Everyday Play by Christy Isbell Read Free Book Online

clothes, glasses, a hat, and so an.
    • When you child finishes his drawing, show him how to use the eraser to clean off the mirror.
More Fun!
    • If you have a full-length mirror, help you child trace around his entire body using a dry-erase marker.

Ribbon Drawing
    Develops your child’s shoulder strength and gives her practice in forming shapes
What You Need
    ribbon 1”-2” wide | small wooden dowel rods ½”-1” in diameter and 8” -12” long | staple gun or duct tape
What to Do
    • Cut the ribbon into 4’ to 5’ pieces. Staple or securely tape one end of the ribbon to the end of the dowel rod (adult-only step).
    • Show your child how to hold the dowel and make the ribbon move through the air.
    • Ask, “Can you draw a circle?” “A square?”
    • Make a shape or a letter in the air using your ribbon, and see if she can guess what shape or letter it is. Then, ask her to copy you using her own ribbon.
    • Or, sing the following song to the tune of “Put Your Finger on Your Nose”:
    Make a circle in the air, In the air.
    Make a circle in the air, In the air.
    Make a circle in the air And shake it if you dare. Make a circle in the air, In the air.

Shape Person
    Gives your child practice in tracing shapes and participating in a prewriting activity
What You Need
    variety of shape stencils | washable markers | paper
What to Do
    • Demonstrate one way to use shape stencils to draw a person. For example, show your child how to use a square for the head, a circle for the tummy, and triangles for legs and arms.
    • Encourage your child to explore different ways to make a “shape person.” He may trace the stencil or color inside the stencil.
    • Ask him to tell you about his person. Transcribe his description of his person onto the paper. Ask him questions about his shape person, such as “What shapes did you use?”
More Fun!
    • Give your child glitter glue, jewels, and scrap pieces of material for him to decorate his “shape person.”
    • Make more than one and create a story about them.
    • Make them into puppets by cutting them out and attaching them to craft sticks. Have a puppet show.

Sidewalk Shadows
    Develops drawing and tracing skills
What You Need
    sidewalk chalk
What to Do
    Note: This activity requires you and your child to work together.
    • Find a safe sidewalk or paved area.
    • Lie down on the sidewalk and tell your child to use sidewalk chalk to trace your body, making a “sidewalk shadow.”
    • Change places and trace your child’s outline on the ground.
    • Encourage her to add details to the “sidewalk shadows.”
More Fun!
    • Encourage your child to use chalk to write your names on the shadows.
    • Bring buckets of water and paintbrushes out to the sidewalk. Your child can make the shadows disappear by painting them with water.

Simon Says
    Encourages your child to learn directional terms needed for writing and improves coordination
What You Need
    No materials needed
What to Do
    • Teach your child the rules of “Simon Says.”
    • Play the part of Simon and give commands that include directional terms including up, down, under, and on top. For example:
    • Simon says, “Put your hands UP in the air.”
    • Simon says, “Put your feet UNDER your chair.”
    • Simon says, “Put your chin ON TOP OF your hand.”
More Fun!
    • Consider adding “left” and “right” terms to the game. Most four-year-olds have trouble differentiating between “left” and “right” so you should model the commands to help your child be successful. Stand with your back to your child and make the motions as you describe them. This will help him follow the directions.

Bead Jewelry
    Gives your child experience with stringing items, develops her bilateral hand skills, and improves her eye-hand coordination
What You Need
    variety of small beads (½” diameter or smaller) | plastic thread | non-skid plastic drawer liner cut into a place mat-sized rectangle | child-safe