Here’s a tip for all you panicky dads out there who are still trying to decide what the kids should get mom for Mother’s Day.
Few things mean more to a mom than a gift created by their child. Even the youngest of children, with your help, can make a present for mom. This year, teachers at Kiddie Academy of Abingdon in Maryland helped the infant class make picture frames for their mothers.
In addition to creating very special Mother’s Day gifts, the activity allowed the children to exercise their fine motor skills and imagination.
Here’s what you’ll need if you want to do the activity at home with your child.
Materials:
- Wooden picture frame
- Variety of paint colors
- Paint brushes
- Plastic Zip-lock bag
- Sponge
For younger children, you can cut down on messes by putting the frame in a gallon-sized plastic bag and squeezing paint into the bag. The child can squish the paint around, covering the frame while everything stays neatly in the bag.
For older children, you can get the creative ideas flowing by asking questions like:
- What do you love about your mother?
- What makes her special?
- What are her favorite colors? (Guide children to use favorite colors in paint selection.)
- What do you think your mom will like about what you are making?
- What are your favorite things to do with your mom?
The child can paint the frame with mom’s favorite colors. You can help them add a special message, fingerprints, names and the date. Don’t forget to finish things off by putting a recent photo of the child in the frame.
Creating their own gifts for mom instills in children a sense of pride in their creation, giving more meaning and purpose behind gift giving. It also captures a moment in time, representing the child’s skills in a way that can be displayed in the home for years to come.
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