Magic Learning for Toddlers

Is your child stressed?

2008-06-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

Parents across the world were shocked by news that a four year child was put on happy pills. She was depressed that she had’nt secured admission in the same nursery as her friends. This alarming phenomenon could soon hit home turf, with kids as young as five and six already seeking psychiatic help.

When parents get tensed even before play school admissions, depressed if they’re kids don’t get good grades, push their kids into extra cirrucular activities way before their time….all this affects their young minds greatly.

At this age kids are like sponges. Everything you do, your attitude, thought processes… the child soaks in all of it. Increase in stress levels is due to the faulty attitude of the parents. Problem parents have problem kids.

Its time we stop confusing success with happiness. Comparison made with siblings is also responsible for low self esteem in youngsters.
Kids should be allowed to stay as kids as long as possible, because once they grow up, they will be adults forever. Exams can also be more stressful and competitive.
Its upto the parents to ensure that their kids do not get depressed or give up it they fail.

General knowledge

2008-06-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Rabbit Facts:
1. Male rabbits are called bucks, females are called does.
2. Rabbit have between 26 to 28 teeth. Yes, they also have molars.
3. Rabbits with fur and pink eyes are called albinos.
4. Rabbits are born blind which hares can see from time of birth.

Stars Facts:
Many Stars are between 1 billion and 10 billion years old. Some Stars may be close to 13.7 billion years old-the observed age of the universe.
You may also collect a few information and give general knowledge to your kids about many many more things.

Onion Capsicum and Cheese Mini Pizza

2008-06-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

Objective: To enhance social development in a child, development of fine and gross motor skills.

Ingredients: Thin mini pizza base, tomato and capsicum cut in round shape, grated cheese, tomato sauce, a pinch of salt and red chilli powder mix.

Method:
1. Allow the child to spread tomato sauce on the pizza base.
2. Then guide him to place tomatoes on the spread tomato sauce.
3. Sprinkle little masala prepared on the tomato
4. Then allow the child to put capsicum on the placed tomatoes.
5. Again sprinkle the masala on the capsicum
6. Tell the child to sprinkle cheese as per taste.
7. Then add a drop of sauce on the top of cheese.
8. Place the pizza in the oven for four minutes.
9. Your yummy mini pizza made by your younger cook is ready!

How to make Sprouts mix

2008-06-27T10:38:00.001-07:00

Objective: To enhance social development in a child, development of fine and gross motor skills.
Ingredients: Moong sprouted, Cucumber, onion, tomatoes and coriander leaves finely chopped, salt as per taste, green chillies as per taste, lime juice as per taste.

Method:
1. Keep ready with all the ingredients.
2. Take a huge bowl. Allow and guide the child to mix all the ingredients one by one. Later you toss and mix properly.

3. Your sprouts mix is ready!

How to make a Star Photo Frame

2008-06-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

Materials: Box board, child friendly scissors, glue, Small shells, a painting brush (flat), water color paints, double sided tape, your photo, glitter glue.

Method:
Firstly draw a star on the box board. The size of the star depends on your choice.
Then with the help of a geometric compass rounder draw a circle in between the star. Then cut the circle.
You will create a gap in between the star. This gap will act as your frame, to stick your photo.
Then cut the outline of the star, which you had drawn. Now you have a base of a star. You need to decorate it.
Color the shells with the colors as you wish to. Then stick them on the cut out of the star .Give a colorful border to your star with glitter glue. Allow it to dry for sometime.
Lastly, stick your photo in between the star, or the round gap which you had created.
Put double sided tape behind the star and stick your photo frame on the wall.

Tips: Instead of shells you may also decorate your frame in many ways, like Thumb printing, pointer finger painting, paper tearing and sticking(do it with crape paper, paper crumpling.

You may also give your frame different shapes like heart shape, a sunflower.

How to make your own Pen and Pencil Toppers

2008-06-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

Materials:
Bright colored fun foam, 3 to 5 unused pencils and pens, satin ribbons, a small plastic container, pair of scissors, a hole punch.

What to do?
Trace out flower, star or leaf patterns on the fun foam.
Cut along the boundaries
Punch a hole where the dash is.
Layer the leaves with flowers and stars in the Pencils or Pens.
Take a container and use it as a vase, tie a ribbon at the top.A few examples of shapes are leaf, star, clouds, flowers, etc.

Design your own t-shirt with Batik Tee

2008-06-14T02:55:00.000-07:00

Turn a plain t-shirt into a snazzy top to brighten up your gloomy day.

Materials: Cardboard, white cotton t-shirt, 1cup flour, a big bowl, a squeeze bottle, fabric paint, spray bottle.

Method: Cut the cardboard to fit inside the t-shirt. (This will keep the fabric paint from bleeding through later)
Mix the flour with water9it should be of the consistency of mustard)in the bowl, right before you are going to apply it so that it doesn’t become gluey and difficult to apply.
Pour the mixture into the squeeze bottle and then use it to draw a design of your choice, may be a smiley face, or a sun, a cartoon character or any other pattern on the t-shirt.
Leave it outside to dry in the hot sun for a couple of hours until it hardens.
Spray the t-shirt with the fabric paint and let it dry. Alternatively you may use a toothbrush to spray the paint.
Remove the cardboard, then peel off the flour paste to reveal the design.

