Easy Ways to Teach Numbers, Counting & Math

I put some glitter paint into zip lock bags for the children to practice writing their numbers. When teaching numbers I find children respond really well if they are able to touch and feel numbers and make numbers in different textures.

Though preschoolers generally don’t recognise it, maths is another way to understand and make sense of the world, much like language. Like words, maths is used everywhere and is an integral part of everyday life. What exactly is maths? Simply put, maths is the observation, identification, description and explanation of numbers, space, relation, and order. Counting, measuring, problem solving, reasoning, and identifying shapes and patterns are the activities of math. Preschoolers, who have opportunities to learn maths through play and everyday interactions are gaining the foundation for maths development.

Here are few additional ideas on everyday math and couting....

Count everything
As you go up steps, eat strawberries, pick flowers, put up Lego's, you name it.

Count to 60 while brushing their teeth
take turns brushing teeth and I count out loud to 60 for each of our turns. It's an easy way for children to understand the concept of one minute.

Cook TogetherInclude your child when you cook.
Have children count the cups of milk, the tablespoons of margarine, or the eggs when you cook. Show kids the recipe as you cook so they can follow along.

Play Hopscotch
Use chalk and draw a hopscotch game outside. Make sure to say the numbers out loud as you play.

Play an "I spy" gameTake turns playing "I spy"
Look around your room and say, "I spy something we have two of (or three of)..." It could be speakers for your stereo, cushions on the couch or pictures on the wall, or anything you can count.


Some of my favourite books to use when I'm teaching about numbers and counting are:
"Hungry Monsters" Teach Counting in Rhyme by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger.
" Ten With Ten Little Ladybugs" written by Melanie Gerth and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
"Miss Spider’s Tea Party" Teaches Counting With a Social Lesson written and illustrated by David Kirk.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle
"The Shopping Basket" by John Burningham

Early Childhood Conference

Join Indianapolis Area Chapter of Indiana AEYC
Winter Workshop
Saturday March 24, 2012

Wayne Township Preschool
1155 S. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46241
(Located behind Ben Davis University—enter Door 8 or 8A)
7:45-8:15 am registration 8:30-12:30 workshop
Pre-Register NAEYC Members $10 Pre-Register Non-members $15
Onsite Registration: $20 for Members and Non-members

Sessions
Sensationally Simple Ideas for the early childhood classroom

Handling Aggressive Behavior & Teaching Children Self-Control

Contact Angie Herniak for questions: 317-341-1889 or indychapter@gmail.com

Paths to QUALITY Marketing Training!

Are you a Level 2, 3 or 4 Paths to QUALITY Provider? If so join us on Monday, March 19th from 6:30pm till 9pm to learn more about the FREE online marketing tool available! Child Care Online offers Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 programs an exclusive opportunity to showcase their achievements with an online profile made up of pictures and text. Participants will learn the benefits of Child Care Online for providers and families and learn how to create an online profile that will highlight their professionalism and commitment to quality. Eligible programs must complete this training prior to signing up for Child Care Online. .It's a great opportunity to showcase the high quality care you are offering. Call Emily at (317) 636-5727 to register TODAY!

Free Community Resources

Free Community Electronics Recycling: Saturday, March 17th from 10:00am till 2:00pm held at James Russell Lowell IPS #51, 3426 Roosevelt Ave. Indianapolis. Acceptable items include: computers, monitors, printers, laptops, tv's, cell phones, stereo equipment, microwaves, large household appliances and more! For more information visit: http://www.5rprocessors.com/ or 715-322-4480.

Money Management Series: Classes held on Thursdays from 2-3:30pm at Rebuilding the Wall, 3513 Hovey St. Indianapolis. Class is free but registration is required. Contact Shelley Landis at (317) 925-9789, shelley@rebuildingthewall.org. Classes offered include:

• April 5 - Writing SMART goals and a budget overview
• April 12 - Creating your own budget
• April 26 - Need Vs. Want and building a savings
• May 10 - Understanding your credit
• May 17 - Successful Renting

Whatever It Takes: Successful Children with Promising Futures: Open to children in IPS 51, 56, and 69. Saturday, March 24 from 9am-1:30pm at Martin University. Learn more about resources in the Martindale Brightwood Community, learn how to help your children succeed in school, hear educational stories from the community and meet other parents. The day includes free lunch, childcare and door prizes. Call 317-205-2595 or email rduerksen@fscp.org to reserve your spot!

