Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The ABC’s of Teaching Preschool

 

Congratulations to Deborah Stewart from Teach Preschool. Her very informative facebook page has now 20,000 “likes”. You are such an inspiration!

To help Deborah celebrate we are posting The ABC of Preschool.

 

Print

 

C for Creativity

 

Creativity is the ability to make something unique, to envision things that don’t exist and to make common things special. Creativity is the ability to look at everyday items in new ways. Creativity is about thinking, exploring, discovering and imagining.

 

 

Ways to Encourage Creativity through Art

 

1. Give emphasis to the process rather than the product.

 

Creativity 1

 

 

Creativity 2

 

 

Creativity 3

 

 

2. Embrace unusual ideas from children.

 

mushrooms (2)

 

 

mushrooms (4)

 

 

mushrooms (1)

 

 

3. Provide a classroom environment that allows the young to play and explore without constant adult interference.

 

DSC07919

 

 

DSCN5437

 

 

DSC07918

 

 

Rain forest

 

 

DSC08834

 

 

DSC08839

 

 

DSC08838

 

 

DSC08837

 

 

DSC08835

 

 

4. Allow time to explore.

 

Three Month Project

DSC08787

 

 

DSC08790

 

 

DSC08788

 

 

5. Create an art center where children can freely discover materials on their own.

 

DSC08830

 

 

DSC08783

 

 

6. Provide a special area where children can explore clay.

 

red truck 6

 

 

DSC08148

 

 

Clay 2-15-2011 (9) - Copy

 

 

7. Display creative works but avoid evaluations.

 

dropdrop art (1)

 

 

DSCN5007

 

 

DSCN5127

 

 

DSCN8770

 

 

Picture 034

 

 

8. Promote respect for the unusual.

 

DSCN7123

 

 

DSCN7128

 

 

DSCN7129

 

 

DSCN7130

 

 

9. Be open to live with a sense of curiosity.

 

DSC09853

 

 

Creativity 11

 

 

Creativity 9

 

 

Creativity 8

 

 

Creativity 10

 

 

10. Encourage creative problem solving in all parts of the curriculum.

 

DSC08823

 

 

Aubrie 2 (8)

 

 

wood foam building blocks (6)

 

 

IMG_0310

 

 

33650_170960389586228_100000168033136_608531_3346308_n

 

 

Anthony salad spinner 2010 (2)

 

 

wonder (3)

 

 

DSC08062

 

 

magnet play 1 (17)

 

Congratulations Deborah Stewart

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sodium Polyacrylate AKA Insta Snow

There are two ways that you can get ingredients to make fake polymer snow. You can purchase insta snow at craft stores or you can collect sodium polyacrylate from disposable diapers.

 

 

Insta Snow (88)

 

 

 

Insta Snow (91)


 

This is one of the coolest products I’ve seen. All you need to do is add water to the powder and immediately make slushy snow. Keep adding water until you have the desired amount of wetness. The gel will not dissolve; the children can decide how mushy they want their snow to be. It will last for weeks.

 

Insta Snow (4)

 

 

 

Insta Snow (31)

 

 

Insta Snow (37)

 

 

Insta snow is safe to handle, non-toxic and guaranteed to amaze children. I have been fascinated with insta snow ever since I first saw a Steve Spangler's workshop, ten years ago!

 

 

Insta Snow (15)

 

 

 

Insta Snow (32)

 

 

 

Insta Snow (55)

 

 

 

Insta Snow (53)

 

 

 

DSC09592