How to make your own Wind chime

2008-06-14T02:54:00.004-07:00

Objective: To enhance cognitive development, language development, fine and gross motor skills.

Materials: Cardboard, glue, Child friendly scissors, ribbon, transparent plastic sheets, glass colors, a marker, a painting brush, thick threads(color of your choice)

Method: Take a cardboard and it into triangle shape. Make a small hole in between and tie a ribbon so that you may hang your wind chime.
Then you make consecutive three holes on the base line of the triangle.
Take plastic transparent sheets and draw three different pictures on it of your choice.For e.g. you may draw a fish, a sea horse, an octopus.
After drawing the picture give it an outline with the black marker and then color it with glass paints.
Later make a small hole on all your three colored drawings with the help of a needle and insert a thick thread in each of them and hang it on the holes made on the base of the triangle and then tie a knot behind to insure that it doesn’t fall off.
To make your chime more attractive you may stick some colored stones on the triangular board.
You may also add some soothing sounds on it. All types of sound materials are available in the market.
Hang your wind chime wherever you wish to!

How to make your own Name Plate

2008-06-14T02:54:00.003-07:00

Objective: To enhance creative skills, cognitive development, fine and gross motor skills.

Materials: Thick cardboard, paints of your choice, a flat painting brush, child friendly glue, child friendly scissors, medium sized colored beads, colored sand, glitter glue pens.

Method:
Take a cardboard, cut and give it any shape of your choice.
Then allow the child to paint the cardboard, with the color of his choice.
Apply glue on the painted cardboard, then sprinkle colored sand on the area where the glue is applied. The sand will get stuck to the glue.
Guide your child to write your name or surname with the help of glitter pens on the painted board.
Later you may decorate your name plate with a colorful beads border, if you wish to.
Your personal Name plate is ready to hang!

How to Make your own Mirror

2008-06-14T02:53:00.003-07:00

Objective: To enhance cognitive development and fine and gross motor skills.

Materials: Cardboard, White chart paper, deep red color paint, painting flat brush, child friendly glue, a readymade oval shaped mirror.

Method:
Firstly cut the cardboard in oval shape.(Remember the size of your cardboard should be a size bigger than your mirror)
Later color your white chart paper red. Give your red colored chart paper the same size size and shape as of your carboard.
Then stick the red colored chart paper on the cardboard.
Stick your oval shaped mirror on the red color chart paper.
Lastly, you may design your mirror with glitter glue pens available in the market.
And your mirror is ready!

Five Exciting Indoor Fun Play Activities

2008-06-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

Keep your kids occupied even on days when it’s pouring heavily, and young ones get restless at home.

1. Board Games: Snakes and ladders, Ludo, Scrabble, Pictionary, and many other board games in which your kid is interested and enjoys playing them. This will also take care of the holistic development of the child.

2. Kitchen fun: Kids are fascinated with cooking, whether it is baking, topping, or just helping. Kids are occupied and have fun.

3. Treasure hunt: A Scavenger hunt can help your child use up all the extra energy. Make a list of all the items they need to find and also give them clue to find them. E.g. shoe laces, buttons, games, small items available at home. Make it quick and exciting and reward them for, whoever finds the items.

4. Craft ideas: You can help your child by making him do creative activities or some painting where he is occupied and enjoys the work done by him.

5. Watch movies: Bring out all the collection of movies you have, a bowl of wafers, and snuggle it, while watching movies. You may watch movies like, Mary Poppins, Shrek 2, or Krish, Baby’s Day Out, Sound of music etc.

Thumb printing

2007-04-15T21:06:00.001-07:00

You need: a paper, stamp pad, Crayons or a marker

Method:
Have your child press his thumb on a stamp pad and then press it onto the paper.
Show the child how to draw a mouse tail, and ears on the thumbprint to complete each mouse.
Do this several times to make a mouse family.
Use your own thumbprint, or of an older or younger sibling, then compare the different sizes each makes

Dance and movement

2007-04-15T21:05:00.001-07:00

Dance offers an avenue for exploration, discovery, and the development of natural instincts for movement. Dance is a good exercise and an artistic expression of mind and body, for young children. Dance has many physical benefits, like, improved posture, development of muscle tone and strength, increased flexibility etc…..Dance is usually just fun.

Parents can start up with homemade rhythm instruments.
The main purpose of this activity is to have your child experience movement as it relates to music or rhythm. Play different types of music and allow your child to physically express how the music makes him feel. He might hop and jump on fast music, bounce on happy music, march for a parade tune, and so on…You must always encourage your child to clap or hop in time to the beat.

Handmade doll

2007-04-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

You need: Colored felt, a marker, child friendly scissors, a shoe box, white glue, scraps of yarn and fabric.

Method:
Draw a shape of a person on a square of felt. Draw the arms and legs of the person clearly defined. The arms drawn should be away from the body.
Glue the felt to a piece of cardboard and cut out the doll.
Glue on yarn for hair. Draw the features of the face with the marker.

To dress your doll, place the doll on scraps of fabric and use a marker to trace around the body.
Cut out the clothes and dress the doll. The cloth will stick to the doll’s felt body.
Store and keep your felt doll and clothes in a shoebox.

