Craft Activities – Kids Castle Preschool

Crafting Joy: DIY Christmas Ornaments for Pre-schoolers in Bangalore

admin — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 09:39:16 +0000

Introduction:

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the festive cheer than by creating beautiful DIY Christmas ornaments with your pre-schoolers! In Bangalore, where vibrant cultures and traditions converge, let’s explore some easy and delightful ornament crafts that your kids can make to add a personal touch to their Christmas celebrations.

1. Paper Quilled Jingle Bells:

Gather colourful paper strips, glue, and tiny jingle bells for this delightful ornament. Show the kids how to quill the paper strips into coils and attach them to form unique patterns. This is an activity where you can rekindle your creative skills and spend quality time with your kids. Glue a jingle bell at the center, and voila! Hang these Paper Quilled Jingle Bells on your Christmas tree or let your kid gift it their friends in the class.

2. Fabric Scrap Angels:

Encourage eco-friendly crafting by using fabric scraps for some colourful, adorable angel ornaments. Provide pre-school kids with small pieces of fabric, ribbons, and googly eyes. Show them how to fashion angels by folding and tying the fabric, creating flowing robes. Add a ribbon for hanging, and your tree will be adorned with these sweet, fabric scrap angels.

3. Saree Ribbon Candy Canes:

Repurpose old or unused sarees or duppattas into vibrant ribbon candy canes. Cut the fabric into strips, twist two contrasting u together, and shape them into candy canes. Add a small bow at the top using additional fabric or ribbons. These Saree Ribbon Candy Canes not only bring a touch of Indian textiles to your tree but also serve as a wonderful upcycling project. You can explain to your child the importance of upcycling materials that don’t serve any purpose.

4. Sequin-Adorned Henna Hands:

Celebrate the intricate beauty of henna art by creating Sequin-Adorned Henna Hands ornaments. Provide your kid with plain cardboard hand cut-outs, glue, and colourful sequins. Encourage them to decorate the hands with sequins in henna-inspired patterns. Attach a ribbon for hanging, and these ornaments will showcase the elegance of Indian henna designs.

5. Cardboard Cottages:

If you’re wondering what to do with that big basket packaging, well here is your answer!
Transform those paperboard or cardboard boxes into adorable cottages to create a village setup. Assist your kids to cut the medium-weight cardboard or paperboard into cute cottage shapes, paint and adorn them with sequins.

Ribbon Tree Decorations:

Once you have finished wrapping the gifts, you may be left with a lot of ribbons. You can encourage your child to experiment with different types of bows instead of throwing it away.

Conclusion:

This Christmas, let the creativity of your kids shine with these DIY ornament ideas that blend the festive spirit with the rich cultural heritage of India. From quilled jingle bells to Ribbon Candy Canes, each ornament can tell a unique story and make your children proud. Gather your kid and their friends, explore these crafts, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

We at kids castle encourage kids to learn about patterns and other creative designs in the nursery section itself as they are very receptive at this age.

Here is team Kids Castle wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy DIY time! & please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Winter Storytime Magic: Best Stories for Pre-schoolers

admin — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:19:11 +0000

Introduction:

As the winter chill settles in, there’s nothing cozier than snuggling up with your little ones for a heartwarming storytime. Embrace the joy of reading with your pre-schoolers by exploring the enchanting world of Amara Chitra Katha picture books. Known for their vibrant illustrations and captivating narratives, these books bring to life timeless tales that both entertain and educate.

Let’s dive into a curated list of delightful Amara Chitra Katha storybooks perfect for the winter season.

1. The Monkey and the Crocodile:

Summary: This classic tale teaches valuable lessons about friendship and trust. Join the mischievous monkey and the cunning crocodile in a story that unfolds along the serene banks of the river. Vibrant illustrations accompany a narrative that is sure to captivate young minds.

Recommendation: A delightful story to teach kids about the importance of discernment and genuine friendships. Engage your little ones with questions about the characters’ decisions to encourage critical thinking.

