Classic Valentine's Card

Doilies, glitter, and hearts!

Don't forget the classic Valentine's Card this year! 

Homemade Valentine's cards are extra sweet when they come from a beloved little one, and even if the giver doesn't appreciate them, your child will enjoy making them. 

To make this classic design you will need the following materials:

1 8" doily

1 sheet of red paper

Glitter (I recommend the glitter glue pins because my daughter can use these with little supervision.)

Glue

Directions

1.  Cover your work surface with newspaper or a sheet of paper. 

2. Cut out a heart from the red paper. 

For instructions on how to create a heart use the following link: http://www.ehow.com/how_2181972_cut-heart-shape.html

For a heart template use the following link:

http://www.abcteach.com/free/h/heart_m.pdf

3. Glue the shape in the center of the doily. (Note: the glue will seep through, so pull it up from the newspaper occasionally to ensure that it doesn't stick.)

4. Allow your child to decorate.

Heart Happiness!

Treasure Hunt for Parties

Reason for Resourcefulness:
As I prepared for the preschool's annual Fall Festival, I had to stick to a tight budget.  In our storage room I found a old sand table.  I knew the kids would love a treasure hunt but knew we didn't have the extra funds to buy sand, so here's what I did.

The Creation:

1 sand table or Kiddy Pool
Several 100 sheets of used paper (old newspapers, coloring sheets, bills, etc)
1 shredder
Prizes*

Directions
1. Shred enough paper to fill your container.
2. Layer prizes and shredded paper.
3. Continue to alternate prizes and paper until the container is 3/4 of the way full.
4. Allow your kids to dig through the paper to find the prizes.

*Note: If your church or organization is on a tight budget, a great way to get prizes for free is to contact a local fast food restaurant.  With proper identification (organization letter head), they will usually donate old kid's meal prizes. 
Extensions:

Earth Day Project: Because recycling is more than taking items to a recycling center, this is a great idea to teach older kids how to recycle. You could have older kids bring in old toys to put in the paper as prizes. 

Indoor Easter Egg Hunt: Make your paper green and use plastic eggs instead of prizes.

No Mess Painting for Two-Year-Olds!

Reason for Resourcefulness
When I worked as an assistant director for a preschool, one afternoon several teachers called in sick at the last minute.  The director and I rushed to cover rooms without having time to prepare activities.  I covered the baby room, and she covered the two-year-old room.  Once a sub for the baby room arrived, I went to relieve my boss.  When I entered the room, I was meet with a pleasant surprise: she had SEVEN TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN QUIETLY SITTING around a table.  She used the resources around her and created this idea:


The Creation
1 Small  Cup (3oz)
1 oz of water
1 Paint Brush per Child
Hard Surface: counter tops, dinning room table, tile, bathtub, etc


Allow child to paint on a hard surface with water. 


Since two-year-old children are exploring how to make vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes with writing utensils, this activity appeals not only to their interests but also to their motor development.