Make a frog puppet from old socks

2007-04-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

You need:
1dark green color socks, red color velvet paper, black color marble paper, light green color construction paper, child friendly scissors, white glue, black color marker pen, or a sketch pen, an adult.

Method:

Draw and cut four to five medium size circles out of the black color marble paper.(these are the dots which the frog has on his body). Later stick these circles of the frog on the front side of the socks (which will be the upper body of the frog).

Then draw and cut two semicircles from the light green color construction paper. These will be the eyes of the frog. Fold half-a-inch of the semicircles, and stick on the socks only the folded part of the paper. Stick the eyes also on the upper part of the socks, close to the part which is stitched in the socks. The remaining part of the eyes stand. With the help of the black marker pen draw the outline on the eyes of the frog, and a round circle in between.
(On the upper part of the socks will be the eyes on the top, followed by the spots of the frog.)

From the red velvet paper draw and cut an oval shape,(the oval must long, so that back side part of the socks get covered).Stick the red tongue on the back side of the socks.

Your socks puppet of a frog is ready!

Link Between Intelligence And Play

2007-04-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

One has to boost intelligence in child’s play. Giving preschool toys to play boosts their intelligence and mental development, even if they suffer from malnutrition. Studies have proven that there is improvement in the IQ of the kids just with play.

Malnutrition itself is a major problem. Malnutrition without mental stimulation is even bigger problem. There is a lot of ignorance about what a child needs, they think that play is not important.

They can improve the child’s health and intelligence, by eating the right food, at the right time. Actions are being taken by the aid agencies to change attitudes and encourage preschool play at home, as well as basic nutrition, might make a huge effect.

People with no education should be trained and encouraged as to how to play with the children. Children who play with toys, and eat well are less likely to drop out from school and their mental health is better, they are less depressed, less anxious and have better confidence and self esteem.

Parts of Body

2007-04-06T23:40:00.000-07:00

Objective : This rhyme enhances intellectual, physical development and number concept.

Two little eyes to open and close,
One little nose to smell rose.
Two little ears that long for a song
Two little hands, busy all day long.

Note:
This rhyme can be supported with an activity.

I Love Nature

2007-04-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

I love the sun, it shines on me,
God made the sun and god made me.
I love the trees, it gives shades to me,
God made the trees, and god made me.
I love the birds, they sing to me,
God made the birds, and god made me.
I love the flowers, they smell so nice,
God made the flowers, and god made me.

Note:
You may extend this rhyme, or may be your child might help you out with this.One cannot challenge a child’s imagination.In this way you can keep your child busy and develop a positive bonding, by way of fun

A Plant

2007-04-06T23:36:00.000-07:00

I am a little plant,
So sweet and nice,
I have a stem,
Long and slim,
I have green leaves,
That, give me life,
I have a flower,
That, smell so nice,
I also have a fruit,
Which makes you strong.

Ceiling Fan

2007-04-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Objective: This rhyme enhances intellectual development, number concept, and builds confidence.

I am a little Fan, I have three hands
1,2,3………….1,2,3…………….
When you put me on, I go round and round
1,2,3………………..1,2,3………………..
I give you air, it shakes your hair
1,2,3………..1,2,3……………..
When you’re feeling hot, forget me not
1,2,3……………..1,2,3…………..

Thumb printing

2007-04-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

Dance and movement

2007-04-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

Growing Plant

2007-04-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

You can help your child grow plants from fruit seeds, like apples and oranges, and from tops of some vegetables and fruits. Wonderful and strange shapes come from such planting, but no fruit or vegetables. Sometimes, may be, nothing comes from it. Yet your child may enjoy experimenting. Here are some ideas to try and experiment about growth of plants. No one can discover the way these plants will grow.

APPLE OR LEMON PLANT:

YOU NEED: 5 inch flower pot (approx), soil, seeds from apples or oranges or lemons.

METHOD: Wash and dry the seeds. Preferably choose the seeds which are plump.

Label your pot with your name and date.
Make a small hole in your flower pot at the bottom for excess water to percolate.
Fill the pot with soil up to 2 inch from top.
Place several seed of the same fruit 1 inch apart on the surface of your soil.

Cover with 1/4th inch of soil.
Water the plant everyday. Place the flower pot in sunlight.
The plant will develop and grow from 3weeks to 3months.
Teach your child about the four friends of the plant. i.e. (Air, Water, Soil, and Light)

PINEAPPLE PLANT:

Buy a fresh pineapple, save the top of the pineapple with a slice of the fruit attached to it. The plant which you grow at home will never have fruits for a couple of years.

YOU NEED: Soil, pineapple top, sand soil.

METHOD:
Slice of pineapple crown with about half-a-inch of fruit.
Remove the leaves of the crown of the pineapple. Let the crown dry for two days.
Put about 1 inch of sand in dish. Water the plant until leaves appear.

Frog Puppett

2007-04-06T23:23:00.001-07:00

Handmade doll

2007-04-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

You need: Colored felt, a marker, child friendly scissors, a shoe box, white glue, scraps of yarn and fabric.

