“Who Is It?” is an activity for preschoolers to age 5.
With the recent tragedies, many parents are wondering about the safety of their children in various areas. Preschoolers have a tendency to talk with anyone. If someone was to tell your child, “I am your mommy's aunt or friend,” they would believe them and maybe go off with that person. In light of this, I have created a game and family project to help create self-awareness and family friendly people for your child.
Who Is It?
To help preschoolers develop memory and site recognition of safe family member and friends — ask them to help you draw pictures of their loved ones. (You will probably do most of the drawing as manual dexterity is not fully developed in young children until around the age of 6.)
Note: it is very important to allow your children to do as much of the project as possible, and if you do help, don't focus on perfection! Have fun!
Let's get started with “Around the house and Cheap materials.”
Crayons
White construction paper
Empty toilet tissue rolls
Paper towel rolls
Uncooked macaroni and beans
Safe washable school glue
Scraps of material or felt
Giggles, smiles and imagination are readily available and free to all!
By The Way: Concentrate on one individual each week and never go over four in one month. Family pets are welcome characters to draw as well.
Help the child make a decision of who they would like to make a lifelike doll (drawing). Of course, many will shout, “Me!” And, many times it will be “You!” — “mommy!” or “daddy!” Great – go with the flow. Some will want to draw and decorate the dolls all by themselves. Others, will ask for your help. In many instances, it will become a project to do together, i.e., you will be required to possibly begin the drawing of a body and the child will come in with instructions or placements of items.
For example, mommy/daddy will draw a body and “wait” for further instructions. Use the beans for eyes, macaroni for hair, felt or other material for dress or clothes, and for some, the toilet paper or paper towel rolls will be used for a stand up figure. Since preschoolers become frustrated easily, stop the activity if it causes arguments or grief. It can always be picked up at a later time.
The whole object of this activity is to not only have educational fun but to ultimately get as many relatives and friends “made” so your child will be able to know a little about each person and who is SAFE. After each figure has been completed, dry it out and pull it out from time to time and ask “Who Is It?” The kids will not only enjoy this activity but a giggle game will surely follow as you say, “Yes, this is mommy and I am a safe person for you and I can dance!” Gently shake the doll because as you well know, your preschooler will want to imitate your actions. You can also make policemen, policewomen, firefighters, etc. Not only will your children learn a wide array of safe people, but you can add to and use the dolls for all kinds of role playing in actual story telling.
As with any items that require small pieces, monitor and supervise the construction and play at all times.
FYI: If you would like to cut out real pictures of relatives and friends and glue onto the figures — go ahead as this can be adapted for quicker recognition and even brighter smiles! Remember – markers can be used for coloring instead of crayons if they are safe and washable and only if you can always be there for supervision. Store drawings and dolls away in a safe Rubbermaid storage container with safe fitting lids (where little fingers cannot open without help).
Jodie Lynn is a nationally syndicated family columnist, author and parent educator. Her latest book, “Mommy CEO (Constantly Evaluating Others) 5 Golden Rules,” (Revised Edition) is now available from any bookstore or online. See www.ParentToParent.com for details.
