Preschool Project is a series that we are running about stuff to do with little kids. It focuses on the process more than the end result, and on the learning and doing more than on perfection.
This week at preschool, it was teacher Lizann’s Birthday.
So we made her a banner card.
I came into the afternoon with cupcake bases cut out. And “chocolate” and “vanilla” “frosting”.
First, I wrote on the banner. Then I put out markers for coloring in the letters.
I added the gel glue for our cupcakes. And then, as a final touch, we added glitter for sprinkles.
This project was a BIG hit. The boys and the girls both liked it.
There were two sweet hightlights for them. First, writing their name. No matter how much or how little they could write, they were excited. The older ones grabbed the marker and proudly went to work. The younger kiddos were super happy to write the first letter or even to tell me their name and confirm that I was getting it right.
The second highlight was the “surprise” factor. Teacher Lizann was working that day. She was hiding her eyes and working in another room. The kids loved working on a secret. And they really responded to making something for someone else. It was neat to see that in all of them!
Happy October Birthdays to all of you.
© 2005 – 2012 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
What a fun project to do for birthdays! This looks great, maybe a little messy but a lot of fun! I cannot wait to try it!
Eric, thanks for the nice comment. If you want to simplify – just take away the glitter. If you did that, there would be literally no clean up! I don’t know how we ended up with glitter…? “all roads end in glitter?” I think it would be neat to do these with just one kid, and make birthday cards for the year.
I’m sure the parents loved you for this too – they don’t have to take it home and put it on their own fridge door! It’s nice to do a collaborative project sometimes.