Method:
Draw a shape of a person on a square of felt. Draw the arms and legs of the person clearly defined. The arms drawn should be away from the body.
Glue the felt to a piece of cardboard and cut out the doll.
Glue on yarn for hair. Draw the features of the face with the marker.
To dress your doll, place the doll on scraps of fabric and use a marker to trace around the body.
Cut out the clothes and dress the doll. The cloth will stick to the doll’s felt body.
Store and keep your felt doll and clothes in a shoebox.

Fun with old film cans or tins

2007-04-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE: To enhance cognitive and physical development.

YOU NEED: An old film can or tin, white glue, child friendly scissors, white and orange craft foam, 2googly eyes, an adult, any color oil paint, a thick brush.

METHOD: Firstly remove the cap of the can.Oil paint the can with the help of a thick brush. Let it dry for a few hours.Glue the 2googly eyes near the top.Cut a small oval out of the white craft foam, and glue the oval. Stick the beak upside down, i.e. the pointed part will be facing towards the oval belly.Glue the beak, belly, and the feet.Cut the cap of the can with the help of an adult in half, to form wings. Glue them on the sides.Your friendly little toy is ready!

Make believe play

2007-04-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

Tell the child to become a plant and then act like a plant and sing the above rhyme. The child will understand the concept well and will have fun.

OBJECTIVE: To enhance cognitive and social development.You need: A light brown color outfit, which is covered from top to bottom, green color crape paper for the leaves, red color for the flower, a cardboard, white glue, pencil, eraser, an adult.

METHOD: Make your child himself a plant.The body of the child is like a plant. Cover the child with a light brown outfit.The hands of the child are the stem of the plant. Cut leaves all of shapes and sizesThe face is beautiful, fragrantflower. Cut a flower shape out of the cardboard and make a face mask out of the flower.Then let the child put it on the surface of your child.Your simple plant is ready..

Best use of an old compact disc (CD)

2007-04-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE: To enhance cognitive development and development of fine and gross motor skills.

YOU NEED:A discarded CD, a card paper (color of your choice), 1googly eye, water paints, child friendly scissors, white glue, a pencil, a ribbon or a woolen thread, an adult.

METHOD:Draw an outline of a fish on the card paper, along with the fins and the tail of the fish.
The body of the fish should be of the same size as of your compact CD.
Keep the CD on your card paper and then draw, for exact size.
With the help of an adult, cut the outline of the fish.
Then stick the fish on the CD with the help of white glue. (Only the body of the fish will be stuck on the CD).
The CD is the base of the body. The fins and the tail will be outside the base of the CD.
Then stick the 1 googly eye on the fish. Tell the child to mix water color of his choice.
With the help of the pointer finger, help him out to make scales on the body of the fish.
Then take your ribbon or woolen Thread and two fold it, and stick it on the back side of the CD, so that your child can hang the fish wherever he wishes to.
In the end cut a circle as the same size of your CD and stick it on the back side, where the back side of the CD is seen.
Cover it with card paper of the same size. You can make best use of the discarded CD and decorate your home with your child’s handmade activities.

GAME:SPOON IT WITH AIM

2007-01-26T02:06:00.001-08:00

OBJECTIVE: To enhance eye hand co-ordination, concentration, learn to wait for his turn, physical and motor development.

YOU NEED:

1 Plastic spoon or table spoon, 25 Soda bottle caps (in 2 different colors), 1 small bath mug, 2 Plastic glasses, and a few friends.

METHOD:
Keep the plastic mug in between the 2 glasses and keep a distance of at least 2metres away from the mug and glasses.

Draw a line. One has to stand behind the line.

Place 1soda cap on the spoon and throw the cap into the glasses or the mug.

If the cap falls into the mug, you get 5points, and if the cap falls into the plastic glasses you get 10points.
The highest total player wins.

CREATIVE ART WORK:Festive cone

2007-01-26T01:57:00.000-08:00

YOU NEED: White glue, child friendly scissors, colored card paper, crepe paper (of 3 colors), a pencil, an adult.

METHOD:

Cut a 25 inch diameter semicircle of your card paper.

Roll the semicircle into a cone and glue the folds. Your basic cone is ready.

Prepare streamers of crepe paper in three different colors. Glue the streamers at the end and top of the hat.

With the help of the crepe paper, pleat up a colorful plat and stick onto the base of the cone, using glue. OR

You may even hang pom-poms instead of streamers.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS:GROWING PLANTS

2007-01-26T01:54:00.000-08:00

You can help your child grow plants from fruit seeds, like apples and oranges, and from tops of some vegetables and fruits. Wonderful and strange shapes come from such planting, but no fruit or vegetables. Sometimes, may be, nothing comes from it. Yet your child may enjoy experimenting. Here are some ideas to try and experiment about growth of plants. No one can discover the way these plants will grow.

APPLE OR LEMON PLANT:

YOU NEED: 5 inch flower pot (approx), soil, seeds from apples or oranges or lemons.

METHOD: Wash and dry the seeds. Preferably choose the seeds which are plump.

Label your pot with your name and date.

Make a small hole in your flower pot at the bottom for excess water to percolate.

Fill the pot with soil up to 2 inch from top.

Place several seed of the same fruit 1 inch apart on the surface of your soil.

Cover with 1/4th inch of soil.

