- my iParenting

- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.

Getting Ready, Having Fun!
Crafts That Promote Skills
Needed for Preschool By Kymberly Pratt
Needed for Preschool
Will your toddler start preschool this fall? Turn play into learning with these fun crafts that work on cutting, pasting, thinking and planning. And each have the added bonus of being something you can use over and over again to reinforce skills such as number and letter recognition.
You'll need:
Full-page picture or photo (8 inches by 11 inches)
Construction paper
White glue
Foam paintbrush
Large book
Safety scissors
Quart-size baggie
Pencil or marker
Here's what you do:
To create a full-page photo, you can print one at home, have your child draw their very own picture or go to your nearest photo shop and they can print one for you. You might even find some in an old book you would not mind cutting up or an old calendar. Calendars are a great place to find large photos or pictures.
Once you have the picture, let your child fully cover the back of it with glue. Then, help him glue it on the piece of construction paper. You can place a large book over it to help it dry flat and ensure no bubbles form. Allow it to dry completely. This may take as long as overnight.
When the picture is dry, help your child draw fun shapes on the back with a marker. Then, help your child cut them out. Your child has just made a personal puzzle! Store the puzzle in the plastic baggie.
Tip: If making more than one puzzle, use different colored construction paper for the back so you can tell them apart if they get mixed up.
You'll need:
Several pictures of family or objects (4-by-6 inches)
Construction paper
White glue
Foam paintbrush
Large books
Safety scissors
Quart-size baggie
Sharpie marker


