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 6-9 years old). Pair it with “Snail Crossing” by Corey R. Tabor for an At Home: Story Time and Craft Activity.
Cognitive Skills: vocabulary, prediction, and focus (learned from independent reading)
Motor Skills: tracing and cutting (practiced during the craft)
Emotional Skills: self expression, creativity, and self regulation (practiced during the craft)
Materials:
Construction Paper or White Paper
Pencil
Scissors
Crayons
Craft Glue or Tape
Optional: Washable Paint, Googley Eyes, Glitter, etc.
Step One:
*Draw 1 leaf and 1 snail body by following these patterns:
*Cut out your patterns.
Step Two:
*Draw eyes and a mouth onto your snail and roll end to head.
*Decorate your snail and leaf.
Step Three:
*Attach your snail to your leaf.
Pair With:
These titles can be found on overdrive/ hoopla, ebook catalogs
you may be able to access with your library card!
