Supporting Christian Science families and their young children
Materials
Funky brushes
Tempera paint
Large white paper
Tape
Plates for paint (one plate per color)
Directions
Tape paper to the work surface. Pour a small amount of tempera paint onto each plate. Invite your child to dab the funky brushes into the paint and then transfer the paint onto the paper. Children will enjoy exploring with the various brushes—dabbing, pressing, swishing, etc. What new colors are made as the paint mixes on the paper?
A fun activity to help your baby enjoy tummy time!
Materials
4-6 colorful cloth napkins or scarves
Small plastic bin (shoebox size) or basket
2-3 rattles
Blanket
Directions
Place the cloth napkins or scarves in the plastic bin or basket. Tie a few rattles onto corners of the napkins or scarves. Place the bin on the blanket and your baby on his tummy near the bin. Watch as he starts to pull napkins out of the container and enjoys the fun surprises tied to the fabric.
This is a fun activity for older siblings to engage in with the baby.
Materials
1 wooden skewer
1 piece of floral styrofoam
Plastic pastel beads in a small container (pony beads work well)
Dice
Directions
Place the wooden skewer into the piece of styrofoam. Invite your child to place beads onto the skewer. For an added challenge, provide 1-2 dice. The child rolls the dice, counts the number of dots, and places that corresponding number of beads on the skewer. Older children may also be encouraged to create repeating bead patterns as they are placed on the skewer.
Place dried, dyed rice in a large bin and invite your child to scoop, pour, mix, and explored the rice. It’s a great sensory experience. For older children, provide small cups or plastic eggs in colors of the rice and encourage your child to scoop the correct color rice into the matching containing.
Materials
Tempera paints in pastel colors
Tulip shape drawn on cardstock
Used gift cards or expired key cards
Directions
Draw large tulip shape on white cardstock.Drop small amounts of tempera paint in various colors onto the tulip shape. Invite your child to use a gift card to scrape across the paint, filling in the tulip shape with paint. Once the paint has dried, cut out the tulip shape, tape to a green stem made from green construction paper and display on a window.
Materials
Tempera paints in pastel colors
Large paper
Sponge brushes
Directions
Tape a piece of large paper to the work surface. Invite your child to create a pastel painting using tempera paint in pastel colors. Sponge brushes work well for this activity.
Allow painting to dry and then display.
Your child will like any toy or game that allows her to throw her whole self into it — balls, swings, and tiny climbing sets. Small hands are becoming more coordinated, too, and your toddler can probably now use toy sorters more efficiently, build even greater block towers, and scribble a drawing. Play involves lots of experimentation, like “What happens if I drop this ball?” or “What happens if I pull this lever?”
At this age, most children are very interested in the consequences of their actions, and because their memory isn’t well developed, they don’t tire of repetition. Toddlers also like to try out what they see adults doing, so look for toys that imitate daily life.
Materials
Box of baking soda
1/2 cup of cornstarch
Warm (almost hot) Water
Food coloring
Spoons, sponge brushes, pastry brushes
Spray bottle with vinegar
Directions
Invite your child to mix the dry ingredients and then add water, stirring until it’s not too thick. It may take almost a cup of water. Add food coloring. Your child will enjoy painting on the sidewalk or asphalt. Next have your child spray the paint creations with vinegar. This paint dries very quickly – but washes off with ease!
Materials
Empty plastic bottles with interesting designs on the bottom
Tempera paint in pastel colors (add white paint to make pastels)
Paper Plates
Large White Paper
Painter’s Tape
Directions
Pour various colors of tempera paint in pastel colors onto paper plates. Tape the large white paper to the workspace. Invite your child to dip the bottoms of the bottles into the paints and press onto the paper. Allow paint to dry before displaying.
Ingredients
Place reserved mandarin orange juice in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to fill to the 2-cup line. Heat water/juice to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin powder, stirring until dissolved. Move mixture to a large measuring cup or bowl. Add one cup of ice to a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to the ice to bring the level to the 2-cup mark. Pour ice/water into the gelatin mixture and stir until ice has melted. Place gelatin in the refrigerator until the mixture is partially gelled. It should be firm enough that it won’t spill out of the container, but will not hold its shape well when lifted with a spoon. Use an electric mixer to break up the gelatin mixture until mixture is very loose and no longer holding its shape. Add HALF of the Cool Whip and most of the mandarin oranges (reserve about 8 nice ones for garnish) and beat just enough to blend everything together. Pour into eight dessert dishes and chill until firm. (We poured the mixture into paper-lined muffin tins.) Garnish with a dollop of Cool Whip and a mandarin orange.It’s a yummy dessert that reminds you of creamsicles!