Early Childhood Development
Support Centre Newsletter
Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2010
Winter 2010
Let it Snow
Table Of Contents
Let it Snow
Upcoming Workshops
2-4
Alternate Delivery Rotation
5
ECE Information
6
Food Handlers Course
7
Training Offered
8
Up Coming Events
9
New Resources
10
Parents as Partners in Reading
11
Infant / Toddler
12-13
Snow Activities
14-15
NSCC Burridge Campus
Donna Barrett: Coordinator
372 Pleasant Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
Phone:(902)742-7832
Fax:(902) 742-7857
Email:[email protected] or
[email protected]
Phone:(902)742-3916
Website: www.ecdsc.nscc.ca
The views expressed herein are solely those of
the authors and do not necessarily represent the
policy of the Nova Scotia Department of
Community Services.
This project is made possible by
contributions received through
the Early Childhood Education
Training Initiative coordinated by
the Nova Scotia Department of
Community Services.
Let it Snow
The holidays are now behind us and we now look forward to early
morning shoveling, wet mittens, hot chocolate and snow days. The
unexpected cancellation of school can cause many changes in
schedules and routines not only for parents but for Childcare Centres
as well. Suddenly there’s more children that need care, late staff due
to road conditions, and a panicked frenzy about meals and activities
to keep all happily occupied for the day. Believe it or not, a hectic
snow day can be somewhat avoided! Here are some tips to help you
endure those unexpected bad weather days!
1. Expect the Unexpected~You know there will be at least a few
snow days during the winter months, so expect them and plan
ahead. Having experiences planned that involve minimal prep
time can alleviate you fear of having uninvolved children on your
hands.
2. Use the Weather for the teachable moment it is~snow storms
offer a wide range of scientific examination. Watch the clouds,
study the snowdrifts, enjoy the snow in a scientific way!
3. Take the plunge~If the weather has calmed and if there is a safe
spot to do so...bundle up and get out there! Snowdrifts make
great snow forts, sculptures and hills for sliding! Become artists
and paint the snow with water and food coloring!
4. Bring the outside-IN~If it’s just too messy to bring the children
out, bring a few large containers of the white stuff inside! The
children will enjoy the activity and the novelty of snow inside!
See page 14 for more snow activities.
Spring Conference 2010
Family Literacy Day
April 10th
January 27th
See page 4
See page 8
Workshops Continued
Page 2
Mentoring Skills Development Seminars
Presenter: Elaine Ferguson, M.Ed, has worked in the child care industry for 34 years. She is the
executive director of Child Care Connections and chair person with Partners in Practice
To register contact [email protected] or call 902-742-7832
Registration forms are available at the following link:
http://www.ecdsc.nscc.ca/docBurridgeRegistration.pdf
Video Conferencing at Burridge and Lunenburg Campus Collaborative Learning Centres
Temperament & Personalities and Becoming a Reflective Practitioner
Date: Saturday, January 23/10 Time: 10:00am—3:30pm Cost $40 Pre-register by January 8/10
Location: Video conferencing at Burridge and Lunenburg Campus Collaborative Learning Centres
Workshop: Temperament & Personalities and Becoming a Reflective Practitioner ~In this session you will explore your
personality preferences when interacting with colleagues and ways to optimize those interactions within a mentoring relationship. The
Myers Briggs Type Indicator is used to explain temperament. You will also develop an understanding of reflective thinking, why it is
important for your practice, and how it is essential in the mentoring relationship.
Strongly recommended to have already attended :Introduction and Ethics
Adult Development
Date: Saturday, February 27/10 Time: 10:00am—3:30pm Cost $40 Pre-register by February 12/10
Location: Video conferencing at Burridge and Lunenburg Campus Collaborative Learning Centres
Workshop: Adult Development ~To be effective in mentoring, a knowledge of adult development theories is essential. This session
will explore such theories and how to apply them to mentoring relationships.
