The Mentor Mom

Fun Turkey Day Craft

Time to get ready for Thanksgiving break!  I don't know about you, but my kids are going to be off all day on Wednesday and the 'I'm getting bored so I'm going to pick on my brother/sister' stuff has started already.  To combat this, I like to give them some sort of crafty activity to do to keep them occupied.   This year, we are going to be making paper bag turkeys to decorate the house. 

This is an easy activity that uses materials that you probably already have around the house (we like those kinds of activities!).  This activity is so simple that I actually do it with the toddlers I work with on home visits.  It is a great way to work on following simple directions, language, thinking skills, etc.  With real little ones, it is really about the process not the product so keep that in mind when they are gluing the pieces on.  Here's what you will need:

Materials:

• Large paper grocery bag
• Small brown lunch bag 
• Newspaper 
• Masking tape 
• Cut out feather shapes and wings from construction paper 
• Marker or cut outs for beak and eyes. 

Directions:

•  Have child crunch up newspaper and fill large grocery bag. This will be the turkeys body.
• Have the child crunch up newspaper and place in the lunch bag. This will be the turkeys head.
• Twist the open end of the large bag closed once filled with newspaper. Lay the bag on it's side.  The bottom of the bag will serve as the turkeys behind. 
• Place the small lunch bag over the twisted end of the grocery bag. Wrap the “neck” with masking tape.
•  Have child glue construction paper feathers on the flat part (bottom) of the large grocery bag.
• Have them glue the wings on the side of the bag.
• Draw or glue on the beak and eyes on the small paper bag head.

Voila! You have a quick, easy and fun turkey centerpiece!   

Fun Pumpkin Activity

Nothing says fall round these parts than pumpkins!  So to celebrate the season, I thought I would share a fun activity that I am doing with the toddlers and preschoolers I work with this week.  We are planning a trip to the pumpkin patch, so we are starting to talk about pumpkins during our home visits, i.e., the color, size, shape, texture, etc.

Now let's face it, pumpkins are not all that exiting to most toddlers or preschoolers.   So, to make it a bit more fun to learn about pumpkins, I do the following activity with them before we head to the pumpkin patch for our annual field trip.  Here's what you will need:

• A medium sized pumpkin
• A child's play hammer
• Golf tees

Yup, that's it.   The activity is as simple as pounding the tees into the pumpkin.  For toddlers, you may have to start the tee in the pumpkin and let them do the pounding.  Some preschoolers might be able to put the tees in on their own.  Enhance the activity by talking about what they are doing, the color of the golf tees, putting the tees in and out, etc.  They can make designs, e.g., eyes, nose, mouth, etc.  There are a number of developmental activities to this activity:

• Develops eye-hand coordination
• Develops visual perceptual skills
• Develops gross motor skills
• Help develop fine motor skills.  Have them pull the tees out.  It helps develop hand strength!
• Expressive language development
• Receptive language development

The biggest plus to this activity is that it is fun!  I haven't met a toddler or preschooler yet who didn't have fun with this activity.  I hope your child enjoys it!

Summer Boredom Buster Activity: Rubber Bands

All right, some of you may remember doing this when you were in kindergarten?  Maybe I am dating myself by sharing the idea for a rubber band board?  I remember in kindergarten and first grade playing with these rudimentary boards with colored rubber bands.  Sound familiar?  I know it may sound silly, but believe me when I say that rubber bands can be a great learning tool.

Before we get into a big discussion about this activity, let's first figure out what we will need:

• Nails (about 1 1/2 to 2  inches with a small head)
• A rectangular shaped board (about one inch thick).  The size will depend on how you plan to use it, e.g., as an activity in the car, for practicing letters, etc.
• Sand paper
• A variety of average sized rubber bands of different colors.  Make sure they are not the tiny ones that break easily.
• A hammer

Here's what you do:

• Sand any rough edges around the board.
• Pound several rows of nails in the boards.  Try to space the nails evenly.  Drawing out the dots with a pencil can be helpful.  Space the nails out.  About an inch apart should do.
• Have your child stretch out the rubber bands around the nails.  Have them explore making different shapes, weaving rubber bands in between and around the nail, practice making their ABC's, lining up colors or spelling their name.

