ATTENTION!

ATTENTION! I am going to start posting advice and activities again, very, very soon. Let me know if you have anything you would like to discuss or are interested in. Thanks for your support all! :)

'Tuesday Tidbit'-Asking Open-Ended Questions

Asking Open-Ended Questions

A question like, "What color is that block?" evokes a one-word answer. But an open-ended question, "Tell me about the blocks you are using," encourages a child to describe the blocks or explain what she is doing. There is no right or wrong answer here.

An answer to an open-ended question gives us a window into what the child is thinking and feeling. And the response is sometimes wonderfully creative. In explaining or describing, children also use language more fully.

Here are some examples:

* Tell me about your picture.
* What else can you do with the play dough?
* What could you use to make the tower stand up?
* What do you think would happen if_____?
* Is there another way to_____?

It is difficult to change the closed-end question habit. But when we ask open-ended questions, children reap great benefits as they think through their responses to express what they want to say. And with their answers, we find out more about what they think and feel.

This tidbit is taken from Family-Friendly Communication for Early Childhood Programs edited by Deborah Diffily and Kathy Morrison.

Creating and Making Art with PAPER

You never really think of the different types of paper children can use when creating. "Preschool children are delighted to have paper available to paint, color, tear or paste. They do not care if the source of the paper is the classified secion, computer paper printouts, or leftovers from print shops.(Don't Move the Muffin Tins by Bev Bos)."

Here are some different types of paper to aid in your child's creativity:
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**FEATURED FAVE**

* Coffee Filters: From coloring them to dipping and dying them, the coffee filters have many uses in creating art with your child.
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* Newsprint
* Classified Sections
* Wallpaper
* Butcher Paper
* Tissue Paper
* Construction Paper
* White Drawing Paper
* Paper Plates

Next Monday, will post some activities involving different types of paper. ENJOY getting creative!

'Tuesday Tidbit'- "Process and Product"

This tidbit can be found in the "Family-Friendly Communication for Early Childhood Programs" book (pg. 8). I found it paired very nicely with Art, or creating that I have been focusing on the last couple posts. This book really is amazing for teachers and parents!

Process and Product

As adults, we are concerned with the outcomes or the product of our efforts. We want the report to look nice, the cookies to taste great, or the hedges to be perfectly straight. We participate in few activities just for the fun of doing them.

In part this is because we are NOT still learning how to do most of these activities. But do you remember when you learned how to play tennis or golf? Or use a new computer program? In the beginning you needed to do a certain amount of "messing around"-- exploring what would happen if you did this or that.

That is the way it is with your child. Kids are learning new things all the time, and they need the freedom to try things out without worrying about the product.

Luckily, young children tend to be more involved with the process or the doing than they are with the end product or results. That is why your child may draw all afternoon yet still not be able to tell you what he drew. And why one child can pour rice back and forth between pitchers all day long, and another will string an unstring beads every day for a week.

It is hard for us adults to look beyond the product of an activity and see what he child is learning from the process. Perhaps he's learning coordination or beginning writing skills or making discoveries about triangles or gravity. He's certainly finding out that doing for one's self is very satisfying--and that builds confidence.

Be patient. Allow your child the time to grow and learn through the various processes that are part of the task. Enjoy watching his or her involvement. Later, we all can be proud of the product.

Paint Me a Picture...

This week, I am continuing with the Art ideas. Art, or creating, with children is one of my favorite things to do! Here are some fun painting variations that you can add to your list of fun to-dos! Believe me, there are so many more great ideas for painting with your children. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please, feel free! I love ideas as well! :)
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**FEATURED FAVORITE**

* Marble Painting- You'll need a cardboard box, heavy-weight paper to fill the bottom, small containers of paint, a spoon and marbles. Drop the marbles into the containers of paint. Have the child scoop the marbles out with the spoon and drop them into the box. Then tip, turn and maneuver the box so the marbles will roll around leaving great designs.
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* Blindfold Painting- a great way to talk about disabilities and for the children to experience painting.

* Drip Painting- Tape paper to the ground and allow the children to dip their brushes in the paint. Let the paint drip on the paper to make different designs.

* Easel Painting- NEN (No Explanation Necessary)

* Finger Painting- NEN

* Sponge Painting- NEN

* Foot Painting- Yes, just what it sounds like. Let the children take their shoes and socks off and dip their toes and feet in the paint. Great designs will appear!

* Glitter Painting- Allow the children to paint a great design, then before it dries, let them sprinkle salt on their art.

