As a multi-faceted and stimulating sensory resource glitter is also an extremely relaxing substance and that’s the reason it should be an integral part of all craft and art activities, and accessible at all times in your space.
Have you ever seen children having fun playing with glitter? They are so absorbed by the glitter that they are completely absorbed. The eyes of the children twinkle as they become enthralled by the sparkling glitter and they are enthralled and amused by the way their excitement transforms into creativity.
Glitter is not just a source of enjoyment to children, but can also aid in calming down an angry or over-stimulated child, when there is nothing else to be helping. As a teacher in the early years for more than 20 years, I’ve discovered that glitter is an essential product for craft and art and also as a part of sensory play.
In this piece I will concentrate on the fun of playing using glitter, and the way it aids in whole-person development. Playing with glitter is not just beneficial for the development of children in a holistic way, but is also a useful element of play with sensory and provides numerous play as well as learning possibilities.
Glitter play can open up a variety of opportunities for sensory play in children’s play, similar to children play with water. Children are curious and become intensely focused when playing with water, filtering it, pouring water through various sized bottles and tubes, and experimenting with sinking, floating, and other things. Similar to playing with sand play provides a variety of positive experiences. It assists in concentration, increases ability to control fine movements, and also contributes to the development of language and social abilities.
I make use of glitter in all of my art and craft sessions , and it’s always available to the children whenever they want in our preschool. Children are always drawn to glitter. Even as infants they become enthralled and are attracted to shiny or shimmering materials or toys.
As children get older, their interests expand and they must experiment. With glitter, children have many opportunities to play. It helps them develop social, intellectual, fine motor skills , and hand-eye coordination. Here are a few examples:
Mark creating for preschoolers and toddlers.
Offer activities, like creating art using glitter. This kind of activity can help strengthen hands, fingers and wrists. The children must be able to move their fingers without assistance, and to utilize the pincer grip (the pincer grip is a technique that uses fingers and thumbs). It is the next stage to build their thumb and wrists. Then they must master the art of putting their wrists on the table to to move their hand without restriction.
Here are some ways to help marking making. I’ve picked some games that are enjoyable and have a direct influence on learning and processing information using the senses as well as control.
Homemade glitter paint
The glittery color is much more entertaining for children in the pre-school years than ordinary paint. Here’s a recipe for making your own glitter paint. You’ll require:
1 cup of flour.
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of water.
1 cup of salt.
Food colours you like.
Squeeze bottles.
Large bowl.
Paper.
Combine all of the components together in the large bowl, excluding the colors. Put the mix into the squeeze bottles. Add a different colour to each bottle, and shake it thoroughly. After it’s all blended, allow the youngsters to spread it onto the paper. After the paint has dried the salt in the paint creates sparkles.
Visit this glitter store for all your craft supplies.
Paint Christmas trees, stars, and snow balls, and let your child’s imagination take over. This paint is suitable to mark all occasions and events in our preschool.
Paint leaves and fir cones using glitter glue
Utilizing natural materials can be entertaining and can have the added benefit of helping children understand the world of the world around them. They will begin to recognize various types of trees. You’ll need:
Collection of different kinds of fir cones, leaves and other leaves.
Transparent glue.
Glitter.
Paint for posters.
String.
Children should mix glitter and transparent glue. Paint the leaves or color the fir cones and leaves. The leaves can be tied with string and then make the leaf bunting.
Scooping with glitter pebbles
This activity assists children with their early years to focus in their coordination of their hands. It is necessary to:
Two bowls of the same size.
Teaspoon.
Tray.
Sand made of gold or silver (or pebbles)
Place the sand in one bowl. The child must transfer the sand using a spoon, to the second bowl. This game helps children to focus and concentrate by moving the bright sand across one to another bowl. Children will gain an improved hand-eye coordination and concentration, as well as strengthening the thumb, finger , and wrist muscles.
Glitter sand
Mix glitter and sand. The kids can play with their hands to make shapes and then to make numbers and letters. Give paint brushes, forks and rakes to create shapes.
Glitter playdough
Playdough that is glittered with playdough is one of my most loved activities for preschoolers everywhere. Making, rolling cutting, sculpting squeeze, beating, pressing and even tasting playdough help to build finger muscles robust.
The addition of glitter adds another additional dimension to the fun. If you have a theme that is ongoing in the pre-school, then you can make playdough in different colours and glitter. For example the vibrant different kinds of playdough that we used to study “nutrition and food”. The kids made a range of fruits and vegetables using playdough.
Playdough with black colour was used to explore the topic of’space as well as planets’. Children enjoyed having fun with this black, silvery glittery playdough and making meteor stars and rocks. Also, offer children shiny beads, silver and gold papers.
These are games that are fun activities , but they have a direct influence on the development of perception of control, sensory experiences and awareness. There are many other options that provide similar opportunities.
I make use of these calming bottles whenever I have an over-excited angry, stressed, or unhappy child that needs to be calmed down. These bright and glittery bottles are extremely soothing and useful in helping children transition from co-regulation to self-regulation for instance in the event that a child becomes distressed for whatever reason and doesn’t want to be soothed and would prefer to be left completely alone.
