This is a fun prompt where your child can explore shapes and let their imagination soar. Set your child up with a variety of different shapes in different sizes. I use construction paper, but you could use thinner cardboard (cracker and cereal boxes). For cardboard, you could either have your child paint the shapes or you could yourself to give solid colors and variety (or patterns). I like to start this this keeping things simple, then adding. You can add beads, pom poms, blocks, etc, when your child has the concept down. To start- set up a space with the shapes and a workspace. You could do this with a piece of paper, something more sturdy like a tray, or even use a large picture frame to give a boundary. You can set up pictures of ocean animals, books, or even stuffed animals around the set up to give them ideas. For ocean theme, they will be using the shapes to create ocean animals. The set up can vary for different themes, for creating patterns, landscapes, whatever they wish. You can add glue to the set up for children old enough. This allows them to set them creation down on paper to save. This prompt can go in many directions. Here's for our Ocean Theme:
You'll need:
Construction paper
Piece of plain paper
Scissors
Glue
Open containers
Directions:
Set up a workspace. Place the paper in the middle. Cut out different shapes in different sizes and colors. I will overlap a few pieces of construction paper so when I am cutting one shape, it makes a few of them. Organize the shapes somewhat so it's easier for your child to find. I like to use old yogurt containers or tupperware, organizing either by size, color, or shape. Older kids can help cut out shapes, but it is nice to have adult-scissor-skill-level shapes for this project. Place whatever pictures or toys you have of ocean animals across the paper from where your child will sit. This gives them inspiration and allows them to be more independent in their thought process. Depending on age, either set glue out or come supervise when they are ready to make their creation permanent. Encourage them to play around with the shapes before deciding. They may also color on their creation when done, or glue on extras such as pom poms, feathers, beads, glitter, or stickers, to name a few. Let them create as many creatures as they'd like. You can cut out the final creation from the blank parts of the page, and even create an ocean background for them to play in.
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