Facilitating Reflective Practice
Date: Saturday, March 27/10 Time: 10:00am—3:30pm Cost $40 Pre-register by March 12/10
Location: Video conferencing at Burridge and Lunenburg Campus Collaborative Learning Centres
Workshop: Facilitating Reflective Practice ~This session will explore a variety of facilitation skills to encourage the use of reflective
thinking.
Pre-requisite: Becoming a reflective practitioner
Page 3
Workshops Continued
ECE Emergent Curriculum Working Group
Date: January 19, 2010, Pre-register by January 13, 2010
Location: NSCC Burridge Campus
Facilitators: Joann Sweet and Donna Barrett
No Cost
Have you attended an emergent curriculum workshop? Are you currently trying to implement the curriculum?
Would you like to be part of a group who share ideas and talk about their experiences? Are you looking for
answers or further clarification on emergent curriculum?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions then come join us!
Contact Donna Barrett at 742-7832 or email [email protected] to confirm attendance.
Non Violence Crisis Intervention Workshop
Date: January 23, 2010 Storm Date: January 30, 2010
Location: Park View Education Centre, 1485 King Street, Bridgewater
Facilitator: Alice Bent, Specialist at Park View Education Centre
Cost: $40.00 Pre-register by: January 12, 2010
Learn how to respond effectively to the warning signs that someone is beginning to lose control, and also
addresses how you can deal with your own stress, anxieties and emotions when confronted
with these challenging situations.
Registration form available online: www.ecdsc.nscc.ca
Mental Health First Aid
Date: January 19 & 20, 2010
Time: 8:30-4:30 Cost $120.00
Mental Health First Aid Canada offers the following content in its course:
For further information
contact or to confirm
attendance
[email protected] or
call 902-742-7832
-Explanations of mental health, mental illness and mental health problems
-Signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and crisis situations
-Information about effective interventions and treatments
-Ways to access professional help
Contact : Lisa Smith Training Coordinator
NSCC Business Development
Phone (902) 749-2407 Fax: (902) 749-2402
Email: [email protected]
Web:
www.nscc.ca
*****************
IMPORTANT
When completing
workshop registration
form please include a
home number or contact
number incase you need
to be reached after
working hours.
Page 4
Workshops Continued
Stay tuned for more information on the following workshops:
Colors Personality
Free Play and Circle Time That
Dimensions
Works For Children & Teachers
Facilitator: Yvonne Rafuse
Facilitator: Kathy Black
Location: Bridgewater
Location: Yarmouth
Date: To Be Announced
Date: May 1, 2010
Southwestern Region Early Learning
& Child Care Spring Conference 2010
Date: April 10, 2010
Location: NSCC Burridge Campus
Presented By: Early Childhood Development Support Centre &
Early Childhood Education Program NSCC Burridge Campus
Also Including:
Caring at Work Awards
Workshops Sessions
Rejuvenating your passion
Keys to being a successful inclusion
centre
Exploring documentation and
portfolios “It’s Simpler Than You
Think”
Implementing an emergent curriculum
Resource displays : Scholar’s Choice Moyers. Canadian
Child Care Federation, Nova Scotia Child Care
Profession Association, etc. ,
Woozles Children Book fair
Photo displays of Regional Early Learning and Childcare
programs
Visit Early Childhood Development Support Centre
Further details will follow along with conference brochure and registration form.
Consumer Product Safety -Information for
Early Childhood Educators
January 20, 2010
12:45—1:45 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus, Room B147
Andy Hulan Product Safety Officer with Health Canada will facilitate a presentation that will provide
participants will a better understanding of who Consumer Product Safety is, what they do and highlight what
resources are available to ECE’s in helping better service clients . Along with information on the types of
products that are regulated and the hazards associated with those products.