Bottles for calmness are helpful. Set the bottle before the child in a place where they can be able to see. These bottles aid in keeping the child’s attention to one location, especially when the child is feeling like no one is there to help.
It is possible for children to turn the bottles upside down, and immediately be captivated by the shimmering and then settle down. It creates a peaceful and soothing impact on your brain. The child is relaxing and not focusing on pushing or kicks. Their breathing is slowing down , and then will return to the normal rate.
The bottles can be used as “time out” bottles for children who requires to be calm and be quiet for a several minutes. You can give the child a bottle and request them to remain quiet and observe for a while until glitter is settled at the bottom. It can take between 10 and 15 minutes before the shimmer settles completely down. The kids love watching this. I create this bottle with preschoolers. You’ll require:
Small empty plastic water bottle.
Clear glue 1/4-cup.
Hot water.
The glitter of your choice.
Hot glue gun.
Mixing bowl large.
Hand mixer.
Then, place the glue that is clear in the bowl of mixing. After that, add sufficient water so that the container is filled to the neck (taking into consideration the safety of children). Then, add the glitter you like.
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl Make sure that the glitter and glue is well mixed and the glitter lumps are broken down, so that you have a smooth mixture and there aren’t any lumps remaining. Once the liquid is at at room temperature, you can make sure that it is filled until it fills at least the top of the bottle made of plastic.
The final (adult) procedure is to secure the lid using the help of a hot glue gun, so that children won’t be in a position get the bottle open.
Edible glitter
In this article, I’d like to discuss edible glitter. It’s easy and cheap to make, and kids will have a lot of fun while doing it. When I first informed my preschoolers that we would be using to make “eating glitter” they were quite awed. They wanted to know to let them take a bite of the glitter. I replied, yes as you decorate your Christmas cookies or cupcakes, they can enjoy the taste of the shimmer. It is possible to make these ahead of time and store the cookies in an air-tight container. The edible glitter is suitable to decorate any occasion, like birthday parties Halloween, Easter, Halloween or Christmas, and for any baking or cooking.
I enjoy doing these kinds of things with my kids. It is my desire to let them understand that you don’t have to purchase everything from shops. There are many things which can be made by us. These types of games give children the opportunity to work in together, to study basic mathsand build language skills and discover new vocabulary. They can teach children social skills like working in a group as well as sharing and caring for each other as they wait for their turn and many more. In terms of emotional satisfaction, it gives them the joy of watching a thrilling final product.
Making glitter sugar sparkles
Things you’ll need:
One cup of sugar granulated.
1 teaspoon of food color of your preference.
Oven tray.
Mixing bowl.
The oven should be heated at 180°C. Place the colour and sugar into the mixing bowl and mix the other ingredients thoroughly. Spread them thinly the baking tray. Place it in the oven over 10 mins or so until it is shiny. When the sugar has cooled mix it up and put it into an airtight container. Make use of it at any time to decorate cakes or biscuits and other things.
Edible salt glitter
Simple and affordable It is possible to add sparkle salt in play dough or your own paint. You’ll require:
One cup sea salt (or cooking salt).
Two or three teaspoons of your preferred food colouring (depending of how intense you would like the color to appear (light or darker).
Oven tray.
Mixing bowl.
Pre-heat the oven up to 180oC. Add the salt and the colour in the mixing bowl , and mix. After mixing, thinly spread it onto the baking tray and bake within the oven to bake for 10 minutes. When the salt has cool, mix it once more and store it in an airtight container.
Making use of natural materials and mixing them with glitter, colour and glue is a great option for both adults and children. It’s cost-effective and many of the items are in your garden or at your home. If you don’t have a yard for your back then you can use the forests and parks that are open to the public. They’re filled with natural resources that are completely free and kids can gain a lot through these little excursions.
At our pre-school, just after Easter, we typically take a trip to the park. The children are taken in by the parents. Then teachers are there to meet them. We go through our regular kindergarten time in the natural surroundings. They love spending time in the park. We gather all sorts of stuff, including leaves, nuts, twigs and acorns, fir cones and much more. Then, we return them at the school.
Sand is a great way to relax for children. Adding glitter is a bonus sensory experience that entices kids who are shy and enhances their social skills. Creative thinking boosts their capabilities in fine motor skills as well as the development of their language. It aids children to be integrated with their peers.
The above activities stimulate children’s imagination, and teach them how to work with items that are easily accessible to them. The main reason behind the activities mentioned above is children are engaging their senses. They use their eyes, hearing as well as smelling and tasting, as well as making use of fine motor kinaesthetics.
It is encouraging children to engage in activities that boost their self-esteem and confidence in their ability in areas which are appreciated by everyone. This will boost their motivation and enthusiasm to learn, and lay the foundations for the next stage of their education, and beyond.
Key Aspects
Sand is a great therapy for children, and adding glitter is a bonus sensory that can help youngsters who feel shy, and helps them develop their social skills.
Creative thinking boosts their capabilities in fine motor skills as well as the development of language. It assists children in integrating into the group.
Glitter should be readily available at all times during your first years of setting