Fine Motor « ECE made Easy

Keeping kids busy on long trips

By Deb, on February 21st, 2013%

As the Canadian March Break approaches, I am reminded of the countless hours of travel that my family put in over the years. Planes, trains and automobiles with the sweet sounds of crying, whining and fighting siblings. Many years ago when my children were small, we lived a four hour plane ride from our families. A friend of mine, who travelled to Europe every summer, gave me this great idea for long plane rides (works in the car too). . . . → Read More: Keeping kids busy on long trips

Puffy Paint

By Deb, on February 9th, 2013%

Puffy Shaving Foam Paint

An easy way to add a new dimension to a child’s painting experience! All you need is paper, sensitive shaving cream and white glue.

Mix the glue and shaving cream ( half and half) to produce a whipped, puffy paint. Use whatever painting tools that you have on hand and watch . . . → Read More: Puffy Paint

Confetti snow picture

By Deb, on February 3rd, 2013%

Supplies for Confetti Glue Pictures

For this craft, you will need white confetti. It can be found at dollar stores, party places and your local department store. The children can use white glue or a glue stick.

Have the children “paint” their picture with glue first. I keep my confetti in small bucket and . . . → Read More: Confetti snow picture

Brown Paper Bag Turkey

By Deb, on September 30th, 2012%

This is a cute thanksgiving craft that can be used as a centerpiece for your holiday dinner. – stuff a brown bag with newspaper or tissue paper and tape the end. . . . → Read More: Brown Paper Bag Turkey

Pipe Cleaner Weave

By Deb, on September 15th, 2012%

I was looking for materials around the room to use at quiet time, and I gathered up some different colored pipe cleaners and some plastic sewing mats. . . . → Read More: Pipe Cleaner Weave

Toddler Fun with Links

By Deb, on August 5th, 2012%

I found a coloured plastic ball and plastic links in the baby section of Walmart (clearance aisle), and took them to the daycare to see what the children would do with them. First they had fun trying to attach them to the ball and it was a good fine-motor workout. . . . → Read More: Toddler Fun with Links

Mask Mania

By Deb, on July 14th, 2012%

For an easy way to make beautiful masks, start with the plastic party masks that go over the child’s eyes and nose, which you should be able to find at your local dollar store (like the black one you can see in the upper left mask shown in the picture). Gather any and all craft . . . → Read More: Mask Mania

Clothes Pin Sort

By Deb, on July 7th, 2012%

Clothespin color matching

Thrift stores are a wonderful resource for cool, interesting materials. I bought a bag of colourful clothespins for two dollars. I then went to the dollar store and bought some aluminum pie plates for a buck. This is the result!!! You can have the children match by a single color (put one . . . → Read More: Clothes Pin Sort

Summer in the Backyard made easy (Getting Ready)

By Deb, on June 24th, 2012%

A secure, fenced- in backyard can provide hours of safe, relaxing summer fun. I have compiled a list of equipment and supplies to make your summer in the backyard easier. All of the activities I will be providing in this series will use these items . . . → Read More: Summer in the Backyard made easy (Getting Ready)

Preschool Bead Sort

By Deb, on February 15th, 2012%

This activity takes some preparation and shopping, but the children will be able to do it over and over. – get some different bead necklaces and smooth rocks from the dollar store – also buy some plastic containers with lids . . . → Read More: Preschool Bead Sort

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