2. The Gita: For Children

Summary: Introduce your kids to the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita in a format tailored just for them. This adaptation simplifies complex concepts into engaging stories, making it accessible for young readers.

Recommendation: An excellent way to introduce children to moral values and ethics. Take the opportunity to discuss the importance of honesty, kindness, and responsibility after reading each story.

3. Birbal the Wise:

Summary: Join the witty and clever Birbal in a collection of amusing anecdotes that showcase his wisdom. Each story presents a clever solution to a problem, teaching children the value of intelligence and resourcefulness.

Recommendation: An entertaining choice that not only tickles the funny bone but also imparts valuable life lessons. Encourage your kids to think creatively by asking them how they would solve the problems presented in each story.

4. Panchatantra Tales:

Summary: Dive into the magical world of the Panchatantra, a collection of fables that impart moral lessons through animal characters. From the clever hare to the wise old crow, these stories are both entertaining and educational.

Recommendation: Explore themes of wisdom, friendship, and bravery with your pre-schoolers. After each tale, discuss the moral of the story and ask your little ones how they would apply these lessons in their own lives.

Conclusion:

This winter, embark on a storytelling adventure with your pre-schoolers through the captivating Amara Chitra Katha picture books, Pancha Tantra or any of the other Indian stories.

These stories not only transport children to magical realms but also instill important values and lessons. As you share these tales, encourage interaction by asking questions, discussing the characters, and fostering a love for reading that will last a lifetime.

We at Kids Castle encourage and inculcate creativity in kids. Get to know more about the Kids Castle approach

Happy Winter Storytime! & please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The Benefits of Experiential Learning in Preschool Education

admin — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 04:37:15 +0000

Education is an integral part of a child’s growth, and preschool is the first step on that path, getting young kids ready for a lifetime of learning.

As more parents understand the value of early childhood education, preschools have grown in importance. Experiential learning in preschool education has become more popular recently, replacing rote learning with a teaching strategy emphasizing immersive, hands-on learning.

This blog will discuss the advantages of experiential learning in preschool education over rote learning.

How does experiential learning work?

An educational strategy known as experiential learning strongly emphasizes learning through hands-on experience, observation, and reflection. Instead of just memorizing, it encourages kids to learn by doing.

Experiential learning in preschool education involves:

Doing things with your hands.
Playing games.
Working on projects that let kids use what they’ve learned in the real-world context.

Is Experiential Learning More Effective Than Repetitive Learning?

A teaching strategy known as “rote learning” places a strong emphasis on memorization and repetition of material.

Kids learn facts, figures, and formulae by heart, but they may not fully understand them.

While repetitive learning can be beneficial in the short term, it does not encourage long-term memory, develop critical thinking, or increase problem-solving abilities.

Experiential learning, in contrast, encourages participation and in-depth learning. It teaches kids to examine things, think critically, and learn how to solve problems.

Developing Our Curriculum:

Developing curricula tailored to a child’s future needs has involved extensive research and consideration. At Kids Castle, experiential learning is a big part of our lessons because we know its importance. Our primary concern is the overall development of kids, which encompasses their academic and social, emotional, and physical growth.

Play-Based Learning

Our program includes much play-based learning. Children are encouraged to explore and learn via play. Children’s creativity, inventiveness, and problem-solving abilities can all grow due to play-based learning. At Kids Castle, children play with various tools and participate in activities that promote discovery, creativity, and play-based learning.

Focus on the Child

Since Kids Castle Preschool has a child-centered approach, teachers assist students in their learning rather than instructing them. This method gets kids excited about learning and gives them more freedom and independence.

Technology Usage

Using technology may improve education and make it more participatory and engaging. Tablets, interactive whiteboards, and educational apps are used in preschools to make learning more interactive and exciting. While kids can learn at their own rate and ability level, incorporating technology enables more individualized learning.