Water the plant everyday. Place the flower pot in sunlight.

The plant will develop and grow from 3weeks to 3months.

Teach your child about the four friends of the plant. i.e.
(Air, Water, Soil, and Light)

PINEAPPLE PLANT:

Buy a fresh pineapple, save the top of the pineapple with a slice of the fruit attached to it. The plant which you grow at home will never have fruits for a couple of years.

YOU NEED: Soil, pineapple top, sand soil.

METHOD:
Slice of pineapple crown with about half-a-inch of fruit.

Remove the leaves of the crown of the pineapple. Let the crown dry for two days.
Put about 1 inch of sand in dish. Water the plant until leaves appear.

Science Experiment: Germination

2006-12-02T00:11:00.005-08:00

Objective: To enhance intellectual and social development.

Method: A cup with a few seeds, cotton wool.

Sprinkle seeds on the cotton, dampen it and see the shoots growing slowly day by day.

Conduct experiment as to how light, air, water, earth is essential for growth.

Prepare 4 tins –

- Earth, seed, water, light
- Earth, no water, seed, light
- Earth, water, no seed, light
- Earth, water, seed, no light

Keep the tins labeled and see results after a few days. The child will notice that the tin which had earth, water, seed light was the only one which showed good results.

The child with his own first hand experience realizes the importance of plants and their germination.

Sensory: Smell

2006-12-02T00:11:00.004-08:00

One has to recognize the immense importance of sensory learning and include a variety of activities and materials.

Let the child smell and identify by himself. Get various objects and ask the child to identify according to their smell.

Tell the child to close his eyes.

You can make him smell vicks, eucaluptus oil – It has a strong smell. You can also keep bread, talcum powder, soap, agarbattis etc

Children get the concept that some have strong smell and some have mild smell

The smell may also be burnt, fishy.

Explain the child by terms, that a smell may also be fowl or pleasant.

Field trip visit may also give first hand experience to the child, e.g. visit to a vegetable vendor, milk store, grocery store etc

The child automatically by play way learns the use of sensory organ smell.

Creative Art Work: Prince’s Crown

2006-12-02T00:11:00.003-08:00

Objective: To enhance motor development in the child.

You Need: A paper plate, child friendly scissors, an adult, white glue, paints (golden and silver), or any of your choice.

Method: Take a paper plate.

Leave a 2inch gap from the border of the paper plate and draw one more circle within.

Cut slits through the center of the paper plate.

Bend the triangles formed by the cut upwards, forming leaf like shapes. Use golden base color.

Embellish the crown with decorative elements like pearls, beads, diamonds, etc.

Glue decorative features in front and also a satin lace to make it look royal.
You royal crown is ready!

Miscellaneous: Psychological Pressure

2006-12-02T00:11:00.002-08:00

We often ask our children to draw a picture of their parents or families, 70 % to 80% kids will draw their parents not smiling, or frowning or screaming. This indicates mental pressure or disturbance.

On a routine base kids are facing abuse from parents due to societal pressure increasing competition, lack of time for their kids, unpleasant atmosphere at home, which ends up displaying their stress on their kids.

Kids at the age of 6 to 7 yrs old worry about their parents seperation.

Yoga may help kids to clear their thoughts. Kids are enthusiastic, and excited about yoga camps. Kids enjoy meditating, which helps increase concentration and keps the mind away from wandering.

Another way to deal with your lows is to take him to a book store instead of a mall or restaurant. The idea is to familiarize him books, even if they just flip through the pages. As a parent you can’t blame your child if you yourself do not read. Kids pick up hobbies from their parents.

Keep smiling: Your child must feel that al is well.

Elders must relax: An average report card doesn’t mean that your child is weak or dum..

Ensure your child gets a balanced meal.

Never indulge your kids in junk or compensatory food.

Chocolates are bad for health. It gives a sweet tooth.

Your child will reflect your activities when you are angry or under stress. If you are calm, happy, relaxed, they will learn to be the same as well.

Creative Art Work: Unity Chain

2006-12-02T00:11:00.001-08:00

Objective: To enhance cognitive, physical, and motor development.

You need: Child friendly scissors, art supplies like sequins, string, felt or fabric, cardboard, paper (size of your choice), white glue, crayons, black water colors.

Method: Fold the paper like a fan. Draw outline like a human on the strip.

Cut around the human being drawn. Make sure you leave edges for folding the hands uncut.

Color and complete the human drawn. Use wool for hair, black water colors for eyes, and fabric for clothing.

Color and decorate al your humans different, and make sure they al should have a big hearty smile.

Color Concept: Color Red

2006-12-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

Object: To enhance intellectual development and recognition of colors.

Take a glass of water and show the child and ask him which color is this? He may say colorless or no color. You then mix red color paint in the water, then ask him again. He might say color red.

You may continue this color concept through a story.

Jumbo the joker was very fond of color red. After a few days it was Jumbo’s birthday. He decided to collect many things of color red, and decorate his house with all the things of his favourite color. On his birthday he got up early in the morning and brushed his teeth with his red toot brush and red color toot paste. He then went for a bath and used a red color soap to clean himself. Jumbo then wiped himself with a red color towel. He then wore a very smart red color jacket and his jeans pant. Jumbo was very hungry. He drank his favourite carrot and beetroot juice.

