Painter's Tape Interstate

With just a role of painter's tape and a handful of Matchbox cars, you can keep your car aficionado occupied for at least one snowy winter afternoon.

Laying out a road or two.

I started out trying to show Linus how to lay his own roads, but he had trouble with tearing the tape. We then moved onto laying strips which he did for a while until the sticky tape frustrated him. In the end, I did most of the road work and he did the driving. Typical man.

Grid, what grid? This is urban living, yo.

Tanker truck coming through.

In the evening, Daddy even added a wrapping paper tube tunnel, and the fun began anew.

Children's Activities for a Winter Day

Since I haven't really gotten into the whole scheduled blogging thing yet, I'm sorta lacking in a fun creative activity. However, I did come across this post on fun activities for a winter day that uses basics from around the house over at ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy's sister site, with several ideas I plan to try out.

I'm definitely going to try the clothespin laundry activity, and the painter's tape activity would rock Linus's world. Plus, Linus is ALWAYS up for putting pennies in our bank. I just empty the bank into a bowl and let him put them back in. It's been so successful, I've had him do it with a friend. They practiced turn-taking and were occupied for at least 10 minutes.

Don't forget to read through the comments as many readers offer even more ideas like handing your kid a sponge and water and letting them "clean". I did this one summer day while scrubbing mildew off the house siding. Linus loved helping and I got the job done while he was occupied.

Solite Park is for Cyclists

If you've been reading here a while, you know that Linus from a very early age has LOVED to ride bikes. He has both a run/balance bike and a regular pedal bike with training wheels. We keep both in the trunk of the car because his choice of ride changes quite frequently and is often dependent on what park we're at.

Currently, his favorite park is a recent discovery. Solite Park is located in South Durham near Southpoint Mall. It is right off of Fayetteville Road and just a ramp down from the American Tobacco Trail.

Why does Linus love this park so very much? Yes, it has all the basic playground stuff from swings to slides to monkey bars, but what Solite has that other Durham parks don't is a pump park.

What's a pump park you ask? Why it's kind of like a skatepark for bikes. Basically, it's a bunch of hills of dirt. Unimpressive at first glance.

Excuse the imperfect photo. I took it with my iPhone. Boo.

But what a three year old on a balance bike can do at a pump park is nothing short of amazing.

 

From the signs near the Pump Park, it's clear that this bicycle haven was created with a grant from REI. What's even more awesome? They didn't stop with just a pump park.

Nope, they also cleared out a mini mountain bike trail in the surrounding wooded area. I say mini because it's probably only about a half-mile in length. It's a fun little jaunt through trees, over debris, down small inclines, and -Linus's favorite- through the occasional mud puddle.

Solite Park is nothing short of amazing for any little Lance Armstrong wanna be.

But He's Not a Cornhusker

I think we might be overdue for a trip to Great Uncle Larry's in Nebraska. What do you think?

These photos were taken during our Fall farm venture to Vollmer Farms. The corn pit was absolutely Linus's favorite part, and that's saying a lot since there was a cow "train", tire swings, a giant pumpkin trampoline, and an underground slide.

How about you? Did you venture to a pumpkin-picking farm this Autumn? If so, what were your kids' favorite parts?

Activity: Mouse Shapes

Way back when my friend Corrie asked about the time requirements for the many projects I try to do with Linus. She's a busy mom of two and was feeling overwhelmed at the thought of the huge dinosaur day.

I never got around to responding to Corrie (sorry about that...) since I'm both a very bad responder and a busy mom. Anyway, better late than never.

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Most of my days with Linus are not filled with projects. I do this both intentionally and out of necessity. I truly believe if I filled every minute of Linus's days with guided activities and projects, he'd never learn to entertain himself (heaven help me). In addition, he'd never have the opportunity to develop his imagination, follow his own interests, or just plain relax. And, I'd get even less laundry folded than I do now. (If that's even possible.) Yes, this is what I tell myself on those days where I feel like I'm totally ignoring my child because I'm swamped with household chores or just wanting to dig into the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel. I give myself a pass. I am not his teacher and, honestly, I wish schools' curriculums were less demanding and instead allowed for more wandering learning.

Project days are definitely fewer and farther between than our regular book reading, car playing, couch vacuuming days. They also aren't really scheduled. They happen when I'm inspired (by a book, a blog post, or a new medium) or when I'm otherwise motivated (watching two preschoolers, struggling with a whining kid, or avoiding a 90+ degree day).

