Picture frame craft (a gift for Nana)

Today is my Nana's 96th birthday, so this week we have been making her some picture frames as a gift from the boys.

I bought some plain wooden frames from Bunnings.

Decoupage frame

I decided to teach Mr Sociable some simple decoupage. He tore small pieces of coloured tissue paper...

covered sections of the frame in PVA glue and then glued on the pieces of tissue paper. 

Once the frame was completely covered, we coated the tissue paper with PVA and left it to dry.

Once it was dry, I inserted a photo of Mr Sociable. 

Textured silver frame

I was originally planning to make Mr Fun's frame by gluing pasta on the wood. But, had run out of pasta and I had to improvise. I gave him a selection of dried chick peas, popping corn and uncooked rice. We put PVA glue on the frame (one section at a time) and Mr Fun sprinkled the peas, corn and rice onto the glue.

He needed a bit of encouragement to keep going until it was all finished, but we did get there in the end!

Franky sprayed the frame with silver spray paint (this was also from Bunnings) and I inserted a cute picture of Mr Fun.

Alphabet Activities for Playtime (A-D)

This term at Playtime, we are learning about the alphabet. The kids and the parents have been really positive about the activities and songs. I have noticed Mr Fun singing the songs and pointing out the letters while we are out and about. 

We have been using the songs and actions from the Jolly Phonics program (http://jollylearning.co.uk/). I have made a poster for each letter (with just one letter and a picture cue on each poster). I really like the Jolly Phonics program because it appeals to different types of learners - visual (the posters), auditory (the songs) and kinaesthetic (the actions for each sound). You can find the songs on YouTube, and buy the book (Jolly Songs) online.

Each week at Playtime, we focus on one letter; we do a craft, a story and teach the relevant song from Jolly Songs.

Aa

Craft: Salt-dough ants

I pre-made the ants and baked them in the oven. I used a skewer to poke holes for legs and antennae prior to baking. At Playtime, the kids inserted pipe-cleaners into the holes and glued on googlie eyes with PVA glue. I had planned to get the kids to paint them too, but they were happy with them unpainted, so I decided to save myself some cleaning-up. ;)

Song: Ants on my arm 

Story: We read a Sam the Ant book from the Reading eggs series.

Bb

Craft: Butterflies

We gave the kids a butterfly outline. We placed blobs of paint on the paper, then folded it in half. The kids spread the paint around to create beautiful butterfly pictures. 

Song: Bring your bat and bring your ball

Story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (the caterpillar turns into a butterfly). 

Cc

Craft: Castanets

One of the other lovely Mums planned this craft (thanks Cara!) We made castanets from cardboard, stickers and buttons. The kids decorated strips of thick cardboard with crayons and stickers. They then glued buttons inside with PVA glue to make the clicking castanet sound. This craft has been really popular with Mr Fun - he loves clicking his castanets and singing the song.

Song: We are clicking castanets

Story: Cookie Cat

Dd

Craft: Drums

This was a really popular craft! Even the kids who don't normally participate in craft time wanted to do this one! I spray-painted empty baby formula tins with gold spray paint. The kids stuck foam pictures to the drums with PVA glue. We then used cheap chopsticks as drumsticks. During story-time, we said a rhyme that involved drumming, so the kids got to test out their new drums.

Song: See me play on my drum

Story: Maisy's Band