Materials
clown clothes (baggy pants, suspenders, brightly colored oversized shirts and
suit jackets, hats, large gloves, big funny shoes, and so on)
hoops
stuffed animals
full-length mirror
batons
balance beam
tumbling mats
colorful streamers
clown makeup (see recipe below)
circus music
camera
Instructions
1. If desired, trace the outline of some hanging items (see materials) with
permanent marker on masonite board and hang it at child's height on the
wall (optional). Put a worktable next to the tools.
2. Choose a variety of simple tools to promote discovery, problem solving, and
creative thinking. Arrange the tools and other props on the table. Hang any
hanging tools on the masonite board, if available.
3. Encourage children to be creative with the materials. Following are some
ideas for using the materials. Children can:
* use a garlic press, cookie cutters, a pizza wheel, and rolling pins with
playdough.
* use potato mashers or cookie cutters on stamp pads and stamp shapes
onto paper.
* cut paper and playdough with scissors.
* manipulate egg beaters and clothespins.
* nest the funnels like a puzzle.
More to do Snack: Use simple tools to make a snack. Use a simple manual citrus
squeezer/juicer to make orange juice or lemonade. Grate cheese with a plastic
grater.