Training Opportunity

Orientation on Professional Development Opportunities
Tuesday, March 20th from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm
Class is FREE! Please call (317) 636-5727 to preregister

This workshop provides deep understanding of ways you can obtain professional development hours and credits in the state of Indiana. The workshop will provide information on different routes to obtain Child Development Associate (CDA) training, articulating the credential into an associate degree in early childhood education/child development at Ivy Tech Community College. The workshop will provide comprehensive overview of accessibility and location of colleges and universities in the state of Indiana that offer associate and bachelor degree levels. In addition, the workshop provides information on state scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Lending Library

REMINDER: The Lending Library will be closed on Tuesday March the 13 and Wednesday March the 14. The Lending Library will reopen on Thursday March the 15, 2012 at 4:00pm.

¿Cómo puedo encontrar bueno cuidado infantil

La reciente y trágica pérdida de un niño pequeño en el área de Indianápolis ha causado a los padres a reflexionar sobre sus opciones para el cuidado de los niños y también lo que debe buscar cuando se busca el cuidado de niños.
Selección de un proveedor de cuidado infantil es un momento importante y muchas veces confusa para los padres. Las respuestas de cuidado infantil están aquí para ayudar a los padres con los recursos para aprender lo que son las diferentes opciones para elegir y para proporcionar información importante sobre los indicadores para buscar y preguntas para hacer en su búsqueda de cuidado de niños.

Recomendamos a todos los padres a:

1. Investigación de los proveedores de cuidado infantil por ir a la Web www.childcarefinder.in.gov Estado para aprender acerca de las inspecciones y denuncias.
Aprenda cuáles son las diferentes opciones de programas en su área.

· Hable con Child Care Answers acerca de lo que los reglamentos de los proveedores en su área están obligados a cumplir. Se realizan chequeos de antecedentes penales y pruebas de detección de drogas se requiere? ¿Qué hace el Estado busca al visitar los sitios?
· ¿Cómo se registra una preocupación o queja sobre un proveedor?
· Más información sobre la calidad del sistema voluntario del estado de clasificación llamada Caminos a la CALIDAD.
· ¿Está el proveedor con licencia, tomando parte en Caminos a la CALIDAD o otra la certificación acreditada o de otro tipo? Si el proveedor no está en Caminos hacia la calidad, pregunte por qué y cuándo va a comenzar.

2. Haga una lista de preguntas para hacer y hacer una entrevista telefónica.

· ¿Hay una vacante para mi hijo?

· Confirmar las horas y días de operación.

· Discusión sobre el costo y preguntar acerca de las opciones de asistencia financiera. Esto variará de un programa a otro.

· ¿Cuántos niños hay en el programa?

· ¿Cuáles son los grupos de edad que prestan servicios?

3. Visite el proveedor. (Trate de visitar más de una vez y en diferentes momentos del día.)

· Asegúrese de usar los 5 sentidos cuando se entra en un sitio. ¿Son las interacciones entre los proveedores y las respuestas de los niños, crianza y cálidos?

· ¿Están los niños felices para participar en las actividades diarias? ¿Se les da tiempo libre y estructurado?

· ¿Está el ambiente y el equipo (incluyendo juguetes) la edad adecuada, limpia y en buen estado? Pregunte sobre el plan de limpieza.

· ¿Hay un número de variedad y amplia de juguetes y materiales de aprendizaje?

· ¿Los niños reciben atención individual?

· Pregunte acerca de la educación del proveedor / formación. La investigación ha demostrado que cuanto más sabe un proveedor de cómo los niños aprenden y crecen, mejor están en el cuidado de los niños.

· Pregunte por cuánto tiempo los proveedores han estado en el lugar y con ese grupo de edad. Es mejor si los niños permanecen con el mismo proveedor por lo menos durante un año. La consistencia es muy importante.

· Pregunte cuántos niños hay por cada adulto. El menor número de niños por cada adulto, mejor para su hijo. Cuente cuántos niños están ahí durante su visita.

