Elmer / David McKee

*Elmer was not elephant color.  He was patchwork.*

The story about Elmer can be understood by just about each and every human being.  Ask your children some questions about how they see themselves and how they feel others see them.  "What makes you different from other kids?"  What would you change about yourself, if you could?"  "Would it make you happier?"

Self confidence is a touchy subject with some children.  The story about Elmer can help a child know that it is OK to be different, unique from others.  It's what makes them special!  Explain you love your child/children and the little things you find so special about them.

Read "Elmer" by David McKee….

ACTIVITY:

supplies you will need:

art apron & plastic gloves

paper towel

2 white pieces of paper

small water dropper (or a straw)

small cup of water

food coloring

(optional: a cookie sheet - for working surface)

Run water onto a paper towel until it is nice and wet.  Ring out the paper towel just enough so it's not dripping but still quite damp.  Lay the paper towel onto the cookie sheet.

i like cookie sheets because the have an edge to catch messy messes
*and they are non porous!
*and you can get them at the dollar store!

Place the white piece of paper onto the wet paper towel.  Press the paper into the paper towel until you see the water marks seeping through.  (if you are making a frame, like I did, make sure to press the sides of the paper a little harder)

the reason we get the paper towel wet and not the paper itself
is because we don't want the paper soaked.

see the water marks?
that's where i pressed down the hardest to get the most moisture

Gloves!  Open the food colors your child likes the most.  Help them line the edge of the paper with little color dots (shown).  If you are weary about allowing your child to use food coloring, you drip it onto the paper…have your child show you exactly where he/she wants each color dropped! 

Fill a small cup half full of water.  Take the small dropper, or straw, collect enough water into the tube for a few drops of water.  Have your child give each color drop one or two droplets of water.  More than 2 and the colors will start to bleed together and look like mud…trust me.  

The water will run a bit and spread out the colors.  Take the paper off the cookie sheet and place it in a safe place to dry.  Remember, the food coloring will dye any porous surface it comes in contact with…So, I suggest letting it dry outside on the grass or inside on a granite or stainless surface.

see how the colors start to spread out?

While this project is drying, have your child create a self portrait on a slightly smaller piece of white paper. (I usually cut an inch off all 4 sides of the paper)  Or, you can spend some time taking "selfy" pictures….funny, serious and crazy faces are all acceptable!!  When the portrait is finished, or the pictures are ready, paste them into the middle of the dried colored paper…creating a frame! (shown below!)  Hang it on the fridge and celebrate your child's uniqueness each time you look at it.  You could also laminate it or put it in a real frame for a more permanent display.

Little Miss S never looked to bright and cheerful!

Encourage your child to admire their work!!  Ask some questions: "Tell me about your portrait?" "What's the most beautiful part of this work of art?"  "Can you tell me what you like the most about YOU?" 

I REALLY hope the story of Elmer and this beautiful activity encourages feelings of self confidence and self worth within your child's little spirit!  Tell them you love them EVERYDAY!  Compliments can't ever be given too often!

Peace!

Lisa