As with all the activities in the Summer Boredom Buster series, this activity has a number of developmental benefits:

• This is a great activity to work on those fine motor muscles and overall hand strength. 
• Helps teach letter recognition, colors, shapes, etc.
• It fosters problem solving.
• It fosters creativity.
• Helps with visual perceptual skills.

So as you can see, the size of the board will depend on what you want your child to be able to do with it.  The bigger, the more opportunities.  I met a parent once who was very crafty.  She had her husband make a two foot square peg board and had him attach it to the wall in their playroom.  Her husband painted it red (in keeping with the color theme in their playroom).  They stored bright, contrasting colored rubber bands (e.g., white, yellow, etc.) in a small container mounted on the wall underneath the board.  How cool is that!  Conversely, I have known parents who have made smaller versions and brought them on long road trips.  Even older kids enjoy making rubber band art!

This activity, of course, is geared towards older children as the rubber bands constitute a choking hazard.  So keeping safety in mind, this activity would be most appropriate with children over the age of three.  Even at that age, however, you should be sure to supervise your kids with this activity especially if you have a child who likes to put things in their mouth!

Summer Boredom Buster: Learning Colors and Numbers

Well, after a much needed and well deserved vacation, I am back, rested and ready to resume the Summer Boredom Buster series.  It's about time, eh?  Seeing as there are only a few weeks of summer left! 

I learned of today's activity from one of the preschool teachers with whom I work.  She regularly puts this activity out during the free choice time and the kids just love it.  Here's what you will need:

• A heavy duty paper plate
• Clothes pins (the kind that you have to pinch to open)
• Permanent markers in a variety of colors

So, what are we going to do with these items?  Simple!  We are going to make some learning wheels.  You can make learning wheels to help your child learn his/her colors, numbers, letters, etc.  Here's how to make a number learning wheel:

• Write the numbers 1-10 around the perimeter of the paper plate
• Write the numbers 1-10 on the end of the clothes pins
• Have your child match the clothes pin numbers to the corresponding number on the plate

To do colors, you need only color the tips of the clothes pin a variety of different colors and do likewise on the paper plate.  You can also do this activity with letters of the alphabet (although you may need more than one paper plate -- I would do this activity with older kids, say kindergartners) or for younger kids, starting with the letters of their name.  There are a number of ways you can modify this:

• Print out some clip art of farm animals, different vehicles, etc.  Be sure to print two of each.
• Cut them out
• Paste one copy on the paper plate and glue the other cut out onto the end of the clothes pin (Be sure the clip art isn't too big.  You may want to have the cutouts that you paste on the clothes pins laminated so they are more durable.)

There are a number of developmental benefits to this activity:

• The squeezing of the clothes pins is great for fine motor development which they will need to strengthen for writing and using scissors.
• It encourages one to one matching which helps with math and reading.
• It encourages problem solving.
• It encourages letter, number, and color recognition.
• It encourages visual perceptual development.

Who needs flash cards when you can make this simple and inexpensive activity!  Of course with this being a sit down kind of activity, you'll want to get the kids up and moving before introducing it so that their attention and concentration are enhanced!  The most important part of making this a fun and educational activity is your role as teacher.  Here are some tips:

• Model how to do the activity. 
• Be supportive and encouraging.
• Be patient.  Some kids will need more time and practice.
• Follow your child's lead.  If your child isn't interested in the activity when you present it or moves on to something else shortly after it is introduced, you need to move on with him or her.
• Keep it fun!  If you are having fun, chances are your child will too!

For more matching activities, check out PBSkids.org where you can download and print a variety of Clifford the Big Red Dog matching cards. 

Check back next time for more Summer Boredom Buster activities or subscribe to my blogs feed by clicking on the link in the lower right hand corner.  That way, you will be updated any time I enter a new post!

