Naturally Educational » 3-5 (Preschool)
How to Grow Grass Caterpillars
We actually made our grass caterpillars in April as part of our Earth Day explorations but our “quick grow” grass seed was not quite quick enough. Our little caterpillars did eventually become big fuzzy grass caterpillars, however, and I wanted to share them with you. Our live caterpillars from Insect Lore just arrived and we are excited to see their metamorphosis into butterflies! In the meantime, we enjoy caring for these grass caterpillars. Materials: nylon stockings/knee socks (the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Ecology, Featured
Cherry Blossom Stamps
We’re celebrating spring with lots of floral crafts! Here’s a cherry blossom stamp art project. Bonus: you reuse/recycle a soda or water bottle for your stamp. Materials: brown paint pink paint white paper paint brush soda or water bottle Directions: 1. Dilute the brown paint a little with a drop of water and paint the branches and twigs. I showed my kids how you can get thicker strokes by pressing down with the brush. We also examined branches to see how smaller twigs … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Art, Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Spring, Weather
Coffee Filter Easter Eggs
We made these coffee filter Easter eggs last year and will probably make some more this year. I love the tie-dye effect! Materials: coffee filter scissors markers (you can use dried-out markers) water-spray bottles Directions: 1. Trim a coffee filter so that it is egg-shaped. 2. Color with markers. 3. Spray with water. If you have dried-out markers, now is the time to break them out! Draw with the dried-out markers on the wet surface. Educational Connections: History/Culture: Why is the egg a symbol of spring? … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Featured, History and Culture
14 Children’s Books to Welcome Spring
Today is the first official day of spring. On the vernal equinox, the tilt of the Earth is neither towards, nor away, from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring means the return of warmth and flowers and butterflies. Here are 14 children’s picture books to welcome back spring with open arms: And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano; illustrated by Erin Stead (Ages 3+): A clever little narrative about patiently waiting for the brown of late … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Spring, Weather
Some of our Favorite Rainbow Crafts for Kids
We shared our favorite St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids. If shamrocks and leprechauns are not your thing, this is also the perfect time to learn about rainbows! The rainy months of March and April provide an opportunity for spotting rainbows, learning how they are formed, checking out rainbow legends, and making your own rainbows! Paper Plate and Streamer Rainbow (Me – at Lifetime Moms) Dyed Pasta Rainbow Suncatcher Tissue Paper Rainbow Suncatcher Rainbow Windsock Want more rainbow crafts, activities, … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Weather
Our Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
Some of our favorite kids’ crafts for St. Patrick’s Day: Beaded Shamrock Ornament (Naturally Educational) Cardboard Tube Leprechaun (Naturally Educational) Cardboard Tube Shamrock Sun Catcher (Naturally Educational) Shrinky-Dink Shamrock “Lucky Charms” (No Time for Flashcards) Styrofoam Cup Leprechaun Hats (Crafts By Amanda) I know what you are thinking…just shamrocks and leprechauns? no rainbows? Patience lassies and laddies…rainbows are up next! … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Spring
5 Picture Books About Rainbows
Who doesn’t love a rainbow? They are colorful, magical, and full of hope! Rainbows are a bridge into other times and cultures, science, color theory, and so much more! Here are a few children’s picture books about rainbows to get you started on your journey! What Makes A Rainbow?, by Betty Ann Schwartz; illustrated by Dona Turner (ages 0-3): In this cute tale, a young bunny asks his colorful friends what makes a rainbow. With each turn … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Science, Sight, Spring, Visual-Spacial, Weather
March: Yup, In Like a Lion!
While we still haven’t seen the kids’ much-wished-for snow, March entered like a lion with a wet, cloudy, chilly day. As in past years, we will be reading In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb, by Marion Dane Bauer, and making some sort of craft, like our lion and lamb masks from last year. Last year we created a March weather bar graph of lions and lambs. This year, my daughter will also create a chart … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, Logical-Mathematical, Mathematics, Science, Sight, Spring, Weather, Winter
A Hat for the Cat
We made a Cat in the Hat craft last year and wanted to try a new approach this year. With Dr. Seuss’s birthday approaching, it seemed like a great time to try! Materials: white poster board (oak tag) painter’s tape red paint paper plate scissors tape stapler Directions: 1. Measure your poster board and create stripes 1.5-2 inches wide. 2. Use painter’s tape to mark off the stripes and paint the exposed poster board red. My son also made one but he was feeling sick that day … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Literacy
A Seusstastic Snack
We’re gearing up to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with this healthy Cat in the Hat snack! Ingredients: Raisins Pretzel sticks Banana Strawberries Wheat Bread Directions: 1. Cut a slice of wheat bread in half. 2. Slice a banana into coins. Place two coins as eyes. 3. Use raisins to create pupils, a nose, and a smile. 4. Use two pretzel on each side as whiskers. 5. Use rows of slices of strawberries and bananas to create the hat. Enjoy! Ask your kids if they can make other Seuss … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Featured, Home Arts, Taste
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About the Author
Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.
While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.
Contact Candace via e-mail, read her full biography, or connect with her using the social media icons below or on Google.
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