Collaborative Education

Collaborative learning is encouraged in preschools, where kids come together to solve issues and finish activities. Children’s communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are encouraged to grow through collaborative learning. Children can develop empathy and social skills while also learning from one another.

Conclusion

Kids Castle Preschool is committed to giving our students the experiential learning in preschool education that is the future of preschools.

Experiential Learning: Enhancing Preschool Learning through Real-Life Experiences

admin — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 04:23:50 +0000

In recent times, the concept of experiential learning has gained immense popularity, especially in preschools.

Experiential learning refers to learning through hands-on experiences and active participation, enabling children to gain practical knowledge and recall what they know better. This approach to learning has proven to be more effective than rote learning, where children memorize facts and figures without understanding their context.

Strong foundation:

At Kids Castle Preschool, we believe children learn best when drawing from real experiences. We focus on teaching the curriculum and providing children with opportunities to explore and learn from their surroundings.

Engaging Activities:

Kids Castle Preschool aims to make every day an experiential learning day, filled with new and beautiful experiences to help young learners find what interests and inspires them.

We encourage them to engage in activities that allow them to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.

Our approach is to teach less and provide more opportunities for children to interact with people and objects around them. When children experience experiential learning in real-life situations are more likely to remember what they have learned and apply it to new situations. This learning method creates a strong foundation for their future education.

Paced Learning:

We understand that every child is unique and may learn at a different pace, so we provide a range of activities and learning experiences that cater to each child’s needs. We take pride in handholding our students through the entire process of experiential learning. Our teachers guide and mentor them, creating an environment that fosters curiosity and creativity.

Teaching aids:

Kids Castle Preschool approach is unique, encouraging children to ask questions and explore the world around them. Our teachers use various teaching aids and techniques to make experiential learning fun and engaging. When children are free to explore and learn, they develop a love for learning that stays with them throughout their lives.

All our preschool teachers are Certified Nursery Teachers and undergo Kids Castle internal training.

Next Big Step:

Our approach to experiential learning also includes preparing children for the next big step in their education. We help children develop the necessary skills to transition smoothly to elementary school. Our curriculum includes reading, writing, math, and other activities that promote social skills and emotional intelligence.

Conclusion:

At our Preschool, we practice learning through experience as it is the best way for children to learn. By providing opportunities for children to engage with their surroundings and learn from real-life situations, we create a strong foundation for their future education.

Kids Castle Preschool teachers guide and mentor them, preparing them for the next big step in their lives. We take pride in providing a nurturing environment that encourages children to explore and learn, creating a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Why Play-Based Learning is Important for Preschool Children

admin — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 05:46:56 +0000

Why Play-Based Learning is Important for Your Child’s Development

As a parent, you want your child to develop essential skills to help them thrive academically and socially. Play-based learning is one of the most effective ways to support your child’s development in these areas.

This blog post will explore why play-based learning is essential for your child’s development and why preschools prioritize this approach.

What is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based learning is an approach to education that emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning through play. This approach recognizes that young children learn best through active exploration and discovery. Rather than relying solely on traditional classroom instruction, play-based learning encourages children to engage in imaginative play, problem-solving, and creative expression. This approach can help children develop critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills.

Importance of Play-Based Learning for Preschool Children

Develops Cognitive Skills

Cognitive development is a crucial aspect of a child’s overall growth. Children’s brains rapidly develop during the preschool years, and play-based learning provides an ideal environment for this development. Play allows children to engage with their environment, test their ideas, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Boosts Social-Emotional Skills

Social-emotional skills are the foundation for children’s social development and well-being. Play-based learning can help children develop empathy, self-awareness, and social skills. Through play, children learn how to interact with others, take turns, share, and negotiate. They also learn to regulate their emotions and express themselves in healthy ways.

Encourages Creativity and Imagination

Creativity and imagination are essential for children’s overall development. Play-based learning allows children to engage in imaginative play and explore their interests and ideas. This type of learning encourages children to think outside the box, innovate, and develop creative solutions to problems.

