Toddler Art: Building Blocks

Most of the Toddler Art group came in a little late, but what started off as a very small crowd became big.

I read the board book story, Blocks by Dr. John Hutton and then explained the two crafts for the day.

For our first craft, we used Duplo Lego blocks to do some paint stamping on paper. Some of the kids did some designs and rainbows with the help of their parents and the group had practice holding the Legos and stamping them. They enjoyed this one because they always like using paint.

For our second craft, we made homemade animal blocks. I pre-made the blocks and the toddlers had to glue on their animal faces, bodies, and legs to their blocks. I think they enjoyed playing with them and it was nice to see them do some matching with the help of their parents.

We had some playtime during the end of the program and most of the group ended up going up for our summer free lunch program.

Water Fun

Water Fun was a new program idea that I had for summer that I knew was going to take more prep time, but the kids had fun and enjoyed playing together. The weather was perfect and I think it was something different and fun for the group. There was a waiting list for this program, but if I were to do this next summer, I think maybe I would do two separate times and use some other ideas I had to switch it up.

For this program, I had six water game stations set up for the kids and they each took turns at each station and did a great job behaving well with the water and listening. I also put out bubbles and chalk for the kids to play with. This was a sensory program for outside.

Station 1: Water Memory. Memory cards were made with clipart and foam so that the kids could play the Memory game in pool water. This one was well-received.

Station 2: Marble Run Water Slide. Pool noodles were cut in half and used for the kids race their marbles down the "slides" and see who wins. They really enjoyed this one though it was tricky to put together.

Station 3: Frisbee Target. Frisbees with point numbers on them were fixed onto the cement and the kids used water balls to try to get their targets. The kids enjoyed this one too.

Station 4: Cup Tower. Cups were stacked and each child used a water gun or squirters to knock down the cups. The wind made this one tricky, but it was still one of their favorites.

Station 5: Bucket Race. For this station, two kids paired up and had a race to see who could fill up their bucket faster using sponges and running with their sponge back from the bucket to the pails. This one tired the kids out the most.

Station 6: Cup Race. Cups were attached to strings that were fixed onto the bench and a tree trunk. The kids had to squirt water into their cup and see who could get their cup to the top of the string. This was the most popular and surprisingly I thought it wouldn't be well-received because it was more difficult.

I would definitely do this program again, but I will admit it was one of the most stressful ones I have put on just because it took a lot more prep time then usual and basically all these ideas I was taking a chance on that they would work and the kids would enjoy them. Also, not to mention the challenge of doing this level of idea on a budget. But it was well-received and worth seeing the kids having some fun outside. 

Preschool Picasso: Building Blocks

For Preschool Picasso: Building Blocks, I started by reading Rex Wrecks It! by Ben Clanton. The group was enthralled and absolutely loved the book about a dinosaur who keeps wrecking and knocking down others' blocks. The group was very responsive and liked making the roar sound throughout the book that Rex makes. We talked about how he shouldn't be knocking down his friends' blocks and why the characters were all happy in the end.

For our first craft, I had 3D squares, triangles, and cylinders made out of paper and using die-cuts for the kids to dip into primary color paint and create their art. They could make designs, patterns, or any other ideas onto their paper. The younger kids practiced stamping and the older kids had fun coming up with their own creative ideas.

For our second craft, we made block robots out of printouts and card stock. The kids loved this craft and were excited to show me how they colored their robots. I think they liked having the options of painting and the options of coloring with markers and crayons for both crafts and it was a good mix. Both crafts went perfectly with the story since one of Rex's friends is a robot and because some of the kids built castles out of their block stamping.

Book of the Month: Underwear!

So I thought since I chose a somewhat sad and touching book last month, that I would go with something totally silly this time. For this month's Book of the Month, I chose Underwear! by Jenn Harney.

Summary: So begins the dialogue between a tired bear dad and a rambunctious bear cub who would rather play with his tighty whities than get into bed. Undewear makes great hair. It can even turn one into a superbear, or a goggle-wearing swimming bear. But beware of a big scare! Rhymes, homonyms, and conjunctions abound in this book that could be used to teach reading, but its primary purpose is to make bedtime fun.

Ages: 2-5 years

"Stop right there! You should be wearing underwear!!!"

What I loved about this book is it took a boring subject about learning how to put on underwear and made it hilarious for both parent and child to read. Of course I enjoyed the silly rhyming in this book and the cute pictures. It was also nice how this was all tied-in with bedtime. If you're looking for a funny bedtime book that you wouldn't mind reading over and over, here's the book for you.