Search results matching tags 'art' and 'the preschool teachers journal'

Elmer the Elephant Easy Kids Craft

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:30:00 GMT

There is something about Elmer the Elephant all kids seem to relate to and love! I find drawing of Elmer strewn all over the art table after we read this story to the kids. The drawings make a lovely patchwork of their own on the table. Here is a really easy Elmer craft we discovered made from plastic milk the parents we saving for us. They came just in time and the preparation was well worth it!

We recommend doing this with the leftovers!

Material for Elmer the Elephant Easy Kids Craft:

Colored tissue paper the children cut into squares
Large plastic milk cartons (with a handle)
White Glue
Water and Small Cups (enough for everyone)
Paint Brushes
Wiggle Eyes
Scissors

The Process

Pre-cut the milk carton's, just so, and make 1 part water, 2 parts glue solution in cups for each of the kids.

They love helping with this!

After the children have cut out all the tissue squares give them the cartons and cups with paintbrushes.

Ta-Da! Here He is!

After the kids begin gently painting the cartons they can apply the tissue paper and gently paint it down with the glue solution.

Try not to soak Elmer or the tissue will slide off.

The children are guaranteed to be delighted! Be sure to put on his eyes after he is dry!

The Writing is On The Wall

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:02:00 GMT

Nothing like twelve shocked chubby faces all wondering 'who did it?' I have my suspicions, of course.
From an artists prospective, what does this piece say to you?

This Is the Way Preschoolers Say Thank You

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:53:00 GMT

I get so many thank you notes and drawings from the wonderful preschoolers I work with. It's just another one of the perks of being a teacher and a friend. I found it interesting that our preschoolers have themes to their thank you pictures sometimes.

The Five Little Pumpkins (sitting on a gate)

"This is 'aposed to be da five little punkins on the gate. I didn't drawed the gate. The punkins are wondering where it went, too. That is why they look surprised. I drawed this for you a'cuz I like you."
~ Jared
The Rolling Pumpkin

"He was rolling and fell into the graveyard thing. He said, "Hey! I'm gettin' outta this joint!" and rolled away. I don't think pumpkins like to be scared. I don't like to be scared, either. I don't blame him, ya know."
~Marrissa
Halloween Thank You Picture (Untitled)

"The cat came to sniff da pumpkins. They smell good. I drawed a lot of pumpkins because I am good at it. The other stuff is Halloween decoration for your house. Oh, and I drawed a lot of pumpkins because I am good at it."
~Kayla

Silly Spider Craft Cards for Kids

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:42:00 GMT

I love crafts!

I personally don't do tons of crafts with very young children but many of the benefits are having kids follow basic instruction as well as working together in small groups. I have always loved variety as a child. Being an artist myself I never really wanted my crafts to look like everyone's.
Some children absolutely love crafts and following exact directions.
I was a bit of the blank-paper-and-crayons type of kid.
I do offer crafts when I plan preschool curriculm. How every child's craft turns out is definately another story.
What has been your experiences in crafting with children?

Art That Promotes Socialization for Kids

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:44:00 GMT

Do you want a quick table art activity to set up for kids that takes virtually no time at all? We love this one because it is great open ended activity for the first day of school or anytime you want the kids to interact and spark a conversation with one another.

Table Art for Kids:
Materials Needed: Crayons (peel off the paper), a variety of flat objects (i.e. puzzle pieces, leaves, paper scraps, coffee filters, small sticks, textured paper scraps, card board shapes, etc.), length of butcher paper that will cover the table, making tape.
The Set Up: Arrange the flat objects on the table and place a length of butcher paper over the table and secure it with tape. Have peeled crayons placed in strawberry baskets (or handy container) and remove the chairs from the table. Kids will be standing during this activity.
The Procedure: Kids can freely color any areas of the table by shading with the edge of a crayon. Together they will discover what shapes are underneath while they guess by feeling it.
Socialization: Kids love to strike up conversations! This activity allows kids the freedom to share space, color as a group, and guess-a-mate what the art will look like.
We like to write down their conversations, words and discoveries directly on the paper before we display it.

What types of activities do you enjoy for a back to school activity?

How Much Does It Take To Create a Masterpeice?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:11:00 GMT

Given the right set up and environment kids can create learn to focus on just about anything. What would happen if we gave them a bit more time...a few more minutes out of a busy day.
As an artist myself, I just wanted to say to the kids....
Hey, I understand....

more than one way

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:02:00 GMT

"You don't understand anything until
you learn it more than one way."

~Marvin Minsky

So...technically I did say we were doing body painting art. I just didn't mean on each other.
This is a great project, by the way. Be sure to be specific as to what you would like for the children paint.
Ahem.
Next time we will start with hand prints.

I Like Your Hairs!

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:57:00 GMT

Awwwwwe.
Thanks.

the best of things

Anonymous — Mon, 24 May 2010 23:31:00 GMT

"Things turn out best for the people who make

the best out of the way things turn out."

~Art Linkletter

Kids are fearless artists. I have always wondered why as we grow up we stop doing what comes naturally as a child. That built in confidence of making the best of things.
Perhaps if we all took their approach there would be a lot more creativity in the world.
That.....and a big shortage of crayons.