Play time is absolutely essential to children’s development. Yesterday’s blog was a quick craft for making a kleenex ghost. Today, if the same ghost isn’t worn out, it can be used in all different kinds of play activities. Maybe that ghost would like to help build a house out of blocks. Of course, it could be a haunted house so lots of imagination is needed to make it suitable for a ghost. Perhaps, the ghost is hungry and would like to pretend making lunch. That ghost might like to go for a ride on a train or in a car or truck. Where will it zoom to–to explore the kitchen, or the bedroom? Who would a ghost phone? The ghost may need to fly around the yard to keep in shape for Halloween. After all this play, the ghost might need a nap. Shhh!
Q. What game do ghosts like to play best? A. Peek-a-Boo!

If your ghost from yesterday and the day before is still intact, here is another Halloween fun and kindergarten readiness activity. This time, your ghost needs a friend, either another kleenex ghost or one made from a bit of white fabric and elastic band–or even a small, white sock.

Pour some water into a clear plastic bowl. Tuck one ghost into a clear plastic cup. Have your child put a finger into the water to make sure it is wet. Put the cup with the ghost  in right in the water and watch the water flow into the cup. Take it out, pour out the water and check that the ghost is wet, too. Is it wet? Sure is. Now, this time, tuck a tissue, fabric or sock into the cup so that it will stay in when the cup is turned upside down. Turn the cup over and make sure that is stays in place. Very, very carefully and slowly put the cup, upside down, into the water. (Hopefully, the ghost  stays in the cup.) Just as carefully, lift up the cup out of the water, turn it over and check again. Is the ghost wet this time?  Why is it still dry? Something happened. Maybe, there was something invisible in the cup. A real ghost?  It’s called air.

The air was trapped in the cup when it was upside down and no water could flow in. Take out the ghost and put just the cup upside down into the water, again.  Tip the cup just a little and notice the big bubble of air. Tip it some more so the air escapes and water goes in.
We can’t see ghosts, we can’t see air. Hmmm? Spooky! Do you know anymore Halloween science?

Ahh…ahh…ahh…boo!  Instead of  using a tissue for a sneeze, use it for a craft. Roll one tissue (or a bit of waste paper) into a tight ball about the size of a grape, drape a second tissue over the first and pinch it to make a neck. Wrap a twist tie around the neck and spread out the ends … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Craft →

To understand numbers and develop number sense your child needs lots and lots of experience counting, making groups, and talking about numbers. Kids learn best through play, so here’s some ways to play with numbers and boost kindergarten readiness at the same time. Choose a couple of these ideas that match your child’s level. 1. … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Math →

Are the goblins at your house getting pretty excited? To burn off some of that extra energy, have fun and develop large muscle coordination here is an imaginative idea. It needs a big, safe place for big moving around. How would a witch move and travel? Swoosh and flit in your big, safe place. How would … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Moves →

What color is a pumpkin? A ghost? A bat? Learning the names of basic colors is another kindergarten readiness skill. Many school activities will use colors.  Learn-to-read books often use color words, math problems can be made with colors; 2 red legos and 3 blue legos make how many legos? Pattern sequences may use them, too; yellow, red, yellow, … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Colors →