There is still time for summer fun! Do you feel overwhelmed with what to do with your child over summer break? Do you often put your child in front of the television, give them a tablet to play with, or even worse give your child boring coloring worksheets to complete? If this is you, please keep reading. Accept this challenge and complete each activity with your child for the next five days. For more summer resources and events in your area, please visit https://www.greatstartwayne.org/findfun.
5 DAY CHALLENGE!
1. Make Kool Aid Playdough
Children will enjoy this great smelling, edible playdough recipe. Follow the link for directions https://www.playdoughrecipe.com/kool-aid-playdough-recipe/.
2. Make Rainbow Fruit Kabobs and Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This is a very simple and healthy snack that all kids will love. Your child will be asking for more! Ingredients: Watermelon, Pineapple, Strawberries. Directions: String a piece of watermelon, a small strawberry, and pineapple onto each small skewer and Enjoy!
3. Create Nature Mandalas or Collages with Loose Parts
Mandalas are circles that exist all around us. They exist in nature including rocks, vegetables, fruit, flowers, and snowflakes. Using a paper bag take a walk outside and collect the items you see around you. There are so many natural items you can collect to make mandalas or collages.
• Sticks
• Flowers
• Acorns
• Leaves
• Grass
• Sand
• Shells
• Seeds
• Pine cones
• Feathers
Work together to make a circular outline and continue to fill up the space as you desire. This activity requires focus and can be quite relaxing. Take a picture and save the memory!
4. Collect and Paint rocks
Go for a walk and collect rocks of various sizes and textures. You can use acrylic paint or paint markers to add colorful designs. These decorative rocks can also really add flair to a garden. This is a great family art project for all. Check out the link for more creative rock painting ideas https://rhythmsofplay.com/get-outside-connect-collect-and-paint-rocks/.
5. Develop Gross Motor Skills by Creating and Completing an Obstacle Course
Let’s Get Moving! First find enough space either indoors or out. You can use materials such as hula hoops, cones, jump ropes, or even chalk to draw a course on the sidewalk. You can also use natural materials such as sticks, rocks, large flat stones, or even cardboard boxes. Make a path with each item leaving enough space for your child to walk, run, jump or crawl. Be creative and make the course together!
Guest Blogger: Christina Benadict, Early Childhood Consultant for Wayne RESA Great Start Readiness Program
Author: Wayne RESA - GSRP
Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally. These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.
Great Start Readiness Program is a Michigan state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start. Funding is allocated to Wayne RESA to administer the program locally.
These blogs were developed and funded under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.
Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.