Summer Boredom Buster: Glue and Shaving Cream

It is another MESSY Summer Boredom Buster activity!  This one is soooo simple and your kids will just love it.  All you need is:

• Two cups Elmer's glue
• Shaving cream
• Liquid watercolors

Here's what you do:

• Pour the glue into a large container or tube such as a RubberMaid container.
• Allow the children top add and mix the shaving cream to the glue.
• Color it with liquid water colors.  Tempera paint may work as well.
• Allow the kids to squish the mixture.  They can even finger paint this onto paper.

What a fun, messy activity.  Thanks to Tara of Wellerwood Head Start for sharing this fantastic activity at the Healthier Communities Summer Resources for Families workshop!

Summer Boredom Buster: Bread Clay Beads

I love bread.  My hips and waistline confirm my love of bread.  I have passed on my passion for all things baked and butter to my children.  As versatile as bread can be, imagine my surprise when I learned that I could combine my passion for food with my passion for jewelry. 

I've heard of making necklaces with macaroni, rigatoni, fruit loops, and other food varieties, but I was unaware that bread could be used to make beads.  My enlightenment came after I perused an article in my local paper that was reprinted from the New York Times News Service in June 2007.

Here's what you will need:

• white bread
• glue
• lemon juice
• tempera paint
• beading wire, waxed twine or dental floss
• cold cream

Here's what you do:

• Have the kids remove the crusts of three slices of white bread
• Have them rip the bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl
• Add three tablespoons of white glue and three drops of lemon juice
• Have the kids apply cold cream to their hands (to prevent mixture sticking to them) and have them combine the ingredients until they form a workable ball
• Add paint to get the desired color.  Separate the ball into different bowls to make different colors.
• For flat beads, roll or pat the clay until it is flat and cut with drinking straws or mini-cutters.  Blow the beads out of the straw or cutter to keep them from ripping and/or tearing.
• Shape spherical beads by hand
• Let the beads dry for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  The beads are then ready for the holes to be made.
• String the beads on beading wire for small holes leaving them on until they dry.  You can also use toothpicks for a little bit bigger holes.  For larger beads, you can use straws to make the holes.
• Allow the beads to dry over night and they will be ready for stringing!

What a cool activity, huh?  Older kids especially will like this activity.  If you have a toddler who wants to participate in this activity with his or her older siblings, they can string fruit loops which will be a little easier for their little fingers.

Of course, no Summer Boredom Buster activity is complete without a list of all the wonderful developmental benefits:

• Improved fine motor skills which are needed for printing and writing in school.
• Improved visual perceptual skills which will help with academic tasks like reading.
• This activity requires attention, concentration and calming which are much needed skills for long term academic success.
• This activity fosters creativity which, as I have said MANY times before, is closely linked to IQ.

It is hard to believe that summer is nearly over!  Rest assured, I have several more activities up my sleeve that will be shared in future posts.  If in the meantime you have an activity you would like to share, drop me a line at [email protected]!

Summer Boredom Buster: Milk Jug Catch

For today's Boredom Buster Activity, we are making a homemade toy using an empty milk jug.  This is an activity the kids can make on there own if older.  It does involve cutting the milk jugs, so they may need your help getting started.  This is a super easy activity for which you probably have most of the required objects around the house.  Here is what you are going to need:

• empty gallon milk jug washed and dried
• scissors
• string
• a plastic ball with holes in it

Here is what you will need to do:

• Cut the bottom off the milk jug as shown above
• Tie a piece of string about two to three feet in length to the handle of the milk jug
• Tie the other end through a hole in the ball

The kid can then try to swing the ball up in the air and catch it in the milk jug.  The longer the string, the harder the task.  You can make it even more difficult by using a 1/2 gallon jug.  This is a great activity that helps with hand eye coordination, problem solving and focus and concentration.  You can make a contest out of it seeing who can get the ball in the most times in a row.  This would be a great activity for a birthday party or family reunion!

