Crayons & Whimsy: Not Just A Blog For Teachers

I was recently introduced to the blog Crayons & Whimsy. Written by kindergarten teacher Christy Donnelly, it is meant to be a resource for other teachers but there is so much great information and she offers tons of ideas and activities that can be done at home, too. I believe that education starts at home, so when I find resources like Crayons & Whimsy to offer creative ways to incorporate educational and fun activities into our time at home, I get really excited!

One activity from the blog that I love is the I Can Cloud. The white cloud is the centerpiece of the project with the words “I Can” written on it, and you attach strips of colorful paper (think rainbow colors) each with a skill that your child can do. Some examples are: tie my shoes, count to 100, say my address, spell my name and so on. For the I Can Cloud blog post, click here.

I also like that Christy offers printables, many that she creates herself to use in class. She often offers freebies and she also has a great selection for purchase through Teachers Pay Teachers. In addition to her own worksheets and activities, Christy shares many other great websites and blogs that are excellent educational resources. I also love the templates that are available including the bunny bonnet. The kids look adorable with their bunny-ear bonnets and it’s easy to do at home with only a few supplies.

Crayons & Whimsy is a great place to find inspirational ideas and quick tips, like how to make your own watercolor paint or how to fix the caps of glue bottles-gone-bad. You’ll even find an occasional beauty or fashion find thrown in the mix. Whether you’re a teacher, a homeschooling parent, or just a mom looking for fun ways to help educate your child at home, there’s something here for you.

Here are a few other learn-at-home ideas:

1. When you and your child are reading together ask questions like “Why do you think this happened?” or “Who are the main characters?” Talk about the beginning, middle, and end, and see if your child can retell the story. Let them get creative and ask them to make up their own ending. You can even create your own flip book addressing these concepts. Click here for instructions.

2. Pick a topic your child loves and go on a family field trip to a place that indulges their interest. Butterfly lover? Go to a nearby nature center with a butterfly garden and see how many you can spot. Dinosaur fanatic? Find a museum, nature center, or research lab that has prehistoric bones and fossils. Check to see if the location you’re visiting has educational materials, or create your own. Scavenger hunts, drawing pictures and writing about their observations in a field journal, and storytelling are all quick and easy ways to add an educational element to your field trip.

3. Talk. Remember that conversations with you are some of your child’s best opportunities for learning. Use that to your advantage and help them learn about and understand the world around them. And if you don’t know the answer to something, that’s okay. Do your research to find the answer as a team.

For more playful ways to learn and explore with your child, follow my PlaySpaces blog.

What are some fun crafts you like to do with your kids?