Paper Bag Puppets

Creative Projects to Do With Kids Every pre-school and early elementary school-aged child I have ever cared for loves puppets. Making simple paper bag puppets allows kids to practice coloring, cutting, and pasting. I like cutting out shapes from colored construction paper for young kids to make animals, princesses, and princes but it’s even easier […]

Charlie and Lola: Snow is My Favorite and My Best by Lauren Child

Weekly Trip to the Library Nothing is sadder for my four-year-old charge then when her snowman starts to melt after a fun day of playing in the snow. Luckily we found a great children’s book discussing the same feelings. One of my favorite children’s books authors is Lauren Child. This week while at the library […]

Puffy Paint

Getting Creative with Kids There is something magical about the three-dimensional appearance of Puffy Paint. Puffy paint is easy to make and you can simply find the ingredients already at home. Allow the kids to use the Puff Paint recipes as finger paint as well — although I don’t like adding color to the puffy […]

Painting with Spoons

Painting is such a great way to express yourself, but sometimes paintbrushes just don’t tell the whole story. I find that this unorthodox method of painting is a great way to help children express their high powered emotions, like anger or excitement. Try it out the next time your little one gets mad and doesn’t […]

End of Summer Water Fun

Sprinkler Games Even if kids don’t have a pool in their backyard there is still time to get them outside and play in the water to cool off during the end of summer heat and humidity. Running through the sprinkler is tons of fun but adding these fun games will engage the kids for hours. […]

Homemade Finger Paint Recipes

Creative Wednesdays Making finger paint with the kids is an easy and fun project to do. These homemade recipes are great because they are non-toxic and the ingredients can be found in most kitchen pantries. Simply cover the kitchen table with thick paper and let the kids feel the different textures while painting with their hands. Allow youngsters […]

This Black Friday Remember Quality vs. Quantity

GIVE QUALITY GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON It’s Black Friday (the busiest shopping day of the year for Americans). If you are going out to shop for Black Friday deals today I urge you to remember that when gift giving quality is much more important than quantity.Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment (TRUCE) suggests that when choosing […]

Colored Rice

Rainy Day Sensory Play By Whitney Tang The wind is growling, the rain is cascading, the children are whining. What is a nanny to do after puddle jumping, spontaneous dancing, and storytelling have all been exhausted? Brighten up your stormy afternoon by making colored rice. It’s fun to make and will give grubby little fingers […]

What Are Your Favorite Fingerplays?

Fingerplays to Use With Preschoolers A fingerplay is a rhyme to sing using our fingers or hands with the words of the song. Preschool songs and rhymes offer many life-long benefits to children. Fingerplays develop fine-motor co-ordination, sequential memory, and body awareness.  Be sure to teach the young children you care for preschool fingerplays, action rhymes, […]

Painting With Colored Ice

colored ice finger paint Colors and Creativity Flow With Exciting New Art Materials By Scholastic Children use fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and creative expression as they paint with colorful ice cubes. Invite children to help you make frozen paint-brushes. Fill two to four ice-cube trays with warm water. Using different colors, add a teaspoon of powdered […]