Dramatic play is pretend or make believe play where children use objects and roles in imaginative and realistic ways. Children think, speak, and act symbolically and in conjunction with others. Each child takes cues from his partner in sociodramatic play and responds accordingly. It provides children with skills that will be used later in life. […]
Create your own treasure stones  1c flour 1c used coffee grounds 1/2c salt 1/4c sand 3/4c water  Mix it all together (dry first, then add the water) until it forms a dough. Break off pieces and form a ball, press a ‘treasure’ into the middle and seal with some extra dough. You can […]
 A little glitter, a halved paper plate and doily and some pink paint = Royal Magic! Upgrade this classic children’s craft with some glitter, iridescent ribbon, a doily, and petal pink paint.  To make the paper plate purse, you’ll need:  1 paper plate (stronger sturdier models work better!) Scissors Hole Punch (use […]
You don’t have to wait until Halloween to have fun with homemade masks! • tempera paints • water • paintbrush • hole punch • safety scissors  • glue • paper plates • yarn • markers • glitter Talk with your child about her favorite animals and explain that she can make an animal mask. She can refer to a picture of a real animal […]
Help your child make her very own. Â The Sheep Fairy, by Ruth Louise Symes (optional) 12″ stick (about 1/4″ wide) or dowel rod from craft store glue lucky charm chosen by your child non-toxic tempera paint paintbrush thick piece of Styrofoam (about 5″ square) star-shaped cookie cutter tablespoon cellophane glitter, ribbon, lace, sequins, feathers, […]
Dramatic play (a.k.a. “make believeâ€) is an excellent way to encourage language development and pre-reading exposure in your child. And it’s just darn fun! Period. We’ve done it all – Restaurant, Family, “Choresâ€, Beauty Shop, Car Wash…The one we haven’t done (until now)?  Home Office.  In this ever increasing age of technology, children […]
 A good round of playing “Kitchen” is always good for the soul. Why not change it up a little and play “Restaurant”. You and your child will have a blast and they will learn a little something along the way – dramatic play is important to a child’s development. Children express ideas, thoughts, and […]
 Each summer my children build a city by painting and cutting and pasting empty cereal and shoe boxes. We have also used empty plastic containers and the centers from paper towel rolls. The kids work on it as the mood strikes them. The people and animals are made from clothespins, small plastic bottles, or […]
