Setting Up a Work Area or Activity Area for Your Child

Description

What this will help achieve? By setting up a specific area for toddler activities and reinforcing the behaviors you expect while doing a project with you, will help to lay the foundation for many positive behaviors later. Your child will learn this is where, when and how they can color using crayons. markers and pencils. This will significantly reduce the occurrence of murals, crayons lost in couches, marks on your furniture, t.v. and other items. Of course getting to that point means monitoring behavior closely and yes...it means sitting with your child and reminding them to put away their crayons, don't put them in their mouths, don't peel the wrappers and so on. Unfortunately, it is not an overnight process however, I can assure you that you will be thankful later! This also helps to prepare them for school. You have created an area they can learn to do their homework which is key to good study habits in the future.

Steps

• Select an area that you will be doing all craft related activities. Be sure it is free from clutter and children can work without fear of damaging things from spills, or breaking objects nearby.
• Define this area when you are about to do an activity by using a blanket or mat and later a table and chair.
• Continually reinforce that ALL drawing is done here on the mat or at the table, not on the couch, not in front of the t.v. etc.

Basic Supplies

For those of you interested in keeping a few things on hand, here is a list of items you may want to consider. As you do more and more projects, you'll figure out which items you will use more of than others. A great time to stock up is right before school starts.

Paints and Brushes

• Tempera
• Ceramcoat Washable when wet, permanent when dry. Great alternative to acrylic. I found this type of paint at a craft store. Dozen colors for less than $5 in small snap lid containers.
• Acrylic
• Watercolors: I use both the ones in the sets for children like the Crayola with 8 colors for "free painting." I prefer the ones in the tubes when we do projects. With the tubes you can control the number of colors used, mix colors easier and you can control the consistency.

Glue

• Elmers Non Toxic White School Glue
• Glue Sticks
• Aleene's Craft Tacky Glue (I like the Fast Grab Tacky Glue)
• Fabri-Tac (for harder to "stick" items Adult supervision necessary)
• Glitter Glue

Paper

• Construction Paper
• Scrapbook paper or Cardstock.
• Newsprint
• Water Color or Drawing Paper
• Waxed Paper

Writing Supplies

• Colored Pencils
• Crayola Brand Crayons (colors are more vibrant)
• Crayola Brand Washable Markers
• Craypas
• Paint Pens (Adult Use only)

Scissors

• Blunt rounded tip scissors (Fiskars brand are sharper and last longer than some other brands)
• Craft Scissors
• Craft Punches

Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Plastic measuring cups are good for children to handle
• Pyrex measuring cups are good for projects that require heating in the microwave

Things to Collect

For those who like to recycle, here are a few items that are useful to use when doing activities.

Styrofoam Meat Trays

• working with beads and small craft items
• printing

Eggcartons

• eggcarton crafts
• Sorting or storing items like beads and buttons

Rolls

• Paper Towel Rolls and Toilet Paper Rolls are useful for some craft projects

Applesauce Cups

• water cups for painting
• cups for paint

Children's Shoe Boxes

• Storing craft items like ribbon, beads, stamps, etc.

Containers like Cool Whip

• Mixing things like Plaster of Paris

Ribbons

• Hanging
• Decorating

Greeting Cards Wrapping Paper

• Collages
• Pictures for projects

Tissue Paper

• Wrapping gifts
• Various Arts and Crafts activities

Fabric

• Collages
• Decoupage

Containers and Bins for Storage

Pencil Boxes

for storing and separating crayons, markers, colored pencils (purchase at the beginning of the school year or summer school.

Small Baskets

for organizing activities with small items like buttons, foam pieces.

Muffin Tins

also work well for sorting small craft items. Also great for Math Counting Activities.

Tackle Boxes

have many compartments that hold craft items neatly. Most are difficult for a young toddler to open as well.

Open Baskets

great for storing and organizing books

Clear Bins

with covers for storing craft items. Clear under bed storage containers are great for storing projects you'd like to save.

Favorite Craft Supplies

• Foam Stickers
• Foam Sheets
• Craft Buttons
• Ribbon
• Raffia in various colors
• Silk Flowers
• Stamps and Stamp Pads
• Glitter
• Flat Back Rhinestones
• Beads (Pony Beads, Handcrafted, Alphabet...just to name a few)
• Wiggle Eyes
• Pom Poms
• Chenille Stems (Pipe Cleaners)
• Cotton
• Colored Tissue Paper
• Craft Sticks (plain and colored, wide and thin)

Tips and Suggestions

• Once an art or activity area is established, make sure to set limits for the use of materials.
• Show your child where to put the crayons, markers and other supplies after using. Have a specific container to put it in.
• Always read labels on products you purchase whether it is paint, glue, etc.
• When using paints or markers that are not washable, wear appropriate clothing,
• Check toys and books periodically to make sure there are no loose pieces, broken parts

• For any new activity involving new materials whether it be crayons, markers, or paint 1 or 2 colors is a good start. Let them trade ore request a different color. It's also a great opportunity to reinforce color recognition and encourage language.
• Take time to show them how to use new materials...whether it is to hold a pencil properly, open and close a cap of a marker, close the glue or cover the glue stick. It will take many reminders but these are all necessary skills for Kindergarten.
• Take a few minutes to explain how to safely hand items like pencils and scissors to you or siblings to minimize accidents.