* Shaving Cream Painting- Squirt shaving cream onto a protected table top and allow the children to finger paint with it. You could add coloring to this. Spray some water on the cream if it gets dried out or stiff.

* Utensil Painting- Provide a variety of utensils for the children to paint with. The designs are spectacular!

* "Thing" Painting- Provide materials such as, cotton swabs, eyedroppers, cotton balls, hair pins, corks, popsicle sticks, toothbrushes, etc.

'Tuesday Tidbit'- "The Artful Classroom"

I know it's a day late, but I am going to add a "Tuesday Tidbit" every Tuesday to my Teaching Blog. They are tidbits of information or advice for parents with young ones. Most of them will probably be coming from a book called, "Family-Friendly Communication for Early Childhood Programs". It is edited by Deborah Diffily and Kathy Morrison. I used this book when I Head Taught at the Early Childhood Development Lab on USU's Campus. I adore it. I hope these tidbits will help.

The Artful Classroom

'A child becomes totally engrossed, immersed in the process of making a work of art. The sensation of feeling the smooth thick paint sliding onto the easel paper calms the child and brings pleasure in the creation. When the child grapples with the challenge of representing an object or person on the page, she is engaging in a task that is both demanding and satisfying.

Teachers (PARENTS TOO) provide an assortment of art materials that children may choose from to make their own unique creations. We do not have the children copy a teacher's model or make a designated product. We encourage them to use the materials in different ways. Art is a vital and vibrant part of the early childhood program, contributing to all aspects of the young child's development.

As they draw, paint, and sculpt, children think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. Childrens' fine motor skills are developed naturally through manipulation of brushes, crayons, scissors, and clay. All of these activities prepare children for writing in later years. Language also is developed as kids talk about color, shape, and size, and as they describe their work to friends and teachers (PARENTS TOO).

To encourage your child's artistic enterprises, provide large blank paper (the ends of newsprint rolls can be purchased at a nominal cost from your local newspaper, or you can recycle paper by letting you child use the back of office paper), water colors, markers or chalk for use at home. Art supplies also make great gifts!

Value your child's efforts and expose him or her to quality artwork through visits to museums and art shows. Recognize that young children learn in a variety of ways and that creative activities provide positive, satisfying experiences for all children.'

Getting Creative, Being Artsy

In reality, I love Preschool.......because you can JUST PLAY. The learning really does come through the activities and play, I have witnessed it time and time again. I also love Elementary School, because YOU can make learning fun for your children again. This week, I am going to focus on creating and ART.......When I was teaching Preschool, I went to THE best workshop EVER. This amazing teacher teaches in California (I believe) and I learned so much from her. Bev Bos has the coolest Preschool I've EVER heard of and truly allows the children to just CREATE anything from ANYTHING. I wanted to include 10 rules Bev presents (in her amazing book- "Don't Move the Muffin Tins") when referring to ART or creating with children. The rules I've listed are centered around teachers, but you can make them work at home too. The rules I have paraphrased out of her book.
1. Don't Interfere: Once you've laid the materials out, forget what you have them intended for. Let the children use their imaginations.

2. Try One Yourself: BEFORE hand that is. Children lost interest quickly. They are not going to stand around while you work out last minute details.

3. Put the Child First: First: listen to what the child needs. "I try never to say, "We're not doing that today." if humanly possible." Second: Avoid problems with the way you present the materials.

4. Avoid Models: Never give a child a model. "It's insulting. It's like saying, "You don't know what a turkey looks like, so I'll show you."

5. Respect a Name: Don't put names on papers beforehand, ask them if they would like to write their name or if they would like you to. Also, don't rewrite their names for them. How would you like it if a Professor or teacher scratched your name out and rewrote it for you?

6. Don't Delay: "Remember, a child wants to see immediate results." Don't waste time with your Art program.

7. Spread the Word: Really orient your parents with a child-centered approach. "Make it clear to your teachers that you don't want "art" produced for you benefit, but rather a program that is aimed at developing your child's creativity."

8. No Leaping, Please!: We tend to LEAP on children when a spill happens or something is not used "correctly". PLEASE "Gently, gently guide and suggest."

9. Don't Feel Guilty: Don't feel guilty when you read these rules. "Feeling guilty is a waste of time." Just start applying these rules now.

10. Discourage "Good" Clothes: Schools sometimes provide cover-ups for children, but some children will refuse to use them. "To heck with aprons! I would never coerce a child into wearing one."

I thought because Spring is coming, Art and being creative may be a good starting point for activities with your children. Feel free to comment or leave some ideas of your own!