Enhances Language Development

Language development is crucial during the preschool years. Play-based learning can help children develop language skills by providing opportunities to engage in conversation, storytelling, and role-playing. Children learn new vocabulary, practice their communication skills, and develop their ability to express themselves through play.

Provides a Positive Learning Environment

Play-based learning creates a positive learning environment for children. Children are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their environment through play. Children are more engaged, motivated, and excited to learn when learning becomes a part of playing. This type of learning also helps children develop a positive attitude toward learning, which can have long-lasting effects on their academic success.

Why Preschools Should Prioritize Play-Based Learning?

Supports Children’s Natural Development

Play-based learning aligns with children’s natural development. Young children are naturally curious, and they learn through exploration and discovery. Preschools prioritizing play-based learning create an environment that supports children’s natural curiosity and provides them with opportunities to learn through hands-on exploration.

Encourages Active Learning

Active learning is a critical aspect of play-based learning. Children are encouraged to engage with their environment and actively participate in their learning in a play-based environment. Children will quickly get bored with passive learning, sitting still, and listening to instructions.

Fosters Independence and Self-Confidence

Play-based learning can help children develop independence and self-confidence. Children are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. When children are allowed to take an active role in their learning, they develop a sense of autonomy and become more self-confident in their abilities.

Supports Diverse Learning Styles

Play-based learning supports diverse learning styles. Every child learns differently, and play-based learning provides various opportunities for children to learn through different methods. Children who may struggle with traditional classroom instruction may thrive in a

In conclusion, play-based learning is a practical approach to education that can support your child’s overall development. By prioritizing this approach, preschools can create a positive learning environment that supports children’s natural curiosity and encourages active learning.

As a parent, you can support your child’s play-based learning by providing opportunities for imaginative play, exploration, and discovery at home. By embracing play-based learning, you can give your child a solid academic and social foundation for success.

DIY Festive Gifts – Involve Your Kids In Making Festive Gifts

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:54:46 +0000

DIY Festive gifts – Involve your kid in making gifts

Introduction

Gifting on special occasions is a cherished tradition in most families. During the holiday season, children will be faced with gift-giving decisions shaping their values about giving.

When we look beyond the act of giving gifts, research in child development shows us that the gift-giving process helps shape their identities. As a caring parent, you can help your children enjoy their gift-giving experiences and turn it into fun-filled experience.

Below are a few ideas to add to your kid’s excitement

1. DIY coffee mug drawing /painting

A hand-painted coffee mug could be a great idea – get a plain coffee mug and help your kid to draw with permanent markers and design it for a beautiful look. Let the kid choose the colours to design or paint it. You can help the kid with the name, initials or even nicknames of the family member to be drawn and painted. This gift can be an excellent New year’s gift made by your child! This gift would be thoughtful and unique, and the receiver will love and cherish it.

2. Thermocol coasters

Sounds interesting? Yes, cut a Thermocol sheet into different shapes and sizes; help your kid give it a few coats of glue and paint it after it dries. A smiley or fun image with a splash of bright colour is enough. Further, fix a few felt sheets at the bottom of the coaster to make it firm for usage. These coasters are a simple and gorgeous gift.

3. Button art

Button art is yet another simple art that your kids can do. It can also be a memory board.

Collect buttons of different colours, sizes, and shapes. As per the size and shape, stick buttons with the help of glue. Let the kid draw alphabets, simple line drawings of animals, flowers, or smileys on the stiff cardboard.

Your kid can be as creative and make different articles, such as gift cards, decorating a photo frame, ornaments for the Christmas tree and more.

4. Painting on a tablecloth

Painting on the tablecloth is another exciting yet tricky craft. Give the kid a plain, light-coloured tablecloth, and the entire process can be done with adult supervision.

Help the kid draw a design of their choice and paint it with fabric colours; display this tablecloth on the table after drying. The kid will be appreciated by all the near and dear ones and visitors when they see the tablecloth. It will make you proud of your child’s creativity.

