So it is time for the All About Me & My Family topic! A firm favourite for all of the children. This topic provides the children with the opportunity to talk about the people they love, and those who care for them.
We have a wide variety of activities planned at TKC to bring the children’s imaginations to life (some of which a shared below). Our adult-led activities will encourage the children to consider, recognise and reflect upon familial differences. We will use diverse vocabulary and encourage conversations that build to a broader understanding/celebration of loving familial bonds, differing generational structures and diversity across our families.
To consolidate the children’s learning we will read What Makes Me A Me among others. This fabulous book, is written by Ben Faulks & David Tazzyman for “inquisitive (and inventive) little minds”. A wonderfully fun book to help encourage the children to talk about what makes then the way they are. We will use Go Away Big Green Monster to explore different facial features, skin and hair colours, and styles, encouraging the children to notice and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
Themed activities to do at home
Playdough Portraits
You can make fun faces for our All About Me & My Family topic using a blank head template, playdough and a selection of loose craft materials. Visit Art Sphere Inc on Youtube annd search for Play Dough Portraits, and follow along. You can find the book Go Away Big Green Monster in the TKC Home Library.
What You Need
- Playdough in various colours
- A blank face template or placemat, laminated or placed in a plastic pouch
- A small hand mirror
- Loose craft materials such as yarn, buttons, pipe cleaners, beads or shredded paper
This is a lovely activity for encouraging creativity, conversation and lots of funny faces! Simply print a head outline and laminate it, or pop it into a clear plastic pouch so it can be used again and again. Set out some colourful playdough and a selection of craft materials such as buttons, beads, yarn and shredded paper, then add a small mirror so your child can take a good look at their own face.
As they create, chat together about their eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair and all the little features that make them unique. Have fun experimenting with different hairstyles, colours and expressions — from huge happy smiles to the grumpiest of frowns! It is a simple, fun way to get creative together while encouraging conversations about ourselves, our differences and the many feelings our faces can show.
Paperplate Portraits
For another version of the activity, use paper plates and an assortment of loose craft materials such as googly eyes, buttons, yarn, beads and pasta. Encourage the children to create themselves, someone in their family or a completely imaginary face!
My Paperchain Family
Create your very own paper chain family! Cut strips of coloured paper and encourage your child to choose a strip for each person who is special to them. Before joining the strips together, they can draw a face, add a name or decorate each one using crayons, stickers, wool, buttons or other craft materials.
As you create your family chain together, chat about each person — who they are, what makes them special and some of the things your child enjoys doing with them. Once everyone has been added, join the strips together to make one long family chain. Remember that families come in all shapes and sizes, so your child’s chain can include anyone they consider part of their family — and perhaps a much-loved pet too!
