Skip to main content

Stepping Stones Day One




(These first couple of photos are from the 2009 display we created. Our new stones will be out soon!)


We have become quite known for our stepping stones. It is fun to watch people walk by and spend time gazing upon our outdoor art display in our rock garden. People who do not bring their children here have been known to describe us as "that daycare on such and such street, you know the one with the totem pole and stepping stones." We are quite proud of our stepping stones, and the children look forward to making them every year. This year, we are a little bit behind schedule. (They are usually done by the end of May). We keep the stones over the summer to display in our rock garden and then in the fall before the snow comes, we send them home. Last year, the snow came before all of the stones were retrieved. Thus, we have a couple of stones left over. (Could be part of the reason I was not so concerned with getting our new stones made this year??? Perhaps.) At any rate, I don't think I will wait this long to get them done again. With the heat, making stepping stones is much more work, as we have to spray them much more frequently to slow the curing process.



Here are a few snapshots of our stones today. We will be doing this for quite a few days as this is a project we like to make sure that EVERY enrolled child has an opportunity to participate in.

A sampling of our treasures collected to decorate our stones with. (We have another tote full of options, but these are the ones that were choosen for today).

















Even our youngest children (infants) are able to make a stone with some help. We put a handprint or a footprint in the stone. Then an older sibling, cousin, or friend helps to decorate around the child's print.












As you can see, we don't use a "kit" to make our stones. For the "recipe" and how we choose our materials, you'll have to check back! This is a multi-day project, and I will get the directions up as we continue to work on them.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Santa's Dead

"LOOK! It's Santa!" I exclaimed in my best impression of elf as I noticed a child putting on a Santa suit. "I'm not SANTA! I'm -------" "Oh, I thought you were Santa." "No, Santa's dead. I guess I have to deliver the presents now" (with a deep sigh) "Santa's dead?? What happened?" "Yeah, Santa's dead. It's a long story" and.. just like that he skipped off to play.  Clearly the story was too long to tell, and he had other things that were more important to do than to share it with me.  Many programs are looking at the calendar and providing materials and lesson plans revolving around spring and Easter. We tend not to look too closely at the calendar and instead follow the lead of the children. We have many holiday related materials available to the children, but they are available year round. On any given day of the year you will most likely find a child dressed up as Santa (in fact...

A Few Ideas With Marker Caps (As Promised)

Yesterday, I hope I convinced you not to throw away your markers that "don't work." Today, I will share with you a few ideas for what to do with all of the caps. The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are a few of our recent creations: 1) A Leprechaun/Fairy Ladder/Rope Ladder: 2) #1 if not permanently secured can also double as a rope bridge: 3) #1/#2 can also be made into a train track for your homemade trains :). (No photo available) 4) You can use them as beads for a necklace: 5) You could make them into a wind chime. (No photo available). 6. You can use them as small manipulatives to count, sort, and make patterns with. (No photo available). 7) You could use them as playing pieces in your own homemade board game. (No photo available). 8) You could put them on a wire and glue them in place to make a twirling whirly-gig. 9) You could top them with a lid from a milk jug to make tiny tables or toadstools. 10) You could make them...

Easter Egg Caterpillars!

OOOPS! This post has moved, please click on the photo to be redirected!