Summer Boredom Buster: Homemade Super Bubble Wand

What would summer time be without bubbles?  No matter the age, I know few who can resist playing with bubbles (myself included).  As a matter of fact, my kids accompanied me last week to a Bright Beginnings playgroup and they had a ball playing with a homemade bubble wand.  So much so that we left the group, bought the supplies and made some for ourselves.  These are not your traditional homemade bubble wands.  These bubble wands make GIGANTIC bubbles! 

Here's what you will need:

• A wooden dowel
• Some metal weights (We used a package of key rings)
• A hot glue gun
• A large bead (like those used for stringing) or dowel cap
• Heavy yarn, string or trim (used on curtains or upholstery)

Here's what you will need to do:

• Cut a large piece of yarn, string, etc.  (between 4-5 feet)
• Hot glue one end of the string to the end of the dowel
• Place one key ring on the dowel about 10-12 inches from the end of the dowel where you hot glued the string.  Tie a loose knot around the key ring.  The idea is that it slides about 10-12 inches away from the end of the dowel once the wand is completed.
• Place another key ring on the string allowing it to dangle freely.  This is going to serve as a weight giving shape to the string for the bubbles.
• Hot glue the other end of the string to the dowel tip.
• Hot glue a large bead or dowel cap to the end of the wand.  Be sure that the block or cap is LARGER than the key ring.  You don't want the key ring to be able to slide off the end of the dowel.
• Have your kids dip the wand into a bubble solution (recipe below) and pull it out allowing the key ring to slide slowly and wave in the air to create super bubbles. 

While making the wands took less than ten minutes, this is kind of a difficult one to explain in writing.  The completed bubble wand when completely extended should be similar to an elongated triangle.  The photos I took of ours do not seem to want to upload.  Below is the closet thing I could find to illustrate the design:

I hope you get the gist of the design.  I should tell you that we were able to get all of the necessary supplies at our local Michaels store.  The cost was less than twenty dollars, however, I purchased enough supplies to make four wands as I will use them with the families with whom I work.  While we used a heavy yarn, I would suggest using fabric trim as we have found that the yarn has a tendency to get tangled.

Now that you created a mega bubble wand, you need to have some awesome bubbles to go with it.  Here is a recipe for homemade bubbles that guarantee long lasting bubbles:

• one gallon distilled water
• 3 tablespoons of glycerin (available at most pharmacies in the skin care section)
• 12 ounces of dish soap

Mix the contents together in a bucket gently to avoid too much foaming.  Then let the kids go to town! 

I know my kids had a ball with these bubble blowers.  Talk about cheap and easy fun!  Thanks to Dawn of the Bright Beginnings program for sharing this easy to replicate activity at her group!

Are you going to try the homemade super bubble wand?  If you do, please be sure to post your feedback and remember, if you have a summer boredom buster activity that you would like to share, drop me a line at [email protected].

Summer Boredom Buster: Activity Cube

Time for another Summer Boredom Buster activity (finally!).  Today we are making an activity cube.  I must be honest, I do not recall where I read about this one, so if any of you know the source of this fantastic activity, please e-mail me so I can give credit where credit is due.

The goal of this activity is to get kids moving.  I've talked to many parents over the years who think that getting their kids moving will "get them all wound up."  Yes, it does get them wound up during the activity, however, it ultimately encourages calming and centering increasing focus and concentration.

Let me give an example.  I once was working with a three year old who was having difficulty with her articulation.  I went to her home to do an activity involving some picture cards.  She was very fidgety while sitting on the floor with me.  Her mother told her to sit still and when I informed her that her daughter was unable to, she looked at me with surprise.  The little girl's body was saying "I need to move!"  We got up and did some marching, jumping, kicking and hopping for about fifteen minutes.  Much to the mother's amazement, the little girl was able to sit still and concentrate for the remainder of the session doing quite well.

So what is the lesson here?  If you have an activity coming up during the day that will require concentration and calmness, give your kids the opportunity for movement and active play BEFOREHAND.  For example, if you are planning to go to story time at your local library, have them run around the yard or jump some rope before you leave the house.  Working the wiggles out will make it easier for them to sit calmly and pay attention to the activity at hand.  Keep in mind that little kids in particular learn through movement.   Kids learn best from activities that involve their hands and other senses up until about the age of nine when they are able to sit still for longer periods of time and their listening and visual skills have matured.

