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| "Dolls are a part of every culture. From the beginning of time, children have played with dolls, using them as friends and confidants, as surrogates while the child recreates domestic situations, and as props for acting out fantasies. Dolls help children practice the nurturing role they see their parents performing. Dolls can be loved or punished, kissed or spanked, rocked to sleep or sent to bed with no supper, providing an acceptable outlet for a child's range of emotions. Children have the same kind of control over their dolls' lives that parents have over the lives of their children. Eden Ross Lipson, children's book editor of The New York Times, notes the universality of children's play with dolls. She suggests, They will to create dolls, to give them personalities and family relationships, to imagine their emotions and act out fantasies in which they figure, is one of the characteristics that makes us all more alike than different as human beings." Art: Teddy Bear simple bear shape, cinnamon, sugar, liquid glue Directions : Mix sugar and cinnamon. Cut out bear shape. Children can place glue anywhere on the bear and add cinnamon and sugar mixture Baby Painting Materials: Q-tip, paint, and paper Directions: Have children paint with Q-tips and pastel tempera on small pieces of paper. Frame their baby paintings on pastel construction paper, very pretty. Baby's First Painting Painting with Q-tips and pastel tempera, on small pieces of paper. You can frame their baby paintings on pastel construction paper. Baby Art Remind the children that when babies color they scribble all over the paper. Do a project like a baby. They will scribble all over a white piece of paper and then paint over with a light wash of black paint. The children are fascinated to see how the paint does not stick to the color but only to the white paper. You do have to remind them, however, to color pretty hard when they are scribbling. But it makes a pretty picture when they are through. Magic Painting Bag Need: 1/4 cup of liquid laundry starch 3 tablespoons of powdered tempera paint a large Ziploc plastic bag masking or cloth tape several colors of construction paper Mix the starch and paint together and put a glob of it into the plastic bag. Squeeze out the air before "zipping" the bag closed (a piece of tape across the top will prevent any leaks) Gently smooth the bag to distribute the paint. Then show your child how to rub his hands over the bag, making swirls, and designs. The fingerpainting can be done on a table or the floor or on a lap tray, if sick in bed or traveling. For a colorful effect slip a piece of construction paper under the bag and see how it changes the color of the paint. Children think it is magic, and grownups love the no cleanup feature. This is very nice for young children because they get to paint and no worries about them eating it or getting it all over everything. Baby Scribble Materials: crayons, paper, black watercolor, paint brush Directions: Remind the children that when babies color they scribble all over the paper. Do a project like a baby. They will scribble all over a white piece of paper and then paint over with a light wash of black paint. The children are fascinated to see how the paint does not stick to the color but only to the white paper. You do have to remind them, however, to color pretty hard when they are scribbling. But it makes a pretty picture when they are through. Putting Baby To Bed Materials: paper, glue, magazines, scissors Directions: On white paper, have kids glue a cut out picture (from magazine) of a baby to paper. Older kids may wish to draw their baby. Then give kids small pieces of felt or fabric to glue over baby as a blanket. You can also glue a picture of a teddy bear or other stuffed animal for baby to sleep with. Now baby is already for bed! Baby Powder Finger Paint Materials: finger paint, paper, and powder Directions: Finger paint with pastel colored paint. Sprinkle the paint with baby powder to give it a different feel and smell. Yarn Dolls Need: 1 ball of yarn, 6" tall, heavy cardboard (the front of a cereal box works great!), Scissors Directions: Wrap yarn sideways around the card board piece. When it is fairly thick, remove the yarn from the cardboard. Tie a piece of yarn about one inch from each end, set aside. Wrap yarn length-wise around cardboard piece until fairly thick. Remove yarn from cardboard. Tie a piece of yarn in the middle of the bundle for a waist and around the top for a head. Suggestions: You can cut the foot ends for a "dress" or leave them looped for "feet." Cradle Need: paper Tube, glue, tissue, peanut shell, marker Directions: Cut tube in half lengthwise; glue halves together back - to - back. The top half is the bed, the bottom the stand. Use a Kleenex for the blanket and a peanut shell for the baby. Draw eyes and mouth on the