Art Supply Recipes you can make at home

Many early childhood specialist believe art is essential to young children's development. It encourages children to express themselves as unique individuals. Promoting art allows children to think creatively, which in turn increases problem solving. Art provides a neutral foundation for breaking language barriers, racial stereotypes, and other prejudices. It also encourages hand eye coordination and a vivid imagination. Children learn through the process of the art experience, not the finished product. As parents and caregivers remember to focus more on providing open ended art experiences that allow children to create what they vision. Purple ponies, blue grass, and pink skies all are expressions of your child's developing imagination. It's never too early to begin art experiences. Very young children learn through their senses, art is the perfect way to assist this. Here are a few art supplies recipes that you can make at home to use with your child.

Glue Recipe

What you'll need:
* 1 1/2 cups flour
* 2 cups hot water
* 1 cup cold water
* 1 tbsp alum
* 1/2 cup sugar
*Mixing bowl
* Sauce pan
* Large spoon

Procedure: Combine flour & sugar into mixing bowl. Slowly add cold water and stir as you pour. After ingredients are mixed well, transfer to sauce pan. heat on medium and add the two cups hot water. Stir mixture until it stiffens. Remove from stove top and add alum.

Tips: You may use promptly or place in an airtight container. This will conserve the glue for weeks. If the glue becomes hard, simply add a small amount of hot water.
Try adding food coloring for colored glue, or glitter for sparkles.

Crayon Recipe

What you'll need:
* 7/8 cups of Ivory Snow (powdered detergent)
*1/8 cups of water
* Food Coloring
* Mixing Bowl
* Candy Molds or Ice tray

Procedure: Mix water and food coloring to get desired color. Add mixture to soap powder and stir well. Press mixture into candy molds (or ice tray). Let crayons set for 1-2 days before removing and using. Repeat directions for different colored crayons.

Recycle Crayon Recipe

What you'll need:
*Old broken crayons (with paper removed)
*Muffin Tin or Candy Molds
*Muffin/Cupcake Liner

Procedure: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place muffin liners in muffin pan. Add similar colored broken crayons in muffin liners or candy molds. Place in oven until crayons melt. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several hours. Remove muffin liner or mold.

Tips: If muffin liner is stuck on the crayon place in freezer for a few moments and once frozen the crayon will remove easily.
For Rainbow crayons mix a variety of colored broken crayons in muffin pan.
Candy molds create unique fun shaped crayons.

Finger Paint Recipe (requires cooking)

What you'll need:
* 1/2 cup cornstarch
*2 cups cold water
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 3 tbsp. sugar
* Food Coloring
* Sauce pan
* Plastic cups or storage containers

Procedure:
Combine all ingredients into sauce pan. Heat on low for 10-15 minutes, stir consistently. Stir until paint is thickened and smooth. Remove from stove top and cool. Once cooled, pour into paper cups or storage containers (amount of cups or containers used will depend on number of colors desired). Add drops of food coloring to each container creating the desired color. Cover mixture tightly when storing.

Finger paint Recipe (No cooking, can make with children)

What you'll need:
*2 cups flour
*2 cups cold water
* Large Mixing Bowl
*plastic cups
*Food Coloring

Procedure:
Pour water into large mixing bowl. Slowly add flour as you (or your child ) stirs. Mix well. Pour into plastic cups (amount of cups will depend on how many colors you want to create). Add drops of food coloring to each cup to create the desired color. Cover mixture when storing.

Pudding finger paint ( Perfect for younger children)

What you'll need:
*2 packs Instant Vanilla Pudding (follow directions for preparation on package)
*Food Coloring
*Plastic cups

Procedure: Divide putting in plastic cups (the amount of cups will depend on how many colors are desired). Add drops of food coloring to each cup until the desired color is reached. Have fun!

Tips: You can purchase vanilla snack pudding already prepared. Add a few drops of food coloring to them and your ready to paint!
Remember to refrigerate pudding if storing.

