KidSparkz - News Blog
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KidSparkz news blog features new preschool activity resources as they are created, plus many free , instantly downloadable activities.
KidSparkz - News Blog
1y ago
Kindness is one of the most important values that we can instill in our children. It helps them develop empathy, compassion, and respect for others. But how can we teach kindness to very young children, who are still learning about themselves and the world around them?
Here are some activities that you can use to foster kindness in your classroom or at home.
Model kindness yourself. Children learn by observing and imitating adults, so make sure you are always polite, courteous, and helpful to others. Say please and thank you, apologize when you make a mistake, and offer to help ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
THESE IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Crayon scratch art. Color hard with bright crayons on an index card. Have the color patches touch each other. Go over the entire colored area with a thick layer of black crayon. Then scratch into the black crayon work with a sharp object such as a toothpick of the end of a paper clip.
Crayon shaving and peeling. Rub the crayons on a coarse grater, or make shaving with a pencil sharpener. They can be sprinkled on glue, or ironed with a warm iron between 2 sheets of wax ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
THESE CREATIVE STITCHERY IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Stringing packing peanuts, straws, round pasta, round cereal, paper shapes etc. String onto yarn, string, chenille pipe cleaners, tinsel, plastic lacing etc.
Sewing on rigid plastic mesh. Stitch with different colored and textured yarns, and a large needle.
Paper or foam weaving. Weave strips of paper or foam through a precut “loom”. Teacher cuts long slits in a piece of paper or foam. This can be more directed as the children are older.
Burla ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
THESE CREATIVE SCULPTING AND CONSTRUCTION IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Sculpting
Use playdoh, clay, plasticine, Model Magic etc with just fingers, or with tools such as cookie cutters, rollers, small toys, plastic knives.
Sculptures to save – create the art piece and add chenille pipe cleaners, toothpicks, cut-up straws, jewels, etc. Let air dry.
Press a piece of playdoh or clay flat, then press 3 dimensional materials into it to create a mosaic effect.
Construction
Connect ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
MANY OF THESE CREATIVE PRINT MAKING IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Styrofoam printing – scratch a design in Styrofoam with a toothpick or scissors. Color over the scratched surface with markers or paint. Press a piece of paper on the colored area.
Vegetable printing – use fruit and vegetables past their prime. Use potatoes, apples, squeezed citrus, cornhusks, carrot circles, onion, green pepper, onion. Press onto a sponge with tempera spread on it, or a folded paper towel with tempera. Wipe off excess pai ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
MANY OF THESE CREATIVE DRAWING IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Create a scribble picture by using a marker or crayon to make circling loops all over the paper. Make a different pattern inside each loop, or just continue making colorful loops again and again. Use a HUGE piece of paper. Everyone do it together as a mural while listening to music.
An empty space picture. Teacher cuts a shaped hole in the middle of a piece of paper. Child uses the hole as a focus point, and creates a picture around it.
Experimenting ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
MANY OF THESE CREATIVE COLLAGE AND GLUE IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Sprinkle colored sand, cornmeal or rice on glue, which can be applied from a squeeze bottle or with a glue spreader
Drip colored glitter glue on wax paper in a scribble design. Dry overnight, then peel it off. Hang it, use as an ornament.
Glue pieces of torn or cut tissue paper onto wax paper, so that they overlap. Brush over finished work with a layer of glue. Let dry overnight, peel off and hang in window.
Stickers of a ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
MANY OF THESE CREATIVE PAINTING IDEAS CAN BE ADAPTED TO WORK WITH ANY THEME. CHANGE COLORS AND TEXTURES FOR DIFFERENT THEMES AND TOPICS
Paint or finger-paint on windows or glass door. Add a little Joy soap to help cleanup. Or spray on foam paint and use sponge rollers.
String or yarn painting. Dip 10” lengths into paint, and drag across paper. Use medium tempera, and push yarn into paint with brush if necessary. Also, paint-loaded yarn can be placed between a paper folded in half. Press down on top of the paper, and slowly pull the yarn out.
Marble painting. Cover seve ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
EASY ACTIVITY RECIPES FOR A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM OR A HOME ART PROGRAM
Many of these recipes use food materials. Don't use them if you prefer not to use food products for art work.
Everyday Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.
Kool-Aid Playdoh
Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boil ..read more
KidSparkz - News Blog
3y ago
INDISPENSABLE SUPPLIES FOR A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM OR A HOME PROGRAM
Find reliable sources for commercial products on the links page.
Construction paper- 8 colors
Drawing paper 8x11” & 12x18”
Colored tissue
Shiny and textured papers
Scissors – children and adult
Markers and crayons
Chalk – white and colors
White glue and glue spreaders
Tape – masking and clear
Food coloring
Tempera paint and brushes
Cotton swabs
Paper plates
Brown lunch bags
Rubber stamps and inkpads
Straws
Glitter and sequins
Felt squares
Clear contact paper
Moveable eyes
Feathers
Pipe cleaners
Doilies
Sticke ..read more