Using paper mache crafts to help children learn

With the budgets of schools in trouble almost everywhere, the art classes are usually the first to go. For many people, arts and crafts as "extra" that are fun for children, but it really does not add to the knowledge of the child. This is unfortunate, because the craft projects, a school subject really come alive.

Both children and adults have an innate desire to do things with your hands. That's why hardware stores and art supply stores so many things to do. Creating things that people feelwell, and this certainly applies to children.

The simple act of creating a paper mache piggy bank, for example, the use of the knowledge they receive from others, even if children do not need to know. If you help your child create a crafting of these perennial favorites, one suspects that they use a standard container of salt as the primary form, tape rolls of toilet paper for the legs, and then add a head made of crumpled paperheld together with tape. You only have one real example of geometry in action.

Younger children may be useful to help you make your own puzzle block of cardboard covered with paper mache and then painted. You can copy the ideas of an educational toy wood looks beautiful, but it costs too much now. Or make a new puzzle using geometric forms originally designed for a blanket or cardboard cut in the shape of the 50 states.

If you glue twolayers of cardboard together to cut the shapes, and then cover the board, with one or two layers of paper mache, you have pieces that are almost indestructible, like wood, but much more fun because your child can help to add paper and paste and paint the pieces.

You can also do a simple science experiment with paper mache, if you're in the mood to make bread. Let your children help mix the bread and make it a pointyou to add the yeast. Check out the dough to rise, and talking about the leaven in the dough bubbles grow. Then mix a batch of simple papier-mâché paste, with a little 'white flour mixed with water.

Note that the same ingredients, only the elimination of the yeast. Allow your child to do something with pasta and some strips of newspaper, and then discuss why the flour paste glue the paper together so well. You can also try putting a little 'gluewhole wheat flour, and talk about it because it really does not work very well to make the dough, even if it makes delicious bread.

If your child learn the animals at school, can make a beautiful paper mache sculptures of animals at home. Showing the way he crumpled newspaper in the form of an animal's body, legs and head, and then paste them all together securely with tape. Add two layers of paper strips and simple paper mache paste, and letsculpture dry. It can be painted.

Paper mache is just one form of art that can help children learn. It 'messy, but children and adults enjoy the process and results - and a papier mache project can be fun for a great way to learn other academic subjects more.

See Also : Garden Weathervanes