Simple Glue: Safe for Arts and Crafts with 18 Month Old???

The glue is fine, not sure that 18 month olds would get too much out of this activity, there could be something more appropritate, but they can't get hurt that way, and this would be one of those things where YOU would be doing the craft for the most part anyway.

If I could offer you a little Old Mama advice...lighten up, he is going to be fine, you may worry about every little thing it is not good for either of you! There is so little that you can do that will really harm him and the world is a wonderful place, don't take him home every time something new comes along or he will miss a great many opportunities. Language development in an enriched enviornment is huge right now, and even if he could not really do the glueing, you could have said so many new words and he could have seen and felt new things that would have been totally amayzing to him. Let him experience life! He will be just fine (even if he eats a deli meat occasionally or a little glue occasionally!)

God bless Mama, you are doing fine, give yourself permission to enjoy the world-you made it, so will he!

M.

I googled online to see if I could find an answer to your question..it looks to me like it would be safe for a child to ingest school glue, I would be surprised if it wasn't non-toxic, it 's purpose is to be used by children and everyone knows how everything ends up in their mouths!!
I , personally would be more concerned with the sparkles!! If those got into a childs eyes, nose, or were ingested I would think they would do a lot more harm than a bit of glue. Of course any 18 month old should be closely supervised when doing any type of project, and I applaud you for being aware and concerned!!

I'm sure it's pretty safe. I subbed for a 1 to 2 year old class and the activity was "painting" glue onto a dinosaur cut out of construction paper and then sprinkled with big glitter. All the kids did really well and when they were done we washed their hands. I was just about to search my house for some glue so my 19 month old and four year old could glue different pasta on paper and then paint with sparkly paint....nice and messy!

Good luck!

It's fine. Kids eat glue all the time. I'm not saying it's good, or advisable to eat glue, but I know a lot of kids that do it. I can't imagine that the director or the Mommy and Me group is going to offer up activities that are harmful to your child. I can somewhat understand the vigilance, but it's just glue.

It's fine. A word of advice: Put about a teaspoon of glue on an old lid (yogurt, butter, whatever) and use cotton swabs to spread the glue. It will save you from accidental "glueing".

I disagree with these mom's answers. It's so easy to be safe, why neglect it? There is no carefree joy in chemically induced illness! Here are 2 web pages that offer several ultra simple Edible Glue and Sticker Recipes for preschool children. You can fill a travel size squeeze bottle with one of these and bring it to class. God Bless... Christi

http://www.typeamom.net/edible-glue-paste-and-sticker-rec...
http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/26/homemade-glue-for-kid...

check out the brand, make sure it's non toxic. Elmers glue is safe whether it be out of the bottle or stick.

Elmers kids glue is safe. I wouldn't let them eat it, but a bit in the mouth or on the skin is harmless. It washes right off with soap and water too. As for sparkles, I'm not sure I would have let my kids use them before 3. I don't know what's in them besides plastic. Also, they get on and in everything. I was more likely to use cake sprinkles.

yes.. most regular kid craft items are non toxic if eaten and fine for skin.

all kids eat craft items...there was one playgroup where my son ate paint, playdoh and sand all in a one hour period... (I have 2 kids so it was impossible to be with him every second.)

he ate crafts until he was about 18 months old..all kids do it it is fine.

I don't think it's too early to let your child explore their inner creativity and get down to business by touching, feeling and discovering. Glue is fine at this age as long as they don't have it for lunch! The only way to know if it will affect the skin is by trial and error.......you can use the glue sticks better and take your own if you feel the need to as well. But enjoy it, it's loads of fun!

I wouldn't worry about the glue; but the sparkles, yes. They should be edible candies that you use for cakes and cookies. Sugar yes; but compared to plastic sparkles...when everything goes into the mouth! Take your concerns to the director of this "play group"

I'm actually a leader of mommy and me groups and have been using Elmer's glue for 21 yrs with the toddlers. The task is for them to squeeze the bottle to gain hand strength and eye hand coordination while watching the glue come out. It is so much fun for them to coordinate this effort. As long as your child is not excessively touching or eating the glue, then there should be no effect. The glue is non toxic and that's why I use it. The benefits to the child, far outweigh the risks.

Relax - Just bring lots of baby wipes and wash his hands and anywhere else after. He needs to have exposure to lots of things!