Putting the Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Mother’s Day Craft

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Themed scrapbook paper and punches are often my “go-to” for an early learner Mother’s Day craft with 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.

Mother’s Day is an annual holiday held 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.

Mother’s Day Craft 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 complimentary colors

accent cardstock paper

sticker jewels or pearls

tiny bag

mint candies

Mother's Day Craft supplies.

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

Making The Mother’s Day Craft

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.
Mint Mother’s Day TemplateDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

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St. Patrick's Day sensory table inspired by the city of Chicago, USA. Green and shamrock themed loose parts invite sensory play opportunities.

This St. Patrick’s Day water play sensory table is inspired by the city of Chicago’s tradition of turning the river water green as part of their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. 

The tradition of coloring the water vibrant green in Chicago became an annual event in 1962, but the origins of this practice started much earlier. A green substance was used to test the river water for pollution in the early 1900s and continued in the following years. People liked seeing the change in color, and in 1962 the practice was implemented for St. Patrick’s Day. In 1966 the powder used became a more environmentally friendly vegetable dye.

How The Water Turns Green

Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union 130 members turn the water bright green. The recipe is secret: an orange powder is spread on the water and mysteriously turns green when mixed in. The river water becomes fluorescent green for a stretch in the center of the city. Plumbers using a few boats carry out the procedure. One or more boats spread the powder on the water. Another boat mixes the powder in.

Bottles of orange powder, clear water and green water. It is a mystery how Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union 130 use orange powder to turn the water green at the annual St. Patrick's Day festivities..

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Activities

The river water in Chicago is turned green to coincide with a large St. Patrick’s Day parade that is held on the Saturday closest to the holiday. Irish dancers and kilted musicians playing bagpipes are feature performers in the parade. Many spectators gather around the shore or on one of the downtown bridges to watch the parade and view the brilliant green water.

Other events held in Chicago to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

Iconic buildings, monuments, and streets are lit in green.

Cruises are offered near the green river water.

Irish bands give performances.

Events are held featuring Irish music, dance, and storytelling.

Irish refreshments are served.

Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day as an opportunity for people to get together to have a good time and to recognize what the Irish have done for their city.

For current St. Patrick’s Day activities in Chicago, click here.

St. Patrick’s Day Water Table

Water table filled with green and gold St. Patrick's Day-themed loose parts.

This St. Patrick’s Day themed water table has plenty of green items and a few gold ones, and will offer your early learner a variety of sensory and sorting experiences.

Items in the sensory table include:

green and gold coins
marbles and buttons
ping pong balls
large plastic shamrocks
foam shamrocks
ice cube shamrocks
bracelets
small drinking glasses
leprechaun hats
cut necklace pieces
foam dice
storage containers
trays
scoops

Some of the above items can be exchanged for sailors and boats.

Toy boats on green water filled with St. Patrick's Day-themed loose parts offer a rich sensory play experience.
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Chinese Valentine’s Day Activities

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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.

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New Year’s Sensory Tray

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This New Year’s sensory tray shines bright with gold and silver accents. Two watch heads are the highlight of the bin, and children treasure finding them.

New Year's sensory tray with gold and silver pieces. Two watch heads are the highlights. This tray offers math, language and sensory opportunities for learning.

The collection of pieces below is all gold with a few silver parts added in. The musical instruments are black, only because the gold finish wore off in previous play! The alphabet letters are cut from “Happy New Year” necklaces.

Gold and silver supplies to use in a New Year's sensory tray. Opportunity to sort and count pieces and make sets. Invitation to spell the wish "Happy New Year."

The base ingredient is parboiled rice, as its yellow hue complements the gold tone of the bin. The ingredients are showcased in a silver metal square-shaped tray.

A square-shaped silver metal tray is perfect for showcasing the gold and silver pieces in this New Year's sensory play center.
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Happy New Year Art And Math Activities

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Ring in the new year and decade with easy, no fuss art activities that double up as math exercises. Early learners count down from 10 to one and work with the numbers in 2020 while doing art activities with paint, glue, adhesive jewels and collage items.

In a few days, we will celebrate the beginning of a new year … and a new decade. If you are looking for no-fuss activities for your child to start the year off with, these simple art and math projects fit the bill. They can be offered at home or saved for the first days of school in January.

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St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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St. Patrick's Day activities for the early childhood classroom. Sensory tray, writing center, and dramatic play center ideas included.

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 are three centers my class is currently playing in.

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tray

Items included in this sensory tray:

spinach rice vermicelli noodles (broken up)
green bowls, sieves, and scoops
green buttons, beads and bead garland
shamrock and leprechaun shaped erasers
green coins
leprechaun mini hats
shamrock ice cubes

St. Patrick's Day rice noodle tray with leprechaun hats, green sieves, utensils and loose parts.

The green vermicelli noodles are a great find, as they are “ready-made” for this activity.

Green rice vermicelli noodles for sensory play.

St. Patrick’s Day Play Kitchen

Pretend play is hands down one of children’s favorite activities to do.  When effort is put into adding details to a play kitchen, children respond with delight.

St. Patrick's Day house center dramatic play accessories. Tableware, play food, jewelry, coins, and decorations are included.
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Chinese New Year Sensory Bin

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Chinese New Year 2019 Rice Sensory Bin

The Chinese New Year officially begins on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, and it will be the Year of the Pig.  The pig is the 12th and last zodiac animal.  Some ancient storied explanations are:

  • The pig was the last to arrive at an important meeting because he slept in.
  • A wolf destroyed the pig’s house so he had to rebuild it before he could get to the meeting.
  • The pig stopped to enjoy a feast while taking part in a race. He resumed the race but not surprisingly came in last.
  • Being pretty pudgy, the pig moved the slowest in the race.

Fascinating Facts About Pigs

Although pigs often get associated with being smelly and dirty, they keep quite clean if they are in a temperature-controlled environment.  They only roll around in dirt when they get hot, and this is because they cannot sweat.
As far as smarts go, pigs are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world.  As pets they can figure out how to open a cupboard and can be trained to shake a hoof and roll over.

Predictions For The Year Of The Pig

The Year of the Pig might just be a positive one for everyone!  People born in the Pig Year are attributed with an agreeable personality, balanced lifestyle, hardworking nature and enjoyment of life.  These qualities are thought to have a positive influence on all people.

Related: Year Of The Ox Sensory Tray

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