Yes, on days I have a project that is successful and I post it on the blog, I'm feeling like Super Mom, but generally I'm just a mom constantly torn between the desire to sit around reading to my little guy, getting the grocery list made, getting another load of laundry folded, or just taking a minute to sip my coffee. I feel guilty for not doing enough most days, but like most moms, I'm doing the best I can.

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Anyway, here's a super easy project you can do with your kiddos without any preparation. (Okay, a little preparation if you want to bring in the literary tie by checking the book out from the library.) This one was inspired by a recent check-out of Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh. The book practically screamed this project at me the first time we read it.

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Mouse Shapes

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Materials: Construction paper, scissors or paper slicer, circle punches or cutter (optional but easier), glue

1. After numerous readings of Mouse Shapes and while seated at work table, hand the book over to your little one. Have him or her "read" or retell the story to you. While he or she is doing this, begin cutting out some basic shapes from the construction paper. You'll want a nice mix of squares, triangles, circles, and rectangles. Another option is to cut one at a time and have your kiddo tell you the shape and color as you hand it over to him/her.

2. If your child is very familiar with the story, s/he'll immediately start sliding the shapes around to create pictures. Linus immediately wanted to make a "mouse house" and flipped to that illustration in the book to see how the mice did it. He quickly located a square and a triangle to arrange in the shape of a house.

3. At this point, you could just call it good. Linus could have spent quite a while moving the shapes around creating images from the story and some of his own. I made the mistake of pushing him forward when I really could have stopped there.

4. Hand over a larger piece of paper and glue bottle. Encourage child to glue his/her pictures to the paper.

As I said, I definitely pushed Linus onto step four a little too soon. I had a final project in mind and failed to see his creativity and enjoyment with just sliding them around on the table. The shapes were actually facilitating quite a story retelling by Linus. Handing the glue over only complicated his thinking and caused him to become distracted and frustrated. His output definitely decreased. I'll definitely try to do better next time.

Oh, and if you want even easier, you can do a similar activity with a set of shape blocks, pattern blocks, or shape magnets if you have them. For older kids, you could even step back and let them cut their own shapes out.

Homemade Chalk Paint

Today, we're sitting inside sweating and reminiscing about last week's weather. Seriously, the high temperatures were in the low 80s and there was super low, if any, humidity. We had the windows open all day and night. It was so gorgeous, in fact, that we spent as much time as possible outside. We went to the playground several times,  had a picnic dinner at the park, picked backyard blackberries, hit up the Farmers' Market twice, and even did a little outdoor artwork. If anyone knows of a place with weather like we had last week, do tell because I will pack my bags and move immediately.

One of the activities we did to take advantage of the fantastic weather was to chalk paint the sidewalk. We used a really simple recipe. Mix equal parts water and cornstarch. (We did 1/2 cup portions.) Add food coloring to reach your desired color. Then grab your paintbrush and create your masterpiece.

Just try to remain calmer than I did when your kid starts doing this... with EVERY SINGLE color.

Thus splattering your absolute favorite jeans and ruining what you had hoped would be at least a 20 minute activity. 

It does wash out though it may take all day for your patience and calm to return. *sigh*

Celebrating the Small Stuff

It's coming... only three more days.

What's coming that has our household (well, at least one member) super excited? Is it World Paintball Day? Um, no. Maybe National HIV Testing Day? Nope, not for us.

Haven't guessed? Well, here's a hint. Take a peek at our calendar.

Still no clue? Come on, people. It's Candy Day!

This month Linus decided to help me fill out our family calendar. He insisted on making his own addition right there on June 27th declaring it Candy Day, and who am I to argue?

He's waited patiently all month, checking the calendar at regular intervals to be sure Candy Day was still approaching, and I've been saving an extra special, super jumbo lollipop I picked up from The Lollipop Shop.

Now who says a two year old can't be patient.

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How about you? Any special days your family likes to celebrate or at least recognize? We'd be more than happy to add them to our calendar right along with National Ice Cream Day (July 15) and maybe even Lollipop Day (July 20).

