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You are here: Home / Creative Learning / Plaster Paris Nature Cup Craft to Aid Fine Motor Skills

Plaster Paris Nature Cup Craft to Aid Fine Motor Skills

October 15, 2017 By Suzette Salmon Leave a Comment

Plaster Paris makes wonderful sculptures and crafts to delight children’s imagination and play.  I decided to make a solid base that could support weighted activities and wouldn’t capsize. The tub is recycled from applesauce cups.  We used items the children collected on our continuous nature walks. 

What you will need are:

  • Plaster Paris
  • Chopsticks
  • Recycled  applesauce cups  or any other containers you’ve recycled
  • Water
  • Nature Items

Mix your plaster Paris according to directions.  Plaster Paris was added to cups then water was stirred into the desired consistency.  Insert chopstick…use something to keep it in the middle of the cup.  Some pine cones were used to help support and keep the sticks centered.  Let dry for hours.  We had good weather so these were placed outside to dry.  If you have colder weather keep inside to dry overnight.

These have been used by our toddlers and preschoolers.  This is a great base to use for many activities.  

clothespin activity keeps repeating

they’ve used it to aid threading leaves

You can add glue to the base of the stick if it comes out after many activities like ours have.  Perhaps there are other activities you could use this for.  I hope your children will enjoy improving their fine motor skills with these nature cups.  Miss Sue

 

Filed Under: Creative Learning, Outdoors Tagged With: clothespin, fall craft, fine motor skills, leaf, nature craft, thread leaf

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Oct 7

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Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the  little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates. 
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size. 
#earlychildhoodeducator 
#naturebasedlearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
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#edulallie

Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates.
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size.
#earlychildhoodeducator
#naturebasedlearning
#outdoorclassroom
#homechildcare
#edulallie
...

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Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after. 
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors. 
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play. 
#playbasedlearning 
#mixedagelearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
#naturebasedlearning 
#edulallie

Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after.
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors.
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play.
#playbasedlearning
#mixedagelearning
#outdoorclassroom
#naturebasedlearning
#edulallie
...

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Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool 
#learningforlife 
#inhomechildcare 
#edulallie

Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool
#learningforlife
#inhomechildcare
#edulallie
...

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Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors!

Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors! ...

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