Reading stories aloud together builds vocabulary, improves comprehension, and promotes speech development. Allowing them to begin to read by themselves promotes focus and confidence building. By adding a craft to the experience, you continue to build on story time learning; practicing motor skills and creativity, while providing the opportunity to discuss the book’s themes, words, and message. It becomes an active engagement experience, 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 6-9 years old). Pair it with “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” by Derrick Barnes for an At Home: Story Time and Craft Activity.
Cognitive Skills: vocabulary and focus (learned from independent reading)
Motor Skills: tracing and cutting (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: self expression, creativity, self regulation, and self love (practiced during the craft)
Materials:
Paperbag
Watercolor, Washable Paint, Crayons, and/ or Markers
Glitter and/ or Sequins
Masking/Washi tape
Step One:
*Cut your paper bag down the side and cut off the bottom.
*Lay it flat and zig-zag cut all across the top.
(Measure it by placing the crown around your head plus an extra inch.)
Step Two:
*Paint the crown and let it dry!
*When the crown is dry, glue on any additional decorations (glitter, sequins, stickers, etc.)
*I used Water Color Paint.
Step Three:
*When you've finished decorating, place the crown around your head and secure in place with a piece of masking/washi tape.
Pair With:
These titles can be found on overdrive/ hoopla (ebook catalogs that you may be able to access with your library card!) or at your local library!
