The Mom I Want to Be

Children will have a brand new answer to the question, “What’s for breakfast?”

 

empty cereal boxes

white paper

glue

tape

markers, pencils, crayons

old newspaper

computer (optional)

 

Children will create a new cereal and cereal box design to strengthen creative-thinking, problem-solving, language, and writing skills.

 

Place a variety of the collected cereal boxes on a table for children to look at. What do they notice about the cereal boxes? Can they read or recognize the names of the different types of cereals? Encourage children to notice the different type of information found on cereal boxes. What type of information is found on the sides of the box? What is always found on the front of the box? What part of the cereal box do they like to read when they are eating their breakfast?

 

 Ask children to look at the different types of lettering and pictures on the cereal boxes. How are the boxes similar or different? Do some cereal boxes look like they are only for children? Encourage children to explain their answers.

 

Explain to children that they will each create a new kind of cereal or design a new box for a favorite cereal. Ask them to consider: Will they create special “characters” for their cereal? What will their cereal look like? What will it be named? Will there be a special prize in their box? Assist and encourage children as they develop their designs.

 

Stuff the cereal boxes with newspaper to make them firm. Cover the boxes with white paper and provide children with art materials to encourage the creative development of their ideas. Include markers, pencils, tempera paint, alphabet stencils, and rubber stamps. If a computer is available, assist children in learning about different fonts to create lettering for their cereal boxes.

 

Celebrate children’s creative accomplishments with a special exhibition of their “cereal” and have a cereal party! Invite families to join in the festivities.

 

BOOKS

The Cheerios Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
 

Cookie Count by Robert Sabuda
 

Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat