Shake it Up! Pudding in a Bag

This is one of my favorite fun snack activities.  It provides many opportunities for learning.  I always put the mix in one plastic bag and then put it inside another one (double bag), to help prevent accidents, such as holes in the bag.  I pass it around the classroom and let the children discuss how it feels, what it looks like and how they think it will be when they finish.  This is a great time to talk about temperature, texture, changes from liquid to more solid, make predictions, and learn about milk.

I have found some small ice cream cones in a local grocery store that is the size of your thumb.  When the pudding thickens up, I snip one corner of the plastic bag and squeeze the pudding into the cone.  A simple recipe that is also a fun activity.  I usually use 2% milk if I do not have powered milk on hand.  So shake it up and have some fun!!

Instant Pudding in a Bag!

Assemble & set up ingredients

    

 

 

 

 

 

Put pudding in bag & add milk.                                                Seal bag & shake. 

                           

Snip the end of the bag & squeeze into mini ice cream cups.  

Enjoy!!

Activity for Mothers Day

One way to encourage parent involvement is to have a special event at your center.  With Mother’s Day coming up, one idea is to have a special breakfast for the moms or tea and cookies.  Children can make a special place mat for their mother, grandmother, aunt or other special person in their life.  This creative activity will be fun for the children, they will get excited knowing they are making it for someone, and they have a gift when they are done.  Remember while they are having fun, the children are learning too.  The place mat can be displayed at the center and taken home.  Clear adhesive plastic is one way to protect it.

Place Mat for Mother’s Day

1.  Provide two large white paper doilies and have children decorate them with their colorful artwork.
2. Prove a sheet of 12″ x 18″ colored construction paper.  Have a variety on hand so children can choose the color they prefer for their project.  Glue the doilies to the paper.
3. It is always a great idea to include a picture of the child on the project to make it more personalized, plus mothers enjoy pictures of their children.
4. The place mat can be used for your special event in your center or they can take home.

ryleigh

Painting with Cotton Swabs

There are many items that you can use for children to explore with art.  Here is some economical, creative ideas for art activities.  Provide the materials and the children will create beautiful works of art.  Remember art looks different to everyone.  Let the children explain what their art means rather than labeling their work for them.  You may be surprised at their explanations!

Painting with Cotton Swabs (Eye-Hand Coordination)

Materials                                                                                         Two or three colors of tempera paint, plastic bowls to hold the paint, cotton swabs and manila paper.

Procedure                                                                                     Cotton swabs are place in or near each bowl of paint. The child dips the end of a cotton swab into the paint and then applies it to a sheet of paper.

Note: Cotton swabs can become overloaded with paint. They should be replaced with fresh ones when this happens.

My next blog will provide additional ideas for painting or printing using uncommon implements.  Stay tuned.

More Science through Plants

Carrot Top Garden – Sprouting Carrot Tops with Children

Carrots tops are one of the easiest plants to grow and requires no special equipment.  Children can see results in a matter of days, which is exciting for them.

Cut the tops off of three or four carrots.  Have your children place them in a shallow dish and water them daily.  The carrot tops should be sitting in at least 1/4 inch water at all times.  Sit back and watch the carrot tops sprout new green foliage.  This provides an excellent opportunity for questions and answers:

• What do they think will happen with they put the carrot in the water?
• How does it look a few days later?
• When it sprouts conversations on the process of growing and how things grow
• Encourage the children to talk about the changes of the plant
• Draw pictures
• Guess what is next

There is so much you can do with this activity.  Be creative.  While it is growing you can read some books and conduct nutrition activities using carrots. It is amazing that most children only know the baby carrots that are already cleaned and ready to eat.  May have not seen a carrot before all the processing.  See the next blog for some more ideas.

Growing Carrot Tops

 

 

 

Science Activities – Grass Seed Starters

The quickest and easiest sees to grow are grass or alfalfa.  They tend to grow almost anywhere as long as they are watered regularly and receive sunlight.  Here are some ideas for unusual planters.

Potato

Slice the top and bottom from a baking potato.  Scoop out the top, fill with moistened cotton balls, and sprinkle seeds.

Paper Cup

Fill a paper cup with potting soil and decorate it to resemble a face.  Sprinkle the soil with seeds and moisten it with water.  You children will enjoy watching the planter sprout hair.

Sponge

Soak a sponge in water, then sprinkle on seeds.  Moisten the sponge when dry, and soon it will be teeming with life.  Variation:  Try making sponge planters in different shapes.  Cooking cutters make excellent stencils for cutting sponges.

For more creative ideas visit the following websites:

http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/look-at-those-seeds-grow/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/seedgermination.html

 

Bubble Blowers – Creative, Economical and Fun!

When you make your own bubbles it can be a fun activity for you and your children.  So what about some creative blowers besides the ones that come with commercial bubbles.  They work, but there are so many other ways you can send those bubbles into the air.  Here are some cost effective suggestions:

Soft Drink Holder

Dip a plastic six-pack drink holder into the bubble solution and twirl it around.

Straws 

Tape four to six straws together.  Dip one end and blow through the other end.

Pipe Cleaners

To create a bubble wand take one end of a pipe cleaner and bend it to form a circle approximately the size of a quarter or any size you desire.  Twist it together tightly so it stays locked in place.  This is a fun activity where you children can make their own wands.  Let them be creative, check to ensure they are together tightly and let the fun begin!!

Paper Cup

Cut a hole in the bottom of a paper cup.  Dip the larger end into the bubble solution and blow through the hole.

Wire

Bend a piece of wire into a loop.  (Be sure to cover any sharp edge with masking tape) Let your children dip the loop into the bubble solution and blow.

 

Let’s Go Play!

Play is important for all ages of development.  So, what type of play is there?

Four Main Types of Play

• Active, physical – increases muscle strength and coordination.
• Manipulative, creative – good for practicing eye-hand coordination; gives opportunity to express ideas, use initiative, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Imitative, imaginative – encourages emotional expression; helps child understand others and himself; lets child practice different ways of behaving.
• Social – provides ways for learning about how to get along with others, fair play, sharing, and friendship.

Play is important during the preschool years. You may notice your child talking to a doll or favorite stuffed animal as though it were real.  Imaginary friends often appear now.  You may overhear very detailed conversations between your child and his imaginary friend.

This pretend play helps children deal with their emotions.  It helps develop emotional stability.  Children who play make-believe games can handle frustration better.  They are also less aggressive and get along better with others.

Parent can encourage imaginary play.  When your child wants to “feed” his teddy bear, play along and set a place at the table for his special friend.  Often, you will not need to actively participate in make-believe play, but avoid criticism.  Allow your child the freedom to create his own imaginary world for learning.