Playdough Recipe

What you'll need:
*2 cups flour
*2 cups warm water
*1 cup salt
*2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
*1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional)
*Food coloring or pack of unsweetened kool-aid
*Saucepan

Procedure: Combine ingredients in sauce pan and stir on low. Allow playdough to thicken (mash potato consistency). Once the dough begins to pull away from sides of sauce pan and gathers in the center, remove from heat and cool.

Tips: If your dough seems to sticky, allow to cook longer.
Adding koolaid packs created scented playdough.


Peanut Butter Playdough (Edible)

What you'll need:
*1/2 cup powdered milk
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/3 cup honey
*Mixing bowl

Procedure:
In large mixing bowl combine ingredients. Stir with fork until mixed well. You may need the dough with your hands after it is mixed well. If need add more powdered milk until desired consistency.

Tips: If creating for children be sure to check for allergies!

Childcare Provider Characteristics (For Quality Care)

In today's day and age many mother's are opting to work outside the home. This places several children in the hands of childcare providers for hours in the day. As parents do we know if the provider we choose is suitable for the position? The following list provided by the Division of Social Services will help you to decide if your care giver  is among the most qualified. These characteristics are broken down into the following sections: Physical, mental and health, Social, Knowledge, Emotional and General.

Physical, Mental and Health Characteristics:

* Maintains good health
* Has a high energy level; is very active
* Does not use alcohol, drugs, or take medication that will effect responsiveness to children
* Can lift children weighing up to 50lbs.
* Can get on the floor with children and get up quickly
* Can run and play with children in active play
* Is attentive and always alert to the children and what they are doing in the environment
* Can work with and supervise children doing different things at the same time
* Is personally clean and appropriately groomed

Social Characteristics

* Enjoys working with children and their families
* Respects children as individuals
* Respects parents as the primary persons in the lives of their children
* Likes to be in an active, constantly changing environment where the needs of children and their families   come first
* Has good communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. Speaks clearly in English, listens to children and parents, does not use negative words or body language.
* Is courteous, consistent, and positive in interactions with children and parents
* Is considerate of others
* Is alert and sensitive to others' need and uses this sensitivity to anticipate what might happen in given situations
* Is tolerant and appreciates the differences in others' skills, appearances, interests, cultures, and personalities
* Is honest in both monetary and non-monetary matters
* Has a keen sense of responsibility and personal accountability
* Is intectually curious
* Enjoys learning and helping others to learn and solve problems

Knowledge Characteristics

* Can read ans write English at least on an eighth grade level
* Has broad general knowledge and information
* Is well organized and efficient
* Can locate and use resources creatively
* Can observe and evaluate children's progress and problems
* Can make referrals to appropriate resources as needed
* Understands basic behavioral guidance techniques, e.g., redirection, positive guidance, role-modeling, etc.
* Can assist children with learning acceptable behavior and dealing with the logical consequences of unacceptable behavior
* Understands the principles of program planning
* Understands the need for transitions and how to incorporate them successfully into the day-to-day
activities of working with children
* Can plan an environment that stimulates children to be active learners
* Is creative in approaches to problem-solving
* Understands healthy nutrition and the nutritional needs of children
* Knows first aid and rescue breathing or CPR
* Can maintain necessary files and records

Emotional Characteristics

* Is emotionally stable
* Is flexible
* Is warm and affectionate
* Is patient
* Is caring and calm, even in trying situations
* Can control temper
* Has healthy self-esteem
* Can objectively evaluate own performance and takes responsiblity for improving performance based on feedback and self-appraisal
* Can deal with conflict openly,comfortably and constructively,without becoming upset,vengeful or defensive

General Characteristics

* Knows and practices professional ethics
* Keeps information confidential
* Is reliable and available when services are needed and expected and makes arrangements with all necessary parties for time away from responsibilities
* Is interested in ongoing professional development

Reference
Reproduced from Choosing Quality Child Care (2006)
Quality Childcare Unit
Division of Childcare and Development
Richmond, VA