Materials
outdoor play space
Instructions
1. Send a letter home requesting photos of family members. For example:
Dear Parents,
We are getting ready to make some interesting mobiles for the children to
use during the day and we need your help. Please send in 4 to 6 photos of
the members of your family. We will use the photos to create a mobile for
each child that we will hang in the room. Research shows that having
photos of family members on display supports the children emotionally
and helps to develop language skills. Thanks for your help!
2. Take each photo and, using a CD as a template, cut it in a circle.
3. Glue the photos to the non-shiny side of the CDs.
4. Lay the CDs photo-side down on a hard surface. Tape a length of heavy
string to each one.
5. Cover both sides of each CD with clear adhesive paper. Cut the circle of
adhesive paper slightly larger than the CDs. This allows the adhesive
paper to adhere to itself and creates a protective barrier around the CD.
6. Depending on the type of mobile you are creating, either tie the
individual strings to a hanger or dowel rod and hang the mobile where
the child can easily see it, or hang a single line of CDs where the
children can easily see them.
7. During the day, draw the children's attention to the mobiles. As the child
looks at the photos on one side, comment on the family member
shown. For example, say, "There's your daddy. See daddy?" or "Here's your
Aunt Sarah. She looks happy."
8. When the children discover the shiny side of the CD, point out that they
can see their own reflections there.
More to do Sing the following song to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
Here is Grandma. Here is Grandma.
She loves you. She loves you.
Every single day, in every single way.
Grandma loves you. Grandma loves you.
(Sing a verse for each family member on the mobile)