Quilt of Many Feelings

Quilt of Many Feelings





Traditionally, making quilts has been a way for people to
express themselves through the use of color and pattern in a
practical way. A quilt of faces can help your child understand
how emotions are conveyed through facial expressions.


What you'll need


Colored paper
Markers or crayons
Paste or glue
Large piece of paper (poster paper, a large paper bag cut and
laid out flat, wrapping or computer paper)



What to do


1. Using different colors (pastel colors work best), cut the
paper into 6" x 6" squares.

2. Have your child draw faces representing feelings they have
had:

happy loved
sad special
good jealous
bad lonely
pained

3. Have your child label these emotions.

4. Paste the squares together on a large piece of paper to
resemble a patchwork quilt.



Drawing pictures is one way children have of expressing
themselves without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed.



My Folder



A folder with your child's name on it can help your child
get organized while enhancing self-image.


What you'll need


Dark crayon or marker
Large sheet of paper



What to do


1. Have your child write his or her name or initials many
times on a large sheet of paper.

2. Fold the paper in half to create a folder.

3. Place pictures, work from school, or drawings that are
important to the child in the folder.



Names are veyr important to children. Just think of how
upset they get when they are called names. Talk with your child
about his or her name. Is there a favorite nickname? What does
the name mean? Was your child named for someone? This is an
opportunity for you and your child to talk together to build a
strong self-image.


This Is the Way We Wash Our Hands





Children have to be reminded to wash their hands. This is
a way to turn the reminder into fun.


What you'll need


Paper or cardboard
Small slice of soap or a sample soap bar
Glue


What to do


1. Have your child trace around his or her hand on a piece of
paper or cardboard.

2. Cut a small slice of soap from a large soap bar or use a
small or sample sized bar of soap.

3. Glue the soap onto the paper hand.

4. Hang the poster in the bathroom over the sink to remind
your child about hand washing.



Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid
spreading germs to prevent disease. It is especially important
when eating or handling food.


Smile If You Like Me



Make a game out of introducing your child to new foods.


What you'll need


Paper
Round object
Felt tip pen
New foods for your child to sample



What to do


1. Cut paper into three 3"x 3" squares.

2. On each piece of paper, trace around the bottom of a round
object with a felt tip pen.

3. Have your child draw three different kinds of faces in the
circles: a face with a smile, an unhappy face, and a face
with a straight line for a mouth to show "I don't care".

4. Ask your child to try a new or different food. Emphasize
that not all the portion has to be eaten: simply try the
food and talk about likes and dislikes.

5. Tell your child to give you one of the faces that reflects
the feeling about the new food.

6. Post a chart to record new foods your child tries.

7. Set a goal, such as trying one new food a week.

8. Reward your child for trying the foods by writing "Good
job!" on the chart, putting stickers on the chart, or
celebrating by taking a trip to the local zoo or library
when the chart is complete.





This activity gives your child a chance to enjoy and learn
about a variety of foods without the pressure of having to
"clean your plate" at mealtime. One point to remember when
doing this activity is to try not to use food as a reward or
bribe.


Follow the Recipe!



One way to get children to eat healthful food, especially
vegetables, is to involve them in the selection and preparation
of a recipe.


What you'll need


A simple recipe
Paper and pencil to write a list
Tray
Utensils and other equipment with which to cook



What to do


1. Choose a simple recipe to prepare.

2. Write a shopping list from the recipe. Check the
nutritional value of the ingredients by reading the
nutrition label aloud with your child.

3. Take the children to the market. The supermarket is the
perfect place to introduce the older ones to label
reading. For children over age 6, see who can find the
products with the most sugars, fats, and salt. Explain
that the first ingredient listed is what the food has the
most of. Then, hunt for alternative, healthier foods.

4. Allow children to feel the weight and texture of
vegetables. Handling hits and vegetables will help them
learn how to distinguish between ripe, unripe, or spoiled
produce.

5. Have children help you put away groceries. Preschoolers
enjoy washing fruits and vegetables, and you can explain
the proper way to wash them to remove dirt and
insecticides. Have them store fresh vegetables in the
refrigerator, explaining this will help retain vitamins
and help the vegetables stay fresh longer. Have them store
root vegetables (potatoes and onions) in a cool, dry place
away from light.

6. Place all the ingredients you will need for the recipe on
a tray to make cooking more efficient.

7. Keep tasks simple and within the child's abilities.
Toddlers can stir an egg, mix ingredients, spread jams or
peanut butter, or carry pots and pans. Older children love
to measure dry ingredients and enjoy the challenge of
pouring liquids without spilling.







Pediatricians recommend that parents should get more
involved with their children. What better way than by making a
game out of cooking, a necessary task but one in which everyone
can be involved. Having your children participate in food
selection can help you manage food choices for toddlers,
preschoolers, and elementary school children.