Jumbo was so happy and excited to see his favourite red color over. He also decorated his house with red color balloons. Lastly he cut his red strawberry cake. It was yummy! Jumbo was dam tired he then slept very happily with his red Teddy bear.

In the same way, kids learn about various colors in play way. Show them various things related to that color, so that they learn easily.

Game: Parts Of Body

2006-11-21T21:06:00.000-08:00

Objective: To enhance holistic development of a child i.e. cognitive, language, physical, emotional etc.

You need: A full size chart paper, a pencil, eraser, an adult.

Method:

.First tell the child to lie down on the chart paper.
.Then an adult must draw the outline of the child’s body with the pencil.
.Put the chart paper on the wall of your child’s room.
.Explain him all the parts of the body, continue this for 3 to 4 days.
.Then each day rub any part of the body and ask the child which body part is missing?
.Continue this for a week.
.In this way a child learns through play and repetition.

Creative Art Work: Snowman

2006-11-14T21:09:00.000-08:00

Objective: To enhance fine and motor development.

You Need: Two sheets of waste paper (1 sheet of small size and other of a larger size)
Paper size of your choice, small sheet for the snowman’s face, an larger sheet for his body, white cotton, 2googly eyes, black construction paper, red construction paper, child friendly scissors, 4 colorful buttons, an adult, white glue,

Method: Let the child crumple both the size papers separately. Crumple and make a thick ball of it. One of small size, and other of larger size.

.Apply white glue on both the crumpled papers and stick cotton al round the balls. Cover the crumpled balls al around with cotton.
.To form its head, glue the smaller cotton ball on top of the bigger cotton ball.
.Take a black construction paper and cut a magician type hat and also two rainy boots.
.Out of the red construction paper cut 2 hands as gloves for the snowman, and 3round buttons.
.Let the child glue and stick the hat, 2googly eyes, 2hands, 2boots, and 3buttons.
.Draw a nose and mouth of your snowman.
.Your cute, white winter friend is ready!

Keep it in your showcase.

Sensory Concept: Auditory Perception

2006-11-14T21:08:00.000-08:00

Auditory Perception Skills is the ability to discriminate between the sounds of language. Inadequate auditory discrimination leads to improper speech and ultimately to an improper association of sound and printed symbol.

.For e.g. Compare Loud and soft sounds, e.g. a whistle, or pounding a hammer.
Play a pretend sound game. Have a child pretend to be something that makes a particular sound and the other children games. Focus on animals, weather etc

.Obtain a set of six to eight bottles of the same size and shape. Fill them with water to various levels. Strike each bottle with a spoon and compare the sound. Order the bottles from lowest to highest sounds. Blow across the top bottles to compare sounds.
Have the children describe their favourite and happy sounds and even most frightening and unpleasant sounds.
Show a card with the picture of a bat, a bell and say, this is a bell and this is a bat. Do they begin with the same sound?
Have children dial on telephone, three, four, five digits according to their age, to develop sustained attention.Have children repeat series of words from memory.

Science Experiment: Dissolution

2006-11-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

Objective: To enhance intellectual development,understand the concept of science through play. It also develops language skills as a child communicates during the activity.

You need: 4 to 5 transparent mugs, water colors, salt, sugar, Small pieces of dough, an adult etc.

Method: Collect all the things and keep it there.
Allow the child to mix each of the things in the mug filled with water.
As the child is busy mixing, one can ask him related questions. i.e.
Did the sugar dissolve in water?
Did the paint dissolve in water?
Did the chapatti dissolve in water?
Children understand and grasp more by first hand experience.

Creative Art Work: Rainbow

2006-11-14T21:03:00.000-08:00

You Need: A white chart paper, 7 colors of crape paper i.e. violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange red, child friendly scissors, crayons, white glue, an adult.

Objective: To enhance fine and gross motor development, cognitive development, recognition of colors, concept of number i.e. no. 7

Method: Hold the white paper horizontally.
An adult must draw the shape or give an outline of the rainbow with the crayon, so that the child gets an idea about how the rainbow is.
Then cut long and thick strips of each crape paper.
Let the child twist the long strips of each paper on the palms and keep aside. An adult may do the finishing.
Later tell the child to apply white glue on the white chart paper. Instruct the child about the application of glue.
Then tell him to stick the twisted papers in the same way, as you had drawn roughly.
Guide him to start from downwards, i.e. 1st stick violet indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.
Tell your child to count the colors he stuck.
One may continue with a rainbow rhyme, i.e.
How many colors are in a rainbow?
Count and we shall see…….
Violet, indigo, blue and, green
Yellow, orange, red
Seven colors are in a rainbow.

Creative Art Work: Yellow Sun

2006-11-14T20:56:00.000-08:00

Objective: To enhance fine and gross motor skills, and recognition of colors.

You need: 1thick white chart paper, child friendly scissors, white glue, yellow gelatin paper, an adult, pencil, eraser, a rounder (from geometric box)

Method: Firstly make a round circle on the white chart paper. Then leave a inch gap and draw sun rays all round the circle. Then with the help of an adult, cut the circle drawn. Now you will be able to see through the circle. Let the sun rays be there drawn.