Scissor Practice for Preschoolers

Inspired by the "Rainbow Walk*" Linus took while spending the morning with his Aunt Chelsea, I decided to have a collage making afternoon. After reading through his book of color collages, Linus was ready. I gathered up some old magazine and catalogs, a pair of child-safe scissors, and two pieces of construction paper (in his chosen colors).

The main goal of this project was not to teach colors (though it could be), but to practice using scissors. Linus hasn't mastered the motor skills behind cutting, so a little practice is a good thing. You would not believe how difficult it is to explain how to use scissors to a child.

Linus quickly grew frustrated. (It didn't help that he wanted tiny pictures.) After cutting 6 or 7 pictures, I took over most of the cutting.  I do plan to have him add-on to these during future practice sessions. His favorite part of the project -- gluing.

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*A great idea from my talented sister-in-law is a rainbow walk. From what I can gather (I talked to a two year old after all), they went around her yard searching for objects for the different colors of the rainbow. The ones they could carry were placed in a bucket that Linus was super excited to share with me. Some of his finds included an orange day lily, green leaves, and purple doggy poop bags (his favorite find).

Preschool Dinosaur Activities

Here's how to over-prepare for a 1 on 2 toddler trade day:

Step 1- Settle on a theme or topic.

Step 2- Gather literature.

Step 3- Brainstorm ideas and write a lesson plan.

Step 4- Gather materials.

Step 5- Go!

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For the curious, the lesson plan is as follows:


9-9:15 Read book: A Dinosaur Called Tiny by Alan Durant and Jo Simpson

9:15-9:35 D is for dinosaur

• Have kids dip toy dinosaur's feet into paint and "walk" out letter D shape. "Start at the top and stomp straight down. Now a big jump back up and stomp all the way around."

9:35-9:50 Read book: The Super Hungry Dinosaur by Martin Waddell

9:50-10:00 Potty Break

10:00-10:15 Song:

I'm a Mean Old Dinosaur
  (Tune:  I'm a little Tea Pot)

  I'm a mean old Dinosaur
   (Make a mean face, the kids make the cutest mean faces)
  Big and Tall
   (Gesture hands big and tall )
Here is my tail, here is my claw.
   (Gesture hands behind your back for tail and make claw hands)
  When I get all hungry
   (rub your tummy)
  I just growl
  (have the kids exaggerate the grrroooowwwlll)
Look out kids I'm on the prowl.
  (Here I tickle each one of the tummy and they all giggle)

[Source for song lyrics here.]

10:15-10:30 Dinosaur Dig

• Search for dino sorters in the bean box.
• Discuss new word: paleontologist.
• Sort by color.
• Sort by type.

10:30-10:45 Read book: What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs? by Carrol Carrick

10:45-11:10 Dinosaur Bones

• Glue noodles onto dinosaur silouette to create "skeleton".

11:10-11:25 Read book: Buying, Training, & Caring for Your Dinosaur by Laura Joy Rennert

11:25-11:50 Dinosaur Stamping Scene (We used these stamps I found on sale.)

11:50-12:20 Lunch

Letter Recognition Activities for Two Year Olds

Tuesday mornings are my day to step up to the plate. You see, a friend and I trade Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I watch her daughter on Tuesday mornings and she watches Linus on Thursdays. It means that each of us gets a little break once a week. It's very much a whirlwind with two almost three year olds, but it's totally worth it come Thursday.

One of my greatest strategies in dealing with the two tornadoes is to have a plan. (Actually, it's pretty much my life motto.) I try to have several structured activities ready. Combine the planned activities with lots of story time, a little movement activity, and a smidge of free play, and the morning goes smoothly. Often, my planned activity involves going to the park or playing outside. Today, after yesterday's torrential rains, outside time was not an option. Therefore I really had to scramble to come up with something. Here's what we did.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activity
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1. Read the book by Martin and Archambault pointing to each letter as it is named. (Repeat readings are a great way to pass the time.)
2. Using a big sheet of paper, draw a huge coconut tree.
3. While the kids are coloring in the coconut tree (I assigned one the trunk and one the leaves.), locate a set of letters. You may use magnetic ones, wooden ones, or even pieces from an alphabet puzzle. You can even write out a set on paper and cut them apart.
4. Place the letters at the bottom of the tree.While slowly reading the story, have kids take turns locating each letter and climbing it up the tree.
5. When you get to the end of the first part (or the middle of the story), the letters all fall out of the tree. If your kid is anything like Linus, you won't even have to model this... Let the kids sweep the letters out of the tree when you read, "Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!" Loosen up and let them go everywhere. They will love this part and want to climb the letters up the tree again if only to crash them all down at the end again.

