The Mom I Want to Be

 

Cooking pot

Mixing bowl

Large mixing spoon

Measuring cup

Plastic bag

Plastic trays or paper plates

 

2/3 cup water

2 cups salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup cornstarch

 

Children will use fine-motor and creative expression skills as they experiment with a different type of clay.

 

Warm-Up: Talk about the things your children like to do on a sunny day. Make an experience chart. Can children think of any art projects to do in the sun?

 

In Advance: To prepare the sun clay, place the salt in the pot and add 2/3 cup water. Stir and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until salt is dissolved. Remove from heat. Gradually mix 1/2 cup water with cornstarch in a separate container. Stir until smooth, and then add to the salt mixture. Return to low heat and, while stirring, cook until smooth. The beauty of this clay is that when it hardens in the sun, it doesn’t crumble like play dough. Store in a sealed plastic bag.

 

If possible, take this project outside. Provide children with a plastic tray or paper plate to work on. Give each child a glob of clay to model. Encourage children to search nearby for natural objects they can use to decorate their sun sculptures. Place the finished products in the sun. Predict how long it will take for the sculptures to dry.

 

Extension: Take these books outside and read them in the shade.

 

The Wonderful Tree by Adelaide Holl (Golden Press)

Wake Up, Jeremiah by Ann Himler (Harper & Row)

The Sky Dog by Brinton Turkle (Viking Press)

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (Scholastic)