Then take the yellow gelatin paper in round shape, draw a circle of the same size as drawn on the white chart paper.

Tell the child to apply white glue on the 1inch gap left, between the circle and the sunrays drawn.

Let the child stick the yellow gelatin paper cut in round shape on the white chart paper.

Your yellow sun is ready! Make a smiley face of your sun.

(You can stick your sun on your window or hang it in your room)

Tomato cheese sandwich

2006-10-22T22:48:00.001-07:00

You need: 2tomatoes(cut round ones), butter, 4cheese slices, 8slices of bread, a pinch of salt,an unsharped butter knife, an adult.

Method:
Take 2 slices of bread and apply butter on the bread with the help of an adult.
Then put 1slice of cheese on top of that, then put tomatoes, sprinkle black salt and close it with another piece of bread.Cut into 4 pieces.
Your yummy sandwich is ready.

Cooking: Chilling fruit juice

2006-10-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

You need: 1/3rd cup apple juice, ½ cup cottage cheese, a few mint leaves, 1banana, 1tsphoney, a few cherries, an adult, measuring cups and spoons, a blender.

Method: Take a blender and blend all the ingredients given above. Cover and ask an adult to process till well blended.
Your fruit juice is ready.

Field trips

2006-10-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

Field trips comprise of some of the most exciting learning activities for pre-schoolers.
Field trips is an opportunity for students to observe people and places and thereby clarify and extend major concepts.

Objective: Field trips provide holistic development to the child.
e.g, A grocery shop.
Constantly give information to the child about the things kept in and all around the shop, like, food packets, empty cartons, metal cans with labels, cash register, salesman etc.

Movement exploration

2006-10-22T22:46:00.001-07:00

A story may not always involve sounds, or animals, or dolls, it may even have only movement exploration, try to re-direct, challenge, stimulate, their discoveries, by suggestions such as,
Do what you are doing in a slower way, or different direction etc.
The following are some suggested movement interpretations

Shaving cream:
Spurting out of the tube, foaming up, spreading on face, being used for shaving.

Laundry:
Being scrubbed on a wash board, being pinned to clothes, drying in the breeze.

The above mentioned suggestions offer opportunity for a no. of interpretations relating to a single idea. Also there are many activities and experiences that allow for a single possible interpretation, e.g.
Move like a pair of scissors
Show me how would you move if you were a needle on a sewing machine
Show me how your dog moves when you have just come home after being gone for a while and dog is glad to see you.

Games: Active play

2006-10-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

Objective: It enhances physical and motor development of a child.

Firstly explain the child that he has to follow the instructions, and go and touch the opposite wall.
Then each time instruct him different ways of going and touching the wall and then come back.
Eg,Instruct him to hop like a frog, crawl like a baby, act like a monkey and go, bark like a dog etc.
If there are many kids, they might play this as a racing game too.

Games: Spot the missing one.

2006-10-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Objective: It enhances visual development and power of observation.

Method: Collect a handful of common objects, such as, ball, stick, pebbles, spoon, comb etc. and keep it in a tray.
Children identify the things first, then one child is blindfolded and one item is removed. The blindfold is then removed and the child is asked to say what is missing.
Blindfolding the child and getting him to identify another child, either through the sense of touch or by sound is another game that can be played.
Kids have lot of fun feeling the other child all over, pulling his hair,smelling him, getting him to talk and thereby identifying him.

Games: Throw a ball

2006-10-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

This is a simple game, but the complexity of the game increases, as the child grows older. For e.g. this game is suitable for the age group of 1-2/2-3yr olds.

Objective: It develops muscular co-ordination, directional throwing, waiting for one’s turn, and appreciating another’s skills.
Method: Firstly gather the kids in a circle.
Keep a wide mouthed basket in the middle.
Then ask the kids turn by turn to throw a ball into the basket.
If the child is able to direct it properly, he or she gets a big clap.

Creative art work: Sunflower face mask

2006-10-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

You need: 1 paper plate, glue, a punching machine, yellow color crape paper, a rounder (from the geometric box) a pair of child friendly scissors, an adult.
What to do:
Firstly take a paper plate.
Draw a circle inside the paper plate.
Then cut the circle in round shape.
You can see through the circle now.
An adult must cut and keep ready from the yellow crape paper, the same shape as the sunflower petals are.
The child has to then stick each petal around the paper plate. The pointed part of the petal must hang a little out of the paper plate.
An adult needs to punch both the edges on the side of the paper plate.
Then tie a ribbon on both the punched areas.

The child can now see his face through the round in between the paper plate.
Tie the mask with the help of the ribbon.
Your child is a beautiful sunflower after wearing this face mask.

Creative art work: Balloon Dabbing

2006-10-19T02:40:00.000-07:00

What you need: A chart paper, water colors, an adult.
Method:
Firstly take a full size chart paper.
Mix and prepare colors of your choice.
Blow your balloon, and knot it.
Hold the knotted side with your thumb and pointed finger and dip the balloon in the color and then dab on the chart paper. Keep on dabbing till the full chart paper becomes colorful. At least use three different colors to make the paper colorful.
Allow it to dry.
You may use this colorful designed paper for various purpose, i.e. make a paper bag, or use it as a gift wrapping paper, or cut the paper into square and make a colorful cone out of it, etc.