baby. Optional - Cover the tube with construction paper or wallpaper samples before gluing together, then decorate. Baby Collage Need: wrapping paper, wallpaper, ribbon, yarn, construction paper Directions: Provide scraps of assorted baby gift-wrap, pastel wallpaper and snips of pastel ribbon and yarn to glue on a construction paper background. Sock Doll You will need: stockings - white, black, brown, or tan , wiggles eyes , curly doll hair , doll beans , doll stuffing , blush , little baby clothes , blankets Directions: Put the doll together the day before. Stuff two legs and two arms, one leg for the head. Sew or glue it onto the doll. Let the children glue on eyes, brush on blush, and glue the hair on. Then let them dress the doll and wrap it up in a baby blanket. Drama Games Baby Game For a group "game" have the children take turns on a medium-sized blanket. The rest of the group kneels around the edge, and together, lifts the "baby" up a few inches, so they can rock the "baby" and sing a lullaby. Good cooperative, peaceful feeling. Flannel Board Rhyme Here is a baby so soft and small (place the baby on the board). His legs can't walk, so he must crawl. He drinks from a bottle (place a baby bottle on the board). And naps in a crib (place a crib on the board). He dribbles his food, so he wears a bib (place a bib on the board). When his pants are wet, he starts to cry (place a diaper on the board). His mom will change him so he'll be dry (place a mother on the board). Who's That Baby? Have the children bring in their baby pictures and after the children have guessed who is in the picture, have that child come up and talk about the similarities and the differences between the child as a baby and the child now. Then talk about what they can do now that they couldn't do as babies. This helps them to realize that even though sometimes they feel like they're too little to do a lot of things, there are really a lot of things that they can do. Circle time discussions: Ask open ended questions to children about babies, such as: * How do babies get around? * What kinds of foods should babies eat? * How do babies tell us what they want or need? * What kinds of toys are good for babies? What kinds are not? * What do you remember from when you were a baby? * Any kids with babies in their house can talk about them. Other circle time ideas: Show the kids different baby items (pacifier, bottle, diaper, formula, newborn clothes, baby wipes, baby food jar, Etc.). Ask children what the object is and why it is needed. Caring for a Baby Have one of your parents who has a baby bring the baby in. The children will get a chance to watch the mother feed the baby and they can ask her questions about taking care of the baby. Outside, have a station set up to bathe baby dolls. Using plastic tubs filled with water and washcloths, the children will have the chance to bathe a doll and then dry it. Baby Game Create 2 laminated grids of baby pictures (wrapping paper or greeting cards are good sources). Set out on a table with die or dice and two containers of small baby theme counters (inexpensive plastic diaper pins, rattles, and pacifiers that are sold as party favors for baby showers). Older children may play by taking turns rolling dice and taking the appropriate number of baby items for the babies on their grid. Younger children may just place counters on babies, exploring one-to-one correspondence. Language: Ask open ended questions to children about babies, such as: * How do babies get around? * What kinds of foods should babies eat? * How do babies tell us what they want or need? * What kinds of toys are good for babies? What kinds are not? * What do you remember from when you were a baby? * Any kids with babies in their house can talk about them. Baby Talk Ask open ended questions to children about babies, such as * How do babies get around? * What kinds of foods should babies eat? * How do babies tell us what they want or need? * What kinds of toys are good for babies? What kinds are not? * What do you remember from when you were a baby? * Any kids with babies in their house can talk about them. Baby Items Show different baby items (pacifier, bottle, diaper, formula, newborn clothes, baby wipes, baby food jar etc.). Ask children what the object is and why it is needed. The Baby's Birth Certificate Create a birth Certificate for a favourite doll. Include the following information. the baby's name:_______________ the baby's date of brith:_____________ mother's name:______________________ fathers name:_______________________ Foot prints left foot: right foot: baby eye color: _______________ baby hair color:________________ baby's weight:______lbs. _______oz. baby's length:____________________ boy __ or girl___ Make the boys on blue paper and the girls on pink paper. To make the baby foot print use an ink pad. Use the of the palm of the children's hand for the foot and use their