Preschoolers learn better by getting their hands involved in the studies. Since this is the time of year to focus on giving thanks for our many blessings, combining crafts with important lessons is a favorite activity to engage children and encourage them to show their gratefulness.
Daily Gratitude
Help your preschool student make cut-outs of leaves in a variety of patterns, along with a construction paper cut-out of a tree trunk with a few empty branches. Each day, ask your preschooler to name one thing she is grateful for and help her write that on a leaf. Paste the leaves to the tree trunk and watch her world of gratefulness blossom throughout the month.
Thanksgiving Trail Treats
This edible craft begins with identifying your child’s favorite dry treats, such as nuts, Chex, animal crackers, etc. The fun is that your little gets to create his own custom trail mix using the treats he has selected. Don’t forge the mini-marshmallows and just a hint of chocolate. Once the mixing is done, place positions in resealable snack bags, and try them out on a walk in the woods.
The Thankful Turkey
Cut a piece of 8.5 by 11 construction paper in half vertically. Use one of the strips to make a circular “body” by pasting the long ends together. Draw and cut a pair of feet to paste to the bottom, then cut out a small diamond shape, fold it in half, and paste it to the front to form a beak. Draw eyes on the body roll, or simply paste on some craft eyes. Make as many “feather” cut-outs as you wish, labeling each with an individual reason for gratitude before pasting it to the back of the body roll.
These crafts can be modified in countless ways with a prepared environment, and every child will have a different list of things to be thankful for, including their family, friends, and favorite pets, toys, and places. The important lessons are that we should be grateful for what we have and learning to express gratitude in our daily lives.