Books about Shapes for Toddlers, Preschoolers, and School-agers

momstown chapters are learning all about Shapes this month - and we've got some great momstown-approved titles to support our Shapes curriculum theme!

 

shapes collage

 

The Greedy Triangle  by Marilyn Burns   

The triangle is very happy, until he decides he needs ‘one more side’... so becomes a square, and is happy again – until he needs ‘one more side’... hexagons, heptagons, octagons, etc. are introduced in this funny and creative way of looking at shapes!


Shape  by David Goodman and Zoe Miller  

This book introduces children to basic shapes using photographs of children playing with everyday objects (such as buttons for circles, sailboats for triangles). Older children can ‘find’ different shapes within the photographs or match up shapes. Non-fiction, informative book to teach children about shapes. Would be a good lead-in to painting with shapes.


My Very First Book of Shapes by Eric Carle  

This great Eric Carle board book has split pages, so that children have to match the shape (i.e. circle) with the picture on the bottom (sun). Lets children explore the different shapes and identify them in other objects (kite, tent, watermelon slice, eye, etc.) Perfect if you have a young group.
 

Mouse Shapes  by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Three mice are running away from a cat, and find shapes to help them hide. They use basic shapes to build a house, tree, sun, and other objects. Then they figure out how to build some giant mice using shapes, and scare away that pesky cat! The pictures are great for simple introductory shape recognition – two dimensional and colourful. A great introduction to the ‘Shape Creations’ craft – will spawn some ideas for sure!


Shape Capers  by Cathryn Falwell  

Written in rhyme, this brightly illustrated book introduces children to the basic shapes. The first few pages introduce each shape, and then the children in the story put the shapes together to build cars, rocket ships, boats, etc. Another great introduction to the ‘Shape Creations’ craft idea!

Posted by Teacher Mom on 05/08/2013 - 09:51
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Our Favourite Mother's Day Pins

Are you following momstown.ca on Pinterest?  momstown moms LOVE PINTEREST for Mother's Day ideas (follow our Mother's Day board here)!

top crafts for mother's day

One of our favourite things to do after the kiddos are in bed is to pin our favourite crafts and recipes to boards we love.  While we enjoy making our own memorable homemade crafts for mom this holiday, we also had a blast finding all the sweetest pinned crafts from other creative moms online...here are some of of our favourite Mother's Day Ideas from Pinterest;

 

1. "Reasons That I Love Mommy" Jar from Better Homes and Gardens help show mom or grandma why she is really appreciated and loved.  Great way to practice writing and reading together!

reasons I love mommy craft

 

2.  HandiLion Apron from Michaels (substitute the pattern for random handprints and mom or grandma will STILL be thrilled with her special apron).  Use the same idea to create this on a flower pot or totebag found at Michaels.

handilion apron for mother's day3.  Photo Flowers in a Flower pot for grandma or mom, with all of her special "flowers" is the perfect keepsake from Mom Endeavours.

gift for mom

 

4.  Used baby food jars (or cheap glass jars or votive holders from a craft or dollar store) are perfect to make "M-O-M" or "N-A-N-A" votive holders using tissue paper.  Great idea from Parenting.com.

homemade for mom

 

5.  Take your kids on a nature walk to find the perfect rock for mommy or grandma.  Decorate the rock like this one from Danielle's Place and make a card that tells mom "she rocks!".

homemade crafts for mom

 

Posted by momstown team on 05/04/2013 - 10:04
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Cute Caterpillars Craft

We love to make butterflies, so a great way to start talking about the magic of insects is to create some cute caterpillars.  A little backwards, but still a fun and adorable craft!  This craft is also a great time to work on colours, patterning and even counting!

 

caterpillar craft

 

 

Materials:

construction paper circles in lots of bright colours

pipe cleaners

googly eyes

embellishments to decorate (balls, glitter, etc.)

 

Directions:

1.  Get the kids to choose bright coloured circles to create their caterpillar.

 

2.  Thread onto pipe cleaners to make the body of their caterpillars.  Great opportunity to count how many circles you used, ask your child what the colours are or even create a pattern!

 

3.  When the rainbow creatures are ready, add some eyes and antennae and voila!  An adorable caterpillar!!

 

No matter how they make their crafts, their creativity is beautiful and the memories they create through their crafting is priceless.

