At this time we have learned to use scissors
fairly well. One way we did this was to go through old magazines to find
particular pictures he liked. We glued this page onto a heavier
construction paper. By drawing heavy lines at irregular places we
created a puzzle. The darker heavier lines are easier to follow with the
scissors. If you make the puzzle pieces fairly large it is better and
easier for a little one to put it back together. If you like you may
glue the pieces on another page or you may simply drop the pieces into a
small zip lock baggie. This way you will have a great number of puzzles
to work. Because we have learned to
cut and also have learned squares and triangles at this time we measure
six, three inch squares with a ruler. After cutting these out we then
draw only the outside shapes of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F. Do not try
to cut the inside parts of the letters, A and B. This is too difficult
for a three-year-old.
Once you have the letters cut out, glue
them to another piece of construction paper of a contrasting color. The
next step is to cover the top of the letter with glue. Allow the child
to smooth the glue over the surface of the letter. You may now use
either sand or salt to sprinkle over the glue creating a raised letter.
I used salt since it was handiest. Keep repeating the names of the
letter to the child as he works with each One. When you send the work
home, explain to the parents about tactile and how the brain registers
the object better if the fingers have been allowed to "feel" the letter
with the child's fingers. You may ask them to allow the child to keep
the letters out somewhere where they can rub their hands over them again
with the parent telling the child what the letter is.
We have already been shaping the letters
from play dough, allowing them to dry gently in a low oven and then
glueing them to a larger poster board along with pictures of things
starting with that letter.
On the Christian teaching we are using a
different word every day surrounding the word, "love." We chose a word,
such as loyal, faithful, kind, patient. The scripture to be found in the
concordance of your Bible has the word love and with the scriptures
pointed out, there are great numbers of words associated around and with
the word love. It is fun to see the pictures a child will select to
describe a more abstract word such as love. Let us find a picture for
something that is like love, "strong and gentle," I asked. Much
searching brought forth a very large egg standing on a scale, being
weighed. |