Creating Marbleized Paper

Our facilitator provided children with an opportunity to explore colour mixing but with a twist. 

Children were provided with three containers that contained vegetable oil, food colouring and a little bit of water. They were then invited to add drops of colour onto a black tray and to swirl the colours together.  Mixing on the black tray meant that you couldn’t really see how the colours were mixing until you pressed the blank sheet against the surface and then pulled it away to see your masterpiece. 

         

                                              

                                           

The children (and adults) were delighted to turn over their papers to discover how their colours had mixed and the patterns that were created.  One young friend stayed at this activity for over 30 minutes and experimented with different strategies and techniques.

 “Children use their senses, their minds and their bodies to find out about and make sense of what they see, feel and experience in the world around them. They gather information and develop new skills, including thinking skills. They form ideas and theories and test these out. They refine their ideas through exploring their environment actively and through interacting and communicating with adults and with other children. Much of this happens through play and    other experiences that allow children to be creative, to take risks, and to make discoveries. As they learn, they retest their theories adjusting them to take on board new discoveries and new experience”  National Council for Curriculum and Evaluation

Lynda Gellner 

Magic Milk

This week we had some fun experimenting with science and art.

What you need:

Milk

Larger tray/dish

Food colouring

Dish soap

Q-tips

Pour a little bit of milk into your dish (enough to cover the bottom). Next create a design with the food colouring in the milk (we covered all the milk). Lastly dip a q-tip into the dish soap and stick it into the middle of the tray. Watch the magic happen!

Experiment and explore as long as you want. 

After we were done we pressed a piece of paper into the tray to create a “water colour like” painting. 

Children of all ages were amazed with this neat science/art experiment. Guaranteed hours of fun. 

Laura Bieber

August Sensory Make and Take

The August Sensory Make and Take was a four week pre-registered program that provided parents insight on how easy making child activities can be with things you most likely have around home. No need buy expensive toys!

Week One - Jello Hunt 

Follow directions on back of Jello box. Use little bowls/containers, put a candy or toy at the bottom and fill with Jello until covered.  I used gummy worms.   Put in the fridge and let it set. Then have fun finding the hidden treasures. 

Week Two - Flubber 

In a big bowl:

2 cups - Elmers glue
2 cups - water
Couple drops of food colouring or water colour

In a smaller bowl:
1/2 cup - Borax
2 cups - boiling water
Stir slowly, letting all the Borax dissolve. This is a good way to practice patience.

Once Borax is dissolved pour into the big bowl.
Slowly stir and the mixture will start to clump together.
You may need to use your hands to finish mixing the water with the glue. Be careful as the water can still be hot.
Once most of the water is mixed with the glue it is done.

Week Three - Sidewalk Chalk Paint 

1/2 cup - cornstarch

1/2 cup - water
1 Tbsp - tempera paint

Optional - a squirt of dish soap for a greater washability

Stir well and have fun creating! 

Week Four - Edible Finger Paint

There are several ways to make non-toxic edible finger paint. We chose to use shaving cream and water colour. 

Squirt the desired amount of shaving cream into a bowl.  We used glass jars with lids so it was easier to take home.  However, I would not recommend this as it was much harder to mix. Squirt a couple drops of food colouring/water colour on the shaving cream.  We used water colour as it doesn't stain. 

Mix well. 

This paint can be used on paper. Also is great in the bathtub making clean up easy! 

Sad you missed this program? No need to worry – another Make and Take program using household items such as popsicle sticks, paper plates, paper bags, etc. will be back in September with some new and different ideas. Call Laura at Scott (306) 523-3512 to register.

Laura Bieber

Child Directed Play

Child directed play is allowing the child to choose how they will spend their time playing. The parents' or teachers' role is to provide interest centres with age and developmental appropriateness taking safety precautions when setting up the play environment. The space should function with choice so the child feels control over their choices. When children are empowered in their learning, they are more likely to cooperate and explore within the boundaries set.

The children's role is to freely explore and take risks when appropriate to enhance their learning. The adult involved may choose to set expectations of their child and how the materials are to be used. For example, when a mess happens (which it may) we all help clean up. If we become frustrated with the materials or our friends, we take a breath and a break, we wouldn't throw the items or hit.

•   Listen to the cues from your child for when to interject 

•   Communicate with your child to expand their vocabulary and language

•   Observe how your child is using the materials and take opportunities to suggest further exploration

•   Add, minimize or alter as you see fit from your observations and interactions

•   Document your child's play by writing about what they are doing and take pictures of them playing (this allows for opportunities for language opportunities for retelling about their play)

Development relies on the collaborative effort in play between parent and child. By taking the time to observe and listen to your child you will then be able to artfully direct their play for the most effective and productive play.

If you have any questions about child-directed play please speak to one of our facilitators at any three of our centres.