Creative Art Work: Sand Painting

2006-10-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

Objective: To enhance cognitive, emotional, physical development.
Materials: A thick rectangular white chart paper, pencil, eraser, card board (cut the same size of your chart paper), colorful sand, glue, painting brush, water colors.
Method: Parents have to do a little preparation for the kids before starting the activity.
Cut the white chart paper in rectangle shape (size of your choice) and even the cardboard of the same size.
Stick the white paper on the card board.the paper gets the support of the cardboard.
Draw a picture on the paper of your choice.e.g, Dolphin, House, Sunflower,etc.
Then tell the child to put glue on the picture.
He then has to sprinkle sand all over the picture.
Sand gets stuck on the areas where glue has been applied.
Rest of the picture the child may paint as per his wish.
Your sand painted picture is ready.
You may hang this painting made by your child in his room as a photo frame.

Experiment: Float And Sink

2006-10-15T02:28:00.000-07:00

Objective: To enhance cognitive development and science experiments through play.
Method:
Tell the child to collect as many things as possible from home itself.
Then you (parent) fill water in two buckets.
Tell the child to put the things one by one in the bucket full of water.
Child will observe that some things are floating and some are sinking in the water.
In this way we can even explain them the concept of heavy and light.
That is, things which are lighter in weight,float in water,and things which are heavier sink in water.e.g, of light and heavy things.
Light things: feather,pencil,leaf,paper,hair,etc
Heavy things: marbles,stones,soap,comb,spoon etc

Creative Art Work: T-Shirt Painting:

2006-10-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

Art work activities can be easily done at home and with your daily materials available at home.
Kids enjoy doing creative work, by themselves.
It enhances cognitive, motor development. They explore themselves. Kids even vent out their emotions through coloring, painting drawing.

Creative Art Work: T-Shirt Painting
Material: A plain t-shirt (white), water colors, paint brush, blocks with design
Method:
Take your t-shirt ready for printing. Let the child mix colors of his choice. Then dip the designed side of the block in the color and dab on the t-shirt all around.
The t-shirt is no more plain, it’s a designed colorful t-shirt.

Instead of blocks a child can even do palm printing on t-shirt.
Open your palms, put it into then color then dab on the t-shirt .Let it dry for a day in the sun.

Lovely colorful T-shirt made by your child is ready!

Craft: Cute Face

2006-10-12T05:18:00.000-07:00

Material: Box Board, cotton, glue, round shape buttons, red marble paper.

Method:
Cut a round circle of the box board.
Cut cotton also of the same size and shape.
Then tell the child to apply glue on box board of round shape.
He then has to complete the face with the remaining materials.
You only help him out to cut the mouth out of the red paper.

In this way the child has made something of his own. You can hang this cute face in your child’s room. He’ll love it.

Music

2006-10-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

Kids love music, and I can help you out with few rhymes, which you can teach them at home itself.
Songs and rhymes play a very important part in the development of a child.
Rhymes must be on little fast beats, so that it doesn’t sound boring to the kids.
It must have movement, rhythm, expression, rhyming words, and eye contact.
You can start with the rhymes with which the child can associate with. Here are some child-friendly rhymes for the kids (of course, I shall be coming up with more in future)

Music: I love Nature
I love the sun, it shines on me,
God made the sun and god made me.
I love the trees, it gives shades to me,
God made the trees, and god made me.
I love the birds, they sing to me,
God made the birds, and god made me.
I love the flowers, they smell so nice,
God made the flowers, and god made me.

You may extend this rhyme, or may be your child might help you out with this.
One cannot challenge a child’s imagination.

In this way you can keep your child busy and develop a positive bonding, by way of fun.

Music: Ceiling Fan
This rhyme enhances intellectual development, number concept, and builds confidence.

I am a little Fan, I have three hands
1,2,3………….1,2,3…………….
When you put me on, I go round and round
1,2,3………………..1,2,3………………..
I give you air, it shakes your hair
1,2,3………..1,2,3……………..
When you’re feeling hot, forget me not
1,2,3……………..1,2,3…………..

Music: Parts of body
This rhyme enhances intellectual, physical development and number concept.

Two little eyes to open and close,
One little nose to smell rose.

Two little ears that long for a song
Two little hands, busy all day long.
This rhyme can be supported with an activity.

Introduction

2006-10-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

Kids…..Kids…..Kids…..Oh! God we’re tired.
It’s time to say good bye to all this. One needs to discover the child by giving him/her requisite time. A child needs to be with his/her parents.
Even we, as parents, need to give time, and experiment a lot of things with our child. Not only a teacher even a parent can try many creative activities with kids at home itself, and make the child feel great doing things by himself/herself.
At this tender age a child has the capacity to adapt 98%,while we as adults have only 34%.A child understands, remembers, executes max at the age group of 2 to 7yrs.Never underestimate your child for anything he does. Some of them might be slow learners, but not wrong. Children understand actions more than words.
I will come up with more fun ideas, knowledge articles and shall include various sections, for young , smart and blooming buddies. Do not forget to send in your comments and queries, if any, and do log in next time for more goodies. Take care and enjoy!