Page 5
Winter Rotation
Early Childhood Education Diploma Alternate Delivery Winter Rotation
Course ID
Course Name
Start
COMM 1205
Communications Workplace Foundation
1/11/2010
COMP 1217
1/11/2010
ECSP 1012
Computer Applications
Observing/Recording Children
Emerging Literacy in Early childhood
Nutrition for Young Children
Administering Early Childhood Services
ECSP 1014
Applying Developmentally Appropriate Practice
1/11/2010
ECSP 1015
Children with Special Needs
Pre-School Methods
Developmental Psychology I
Developmental Psychology II
Introduction to Sociology
Introductory to Psychology
1/11/2010
ECSP 1002
ECSP 1009
ECSP 1011
ECSP 1121
GDEV 1020
GDEV 2020
HUSV 1000
HUSV 1001
1/11/2010
1/11/2010
1/25/2010
1/11/2010
1/11/2010
1/18/2010
1/11/2010
1/18/2010
1/11/2010
Hours
60
30
60
60
30
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
Pre-requisite
Cost
$360
High School Diploma/ Eq.
$180
High School Diploma/ Eq.
$360
GDEV 1028 or GCEV 1020
$360
High School Diploma/Eq.
$180
High School Diploma/Eq.
$360 3 Semesters of ECE program
$360 Completion of 1st Year ECE/Eq.
$360
GDEV 1028/ GDEV 1020
$360
GDEV 1028/ GDEV 1020
$360
High School Diploma/Eq.
$360
GDEV 1020
$360
High School Diploma/Eq.
$360
High School Diploma/eq.
Eq. = Equivalent
Feedback Wanted!
We are interested in your thoughts about the services that we
offer.
Do you have suggestions on resources and topics for
professional development?
Let Us Know !
Send your ideas to [email protected] or mail them to:
ECDSC
Attention: Donna Barrett
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS
B5A 2L2
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30am—4:30pm
Tuesday
8:30am—7:30pm
Extended evening and weekend hours
available by appointment.
Call Donna Barrett 742-7832
Web site: www.ecdsc.nscc.ca
“If it hasn’t been in the hand..
And the body…
It can’t be in the brain!”
Bev Bos
ECE Information
Page 6
Early Childhood Education Diploma & Alternate Delivery
The Early Childhood Education Diploma can be obtained through the NSCC Alternate Delivery Program. This
allows those untrained early childhood educators working in the field, the opportunity to continue working and
obtain an ECE diploma through online courses. You have seven years to complete a diploma level course. It is
also possible to be credited with up to two thirds of an ECE diploma through recognized prior learning.
For further information contact your nearest ECDSC or visit our website: www.ecdsc.nscc.ca and click on ECE
Program page to find links to: NSCC Online Learning, the NSCC Early Childhood Education Diploma and
Recognized Prior Learning.
Continuing Education and Early Childhood Education Assistance Programs
The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services has developed a recruitment & retention strategy to recruit,
retain and recapture individuals to work in licensed child care. There are two programs to provide financial
support to eligible persons working in licensed child care and family home day care agencies and ECE graduates.
The Continuing Education program will provide financial reimbursement for continuing education courses or to
help obtain your ECE diploma/certificate part time while working in the sector. While the Early Childhood
Education Assistance Program will provide a debt reduction incentive to ECE graduates who are eligible. To
learn more visit the DCS Website:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/provider/RecruitmentRetention.html
If you know of anyone who is thinking about Early Childhood Education as a profession please
inform them of the financial assistance programs offered.
Professional Development
Independent PD-Suggestions
Involves
Enhancing what we already know
Improving in our ways to use what
we know
Finding way to be involved with
others to share our knowledge and
experience
Join the NS Childcare Association and become an
affiliate member of the Canadian Childcare
Association, visit
www.cccns.org/NSCCA/home.html for more
information
Visit another centre in person or check
out websites
Read books or articles, visit www.ecdsc.nscc.ca for
a full listing of our resources.