fingers for the toes. Fingerplay 5 little fingers on this hand(hold up 5 fingers) 5 little fingers on that(Hold up 5 fingers on the other hand) A dear little nose(Point to nose) A mouth like a rose(point to mouth) Two little cheeks so tiny and fat(point to cheeks) Two eyes and two ears(Point to eyes and then ears) And ten little toes(Point to toes) That is the way the baby grows. Troublsome Twins I have two friends that look just alike (Hold up both index fingers.) One’s name is Ike, and the other’s name is Mike (Hold up one index finger for each) When they trick the teacher, they just grin (Put fingers on cheeks and Smile) They are known as the troublesome twins (Put one hand on hip and shake finger) Poem for Baby Little fingers, Little toes, Little mouth, Little nose. Little ears, With which to hear. Little baby So precious and dear. Poem: Little Baby Here is a baby so soft and small His legs can't walk, so he must crawl. He drinks from a bottle and naps in a crib. He dribbles his food, so he wears a bib. When his pants are wet, he starts to cry. His mom will change them, so he'll be dry. Math: Music: Hush Little Baby Hush little baby, don't say a word Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird. If that mocking bird won't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring If that diamond ring turns brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass. If that looking glass gets broke, Papa's gonna buy you a Billy goat If that Billy goat won't pull, Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull If that cart and bull turn over, Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover If that dog named Rover won't bark, Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart If that horse and cart fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town. Sleep Baby Sleep Sleep, baby, sleep, Thy papa guards the sheep; Thy mama shakes the dreamland tree And from it fall sweet dreams for thee, Sleep, baby, sleep, Sleep, baby, sleep, Our cottage vale is deep; The little lamb is on the green, With woolly fleece so soft and clean, Sleep, baby, sleep, Sleep, baby, sleep, Down where the woodbines creep; Be always like the lamb so mild, A kind and sweet and gentle child, Sleep, baby, sleep, Ms Sussie's Baby Ms Sussie had a baby she named him tiny Tim She put him in the bathtub to teach him how to swim. He drank up all the water he ate up all the soap, He tried to eat the bathtub but it wouldn't go down his throat. Miss Susie called the doctor Miss Susie called the nurse, She even called the lady with the alligator purse. In came the doctor In came the nurse in came the lady with the alligator purse. Mumps said the doctor, Measles said the nurse, nonsense (shout) said the lady with the alligator purse. Shot said the doctor Pills said the nurse nonsense (shout) said the lady with the Alligator purse. Go to Sleep Go to sleep, baby child, Go to sleep my little baby, Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry, Go to sleep my little baby. When you wake you will have All the pretty little horses Blacks and grays, dapples and bays Coach and six little horses, Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry Go to sleep my little baby. Recipes: Let the kids try baby food, or puree fruits and vegetables for them to try. Sensory Baby Dramatic Play Put warm water in your sensory table with a little baby wash. Provide terry cloths, sponges, dolls, small empty bottles of baby shampoo, baby oil, towel, diaper and clothing. Discuss caring for babies, encouraging them to be gentle and keeping the head above water. What's In The Box Game In a feely box, place items such as a baby brush, a bar of baby soap, a cotton ball, a pacifier, a rubber teether and a rattle, etc. Have the children take turns feeling an item in the box and guessing what it is by its feel. |
Have you Tried?. . . Photocopy children's first baby picture, and make your own baby birth certificate, modeling it after a real birth certificate. Fill in some of each baby's vital statistics! c.2007 - 2008 |
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| Prop Box Ideas Include the following collections of objects and materials for children to create, discover, and use for imaginary play. Store collections in boxes or baskets to be accessible at any time (indoors or outdoors) for children to enhance their dramatic play. Baby dolls Booties Sun hats and bonnets Doll bed Doll high chair Bibs Bottles Baby spoons Diapers Blankets Rocking chair Stuffed animals Rattles Baby food jars Diaper bag Baby wipes pacifier, formula, newborn clothes, |
| Baby DAZE |
| "We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need
aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
| Idea Web Introduce and explore the following topics to expand and inspire new activity ideas. Babies All About Me Emotions Body Parts Family Friends Self Esteem Homes Birthdays Five Senses Pets |