Reading stories aloud together builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. By adding a craft to the experience, you continue to build on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity, while reminding the child of themes and words from the story. It becomes active engagement (in the same way that adding the movement of Bendy Bookworm’s yoga poses do) in order to benefit the child’s optimal ability to learn through play.
Try this craft (Ideal for ages 5-9 years old). Pair it with “Luna’s Map” by Danielle Fisher for a Story Time and Craft Activity.
Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, pattern recognition, and visual processing (practiced during the Story Time)
Motor Skills: drawing shapes, cutting, and glueing (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: friendship, courage, independence (learned in “Luna’s Map”)
Materials:
Color Markers, Crayons, or Washable Paint
Construction Paper or White Paper
2 Toilet Paper Rolls
Pencil and Scissors
Glue or Double Sided Tape
Washi Tape (optional)
Yarn and Single Hole Puncher
Step One:
*Cut the Construction Paper to the length and width of the toilet paper roll (so you’ll be able to roll the construction paper around the toilet paper roll for full coverage). You can also use washable paint, washi/duct tape, or just color the outside of the toilet paper rolls.
*Decorate Paper BEFORE attaching it to toilet paper roll. You can use crayons, flitter, stickers, etc.
Step Two:
*Attach the construction paper to the Toilet Paper Rolls. I put a strip of double sided tape on either end of the backs of my construction paper rectangles but using glue will work just as well. If you use glue, allow for dry time before moving on to step three.
Step Three:
*Use Washi Tape or another strip of construction paper to connect to two toilet paper rolls. I used washi tape but to be honest, it was challenging and didn’t come out as well as I’d hoped. If I was to do the craft again, I’d try glueing the two toilet paper rolls together (along the sides) first and then use the washi tape/ strip of construction tape more for the visual effect.
*Once you’ve connected the two toilet paper rolls, use a single hole punch on the both of the barrels (on the outside). Tie one end of the yarn to either hole to create your neck strap.
