Children’s creativity blossoms through rich experience in the arts. According to Play Projects and preschool Standards by Gera Jacobs and Kathy Krowley, “Through the arts, children learn to express themselves and discover that they can represent their thoughts and ideas through many different media. The arts help children develop the concept that one thing can represent an idea…Art assists children in making meaning of their world". Art nurtures creativity.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers have the opportunity to promote creative development by providing art activities that explore media and materials and encourage imagination.
This craft activity is perfect for Christmas and winter. It is an excellent example of an opportunity to foster expression, to encourage spontaneity in material usage, and to introduce children to textured materials.
This Christmas lesson plan includes the materials list, preparation instructions, and procedures for this activity. It also includes age appropriate learning objectives and samples of the simple, supporting verbal cues necessary to encourage participation and support learning.
Pine Cone Christmas Tree Materials
Pine cones
Green paint
White paint
Glitter
Compact disks
Ribbon
Glue
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Embellishments of your choosing such as ribbon, gum drops, beads, and glitter
Activity Preparation
- Trace children on a nature walk to collect pine cones
- Gather materials.
- Cover a table with butcher paper.
- Lay out all materials on the activity table.
Procedures for Pine Cone Christmas Tree
- Invite the children over and explain to them that they can make Christmas tree out of a pine cone.
- Help children paint the the pinecones with green paint.
- Ask children if they would like to use White paint to add frosted tips to the tree.
- Ask the children if they would like to sprinkle glitter on the tree.
- Help the children create the tree stand. Help children apply glue to the back of the compact disk.
- Ask children if they would like to Sprinkle glitter over the glue and then shake to remove the excess. Allow to dry the glue the tree to the compact disk.
- Next, children can glue on or string on embellishments of their choosing to decorate the tree.
Pine Cone Christmas Tree Learning Objectives
Objective 1
To provide the opportunity for expressive activities by encouraging the children to create a Christmas tree.
Verbal Cue A: “Today we are going to a make a Christmas tree out of a pine cone!"
Verbal Cue B: "I have lots different colors of paint and decorations for you to use”.
Objective 2
To encourage spontaneity in material usage by allowing the children to choose colors and decorations.
Verbal Cue A: "Which decorations would you like to use on the tree first?”
Verbal Cue B: "I like the way you are using your colors!"
Objective 3
To promote the sharing of art materials to foster social interaction and cooperation
Verbal Cue A: "Let’s take turns using the paint.”
Verbal Cue B: "Can you let Bert use the glitter?”
This Christmas craft activity is a creative arts project that children ages 3 and older will certainly enjoy. Use a wide variety of colors and encourage sensory discoveries. For more daycare and preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
Carla Snuggs - As a writer for Suite101.com since 2005, it is a privilege to continue on as theTopic Editor for the subject of Day Care. I received a ...
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