Preschool Powol Packets

Using tape to make a resist-painting is a fabulous way to let your preschooler step up a normal painting craft into a project that uses planning and creativity!  Even toddlers love this project! Simple Supplies: * Cardstock or other heavy paper to paint on (we used computer paper, but that makes removing the tape a more delicate process) * Masking tape * Paints and brushes Easy How-To: * Explain to your child that she will be placing masking tape on her paper before she paints.  Then, she will paint right on top of the tape and paper.  When the painting is dry, she will remove the tape to make white spots on the paper. * Ask her how big she would like the pieces of masking tape.  Tear them off and hand them to her. * Allow her to paint however she likes. * After it dries, remove the tape. * The project is finished now, but if you'd prefer you can let your child add another layer of artwork to the piece.  Markers or crayons make a fun contrast, but even a new la

Penguin Party is one of those fun-sized, easy-to-read, easy-to-memorize, little books with engaging pictures that your emergent reader can make and use herself!  It's also really easy for preschoolers to memorize! The twelve-word vocabulary is repetitive and rhyming, two helpful tools as your child learns to read.  You can see the entire book in these pictures, but you need to click the links below to get your {FREE} copy! Click HERE to download your {FREE} Penguin Party emergent reader mini-book in COLOR . Prefer black and white?  Click HERE for the same mini-book in BLACK and WHITE . Do you use mini-books like these?  My daughter loves them, and I'm trying to decide how many to share.  I am planning on a Sharing Saturday post soon with some others I've seen around the web, and if there's much interest I'd be happy to put up more of mine!

Today I'm over at Playing With Words 365 as a guest poster sharing how to make the Olympics last just a little bit longer with your own mini White Water Rafting event!  My kids have requested it many times since we originally made it a couple weeks ago...there's a lot to be said for water activities on a hot day! While you're at Playing With Words 365, be sure to check out some of Katie's other posts.  She's a Speech-Language Pathologist with years of experience working and playing with children. She has freebies like an interactive Snowman, Snowman, What Do You See minibook, advice for SLP's and parents like Teaching the /r? Sound , a whole series on baby sign language , and tons more!  I may share at any of these parties !

It's Sharing Saturday!  I'm so excited to share eleven wonderful resources for a Birds Theme or Unit.  We can't wait to begin our bird unit at the start of this school year, and I will be sharing some more resources that I create in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these activities and projects!  They are all free and are coming from amazing blogs and websites!  If I've featured you, feel free to grab a button from the right sidebar, and enjoy! Birds Preschool Pack from 1+1+1=1: Life Cycle of a Chicken from I Heart Crafty Things: Bird in Sign Language Poster from WeeHands: Foot Print Penguin from Busy Bee Kids Crafts: Cooking Experiment, Cupcakes With and Without Eggs from Little Wonders Days : Owl Masks from Creative Family Fun: Anatomy of a Bird from Lesson Pathways:  (lots of information very useful for a teacher) and What Makes a Bird a Bird from Lesson Pathways Bird Mobil

Are you studying leaves this fall?  My Leaf Report is a free printable that lets your preschooler (or kindergartner!) analyze and experiment with a leaf of his or her choice! This fun preschool leaf activity lets your kids practice colors, compare sizes, experiment with pennies, and write or draw about their leaf! Download your {FREE} Leaf Report here!! Are you looking for more  preschool leaf activities ? Check out my free  preschool leaf theme ! Happy Educating! Carla I may share at any of these parties !

The Olympics is such a fun, positive competition for kids and adults alike!  My kids have loved participating, even as a viewers!  We've also had fun letting them host a few Olympic events themselves, like the High Jump. If you haven't watched the High Jump (and especially the winning jumps), you will want to do that first.  Even my 2-year old has enjoyed watching these reruns and highlights!  Ask your child how high he or she can jump, then let the games begin! Instead of jumping over a bar, tie a large, 12" balloon to a broom stick.  Twist the broom part off, so you just have the balloon and stick, as pictured above.  Hold it in front of your child and have your child hit the balloon.  Raise it a foot and see if your child can jump that high.  Raise it again!  Keep playing and take turns until everyone is done.  Afterwards, let your child invent a few more games with the "balloon stick!" The best part about these Olympic High Jumps for Children is tha