· Pregunte cómo los proveedores de mantener a los padres informados sobre una base diaria. ¿Tienen los grupos de padres, notas de diarios, revistas o correos electrónicos?

· Averigüe si el proveedor ha sido acreditado por una organización nacional. Convertirse en los medios acreditados que el proveedor ha cumplido con las normas voluntarias para el cuidado de niños que son más altos que la mayoría de los requisitos estatales de licencia.

· Asegúrese de que el proveedor tiene una póliza de puerta abierta permite a los padres a visitar en cualquier momento su hijo está en el programa.

4. Verifique las referencias del proveedor.

· Hable con otros padres acerca de la calidad del programa y el cuidado de sus hijos.

5. Recuerde que es importante estar involucradas en la experiencia de cuidado de los hijos de su hijo.

· Consulte con los proveedores de todos los días.

· Visitar y observar a sus hijos en el ámbito de la atención.

· Cuando se pueda, estar involucrados en actividades tales como excursiones y fiestas.

· Pregunte acerca de las formas para establecer contactos con los otros padres.

Estos pasos son sólo el comienzo para un tener un éxito y la calidad de la experiencia de educación infantil temprana. Child Care Answers alienta a todos los padres para obtener información tanto como sea posible para ayudar a encontrar el programa de calidad que funciona para su familia. Estamos aquí para ayudarle en cada paso del camino. Puede comunicarse con nosotros al 317-631-4643 o visite nuestro sitio Web en www.childcareanswers.com
Para el español, por favor pregunte por Amy Torres

How Can I Find Quality Childcare?

The recent tragic loss of a young child in the Indianapolis area has caused parents to rethink their options for child care and also what to look for when searching for child care.

Choosing a child care provider is an important and often confusing time for parents. Child Care Answers is here to help parents with the resources to learn what the different options are to chose from and to provide important information on indicators to look for and questions to ask in your search for child care.


We highly encourage every parent to:
1. Research the child care providers by going to the State Website http://www.childcarefinder.in.gov/ to learn about inspections and complaints.
· Learn what the different options are for programs in your area.
· Talk to Child Care Answers about what regulations the providers in your area are required to meet. Are criminal background checks and drug screenings required? What does the state look for when they visit the sites?
· How do you register a concern or complaint about a provider?
· Learn about the state’s voluntary quality rating system called Paths to QUALITY.
· Is the provider licensed, taking part in Paths to QUALITY, accredited or other certification? If the provider is not on Paths to Quality, ask why and when they plan to start.


2. Create a list of questions to ask and do a phone interview.
· Is there an opening for my child?
· Confirm the hours and days of operation.
· Discuss the cost and ask about financial assistance options. This will vary from program to program.
· How many children are in the program?
· What are the age groups served?

3. Visit the provider. (Try to visit more than once and at different times of day.)
· Be sure to use your 5 senses when you go into a site. Are the interactions between providers and children responses, nurturing and warm?
· Are the children happily involved in daily activities? Are they given free and structured times?
· Is the environment and equipment (including toys) age appropriate, clean and in good repair? Ask about the cleaning schedule.
· Is there a variety and ample number of toys and learning materials?
· Do the children get individual attention?
· Ask about the provider’s education/training. Research has shown that the more a provider knows how young children learn and grow, the better they are at taking care of children.
· Ask how long the providers have been at the site and with that age group. It’s best if children stay with the same provider for at least a year. Consistency is very important.
· Ask how many children there are for each adult. The fewer the number of children for each adult the better for your child. Feel free to count heads of little ones when you visit.
· Ask how the providers keep the parents informed on a daily basis. Do they have parent groups, daily notes, journals or emails?
· Find out if the provider has been accredited by a national organization. Becoming accredited means that the provider has met voluntary standards for child care that are higher than most state licensing requirements.
· Make sure that the provider has an open door policy allowing parents to visit at anytime their child is at the program.

4. Check the provider’s references.
· Talk with other parents about the quality of the program and care of their children.

5. Remember that it is important to stay involved once your child is enrolled in a program.
· Check in with the providers daily.
· Visit and observe your children in the care setting.
· When able, be involved in such activities as field trips and parties.
· Ask about ways to network with the other parents.