 

Submitted from momstown Barrie.

 

Posted by momstown team on 05/03/2013 - 12:14
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Mother's Day card - a sweet footprint keepsake perfect for mamas and Grandmas

Footprints just make the sweetest crafts - and they are such a lovely keepsake of the tiny feet as they grow so quickly! Many momstown programs, including Baby Basics, make art part of the fun - and for Mother's Day some of our littlest momstown kids made Mother's Day cards with a tiny footprint built right in!

 

mother's Day footprint card

 

momstown Mississauga's little ones were front and centre - and (mostly) willing participants in the craft creation!

 

The little feet were painted, pressed onto paper - and then the 'best' print was cut out and glued to the front of the card.

 

Inside, we glued in a poem:

 

Mommy, I love you
For all that you do.
I'll kiss you and hug you
'Cause you love me, too.
You feed me and need me
To teach you to play,
So smile 'cause I love you
On this Mother's Day

 

If you choose to do this with a handprint instead - here's a sweet poem to accompany:

 

Ten tiny fingers,
that always want to play,
That never stop exploring
that wonder of today,
Ten tiny fingers,
that from the very start,
Will reach out for tomorrow yet always hold your heart
Happy Mother’s Day

 

Great creativity from momstown Mississauga and a wonderful craft you can do at home with your little ones - just in time for Mother's Day!

 

Posted by Teacher Mom on 05/03/2013 - 12:13
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Mother's Day art - a homemade painting for mom or grandma

Creating something special for Mother's Day doesn't have to be complicated or costly. It just needs to be created with Love.
 
Most kids love to finger paint - momstown does so much messy painting in our programs! What do you do with the pictures once created? Stick on the fridge? Throw it out? What if it's a giant mural? These are perfect for framing and keeping forever as artwork on the wall.

 

grandma's art
Grandma would love a framed print from her favourite artist to hang prominently in her home. Make it personalised to her decor and she'll love it more.
 
These pieces of artwork hang in my children's bedrooms but they would easily be used as a gift.
 
1. Pick the paint colours carefully based on where you want it to hang. My kids used colours that matched their bedspreads but if you want this to hang in Grandma's family room, kitchen or bathroom? Match the colours accordingly. Involve your child in the paint colour selection
 
2. Give your child loads of room to create. Make sure the paper is the right width and height to fill the frame you want. Let them be creative. Paint way more than you need, then you have lots to pick from as the "best section" to display.
 
3. After the painting is dry find the "best" part. Measure out the right size for your frame & cut it out.Have your child sign their artwork (or you sign their name & year for them).
 
4. Wrap it up for Grandma! Happy Mother's Day!!!
 
When your child gives this gift to Grandma he will be over-the-top proud! And everytime he visits her home to see his special work on display, he'll be even more proud! This might even become an annual tradition with a new picture to change up in the frame every year.

Posted by momstown mama on 05/03/2013 - 12:00
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Butterfly Footprint for Mother's Day

This week momstown Burlington Baby Basics got together to make a spring inspired butterfly footprint craft.  It's PERFECT for Mother's Day - and the moms got to keep one for themselves, and made an extra for Grandma!

 

Want to make your own butterfly footprint?  We've got a butterfly poem, a butterfly template and some tips for you below.

butterfly footprint

 

butterfly footprint crafts

 

Tip 1:  Try using a heavier weight paper - like cardstock, but NOT construction paper - which can tend to suck up the paint

 

Tip 2:  Use a clipboard - and bring the paper to baby's foot - not baby's foot to the paper.

 

Tip 3:  Place baby on the a cushioned flat surface, with head facing away from you, so you have easy access to their feet.

 

Tip 4:  One foot at a time!  Don't paint both at the same time - trust us - this craft can be messy enough!

 

Tip 5:  Use your hand to press the centre of baby's foot.  Those babies with high insteps sometimes take a little work to get a cute footprint.

 

Tip 6:  Take this craft to the next level and create the butterfly on the side of a dollar store flower pot- what a lovely gift for mom or grandma!

butterfly footprint gift

Butterfly Poem:

 

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.

And find your shoulder to light on.

To bring you luck, happiness and riches.

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

--Irish Blessing

 

footprint butterflies for mom

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Posted by momstown team on 05/03/2013 - 11:29
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