising facts about them, your family may even choose one for a pet!

Octopus theme facts, crafts, and small world play. The stunning feature art activity uses kitchen supplies. Art and science fun with learning for all ages.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more activities.

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Ten Fast Octopus Facts

Octopuses have 8 long arms with hundreds of tiny suction cups on them called suckers. Octopuses can feel, smell, and grab food and objects with them. They grow back an arm if they lose one.
Octopuses are very smart. They can solve simple puzzles and mazes. They take things apart. They have good memories.
Many octopuses prefer living on the ocean floor in deep waters. A few live in shallow waters.

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Octopuses live alone in dens they make or in shells they squeeze into and pull over themselves. They have no bones in their bodies, so they can fit into small spots.
Two large bulging eyes help octopuses see very well.
Having blue blood helps octopuses keep warm in colder water.
Crawling is the easiest way for octopuses to get around. Their hearts stop beating when they swim, which is much more tiring. They can also crawl on land.
Most octopuses are shy and solitary. An exception is the California two-spot octopus, which is not as afraid of people.
Octopuses squirt out a blackish, poisonous ink at animals that want to eat them. The ink makes the water dark and irritates the predators’ eyes. It also hurts their sense of smell and taste.
Camouflage is their specialty. Octopuses can change color and texture quickly so they look like the plants and rocks around them. They also use color to stand out or communicate with other octopuses. Some hues they can transform into are grey, brown, pink, blue, or green.

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California Two-Spot Octopus

Because of its striking eyespots underneath its real eyes, the California two-spot octopus is a standout. In a neutral surrounding, this octopus can look greyish with yellow spots. The false eyes range from lighter to darker shades of blue.

The California two-spot lives in shallow waters, so many people have seen one. This crustacean is friendlier than other octopuses and can make a good pet.

Click here for pictures and an informative article about this well-known octopus.

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California Two-Spot Octopus Art

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You will need:

cardstock paper octopus
yellow, blue, and metallic grey dot paint dabbers
black permanent felt pen

Trace and cut out a cardstock octopus. Feel free to download the template below to use for the project.

Download this free octopus template for art and craft projects.

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Octopus PrintableDownload

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Invite your early learner to draw eyes and a smile on the octopus with the felt pen. Ask your little one to decorate the octopus to look like the California two-spot using dot paint dabbers.

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Textured Octopus Craft

This painted, shiny pink and yellow octopus has neutral Toasted O’s suction cups.

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Octopus art activity using supplies easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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Your early learner can decorate a similar one with an easy-to-make, taste-safe paint using kitchen supplies.

Supplies To Collect:

white corn syrup
food coloring
Toasted O’s cereal
baby food jars
paintbrushes
spoons
cardstock paper octopus
black permanent felt pen

Invitation to paint an octopus with taste safe paint. An all=ages activity.

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Cut out an octopus pattern and ask your early learner to draw on a smile with the felt pen. (The downloadable octopus printable will work well for this craft too.)

Help your early learner mix a squirt or two of food coloring into a little white corn syrup poured into baby food jars.

Invite your little one to paint the octopus.

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Afterward, your early learner can push craft eyes and Toasted O’s suction cups into the tacky paint to complete the project.

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View a video tutorial for the Octopus Craft.

Octopus craft using taste safe ingredients.

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Octopus Sensory Tub

Your little one can help design and play in this simple sensory tub. The tub is a repurposed flying saucer sled.

Invitation to add cheerios cereal to a painted octopus. All supplies for this craft are easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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The sensory tub includes:

rocks, shells, and marine plants
an octopus figurine
other sea creatures such as a sea turtle, crab, and stingray fish
transparent gems

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Although shy and mysterious in the wild, octopuses have heaps of talent and spunky personalities. Would you consider having one for a pet?

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Tulip Art Painting Project

April 13, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This tulip art painting activity is inspired by the Canadian Tulip Festival, the stunning Canada 150 tulip, and a rustic Kleenex box design!

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

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Beginnings Of The Canadian Tulip Festival

Renowned photographer Malak Karsh began taking pictures of tulips in spring 1946. In 1952 Malak proposed a Canadian Tulip Festival for Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. It was held the following spring. Since then, it has become an annual event every May, drawing tourists from around the world.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Keukenhof Gardens

If a visit to a vibrant tulip garden isn’t in your family’s near future, why not take them on a virtual tour of the world-famous tourist site in Holland, the Keukenhof Gardens.

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Tulip Art Project Instructions

Red and white painted tulips are featured in this craft. They are a reminder of the tulip chosen for the Canada 150 celebration, held in 2017. The two colors are patriotic, and the flower pattern resembles the maple leaf in the Canadian flag. Click here to view pictures of the Canada 150 tulip.

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Supplies To Collect:

paintbrush
salad fork
green, red, and white poster paint
rustic wood look craft paper
plate or tray

Guide your child in painting green tulip stems and leaves on the wood look craft paper.

Green tulip stems painted on a rustic wood scrapbook paper background.

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Add red and white paint to a small plate or tray. Help your child dip the top of the salad fork in the red and white paint. Encourage moving the forkhead from side to side and top to bottom until it is all covered in paint.

Salad fork dipped in red and white paint.

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Invite your child to press the painted part of the fork just above the stem of one of the flowers. Suggest tipping it in different directions to make sure each part of the salad fork head makes contact with the paper.

Follow the same process for each of the stems.

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Let the picture dry.

The tulips can be cut out and glued to a new background for a three-dimensional effect.

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You can offer other paint colors for this tulip art project. Here’s a painting with yellow flowers. Yellow tulips are a symbol of friendliness, cheerfulness, and charity.

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

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The tissue box that helped inspire the painting project:

Tulip themed tissue box that is an inspiration for the tulip painting project.

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Tulip Art Video Tutorial

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Tulips are an endearing subject for artwork and an ideal flower for gift giving. And there is nothing more stunning than viewing an expansive tulip field with rows and rows of cup-shaped flowers in rainbow colors.

What is your favorite spring flower? Share below.

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