Learning Activities For Children

Crayon Shapes

Melissa — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:52:47 +0000

Make new crayons with broken pieces of crayons. You can get creative and mix colours! What you need are:

broken crayon pieces that are less than 1 inch in length
disposable cupcake tin - you can find these in fun shapes as well! Make sure the tin is able to go in the oven.
Non-stick cooking spray.

Directions:

Heat oven to 300° F
Remove paper from crayon pieces.
Spray tin with non-stick cooking spray.
Fill each tin shape half way with crayon pieces
Bake for about 6 minutes. The crayons should just be melted enough to hold its shape. Especially if you are using more than one colour you don’t want the crayons to melt thoroughly.
Allow to cool before you using the new crayons.

This is a great science activity for your child where you can discuss what heating and cooling do to wax as well as discuss colours for younger children. Larger crayons are also easier for toddlers to colour with.

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Going On A Rhyme Hunt

Melissa — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:18:36 +0000

Teaching your children to understand how to rhyme is one of the best ways to prepare your preschooler to learn how to read. Remember to explain that for a word to rhyme the last sound has to sound the same.

Choose a variety of different objects around your house/classroom and walk around with your child/ren pointing out the objects you have chosen and encourage them to tell you what rhymes with that word. You could also have two rhyming objects close to each other to make it easier for young children such as a mat and a baseball bat or show them a chair and have the children point to their hair.

Another version of the game you can play is give your children pictures of objects and have them find rhyming objects around the house or classroom.

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Kindness Tree

Melissa — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:11:43 +0000

Children love to be ‘caught’ doing nice things for others, some children might be a little shy or embarrassed if you draw attention to them while in action. Make a note of all the nice things you see your child/ren doing and use it for the ‘Kindness Tree’ activity that you can do with your child once a day or once a week or what ever works for you!

With brown construction paper make a large tree trunk with branches and tape it to the wall. With colourful paper make flowers for the tree. When you sit down with your child for the activity tell them all the nice things you saw them doing for others, write it on the flower and have your child put the flower on the tree. Also have your child/ren mention some of the nice things he has seen you and other family members or classmates do.

Children will love to watch the Kindness Tree bloom!

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Children’s Books Giveaway

Melissa — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:28:58 +0000

I am giving away a set of 4 very fun children’s books on my blog Reviews, Contests And Freebies. As a parent or caregiver you know how important it is to read to children. Reading to children increases their vocabulary skills, comprehension skills and help instill a love of learning as they read books that share their interests.

To enter the contest comment on this post with why you believe reading to children is so important.

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