by Melody Williams

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: November 30, 2010

As a Head Start preschool teacher, I have to think of new ideas constantly, due to the fact that I have many of my children return for a second year before kindergarten. Not wanting to send the same gift home two years in a row, every holiday of the year can be a slight challenge. Moms love everything their little one makes for them,(no matter what it looks like) so I always try to think of a nice craft the kids can make for Mother's day. Therefore, I would like to offer some of my craft ideas I have used throughout the years.

1. Silhouettes: Use a lamp to cast a child's shadow on a black piece of construction paper hung on the wall. Sit a chair near the black paper and have the child sit as still as possible. Draw the shadow with white chalk. Cut the drawing out and let the child glue it onto a large heart shaped piece of construction paper. Help the child write HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY and the year, with glue on the bottom of the heart. Then allow them to sprinkle glitter on the glue.

2. Use a large piece of construction paper the long way. Allow the children to paint their arm and hand with green tempera paint. Then instruct them to place the painted arm and hand (spread fingers wide) onto the paper to create a stem. Next have the children trace their hands on several different colors of construction paper. Allow them or help them cut out the hands. Roll the fingers over a pencil or small dowel rod so they curl. Glue the curled hands onto the painted hand print. Filling the center of each one with a cupcake paper. Help the child write HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY and the year, with glue on the bottom of the heart. Then allow them to sprinkle glitter on the glue.

3. Place a large poster on the wall that shows a spring scene. (ie. a park, an ocean scene, etc.) Sit the child in front of the poster and take a snapshot. Use nine inch paper plates with the center cut out. (up to the curve)hole punch four places on each inside corner of the plate. Tie six inch pieces of ribbon in each hole. Let the children decorate the plate by gluing on small artificial flowers around the entire plate to create a wreath. Hole punch each corner of photograph of the child and tie it to the ribbon attached to the plate to create a frame. Always remember to write the year on the back of the plate.

4. This is more time consuming but is a wonderful gift. I choose several books to read a lot for several weeks until I think the children are fairly familiar with the story. I the have the children choose one of the books and read it to me while I record them. I place the reading onto a CD along with pictures of the child I have taken throughout the year. They had a memory that will last a life time.

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