After several repetitions of this, I had the kids make their own coconut trees. This would let them play the same game on their own later. I used white paper for the base, brown construction paper rectangles for the trunk, some green paper cut into leaf shapes (cut while they were gluing the trunk on), and circle punched some tan coconuts. The kids glued it all together. For older kids, you could just draw the shapes on paper and let the kids do the cutting. If you are so motivated, you could cut each child his/her own set of letters to act the story out.

[As an extension (ie for older kids, more advanced kids, or revisits), you can move on to the end of the story where the grown-up letters (uppercase) come to pick-up all the bumbed and bruised letters. This would be a great time to match-up capitals to lowercase letters.]

Chrysanthemum Letters of your Name Recognition
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1. Read Chrysanthemum by my favorite children's author, Kevin Henkes.
2. Punch circles for each letter of the kid's names. (Use separate colors.) I punched out 5 for Linus, 8 for his friend, and 13 for Chrysanthemum.
3. Use the letters to count and discuss more and less, longer and shorter (when lined up graph-style).
4. With the child watching, write the letters of his/her name on the circles. Feel free to talk through the formation ("L goes straight from the top to the bottom. Then it goes across.") AND/OR reinforce the sound of the letter ("Linus begins with l-l-l. What letter makes that sound? L.").
5. Grab a strip of paper. Write the child's name again on the paper leaving extra space between each letter. Repeat the above formation or sound talks as desired.
6. Using your set of Chrysanthemum letters, show the kids how to match the circle letters to the strip letters.
7. Give them each their set and go to it.

Extension
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If when you complete all that and you look at the clock and go, "Crap. That only took 20 minutes," you can throw this in.

Yep, let those letters climb on up their coconut trees and glue them on. It will take at least 2 more minutes. Make sure you have them put the letters on in order, but don't fret if they don't put them left to right. That will come later.

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PS- The Durham County Library did not pay me to link to the books. I'm guessing they don't have an advertising budget since you can get the books there or at your local public library for FREE!

Oh and as long as I'm handing out unpaid, unsolicited advice, we LOVE using Tap-N-Glue lids for our sticky crafts. Less mess is definitely a good thing.

Education Day at the DBAP

It's baseball season and here in Durham, baseball means Bulls! I've already been to two games, and am ready for more.

My first game was last Friday night. Although a trip to the ballpark may sound like a cheap date ($8 tickets are less than the movie theater after all), when you add in several hot dogs, beers, and other "ball park only" splurges, that price quickly elevates. Despite that, a Bulls game is a near perfect date. It nicely tows the line between stare at each other, talk dates and stare at a screen, sit in silence dates. There's both entertainment and conversation. To me, that's perfection.

For my second game, I took a different date. I've written before about how perfect the 11 AM games are for little ones, and today's was no exception. Linus and I met up with our friend's Marty, CC, and and lil' C for a little Spring time fun. The boys did great, spreading their attention equally between the actual game, the fun festivities, and the Matchbox cars I brought along. I still wasn't able to bring myself to indulge Linus in a hot dog or electric pink cotton candy, but he did pretty much eat a bucket of popcorn by himself. Anytime I tried to sneak a little, I was chastised, "No, Mommy, you're not hungry." Of course, one drawback of attending a game with toddlers is that you lose the conversation part of the date. It never seems I get enough chat time with Marty, but we do our best while still being the hands-on mommies we are.

I know Linus enjoyed the game. The rest of the afternoon all he wanted to do was, "Talk about the Bull, Mommy." We were lucky enough to witness a Bulls' home run before leaving the ballpark. For those of you not in the know (or who haven't seen Bull Durham), there's a great big Bull in left field that has eyes that light up, a nose that steams, and a tail that moves whenever the Bulls hit a home run. Linus was fascinated by it, and could not stop talking about it.

So, whether your date is a devilishly handsome 30-something or a two sweet little tow heads, there's lots of fun to be had at the DBAP.

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Updated to add: Cross-posted at Triangle Mamas where all the cool local moms hang-out.

