The weather is start to change where I live and I am finding myself
preparing Possum more activities to do indoors.
Of course this activity isn’t restricted to indoors (or babies)
but it helps keep children busy on such days.
Let’s get our children doing some collage!
There are many learning benefits to a child doing this activity.
*builds creativity
*develops a greater awareness of the ‘sticky’ sensation
*hand/eye coordination
*sense of achievement
*language development
*and lots more!!!
You really don’t need much to prepare your child to start making a collage.
* clear contact paper
*sticky tape
*scrap items
(I’ve used some cut up pieces of tissue paper, felt and coloured mesh)
I firstly cut and exposed a piece of clear contact and fastened it with the sticky tape so the
sticky side was facing away from the window.
Possum was initially hesitant to touch the sticky surface but became quite interested in it after awhile.
I presented her with a collection of scraps that she could use on the clear contact.
After I demonstrated my expectations, it didn’t take her very long before she was
picking up the pieces and adding them to the sticky contact.
I would use simple sentences to help her complete this activity. Great for language!
‘Pick up the paper….pat, pat, pat’.
Soon she was adding and pulling off all of the pieces.
I didn’t get upset with her removing some of the pieces as it was her art piece and I wanted to be sure to respect that. It also made it a constantly changing piece of work.
Everyone who came to visit would comment on Possum’s work.
Possum loved revisiting her work hours/days after it began. Daddy also loved watching her do this task. Also allowed for us to show her praise and encourage her efforts.
I also introduced to her the idea of scrunching up some of the scrap pieces and adding them to her work. She attempted to add them, however, they didn’t stick as easily and she chose against using them.
Such a simple activity for little ones to do.
Older children can also do this activity!
X Kate
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Do you love giving your baby things to do?
Are you following Laughing Kids Learn at our other locations?
Love, love, love.
Thank you kindly. Possum loved it too. 🙂
She looks like she is having a fantastic time!
I appreciate your comment The Imperfect Housewife. Possum really enjoyed it and so I’m thinking I’ll do another one soon but with different materials.
Such a great activity for children of all ages.
I must admit, we’ve got sticky board collages/storyboards all over the house. I can’t bear to take them down.
I have to admit that this one has been up for awhile now (only just ready to publish a post about it – hahaha). They really are very beautiful to look at and such a talking point for when people come over.
So do we Jackie 🙂 They stay up for ages. I remember doing this with Jack when he was oh so tiny like Possum and just like her, he was a bit curious at first of the sticky texture, just sticking his hands on and off again but then after that he just loved it.
I love that it’s an activity for all ages and can be done even from very young. Thanks for your comment Kate. 🙂
Ours stay up until they start getting pieces of fluff and dirt added to them, lol. I love doing them on the easel as it means that when they’re done for that play I can move the whole easel away to keep the contact paper from getting destroyed. I find we get a lot more play out of it that way. I think contact paper was the flavour of the week for a lot of us haha 🙂
Exactly Debs! I’m sure there comes a time when it needs to be taken down. hahaha
I’ve done this with all three girls and they loved it sooo much. You’re right, it keeps them busy!
Your window looks the perfect size for Possum
I’ve never thought to try it with my youngest! Can’t wait to try it and see his cute baby face reactions. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you at True Aim!
Just thought I’d let you know I included a link to your contact/tissue paper craft on my personal blog. Such a cute idea! Thanks for the post!
Amy Senter
aspoolofthread.etsy.com
http://www.amyroachsenter.blogspot.com/2013/05/105-things-to-do-this-summer.html
Definitely going on to To Do List once I get my hands on some contact paper. Love it.
This is such a great idea, cant wait to try it!
Hi. At what age do you think I could introduce this activity? Thank you!
Hi Viv,
Thanks so much for your message. Every child is different but I’d probably recommend starting this type of activity when your baby stops wanting to put everything in their mouth. Hope that gives you some guide. 🙂