These steps are only the beginning for a having a successful and quality early childhood education experience. Child Care Answers encourages every parent to gather as much information as possible to help find the quality program that works for your family. We are here to help you every step of the way. You may contact us at 317-631-4643 or visit our website at www.childcareanswers.com

Announcing the CDA Renewal Amnesty Program

Many professionals who earned a CDA earlier in their careers let it expire years ago and are no longer eligible for renewal, despite their continued work and training in early childhood education. Some have gone on to earn a Bachelor or Associate degree but find value in staying connected to the CDA Community by renewing their CDA.
CDA Renewal Amnesty Program. . .
Beginning March 1, 2012, the Council will launch the Renewal Amnesty Program, which will allow anyone who has earned a CDA in the last ten years to apply for Renewal, even if their CDA has expired. This means that if your CDA has a credential date of January, 2002 or later, you are eligible for Renewal Amnesty. This program will only last until December 31, 2012 so don't delay… Renew your CDA today!

CDA Renewal Requirements:
- 4.5 CEUs or 3 college-credit-hours of training within the last 5 years
- A recommendation from an ECE professional who is familiar with your professional work
- A pediatric first aid certificate
- Membership in an ECE professional membership organization
- A brief letter from a supervisor testifying that you have worked at least 80 hours in the past yearBuy a Renewal Packet now click here.

Take a Moment to Reflect on... Safety

In our last article we discussed the importance of intentionality. We said that the ultimate purpose for being a reflective practitioner is to become an intentional practitioner; in other words, teachers or caregivers who regularly think about what they do can be purposeful in the choices they make with children, families, coworkers and supervisors.

Safety
The Council is excited to announce that later this year we will release the newly-revised third edition of the landmark textbook Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children. The new Essentials will provide all of the most current research, information, ideas and strategies needed by entry-level early childhood professionals. The textbook will be organized around each of the thirteen Functional Areas, along with new information about reflection, intentionality, observation, documentation and other key topics of interest to contemporary teachers and caregivers.

Here is an advanced sneak peek of “Chapter 1: Safe” for you to reflect on…

Providing a safe environment for children is the starting point of every quality early childhood program. If children are not safe in your program, it makes no difference what kind of curriculum you offer. Children cannot learn if they are afraid, in danger or unable to trust that nothing bad will happen to them while in your care. Ask any parent with a child in preschool or child care what their most important concerns are and safety is almost always at the top of the list - right up there with accessibility and affordability. Children's safety is your first priority as a caregiver or teacher and a responsibility you cannot ignore

In order to keep young children safe you must:

Be sure that the physical environment is safe. This means checking both your indoor and outdoor play spaces every day to confirm that they are hazard-free and that they conform to recognized standards for safety.
Teach and prepare children to be safe in their everyday lives. This involves learning about safety rules and being introduced to specific safety measures.
Have well-thought-out emergency plans in place. This also involves preparing children to face unknown emergencies so that you can reduce danger and injury.
Model safe practices. This means demonstrating for children how to behave in ways that are safe and how to stay calm when emergencies arise.
Invite parents to be your partners in keeping their children safe. This is important because it shows children that safety is valued both by you and at home.

Please take a moment to reflect on your own teaching practices. What else might you add to the above list? How do you ensure children’s safety? What tips and strategies would you share with others for teaching safety practices, for keeping children safe, for modeling safe practices and for educating and involving families in their children’s safety?

Send your thoughts to reflect@cdacouncil.org

Toddler death at Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry

My name is Mindy Bennett and I am the Director of Programs for Child Care Answers the Child Care Resource and Referral agency that services Central Indiana. We are a free service that helps parents locate and evaluate child care options for their children. In January alone we helped over 800 families with their child care search. We have a database of over 1300 child care providers that we provide training and mentoring opportunities to.


I want to respond to the reports that a Toddler drowned in a baptismal pool at a local Unlicensed Child Care Registered Ministry. This is a horrible tragedy that could have been prevented!

The staff at Child Care Answers works daily with child care providers training them and providing on site technical assistance to ensure that children are kept safe while their parents work or attend school. We have an Infant Toddler Specialists that is a free resource to child care providers who can provide specific training on issues related to infants and toddlers.