Sidewalk Chalk Painting

With all the Spring toys hitting the stores, I find myself gazing longingly at new packages of brightly colored chalk. I force myself to resist their sirens knowing that we have a whole bucket full of chalk at home.

Of course, that led me to stewing on how to use up all this chalk we already have. I mean, simple drawing is fine, but it's not gonna get me a fresh shiny box with the new *BRIGHTER* colors.

Inspiration struck: chalk + water = chalk paint

This not only provides more vibrant creations, but it uses up the old stuff really, really quickly.

I started out thinking Linus and I would work together to pulverize our chalk into dust then mix it with water, but quickly realized that using only toddler-safe tools would lead to an eternity of preparation.

Instead, we just splattered a little water on the sidewalk and then scribbled in the puddle. We also found dipping the chalk into a cup of water sped the process up nicely.

So once our method was perfected, we started painting.

Not only were the colors bolder but using paint brushes created sharper lines and more precise detailing. Of course, Linus just liked having excuse to pour water everywhere.

(This activity would also be great between the showers on a rainy Spring day.)

Nurture Shock and the Freeze Dance

I just finished reading Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. To say it was enlightening would be an understatement. This book uses real data to tackle issues that many parents rely on instinct to handle. Tough issues from lying- yes, data shows that your first grader DOES lie- to teen rebellion -even honor students sneak out of the house at night. The best part of this book though is that it offers up proven solutions rather than just leaving you hanging with a, "Well, now what" situation.

Of course, the chapters that peaked my interest the most were the ones regarding preschoolers and learning. You know, since I'm living it. Did you know that there is actually a pre-K/Kindergarten program that is proven to give your child an advantage academically, and that this program actually relies on play to guide the learning? Yes, play... that long lost activity that's been removed from so many children's schedules to make room for soccer, dance, hockey, doily making, and flashcards. Plus, it's not just play for the sake of play. It's play with a purpose. Play that increases executive function, self-control, and cognitive control.

It's called Tools of the Mind and it's everything I ever dreamed in a preschool for Linus. It's Vygotskian, and I LOVE it.

Sadly, I have yet to find a preschool in the area that uses the program and the program is only available to schools and school districts. (Part of me really hoped I could wave my teacher license around and get the training.) However, there is a book which is currently sitting in my Amazon cart, there are more articles by Bronson and Merryman, and there are the few activities discussed in Nurture Shock to guide us.

We even played a Tools of the Mind activity this morning. It was just a simple game of Freeze Dance but tweaked slightly enough to encourage planning and cognitive control.

Here's how. As you probably know, in Freeze Dance, when the music is playing, you are moving and dancing. When the music stops, everybody "freezes" or stops. Now here's the tweak. Instead of stopping in whatever position you are in, the Tools of the Mind teachers have a little doll who they are holding in the stopping position. The children are responsible for looking at the doll, noting the position, and remembering the stopping position until the music stops.

Since I don't have a doll, I was Linus's only playmate, and he's not yet of pre-K age, we had to tweak it a bit more. Before the song began, Linus and I created a stopping position together. Yes, it took out the responsibility to check the doll's position, but it also brought in some planning on his part. Since this was our first time playing the game, Linus and I used the same stopping position for the entire length of one song waiting until between songs to create a new one.

Now I don't have any data to show whether or not Linus gained intellectual ability, but I do know that we had a blast. He got better and better at remembering to stop in the stop position and Mommy got a decent work-out as well. (Stop positions that are really static crunches will do that.)

It's fun activity and a really great book. I highly recommend it (and I wasn't paid to say that). Matter of fact, I'm going to make my husband read it too.

Toddler in the Kitchen

It's a known fact that toddlers are picky eaters. They are often hesitant to try new things. Lucky for me, Linus has been a really good eater trying and loving everything from tofu (foe-fu) to roasted broccoli. Lately, though, he's begun to become more skittish about new foods. Yes, he still eats foods he's been eating all along, but offer something new and he's likely to turn up his nose.

After re-reading the article "6 Food Mistakes Parents Make" from the New York Times, I decided to enact one of the data-backed suggestions. That is why tonight when I was making Pierogies with Sauerkraut and Mushrooms, a meal I was sure he'd refuse to eat, I had a 2 year old sous chef.

To say cooking alongside a toddler was easy, would be a lie. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't as scary as I'd anticipated.