Getting back to today's activity, this is a great way to get the kids moving by making a game of it.  Here's what you'll need:

• glue
• scissors
• permanent marker
• a square shaped box
• colored paper such as construction paper
• clear packing tape or contact paper (optional)

Here's what you do:

• Cut out six different colored squares of construction paper.  Be sure they are large enough to cover one side of the box.  Try to pick light colors as you will be writing on them and the kids need to be able to read them.
• Glue the six sheets onto the box
• Write a different activity on each side of the cube, e.g., hop, run, skip, crab walk, etc.
• If you want the cube to last longer, you can take some clear packing tape or contact paper and wrap it around the cube.
• Have the kids take turns rolling the dice and completing the actions indicated.

If you want to add a twist, you can make another cube number 1-6 which the kids can toss to determine how many times to do the activity, e.g., hop three times, run around the yard two times, etc.

For little ones who are unable to read, you can use clip art or photos cut out from a magazine that reflect different physical movements.  You could also use pictures of different animals to reflect different activities, e.g., a crab for the crab walk, a rabbit for hopping, a frog for jumping, etc.

I plan to try this activity with the preschoolers come fall.  We've done other activities with homemade dice, but none involved movement.  I think they will get a kick out of this one! 

Have you done this activity before?  If so, how did your kids like it?  Do you notice increases in your children's ability to focus and concentrate after physical activity?  Post your responses!

Also, if you have any ideas or suggestions for the Summer Boredom Buster series, drop me a line at [email protected].

Summer Boredom Buster: Clean Mud

Kids and mud.  What child can resist the opportunity to splash in a puddle or make mud pies?  Lots of them, to tell you the truth.  Back in the good old days, kids used to get dirty.  Regular readers know how strongly I feel about giving kids the opportunity for messy, dirty play.

Now don't get me wrong.  I like my kids clean and smelling sweet, however, I don't discourage them from getting dirty when they are outside.  Let's be honest, keeping them clean is a grown up thing, isn't it?  We don't let them paint nearly as often as we should because it is a pain for US to clean up.   With summer being here, however, we have no excuse to let them get dirty.  As I've said in some of the previous Summer Boredom Buster posts, all you have to do is hose them off! 

But, maybe you have created a monster?  Maybe your child doesn't like getting dirty?  Maybe they shy away from dirt or want to wash their hands the minute they get something on them?  Well, today's Summer Boredom Buster activity should be right up their ally.  Today, we are making clean mud.  Here's what you'll need:

• Three bars of Ivory hand soap
• A plastic cheese grater
• A roll of toilet paper
• Water
• A large, plastic tub

Here's what you do:

• Have your child grate the bars of ivory soap over a large plastic container or bowl
• Have your child shred the roll of toilet paper into the same container
• Slowly add some warm water
• Mix it until the mixture has the consistency of mashed potatoes

Let your kids smoosh it, squeeze it, etc.  Put some plastic kid dishes so they can make mud pies or try some plastic measuring cups so they can scoop, fill, etc.  This is a great way to give kids who don't like getting dirty the opportunity to experience playing with mud while staying clean.

There are numerous developmental benefits:

• The grating is great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor development
• Shredding the toilet paper is great for fine motor development particularly the pincer grasp which is needed for writing
• It is an open ended activity that fosters creativity
• It is a sensory activity that allows kids to work out stress and anxiety through their hands

You can store the clean mud in an air tight container.  Just add water to reconstitute it.  Also, be sure that when you do dispose of it you DO NOT THROW IT DOWN THE DRAIN!  Be sure to throw it in the trash!

I'll be doing this activity this week on some of my home visits.  I can't wait to see how the kids react!

Have you made clean mud with your child?  If so, share how it went.  Or maybe you have an idea or suggestion for the Summer Boredom Buster series.  If so, drop me a line at [email protected]