Craft Ideas for Babies in Preschool

I cherish the first handprints I got from my son's daycare!! It was simple - the teacher painted his hands then pressed them on the paper then washed them off - but it was the greatest thing I had ever seen! He was only about three months old at the time.

Another favorite project is at Halloween. They took off a sock and painted his foot white, then pressed it on a black piece of construction paper. Once it dries, turn the footprint upside down (heel at the top) and draw two eyes on it with a black Sharpie for a super-cute ghost! Use a silver Sharpie to put their name on the bottom.

You can make fingerprint 'bugs' by drawing little antennas and eyes on them. Put them on a flower cutout or something similar.

You can cut out shapes and tell them what color and what shapes they are, then put glue on the back and let them place it on paper.

You can let them have a marker and let them draw (scribble or whatever) on a coffee filter, then spray it with water for "water color art." (That looks cool!)

Just the squishing of the paint in their fingers and talking about it (is it sticky? cool? squishy? gritty? watery?) is a good way to make brain connections.

I know there are books out there on the subject. Try searching home school books, the library, the preschool's resources, the Internet and mom groups for more ideas. HTH - GL!

This isn't really a craft idea, but have you thought about sign language? Babies as young as 4 months old can begin to quickly pick up signing and it gives them a great way to communicate with caretakers. Verbal language developement is slower than a baby's ability to express needs and wants and simple signing is great way for baby to spell out what she needs. I remember the first time I was up in the middle of the night wit hmy son in tears because he was crying and I didn't know how to fix it. I sat down with him and said, "I don't know what's wrong! I tried everything!" And at 5 months old he signed "medicine" and rubbed his mouth. He had a tooth ache and told me! We were back in bed in 10 minutes. This is a gift that keeps on giving!

This may sound nuts but when I take my puppy to his "doggy" daycare (oh, I have children too) I LOVE when they give me a print out of what he did that day.

Similar to Tracey's idea, I get a print out with a picture (take a digital photo and upload it), a list of what he ate, who he "played" with, what he played with, etc. Seems perfect for a 6-9 month old!

Good luck :)

W.,
How about a photo journal for the parents...maybe a photo or two each month as decorations in the class are changed. You could put the foot/hand prints at the beginning of the time the kids are in the room and then do one at the time they leave.
Just an idea.
T.

Six mos to nine mos, while a sweet idea, are not able to do much of anything. The most important thing you can do for these parents is report back to them fully about their baby's day, what they ate, diaper changes, songs you sang, toys they played with or looked at. I think any parent would be thrilled with that detailed info.

at that age all they really do is eat sleep and poop. take one day a week and do something with them dont try to do it everyday you will just get frustrated. at this age you can do and prints and foot prints and thats about all. read to them do finger puppets or hand puppets and bubbles they love bubbles hope this helps (i have been a day care provider for ages 6 weeks to 9 years)