Fall, Harvest and Halloween Ideas!
Hey everyone!
I've got some cute art ideas here, one science project that is a spinoff from another that I've posted recently, two songs and a game!:)
I hope you enjoy. Read on!
THREE FALL ART PROJECTS FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS OR PRESCHOOLERS!!!
FINGERPRINT FALL TREE
This is such a cute project and quite simple. You just take a piece of construction paper, and either draw, paint or glue on a tree trunk base. I've used a tree trunk shape I cut out of a paper bag here, and glued it on.
Next you take your child's fingertip and dip it in fall leaf colors--I chose red, yellow, orange and brown for this. Also, I mixed my paint with a bit of Elmer's glue, because I knew that I wanted to shake glitter on afterward.
Next you just press the child's fingertip all over the tree! I decided to outline the basic shape of the tree once I was done with a permanent marker. My son was very interested in this project and I think it is one that will work well with children of all ages, even very young babies! Very cute.:)
PAPER BAG PUMPKIN
The cutest centerpiece ever! First, I took a medium size paper bag (any size will work, and if you make it a family project it is really cute to do different size bags for a little variation in your "pumpkin patch") and then I had Em fingerpaint it orange with some shimmer and glue mixed in. He did his thing and played in the paint for a while, and when he was done, I added the nose and mouth. Ofcourse older kids will really enjoy cutting and glueing their own eyes and mouth!
Then, I shook some red and orange glitter over the pumpkin and allowed it to dry a bit. Next, I stuffed the bag with 10 or so plastic bags to make it nice and fluffy, and twisted the top off to resemble a pumpkin vine. As a finishing touch, I made a pumpkin leaf out of green construction paper and added a bit of green rafia. All done and soooo cute!:)
WHITE HANDPRINT GHOSTY
A cute all ages Halloween project! Very simple to do--just take some white tempera paint and paint or dip your child's hand in it, and then apply to black construction paper! Ofcourse, I wanted to add glitter (yes, I'm a glitter ADDICT--LOL!) so again, I added glue to mine.:) Then I wrote, "BOO!" on the paper.
COOL VARIATIONS:
For awesome "poofy" ghost paint, try mixing white elmers glue with shaving cream! Dries poofy! So cool!
Instead of a handprint, have your older preschool age child glue marshmallows within a ghost shape that they have drawn, or you have drawn for them.
Try adding googly eyes to ghosts!
Add pumpkins to your ghostly scene with orange fingertips! Remember though--in order for orange to show up on the black tempera you will need to mix some white tempera into it.
HOPE YOU ENJOY SOME OF THESE FUN ART PROJECTS WITH YOUR CHILD!!!!:)
On to the science project--
COLOR EXPLORATION BOTTLE
Ofcourse, this is a spin off from the exploration bottles I've already posted. But I plan on adding all different color bottles to Em's science center, one at a time, and I thought October was the perfect month to introduce him to "orange". Simply find a small bottle with a tight fitting cap, fill with water (add GLITTER if you are a glitter addict like me!!!) and then objects of your theme color. I used orange beads in this one, and then finally taped the word "orange" around the bottle as well.
FALL THEMED SONG
I'm a Little Acorn Brown
To hear the tune of this song, download the midi file here:
Acorn Brown Tune: http://www.magicroot.net/supermoms/acorn.mp3
The "cluck, cluck" that you see is the sound of your clicking tongue.:)
Im a Little Acorn Brown
Lying on the cold, cold ground
Everybody steps on me
That is why I'm cracked you see
I'm a nut (say "cluck, cluck" and tap the top of your head with your closed fist)
I'm a nut ("cluck cluck")
I'm a nut, I'm a nut, I'm a nut ("cluck, cluck")
This song may seem silly but I will tell you, it is one of the ALL TIME favorites of my music students during the fall season. I guaruntee your child will love it.:)
And finally...a fun game!
"Hide The Pumpkin"
Well, it might be a no brainer, but it will keep your preschooler or toddler busy for quite a while! You can use real mini-pumpkins or a pumpkin piece of paper, or any other fall themed item. Tell your child to close their eyes and face the wall while you hide the pumpkin somewhere in the room. Then ofcourse, they try to find it!
For babies and toddlers, you can hide the pumpkin right in front of your child, inside a box, under a couch cushion, or under the edge of a blankie, and watch them come scrambling right away to get it out.:)
Simple fun that encourages great problem solving skills.
That's about it for now! Check back with me soon for more early childhood tips!:)
Cheers!
Channy
Fun paint tips:
To make your paint dry shiny add a bit of corn syrup to your tempera or fingerpaint. Fun, but sttttticky!!!
Another tip: add a drop of dish soap to increase washability. Watch for paint in the mouth on this one, although it is non toxic soap causes a bellyache.
Also, you can fingerpaint with shaving cream/food coloring (careful, this will stain but it is non-toxic. Better for older babies/toddlers because sometimes shaving cream can irritate the eye).
Super cool foam paint: shaving cream plus white elmers glue! Dries poofy!
Window clinging paint, if you are brave enough to let your little one paint the window (I love doing this, it's so cute): Mix elmer's glue and tempera paint or add food coloring to Elmer's glue. Easy to scrape or wash off. For easier washing try vinegar water.
Also, try kool-aid and pudding! Totally edible, great for young babies (that can have a bit of dairy ofcourse--only the amount that they can lick off their fingers). Careful though, it will stain whites.
Hey Everyone!
A while back I posted that I would put up some of the signs I have used with toddlers/babies in the past...and these are also the first ones I plan on using with my son....
They say that the best time is around five or six months...but there are some signals your child will send you when they are ready. For example, they may begin to shake their head for "no" and nod for "yes". Or try to communicate through other ways such as grunting or pointing. Contrary to popular belief, baby signs DO NOT delay speech, so if you are interested in using them with your child, you needn't worry about that!
The most important thing is to just start out with a few and stay very consistent with them. ALWAYS say the word as you use the sign. Have fun!
I will soon be posting some songs in sign language as well!
There are many more but I thought I'd share a few I plan on starting with!
