Materials
Black permanent marker
small thin pieces of craft hobby wood
paint
small paintbrushes
clothespins
wood glue
basket or bucket
Instructions
1. This is a wonderful way to be sure you talk individually with each child at the
start of each day and to give each one a "bear hug." The children will have
their own bear hug clothespins to clip on when they arrive in the morning.
During morning free play, go to each child and say hello, give them a "bear
hug," and ask about his day and his family. Then take the child's clothespin
and clip it on your clothes. Children love to see their bear hugs on their
teacher.
2. To make the bear hug pins, pre-draw a small bear on each piece of hobby
wood with a black permanent marker. Make one for each child in the class.
Note: Some craft stores have hobby wood pre-cut in the shape of a bear or
other animals.
3. Give one bear to each child. Encourage them to paint their bears using small
brushes.
4. Next, give each child a clothespin to paint.
5. Allow 24 hours for the pieces to dry.
6. Use wood glue to glue the bears on the clothespins. You can write their
names on their clothespins with the permanent black marker.
7. Store the "bear hugs" in a basket or bucket. Or, clip the bear hugs to a large
stuffed bear.
Note: If the children keep their bear hugs in their cubbies, they often take them
home and forget to return them.
