Recommended ages: 3-4
Did you know that encouraging your child to be creative helps her become a better problem solver? Creativity helps us see the world around us differently. One way to be creative is to use everyday items in a new way.
This fall, encourage creativity by taking your child on a nature walk to gather leaves that can be transformed into leaf people or animals!
On your walk, suggest that your child select different types, sizes, and colors of leaves. Talk about the different kinds of trees and how each has its own shape and size of leaf.
Pro tip: For an older child, ask her to try to identify the different types of trees she sees. You can use this video as a refresher on identifying trees by their leaf shape.
Once inside, gather the tools your child will need for creating her leaf people: paper, glue, and foil or wax paper. You can use any type of paper for the background, but a heavier one like card stock or construction paper works best.
Guide your child as she lays out her leaf design. Take this opportunity to ask open-ended questions to get your child thinking about what she wants to create and how to create it. Repeat what she says, and elaborate when necessary. Talking is a powerful way to help children extend their thinking.
- What do you want to make?
- How many leaves do you think you will need?
- Which leaf do you think will make a good body?
- What color hair do you want to give your leaf person?
Once your child has designed her leaf art, help her plan in what order the leaves should be glued to the paper and how to glue them without losing the design.
After the leaves are glued down, place a piece of foil or wax paper over the art and lay something heavy on top, like a book, to keep the leaves from curling up on the ends.
