Sunday
DIY Felt Tree
We have had so much fun this holiday season!! One of our favorite parts of story time this month has been playing with our felt christmas tree. Here is a template that can help you make your own!
Felt Tree Cut Out
Saturday
Thumbprint Art!
We had so much fun Signing and Crafting at the Jacksonville Mommies' Holiday Market! We have enjoyed making these adorable Rudolph Hopkins and Menorah Thumprint Crafts throughout the season. Now you can download print, color and craft them at home!!Thumprint Antler's for Rudolph Hopkins and Thumbprint Candle Light Menorah Printables
DIY: Holiday Crafting
I find that completing this entire project from begining to end is best suited children age 3 and up. However, with a little construction prep work ... it can be terrific fun for all ages and abilities. As with all craft activities children must be carefully supervised around choking hazard and other housholds dangers.
Happy Crafting!!
What you'll need:
- 6 colored craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
- White craft glue
- Glitter pens (or loose glitter)
- Other found objects (buttons, gems, glitter)
How to make the Star of David Shape:
- Apply a small drop of glue to the ends of three coloured Popsicle sticks and lay them on top of each other in the shape of a triangle. Repeat this process with three more sticks, so you have two identical triangles.
- Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the glue to set.
- Once your triangles are dry and securely glued together, lay one on top of the other in opposite directions so that they form a star.
- Put small dabs of white craft glue on the points that meet and gently hold them together to help set the glue.
- Wait another 15 minutes to make sure everything is dry and begin your decorations.
- Decorate and display on the table, mantel or windowsill. !!
How to make the Snowflake Shape:
- Apply a small drop of glue to the middle section of three coloured Popsicle sticks and lay them on top of each other in the shape of an astrick.
- Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the glue to set.
- Decorate and display on the table, mantel or windowsill!!
Decorating Tips:
- Use glitter pens or white glue and sparkles, buttons or little gems. add some personal touches!
- If you can’t find colored Popsicle sticks, paint your own using washable acrylic paint.
- If have a little under three consider completeing the construction portion of this activity for your little one. Allow it to dry completely and let them paint the stars or snowflakes with baby friendly finger paints!
For a different look, decorate both sides of your Star of Davids or Snowflakes and, using long pieces of fishing wire or colour ribbon, hang them over your table from your light fixture so they look like twinkling stars in the sky!!
Thursday
Multi-Age Learning Environments ...
In my opinion, I see some of the most sustained and independent results from sprouts who participate in our multi-age learning activites either in our classrooms or at playgroup. One off the most compelling studies I have read on multi-age learning groups was written by Dr. Patricia Porter. She higlighted 5 benefit areas that I have seen living, breathing and working in our multi age environments. I think they are best presented the way she did so take a look at this excerpt.
Benefits of multi-age learning environments ...
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We use work space levels to help older sprouts. Maintain independence while still inspiring younger sprouts! |
- "Children learn from each other and older children can help younger children learn while benefiting their own learning. Teaching is a great way to learn."
- "Multi-age classrooms encourage responsibility for learning. Children are encouraged to explore and challenge their own abilities in areas like problem solving, teamwork, and cooperation."
- "Friendships - Children can make friends with older or younger children depending on their maturity. Our society requires us to interact across age levels. From a social perspective the older child learns compassion and patience for younger students and the younger children are challenged and inspired by the skills off the older students."
- Sense of security - children feel less threatened by change and are able to concentrate more on learning in multi-age environments."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsrgsN9q5XMVFyU6BqKerAn_UWI-NbeiDMayfbGSD31lr4rgWoFHgi6MyVx5HwieMIYzKkCv39x2iFbc371yVtVmGXFOIAnMDzQsraRv0D4egMVu7HhVvsr_fxtTbKNnelc4FtGt8Wx4/s320/MoreMoreCars.jpg)
One of the questions I hear parents asking each other far more frequently in single age classes is "How old is she or he?" shortly after a child does some absolutely adorable signing or displays a skill set we are focusing on with ease. It is often followed by, "So exactly how many months?" As a mom ... I totally get it. It's hard not to want to grab for a measuring stick to evaluate and assess where our littles are on the learning curve. Every parent wants to see their little be successful. However, there has been a ton of research that shows searching for assesment to early doesn't just stress out mom and dad - it can also intimidate littles. The purpose of our class is to have fun, learn and play together! So no matter which learning environment you choose remember your priority at any sprout event is to enjoy fun learning time with your little. We will work on goals and targets together individually after class ... learning time is play time!
We look forward to signing and PLAYING with you and your sprout soon!!
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