The Mom I Want to Be

 

shoebox
construction paper (different colors, depending on the scene)
art supplies
clay
small toys that reflect the environment
glue
pictures of different outdoor environments (optional)

Talk to your child about different outdoor environments and seasons. Help him pick a place he has been to or that he is interested in, such as the ocean or the desert. Cut out a piece of construction paper the size of the bottom of a shoebox. The paper should be a color that will reflect the scene (white for snow, blue for underwater, and so on). Ask your child to draw the scene and then glue the paper to the bottom of the shoebox. Turn the shoebox on its side so you can look in the opening to see the background scene. Ask your child to create additional pieces with clay or to glue small toys in the box to complete the diorama.

Learning benefits:
• encourages imagination and creativity
• builds small-motor skills
• introduces social studies concepts