Professional Development Link
For information on professional development
try the link provided by Department of Community Services:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/provider/ProfessionalDevelopment.html
Page 7
Courses Offered
Food Handlers Course
Fee $23.88 per course
Digby
Yarmouth
Shelburne
Lunenburg
Feb 17, 2010
9:00am-4:30 pm
Digby Curling Club
Apr 14, 2010
9:00am-4:30 pm
Digby Curling Club
June 16, 2010
9:00am-4:30 pm
Digby Curling Club
Jan 12, 2010
8:30am-4:30 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
Feb 11, 2010
8:30am-4:30 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
Mar 9, 2010
8:30am-4:30 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
April 8, 2010
8:30am-4:30 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
May 11, 2010
8:30am-4:30pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
June 10, 2010
8:30am-4:30pm
NSCC Burridge Campus
Jan 12, 2010
9:00am-4:30pm
NSCC Shelburne Campus
Mar 9, 2010
9:00am-4:30pm
NSCC Shelburne Campus
Apr 4, 2010
9:00am-4:30pm
NSCC Shelburne Campus
Feb 10 & 11, 2010
6:00pm-9:00 pm
Forest Heights School
Jan. 20 & 21, 2010
6:30pm-9:30 pm
Dayspring Municipal Complex
Mar 24 & 25, 2010
6:30pm-9:30 pm
Dayspring Municipal Complex
May 5 & 6, 2010
6:30pm-9:30pm
Dayspring Municipal Complex
9:00am-4:00 pm
Bridgewater Fire Hall
9:00am-4:30pm
Bridgewater Fire Hall
Bridgewater Mar 11, 2010
May 6, 2010
To Register Contact The Department of Agriculture
At 1-902-837-5161
Early Childhood Development Services/Licensing Information Session
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
NSCC Burridge Campus room C181
Page 8
Early Childhood Training
First Aid Training
Standard First Aid & CPR “C”
Standard First Aid & CPR “C”
Burridge Campus, Yarmouth
Lunenburg Campus, Bridgewater
16hrs/$85
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Jan 23 & 24, 2010
16 hours/$85.00 6:00pm to 10:00pm
February 8 , 9, 16.,17, 2010
Contact : Lisa Smith
Contact Cecile Mansfield
(902) 742-2407
(902) 543-8261
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Family Literacy Day!
Sing For Literacy
January 27, 2010
As early childhood educators you are everyday champions in helping to promote language and literacy
development of children through singing! How will your centre celebrate Family Literacy Day? Groups
across the country are participating by hosting or attending sing-alongs in their communities.
Karaoke Night: Rent a Karaoke machine and invite the community over for a party. Not only is this
activity fun but it also encourages , reading , singing and family involvement.
Campfire style sing along: Invite a parent or community member who plays a guitar to visit and lead
a sing song around a pretend campfire.
Singing provides a fun way to expand spoken vocabulary and creates a strong bond with children. Singing
allows children to learn patterns of words, rhymes and rhythms which is strongly connected to language
skills.
To download Sing for Literacy Toolkit for information and ideas
visit : www.abc-canada.org/en/family_literacy_day
Page 9
Upcoming Events
Directors Meeting
New members are encouraged to join the directors group. The purpose is to be a
gathering of administrators acting as a support group for each other to exchange
ideas, concerns and to promote quality child care for children and their families.
Tri-County Directors Meetings
Date: Jan. 20, Feb. 17, Mar. 24, 2010
Time: 12:30pm-3:00pm
Room: A116 ECDSC NSCC Burridge Campus
For further information call 742-7832 or
email: [email protected]
South Shore Directors Network Meeting
Date: Jan. 27, Feb. 24, Mar. 31, 2010
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
NSCC Lunenburg Campus
For further information: call 742-7832 or
email :[email protected]
Morning Glory Breakfast Bars
2 cups (500 ml) bran cereal (All-Bran or 100% Bran)
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) shredded carrot (about 3)
1 cup (250 ml) Milk
3/4 cup (175 ml) drained canned crushed pineapple
1/2 cup (125 ml) plain (not fat-free)
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) whole wheat flour
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 ml) each, baking soda and salt
1 egg
1/2 cup (125 ml) liquid honey
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 13 x 9-inch (3 l) metal baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm)
overhang at each end. Lightly butter foil. In a bowl, combine bran cereal, carrot, Milk, pineapple and yogurt;
let stand for 5 min. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Whisk
egg and honey into Milk mixture. Pour over dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. .Spread into prepared pan, smoothing top. Bake for about 30 min or until a tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool
completely in pan on rack. Using foil overhang as handles, remove from pan and cut into bars.