In Indiana Child Care Ministries are not required by law to be licensed, however we do have some who have volunteered to meet additional health and safety standards. Praise and Fellowship Assembly of God Church, the child care provider in this case, was an Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry. Indiana’s Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministries are not required to meet staff to child ratios nor are they regulated to meet specific group size requirements. In addition, Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministries do not have supervision requirements that they must meet. For an easy to read chart about the regulation requirements for the different types of child care in Indiana please visit this link: http://www.childcareanswers.com/PDF_Docs/FacilityRegulations.pdf


Several bills were introduced this legislative session and the last session that would have addressed some of the differences in regulations between the different types of child care in Indiana but they did not make it out of committee. To read more about the legislative efforts for change please visit Child Care Answers’ Legislative Education Center http://advocacycca.wordpress.com/ and the Indiana’s general assembly’s Interim Committee on Child Care’s page http://www.in.gov/legislative/interim/committee/care.html


I know that this incident has left families scared and confused about leaving their children in child care. Child Care Answers is here to help families with our free services during this troubled time. We have a team of specialists that can help families with their specific questions about child care and how to tell if a program is providing safe, quality care. We are only a phone call away; you can reach us at 317-631-4643. Parents can also find valuable tools on our website at http://www.childcareanswers.com/.

Breaking the Cycle Conference

Each year, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana works hard to bring together experts in the field of child abuse prevention and provide informational, motivational and educational sessions for its annual "Breaking the Cycle Conference".
Mark your calendars now for April 3, 2012 for what promises to be a great event! This year we bring Educational Consultant Dr. Ray Golarz and Inspirational Educator & Author Stacey Bess to the conference as the keynote speakers to be held at the Hilton Indianapolis North Hotel.

Conference Brochure & Registration Link
The complete brochure and online registration is also available on our website ~ www.pcain.org
You may need CEU's - this year we are offering FREE CEU's to LSW's and LCSW's. But for those that just need training hours -- Training certificates will be available at the conference.

Literacy Activity

Write letters or numbers on a chalk board, then encourage children to "paint" over the chalk with water and a paint brush.

Cutting up: Fine motor activities to help develop scissor skills

Most of kids love to cut with scissors. They are very excited about the results they create, the action, and the fact that they are using a tool that is often off limits! Parents usually approach this skill with trepidation. We present scissors at about 35 months. Usually preschoolers have never had scissors in their hands and when you are not quite three, it can be a challenge. Here are some simple items we incorporate into many different activities to help teach scissor skills.

• 
  Tongs in all kinds of play such as stacking blocks


• Use an eye dropper to paint and play in water


• Use a hole punch for crafts and paper play


• Clip clothes pins or kitchen clips to the edge of a container

http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2011/01/cutting-up-fine-motor-activities-to-help-develop-scissor-skills/

Monday News from IAEYC

2012 Indiana Early Childhood Conference Updates!
IAEYC is extending the Early Bird registration deadline until February 29th!

Early Bird rate for NAEYC members affiliated with Indiana AEYC is only $80! (Friday & Saturday general conference; registration for Thursday Pre-Conference not subject to discount
View the Preliminary Program now!
- Deadline for Regular Rate: Mar. 1 - April 13 (Postmarked) or April 20 (Online)- After April 20 On-site rates apply

Art for children

Art for children: it ain’t what you make…

These photos were taken last week while L was painting and really remind me what art for children is all about. She had so much fun playing with the paint and was very focused on what she was doing. There was no chatting – which is unusual for L! – she was really in the moment, enjoying and creating.
Art for children is all about the process. It’s about making your mark, trying new materials, experimenting with the colours, shapes and feel. It’s about gaining confidence and taking risks. It’s about fun and enjoying the moment.
There was no end product in L’s art – she was not interested in keeping the final painting at all. For her it was all about the doing.
We’re resolving to try lots of new art materials this year and to try all sorts of techniques.
Just for the doing.
http://nurturestore.co.uk/art-for-children

I came across this blog on PINTEREST. I think its serves as a great reminder to us that it is about the experiences for the children, not the finial piece of art. We shouldn't place boundaries on children of what their art should or shouldn't look like. The title says it all "Art for children: it ain’t what you make…" it isn't what we make, it is what they make. We also need to remember to let the children explore with various mediums with their art, and let them get messy. Who know's maybe they are the next Pablo Picasso's of our future.

