When I first started studying to become a teacher I took on a position as a teacher’s assistant at a small Montessori school. I helped to care for toddlers and pre-schoolers and wow was this job draining, those little bodies full of energy sure have a way of keeping you on your toes! This experience really prepared me for motherhood however and thanks to the creativity and initiative of the fellow teachers, I always have an idea up my sleeve of what I can do to keep my own little girl constructively busy.  

One such idea, that’s always a hit, is a simple activity that simply requires a cut out piece of Contact Paper and small bits and bobs that are perfect for sticking. While the concept seems quite basic, the activity itself has many educational benefits and can keep tiny tots busy for a good amount of time. The materials required are also not expensive (you can even raid your yard for leaves and small sticks.

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Sticky Art Activity

To do this activity you will first need to gather and prepare the following:

• A sheet of contact paper
• A few sheets of cardboard (optional as you could simply stick contact paper straight onto you surface)
• A variety of bits and bobs, like: pompoms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, buttons, leaves, tissue paper, beads, glitter or snipped out pieces of coloured paper

* Because these items are small and could be a choking hazard, please make sure that your young child does not swallow them!

The activity:

• Cut out a piece of contact paper to the size you have in mind
• Border the sticky side of the contact paper with some card or paper, so that it doesn’t get stuck to surfaces or little hands. Alternatively, bend the ends of the Contact paper so that the non-sticky sides meet, stick this bent part on to a window or table
• Place the sheet on a flat surface, surrounded by the crafting items
• Seat your toddler down and let the creativity begin

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Not only do you ignite the creativity in your child and give him the opportunity to do some constructive thinking, this activity is also great to develop fine motor skills, which are crucial for your child’s future educational career and learning abilities.

Source Link: https://teachingmama.org/toddler-tuesday-contact-paper-art/

Why is fine motor coordination important?

“Fine motor” refers to the movements we make with the small muscles of the hands. Children start to use their hands right at birth to explore their own bodies and the world around them. Their fine motor skills develop as their whole body starts to move and become more stable.  They also learn to do more things with their hands as their cognitive and social/emotional skills improve.  - http://www.kamloopschildrenstherapy.org/fine-motor-skills-preschool-milestones

Come to think of it, older kids might enjoy this activity too and you could challenge them by putting together more intricate pieces of art. Another idea is that instead of attaching the transparent sticky paper to a surface, you could stick it to a window and let the sun rays flow through your colorfully decorated creation. The ideas are endless I guess!

Anyhoo, this is one of those rainy-day activities I have planned for our up and coming school holiday. I have already started gathering our bits and bobs and I have a little girl who I know is going to be thrilled with this “game”. 

With thanks from @mamameimei

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