Course Desserts & Sweets
Energy: 117 Calories
Carbohydrate: 27 g
Fat: 1 g
Fibre: 4,2 g
Sodium: 134 mg
Protein: 4 g
Prep. Time 15 mins
Nutrient % DV*
Calcium: 9 % / 102 mg
Vitamin B12: 80 %
Vitamin B6: 56 %
Foliate: 51 %
Magnesium: 20 %
Cooking Time 30 mins
Servings 16 bars
Bars can be wrapped individually in plastic
wrap then frozen in an airtight container or
freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room
temperature or in the microwave on Defrost
(30%) for about 1 min per bar.
Page 10
New Resources
Don’t Rant & Rave on Wednesday
Adolph Moser
BC-28-015
Don’t Fall Apart on Saturday
Adolph Moser
BC-28-016
You Can’t Come To My Birthday Party
Rusty Keeler
BC-35-096
Natural Playscapes
Rusty Keeler
BC-35-096
Art of Awareness
Deb Curtis
BC-75-009
Learning Together With Young Children
Deb Curtis
BC-35-109
Young Investigators
Judy Helm
BC-35-106
Emergent Curriculum
Sue Stacy
BC-61-008
Making Resources Accessible…
Stop by and visit our location at NSCC Burridge in Yarmouth
Hours of operation : Mon, Wed, Thurs., Fri. 8:30-4:30, Tuesday 8:30-7:30 evenings
and Sat urday by request.
Check out our resource library listing and kit photos/descriptions on the web
www.ecdsc.nscc.ca contact us with your request, we can sent it to you by mail with a prepaid
envelope for returning or arrange for pick up and delivery.
Call us to arrange a visit to your centre.
Arrange to pick up and drop off resources at our training sessions.
Re s o u rc e S h e e t
Page 11
In f a n t / To d d le r
Page 12
Simple Steps by Karen Miller
Infant/Toddler resources available through the
Early Childhood Development Support Centre
BC 59-003
Beginning with Babies Book
BC 59-006
Simple Steps Developmental Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Two-Year Olds Book
BC 59-018
Baby Signs for Babies 6 to 36 months book and VHS- How to Talk With Your
Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk
BC 40-013
Infant Toddler DVD It’s Mine! Responding to Problems and Conflicts
Infants and Toddlers Exploring Mathematics Geist, E. May 2009 Young Children 64(3) :
39-41
Here are some websites with ideas for infant /toddler children :
http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=key_play
http://www.gryphonehouse.com/activities/index.asp?CatID=3
http://www.sparc.org.nz/education/active-movement/active-movementresources
http://www.earlychildhoodlinks.com/teachers/resourcesinfanttod
dler.htm
http://www.arkcity.com/pat/101things.html
“Like snowflakes, no two children are alike”
Theresa Walker
Page 13
Quality Play
A CHILD BUILDS WITH
WHAT DOES WHEN
BLOCKS, she is learning many
important skills such as: creativity as she
QUALITY
creates a unique structure of her own
design; physical development as she
develops fine motor skills; and thinking
PLAY
as she explores relationships among
object size shape, and balance.
LOOK LIKE?
WHEN YOU SHARE A BOOK WITH A
CHILD you are developing social and
emotional skills through adult /child
bonding; language and literacy skills as
he learns new vocabulary, enjoys hearing
stories, and learns to “read” the pictures
to see what is happening; and creativity as
you supporting the development of his
imagination.
What types of toys support healthy play?
A quality infant and toddler toy...
CAN BE USED IN MANY WAYS
ALLOWS CHILDREN TO USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS
A quality toy can be used in more than one way
and will grow with the child. For example, a set of
nesting blocks can be used for many things:
filling, dumping and stacking when a toddler is
young, and as car garages, towers, for sorting, and
homes for animals as she grows!
Look for stuffed animals or dolls that aren’t from a TV show, or
other media, to allow a child to create her own play ideas.
Developing creativity and problem solving skills is important for
life long learning.
ENGAGES THE SENSES
Young babies learn by using all of their
senses. They like play that involves
materials with a variety of textures, as
well as lots of physical contact, singing,
and dancing. For older toddlers, playing
with sand, finger paint and shaving
cream provides opportunities for
learning using touch, smell, sight, and
sound.
Create the scene for play:
Babies and toddlers learn by watching other children
play. Provide opportunities for mixed age play
experiences. Create a safe play space where children
can move around freely. Too many toys can make it
hard for young children to focus. Provide a few high
quality toys and rotate them as children lose interest.
Reintroduce them at a later time as “new toys.”
LETS CHILDREN MAKE DECISIONS
ABOUT THEIR PLAY
A quality toy does not do something for the
child. Instead, the child finds pleasure and
satisfaction from doing something to the
toy. For example, a soft and simple doll
can do whatever your child imagines, while
a battery-operated doll that talks limits
what your child might pretend.
Household objects that allow infants
and toddlers to play creatively:
Small pots and pans, wooden spoons, clean laundry detergent
tops, cardboard boxes ,and paper towel rolls, Measuring
spoons, cups, Plastic tubs with lids (yogurt or margarine containers).
www.truceteachers.org [email protected] TRUCE, PO Box 441261, W. Somerville, MA 02144 | Please Copy & Distribute
Page 14
Snow Activities
Snow Activities Let Children Explore the Wonders of Weather
by Karen Stephens
One of my favorite children’s books is Stranger in the Woods, a charming photographic book by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. It
records children building an edible snowman for deer and other woodland wildlife. It celebrates all the fun kids have when the land
is covered with a blanket of white. If it is 20 degrees or higher (including the wind-chill factor) bundle your kids up in snowsuits
and boots and let them have fun in the white stuff, too. Nylon or plastic insulated mittens are best for keeping snow-building hands
warm A face mask helps protect cheeks from windburn. If your child prefers a scarf, be sure to tuck the scarf inside your child’s
coat; otherwise scarf ends can get caught and lead to accidental choking. If the kids are old enough to enjoy the snow outside
alone, keep an eye on them every 15 minutes or so to make sure they aren’t
thirsty or under/over heated.
Keeping those safety precautions in mind, it’s time to let the kids go out and for
some fun snow play! Following are activities they’ll enjoy.
• SHAKE A STICK. When low branches of trees and shrubs are piled high with
snow, (not ice!) have the kids whack them with a stick or broom. The snow
cascading down like a waterfall provides dramatic fun and introduces kids to
the physics of cause and effect.
• SNOW MESSAGES. Have kids write BIG word messages by dragging their feet
through snow to make letters and words, like “Hi, Gramps!” Messages are
most easily viewed from a second story.
Bundle
your kids up
in snowsuits
and boots
and let them
have fun
in the white stuff.
• SNOW SCULPTURES. Snowballs and snowmen are perennial favorites of those who
love snow’s packing possibilities. But don’t stop at snowmen; make snow creatures, too,
like cats, dogs, squirrels and rabbits. When kids line up three snowballs, they have a caterpillar! Or create a porcupine by sticking
clumps of pine needles all over a small snow body. With a lot of snow, go for a whale or even a dinosaur! Let kids decorate sculptures with items from the garage, kitchen, and sewing box.
• WATER-PAINTING SNOW. Fill a spray bottle with water and a heavy dose of food coloring. Provide as many different bottles and
colors as you choose. Let kids spray paint the snow landscape. Painting snow sculptures with a spray bottle is fun, too. Plastic
eyedroppers can be used to paint with colored water.
• TRUCK PLAY. Let the kids use jumbo toy bulldozers and dump trucks to plow roads in the yard. Provide old shoeboxes and
markers so they can create houses to set along their plowed roads. Plastic people, toy cars, and animals can populate their town. Fir
tree branches stuck in the snow represent trees.
• CASTING SNOW COLORS. Give kids several large sheets of different colored cellophane or a plastic report covers. (Available at
office supplies stores.) As kids hold up the colored sheets, the sun shines through them casting lovely color onto the palette of snow.
Kids can overlap two colors to create a third.
• SNOW LINE DESIGNS. Bring out the small sand rakes that make straight, zigzag, or curvy designs in sand. With a light powdery
snow, kids can make snow top designs with them, too. (Homemade rakes can be made from 12” squares of cardboard. Using
scissors, cut different designs along each edge of the square. Kids drag the square across the snow to make designs.)
www.ParentingExchange.com
• SNOW PRINTS. Give the kids different types of objects to make prints in the snow. Ice cube trays create lines of
Snow Activities Continued
Page 15
squares. Old-fashioned potato mashers create either square grids or wavy curves, depending on type. Old boots
or rubber sandals with interesting tread designs can be used for printing, too.
• SNOW PAINT WITH COOKIE CUTTERS. Line several old cookie sheets with slightly moistened paper towels. Pour a
different color of water-based tempera paint on each sheet. Spread the paint over the paper towels with a brush
or spatula. Give kids a variety of cookie cutters. They press the cutters into the paint and then lightly onto the
snow. They leave painted shapes behind.
• BUBBLES. Yes, I mean blow bubbles. Observe how differently bubbles react in the cold compared to warm
weather. (Hint: Kids’ warm breath makes the bubbles lighter than the cold air around them, so they rise up.)
• PLAY WOLF. It’s hard work traveling in deep snow, so wolves travel in a single line. The leader makes tracks that
all the others step into, thus they conserve energy. Kids can do the same. Children can take turns being wolf
pack leader. The others have to follow stepping exactly into the leader’s tracks.
• TRAIN PLAY. Kids can pretend to be steam engines by puffing out their warm breath to create smoke in the cold
air. Make train tracks all over the yard.
• SNOW CRYSTALS UP CLOSE. Provide a square of black velvet or a piece of black construction paper for kids to
catch snowflakes on. When a few are caught, examine them with a magnifying glass.
• SNOW SHADOWS. On a sunny day, walk in the snow. Notice all the shadows on the snow. Can the kids make
their own shadows dance and take on different shapes?
• MAKE A SNOW GAUGE. Clean a plastic jar with a wide opening, like a mayonnaise salad dressing jar. Attach a strip
of masking tape vertically along the side. With a permanent marker, mark off inches on the masking tape. Before
it snows, place the jar on level ground outside. After the snow stops, go out and see how many inches fell.
• SNOW CAVES. After a good snow, let kids use child-sized snow shovels to build caves into the sides of snowdrifts.
To make it cozier, provide a blanket for the cave’s floor.
• MEASURE SNOWDRIFTS. Give the kids yardsticks, paper, and pencil and let them go around the yard measuring and
recording the size of the snowdrifts. Can they figure out why some drifts are larger than others?
• TUNNEL IT. When inches really build up, kids can make underground tunnels to maneuver. Make SHORT tunnels;
you don’t want them collapsing on the kids. For long tunnels, every few feet make a large peek-through head
hole in the top of the tunnel.
• SNOW ANGELS. Lay on your back in the snow. Flap your arms up and down and your legs open and shut to
create (you remember) your angel wings.
• BEYOND SNOW ANGELS. Once you have snow angels mastered, try putting kids’ problem solving skills to work by
making other snow imprints with their bodies. Can the kids make a giraffe, an airplane, the Eiffel tower, the
St. Louis arch?
Book Citation
• Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick. (Milford, MI: Carl R. Sams II Photography, 1999).
www.ParentingExchange.com
About the Author — Karen Stephens is director of Illinois State University Child Care Center and instructor in child
development for the ISU Family and Consumer Sciences Department. For nine years she wrote a weekly parenting column in
her local newspaper. Karen has authored early care and education books and is a frequent contributor to Exchange.