February Arts And Crafts

We have already been super busy creating Valentine Crafts. Ava and Lucy have enjoyed making each project while we discussed the topics of love and showing kindness to those around us.

Heart Beaded Pipe Cleaners

You'll need pipe cleaners (preferably red, pink, or purple) and beads (pink, light pink and white are the colors we chose). This was a great opportunity for Ava to practice making patterns and for Lucy to use her hand-eye coordination, pincer grasp and develop her concentration.



Heart Water Colors 

So for this work I didn't have the proper tape which is painters tape or masking tape. I had to settle for electrical tape. Don't Judge Me! haha I'm sure with the proper tape it'll come off much easier than ours did. You'll need tape, paper, watercolors, and paint brushes. I made the best tape heart I could with the type of tape I had haha I then let the girls paint the hearts as they wished with the water colors. We let them dry and then I took the tape off. A beautiful water color painting to frame!

Tissue Paper Heart

Lucy has been so excited to use the new glue sticks we bought for Ava. Typically I would have a little jar with glue in it and a paintbrush for Lucy to use. Lucy HAD to use the glue stick so this is what we did with it. I found a heart template on google images, cut pink and purple tissue paper into little squares and gave her the glue stick. I demonstrated how to carefully open the glue stick and apply a small dot inside the heart. I then chose one piece of tissue paper and stuck it on the glue. Then I offered for Lucy to have a turn. 

February Use Of A Funnel

Lucy enjoyed working with water this week. Red water to be exact. You'll need a tray, small pitcher with colored water (food coloring), I found this heart container at the Dollar Tree, funnel, and sponge for spills.




To give you a visual I found this great tutorial on youtube.

Pouring Water With A Funnel

February Heart Transfer

This particular work is perfect for a small toddler. I found these adorable hearts at AC Moore. They are sparkly with red glitter which will catch your child's attention. (observe carefully that they don't put hearts in their mouth) The heart bowls are from Target. You'll need a tray to place the bowls on.

To demonstrate this work have them sit beside you on the left side if they are right-handed (right side if they are left-handed). Pinch your fingers together several times to demonstrate how to pick up hearts. Take one heart at a time and transfer the hearts to the 2nd bowl. Once all the hearts are in the 2nd bowl, transfer them back to the first. Invite your child to have a turn. Once your child is finished, have them return the tray to the shelf.

February Gem Scooping

For this work you'll need a tray, 2 different size bowls, gems (I found these heart gems at Michael's), a wire strainer, and a sponge for spills.

1. To begin, have the gems in the smaller bowl without water.
2. Take one gem at a time and place it the larger bowl with water.
3. Pick up the strainer and scoop one gem up.
4. Keep the strainer over the bowl with water and allow all the water to strain.
5. I usually give the strainer on the sponge a tap tap to make sure all the water is extracted.
6. I then move the strainer over the smaller bowl without water and gently place the gem into the bowl.
7. Once all the gems are in the smaller bowl without water,  I ask the child if they'd like a turn.
8. After they've completed their turn, have them return the tray to the shelf.

February Use Of Tongs

 The use of tongs develops fine motor skills that lays the basis for pincer grip used in writing. I found these bamboo tongs at Montessori Services. You'll need a tray, 2 bowls or containers, and I used pom poms (red and pink for Valentine's). Hope you enjoy!

1. To present this work to your child, have them sitting on the left hand side of you if your child is right-handed (on the right if they are left-handed).
2. Pick up the tongs and show the child how to properly hold the tongs. I usually squeeze slowly a few times to demonstrate what the tongs do.
3. Demonstrate how to pick up one pom pom at a time and transfer it carefully from one bowl to the next.
4. Once all the pom poms are in the 2nd bowl, transfer them one by one back to the first bowl.
5. Ask your child if they would like to have a turn.
6. Once the child has completed their turn, have them return the work to the shelf.