Ribbon Craft

Photo borrowed from Make and Takes blog


While researching ideas for inexpensive props for my class I found this idea and it's a great craft to do at home. All you need is some scrap ribbon and some canning jar rings or shower curtain rings.  The website Ribbon Rings from Mom Colored Glasses blog  has some nice instructions and photos, but you don't have to do it exactly like it explains. She is working with a six year old and so I have a few ideas for making this craft fun for even a one year old.

Toddler Tip
Get the craft ready for the skill level of your child. Plan ahead and really think about what your child can do--maybe he can pick the color of the ribbon, pull the ends of the ribbon after you've done the loops of the knot, or even use scissors to cut. Then do everything the child can't do before hand. If they do one thing with this craft then they can call it their own and be proud of it!

Now use your new prop to dance along to your favorite music. Pretend to paint the sky with the colors of the ribbon. Usually kids come out of their shell when they are holding a prop. It's as if the item in their hand gives them ideas and leads them in their movement.

Hop, skip, dance around the house or outside with your ribbon rings.

Giveaway: Free book with CD

All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me that you want the book. I'll put all the names in a hat and pick a lucky winner next Sunday, May 22. I'll ship it for free to anyone, anywhere.

This is a great book that comes with a singalong CD. Even if you don't have kids yourself, surely you know someone who does. It will make a great gift for cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, etc. I'll even include a gift tag in the package!

Good luck!

BTW, if you are looking for other great children's books, check out Melissa's page where she sells Barefoot Books. She's the one who got this title for me and there are even more like it that I'm going to be giving away later. Thanks Melissa!

Animal Action

A long time ago I collected a lot of cds by Greg & Steve

from the library. They play cute songs that include talking and singing through movements and stretches. I have bought a few of their songs and use them in my classes. The music is totally 80s but the kids don't mind and it brings back good memories for the adults:)

The song I want to focus on this week is Animal Action. I found the song on youtube so you can use at home! (Or you can go to amazon and buy the song or check it out from your library) I hope you'll take a minute to listen to this cute song with your kids. I don't need to tell you how to dance like the animals in the song--elephants, monkeys, snakes, birds, frogs--you can figure that out. Better yet, let your child show you. Just make sure to exaggerate your motions and make some animal noises.

Before or after you use this song with your child ask her what her favorite animal is, or ask him what other animals he can think of and try to dance like those might dance. Take a trip to the zoo and dance like the animals that you see while you are there.

Relax and enjoy being silly with your little one. You can't help but smile and have fun with this song!

Dance at Home Series: Butterfly Stretch

We do this warm-up in class every week and it will be easy to do at home. Turn on some music and try to do this stretch for a whole song.

Sit on the floor with your child facing you. Put the bottoms of your feet together and tell your child to do the same. I always tell the kids to spread peanut butter on one foot and then put jelly on the other.  Then slap them together to make your sandwich. I demonstrate by pretending to spread PB & J on my feet. Then bend down and put your knows to your toes and pretend to eat the sandwich.

Variations:

• Flap your "wings." Pretend your arms are the butterfly wings and reach them high and low pretending to flap your wings.
• Keep the bottoms of your feet together and raise your knees up and down so they are flapping.
• Talk to your child about what kind of butterfly you are--what color (or species if you know that much!)
• Fly fast and slow.
• Sit up very tall and stretch your neck long and pretend to be a giraffe.
• Hold your ankles and rock side to side.