The meal started with making homemade sauerkraut. I'd already cut up the cabbage and added the ingredients before being inspired, but I quickly called Linus in for the stirring. We pulled a chair up to the stove. I firmly explained that the stove and pot are hot and showed him where to put his hands. Latching on to the pot handle and wielding a big plastic spoon, Linus managed to toss the top layer of cabbage around a bit. He was thrilled.

Feeling confident, I allowed Linus to get more involved. For the sautéed mushrooms, Linus was the one who poured the olive oil in the skillet, added the onions to the sizzling oil (yep, and he did so without incident), sprinkled on salt and pepper, and, once the onions had softened, added the mushrooms. Once everything was together, we set the timer and went off to play cars. It was a distracted round of car playing, as Linus had one ear listening for the timer. And when that timer did go off, he sprinted for the kitchen ready to dig into his creation.

I wish I could say that because Linus helped prepare the meal, he ate every last bite of the sauerkraut, but I can't. I can however say that he did actually have a few bites of it and even declared the mushrooms, a previously abhorred food, yummy. When compared to my original expectations for this meal, I'd say the experiment was a success though not one we'll repeat daily. Instead, we'll save this for days when I have lots of patience, a calm child, and a meal that might result in a boycott, and I'm actually looking forward to it.

Painting Cars

We did a fun little craft project today. Surprisingly, it was one that actually kept Linus's attention. Of course, that could have to do with the subject.

I picked up these cute little unfinished cars in the Target dollar section. Using crayons/markers and a little glitter glue (which we painted on), we were able to make them shine.

Be My Valentine

Have you gotten yours mailed? Ours are heading out today and I'm sure the recipients will be thrilled to receive them.

Pollock-style Art in the Snow

With 5+ inches of snow on the ground, our entire region has come to a standstill. Stores are closed, the Governor is urging people to stay home, and churches and schools are cancelled. This state just doesn't know what to do with the white stuff. It would seem that snowplows and sand/salt trucks are a rare commodity. It's not just a few parking lots and sidewalks that are still iced over but also US Highways, major freeways, and even the Interstate. It is bizarre to me having spent the first part of January in Kansas where they had suffered through a snow dump of 10+ inches and had their PARKING LOTS cleared within 48 hours. Interstates and major highways are constantly scraped and sanded even as the snow continues to fall. But that's just not the case in the old Tarheel state. Around here, life will likely come to a standstill for the better part of the week.

So, here's an activity to occupy your little ones during one of your ventures outdoors. If your kiddos are anything like mine, you haven't yet had five minutes to snuggle up with a blanket, book, and hot chocolate. Instead you're putting on layers and layers of clothes and trudging outdoors.

What you'll need:
-Assorted squirt bottles (Water guns, water bottles, and condiment bottles work great.)
-Food coloring
-Water

1. Add several drops of food coloring to each bottle. Go ahead and mix colors to get new colors if you have enough bottles. (This may stain. Linus was wearing waterproof snowpants so it just brushed off.)
2. Fill bottle with water, secure lid, and shake.
3. Spend 20-25 minutes locating mittens, hats, and scarves and bundling up.
4. Find a pristine section of snow (or just make it down the front steps).
5. Hand over squirters and let the art begin.

Sticky Floors, Sugary Kisses, and Holiday Cheer

(No, we didn't share the drool covered house with anyone else.)

(Recipe: Our Best Bites. You definitely want this one.)

(Because I already ate all the ones my friend Suzi made.)

Wishing you holidays as delicious as your sugar plum dreams.

Toddler Collage

Have I got an activity for you. It is the most perfect, bestest toddler art project we have ever done. Sadly, I cannot claim credit for the idea. Instead the wonderful folks over at Family Fun (not as good as the now defunct Wondertime but...). Have you browsed their website? Wowzers, do they have a slew of crafts, art projects, party foods, and other creative things.

Anyway, back to the project. Why's it so perfect? Well, for three reasons.

1. Minimal mess- It took less than 2 minutes to clean it all up, and Linus required no clean-up at all.
2. It can use up all that random stuff in the bottom of your craft box, recycle bin, or junk drawer.
3. The results actually kind of resembles art! (Not that your baby's fingerpaint smearings don't show the promise of a future Pollock.)

Here it is in all it's simplicity.

No Glue Collage

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Supplies:

Clear Contact Paper

Random materials collected throughout your house or from fun local reuse centers like The Scrap Exchange

One toddler, preschooler, or even elementary schooler

1. Find a place to work whether on an easel (which I prefer for the visual comfort of the budding artist) or just a table with plenty of room.

2. Cut a large chunk of the clear contact paper and carefully peel the backing off.

3. Clip the now sticky contact paper to the table or easel.

4. Hand over gathered collaging materials. Show or tell artist to stick them on.

5. Watch as he/she goes to town creating a masterpiece.

And after all that creating, you'll have a masterpiece worthy of framing... or at least taping to the fridge.

(In case, you were thinking I might be getting compensated for anything I say here, you'd be wrong. Not a penny, freebie, or coupon comes my way. I just like to share.)

Letter to Santa

Some of my favorite moments with Linus are selfish. They are those moments where I am teaching him. No, not modeling (well, actually kind of), guiding, or parenting but really teaching, like I used to in a classroom. These moments are most often spontaneous (as the best teaching tends to be), but occasionally the planned moments are successful too.

Yesterday's "lesson": A letter to Santa. As a first grade teacher, one of the first ways you work on writing with students is by doing modeled or shared writing. The kids and teacher together come up with the content and the teacher does some or most of the scribing. Depending on the abilities/level, students can help with letters, whole words, punctuation, and even sentences. I decided to try to do some shared writing with Linus. That meant, of course, that I would do all of the scribing but Linus could contribute pictures and be guided as to the content.

Before getting out any paper, Linus and I had another discussion about his Christmas wishes. We remembered books we had read in which children wrote letters to Santa Claus. In technical terms, we were reviewing content and setting up the lesson. I asked him if he wanted to write a letter to Santa, and he got very excited.

"To write a letter to Santa," I prompted, "what do we need to get? What will we write with?"

"Markers," he squealed.

"That's right, Linus. We need markers. What will we use the markers to write on?"

"Paper!" he shouted.

We located our markers and set-up at his easel.

With a blank sheet ready, I asked Linus one toy he wanted Santa to bring him. He blurted out "James" (an engine from the Thomas collection) and I encouraged him to draw a picture of James. When he finished his picture, I asked him if he wanted me to write "James" next to the picture. His "uh-huh" confirmed his approval and I began writing slowly.

"Ja-ja-ja. J for James. Aaaayyyy. What letter do you hear next?"

"A, Mommy."

"That's right, A," and I wrote the letter a.

"Mmmm. I hear M next," and I wrote the letter m.

I added in the e mentioning that it was there too. (No need to go into vowel patterns.) And we added the letter s in much the same way.

Then, with prompting, he added his next wish item and requested Mommy to write it. We did all three items I was aware of him wanting (James, Thomas, and more tracks) when he started drawing at the bottom of the page.

When he told me to "Write it," I had to ask for clarification.

"What do you want me to write there?"

He paused for a bit, thought very hard, and then shouted, "Breakfast at NOSH!"

I guess a restaurant with a ready selection of toys and peanut butter- banana stuffed french toast would be a favorite for a two year old who always has his mind on his next meal.

Once "breakfast at NOSH" was labeled, I quickly added the "Dear Santa" explaining what it said and saying each letter as I wrote. Surprisingly Linus repeated each letter after me.

As I was adding the salutation, I asked him to tell me who the letter was from. He exuberantly screamed "Linus" and watched as I wrote out his name saying each letter. He then picked up his own marker and attempted to write the letter L. It came out as a big line which pleased me.

You see, learning to write (or learning anything especially at a young age) is less about the motor skills (those will come) and more about the process. If a child desires to write and understands that writing is a way to communicate, they will be very motivated to master the motor skills, spelling, and letter recognition without having to do practice sheets, flashcards, or other repetitive activities. (Kind of like how they learn to talk.)

This moment with Linus was really special for me as it allowed me to shine my best light while igniting the glow in him as well.

Here's his masterpiece.

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Please remember that all children develop differently. This was the FIRST time Linus has ever shown interest in writing and it hasn't popped up again. The best teaching is not about forcing a new skill but instead about grabbing those teachable moments and using them fully. I am pretty certain that a year from now, when we "write" a letter to Santa again, it will be a nearly identical process. This was just about opening him up to the idea of writing with no expectations.