5. Christmas tree on art sticks

Kids at school usually do this age-old art during the festive season or before breaking off for Christmas vacation. Ice cream sticks are stuck together with glue and placed on cardboard. The sticks are coloured like the Christmas tree with dark green and white shades. Add snowballs made with cotton bits stuck with glue. The kids will be immensely pleased with their art.

6. DIY medicine box for grandparents

Medicine box art is easy, simple and cute. Give your child a shoe box or any cardboard box. Please provide them thick cardboard pieces to make partitions glued to the box. Let them decorate with coloured sheets glued on the box’s sides, top, and bottom. Later cut out pictures of animals, toys, or flowers and stick them on the top and sides of the box. Help your child write the days of the week in each partition. A handmade medicine box is a fabulous gift to the grandparents that will be cherished by both the giver and the receiver.

Conclusion:

Doing easy and thoughtful DIY festive gifts brings joy to family and friends. Each gift is fun for the kids and will make a keepsake that parents and grandparents will cherish for years ahead. The kids enjoy homemade festive gifts. They will also remember this activity for a long time – time well spent with kids shows that you appreciate their company and are willing to participate in activities of their choice.

How To Engage Kids with Drawing and Craft Activities At Home

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 11:23:32 +0000

Introducing your kids to drawing and craft activities encourages creativity and artistic expression, which helps your child’s overall development. Indulge your kids in simple hand painting activities, colour stamps, easy craft projects and much more.

Art has endless benefits; it helps child development by improving motor skills, developing patience, and improving focus time and problem-solving abilities. Independently finishing an art project can also give your kids a boost in self-esteem.

Let your children experience art and craft that keeps them engaged with little fun activities. Here is a list of ways you can introduce your kids to drawing and craft:

The First Painting

This fun activity can be your kid’s perfect introduction to art. You will need watercolours, crayons, watercolour paper, paintbrushes and some stickers. Tape down the paper onto a flat surface and paste the stickers onto the paper. Now, let your kids fill the paper with paint or crayons. Once the painting has dried, remove the tape and the stickers to reveal white spaces in their artwork. You can leave the white spaces, or your kid can fill the spaces with some contrasting colours. You can help your kids choose the colours.

Scribble Time

Scribbling is the best art project for a toddler. It is fun and exciting, and the abstract form of this painting is very forgiving. Get some sheets of paper, oil pastels or crayons, watercolours, tape and paintbrushes. Tape the paper onto a flat surface and let your kids scribble with the oil pastels or crayons. After that, they can fill the remaining spaces with watercolour paint.

Salt Magic

Your kids can create some beautifully textured papers with just some paper, saltwater, colours and paintbrushes. Let them fill in the paper with watercolour paint. They can sprinkle or add salt onto the wet paper. Let the painting dry, then carefully brush away the excess salt. The effect is different based on the paper’s dampness and the kind of paper used. Your kids’ artwork is now packed with beautiful patterns left by the salt flakes.

Leaf Stamps

Leaf stamping is an exciting and beautiful way your kids can decorate their paintings. You will need some leaves of different shapes and sizes, watercolours and watercolour papers. Tape down the paper and let your kids paint the back of the leaves. After that, they can press the leaf on the paper and slowly remove or lift the leaves to reveal the beautiful patterns left by the leaves. Let the paint dry, and voila, the painting is ready.

Create Greeting Cards

Making greeting cards for any special occasion can be a great craft activity for your kids. It would be best if you had some paper, scissors, pencils, crayons and glue. Help your kids fold the craft paper into two equal parts. Let them draw anything they choose, on the outside the greeting card. You can help them experiment with various kinds of embellishments like sequins, glitter, grains etc. After they finish drawing and painting, help them write a message on the inside of the greeting card.

Above are some exciting ways to introduce your kids to drawing and craft activities. We hope you find these helpful and that your kids enjoy doing these fun yet easy activities.

Share your experience painting with your children and also share some of your creative ideas.