100 Ways To Be Kind

100 Ways to be kind to your child CreativeWithKids.com Tell to your child:


1. I love you.

2. I love you no matter what.

3. I love you even when you are angry at me.

4. I love you even when I am angry with you.

5. My love for you can reach you wherever you are.

6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old...) in the whole wide world, I'd pick you.

7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.

8. Thank you.

9. I enjoyed playing with you today.

10. My favorite part of the day was with you when we… Tell them:

11. The story of their birth or adoption.

12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.

13. The story of how you chose their name.

14. A story about yourself when you were their age.

15. A story about how their grandparents met.

16. What your favorite color is.

17. That sometimes you struggle too.

18. That when you're holding hands and you give three squeezes, it's a secret code that means, "I love you".

19. What the plan is.

20. What you're doing right now. Play:

21. Freeze Tag

22. Uno

23. Crazy 8s

24. Gin Rummy

25. Memory

26. Go Fish

27. I Spy- especially in the car when you’re tired and feeingl snappish.

28. Catch Pretend:

29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.

30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.

31. That their high five nearly knocks you over.

32. That you are super ticklish.

33. That you are explorers in the backyard.

34. That it's party day! Decorate for no reason! Try:

35. To get enough sleep.

36. To drink enough water.

37. To eat decent food

38. Wearing earrings or whatever makes you feel pretty.

39. Calling friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.

40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval.

41. Dancing in the kitchen.

42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.

43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel

44. Keeping that sigh to yourself. Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.

45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it. Read:

46. A book of silly poems.

47. A book and then act it out. (Like "I'm going on a Bear Hunt")

48. Your favorite childhood book to them.

49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.

50. Outside under a tree.

51. In the library kids corner.

52. The comic book they love that you're not so hot on.

53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic. Listen:

54. To your child in the car.

55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.

56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.

57. A second longer than you think you have patience for.

58. For the feelings behind your child's words. Ask:

59. Why do you think that happens?

60. What do you think would happen if______?

61. How shall we find out?

62. What are you thinking about?

63. What was your favorite part of the day?

64. What do you think this tastes like? Show:

65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.

66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.

67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!

68. How to cut food.

69. How to fold laundry.

70. How to look up information when you don't know the answer.

71. Affection to your spouse.

72. That taking care of yourself is important. Take Time:

73. To watch construction sites.

74. To look at the birds.

75. To allow your child to help put ingredients in the bowl.

76. To walk places together.

77. To dig in the dirt together.

78. To do a task at your child's pace.

79. To just sit with you child while they play. Trust:

80. That your child is capable.

81. That you are the right parent for your child.

82. That you are enough.

83. That you can do what is right for your family. Delight your child:

84. Clean your child's room as a surprise.

85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.

86. Put a love note in their lunch.

87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.

88. Make sounds effects while do something.

89. Sit on the floor with them to play. Let Go:

90. Of the guilt.

91. Of how you thought it was going to be.

92. Of your need to be right. Give:

93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.

94. A smile when your child walks into the room.

95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.

96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.

97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.

98. A bath when the day feels long.

99. A hug.

100. Your turn- how can you be kind to your child today?

Make Your Own Paint With Water Pages

Make your own water color paper

Just opened the tube of paint and put a little dot of each color on the pages. Then let the paint sit to dry.
After a couple hours the dots had hardened up nicely.

http://creativewithkids.com/make-your-own-paint-with-water-pages/

Spice Painting

Spice Painting

I thought it would make a great group activity as well! So I told everyone to raid their spice cabinet for old spices (no hot spices) and bring a bottle or two of white glue. I poured a bit of glue into tiny plastic cups and added water to dilute it, then we let the kids help add the spices to the glue. Then the fun began!



http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/12/childrens-art-group-spice-painting.html

Turning School Glue Into Paint

It simply takes a few drops of food coloring, in a half empty bottle of glue. The amount of food coloring, depends on the shade you want, but a few drops go a long way.

Fresh glue can be added on top of the food coloring, to fill the bottle up to 3/4s of the way full, leaving room at the top, so the glue can be mixed together with the food coloring. I usually turn the bottles upside down for a while, to let the color blend all the way through...