In this invitation we will gather some materials in the backyard and then bring them inside to create a self portrait. You’re going to want to send them to where they can actually find a cottonwood tree.
You will need:
- container for collecting
- Parts of a Cottonwood – scavenger hunt list
- a mirror
- a dry erase marker (optional)
- a piece of cardstock
- a pencil (optional)
- white glue (watered down 1:3 water:glue)
There is a list in your kit this week but if you need another you can download the printable here it was created by my talented daughter who you can follow on Instagram here. She takes commissions and makes beautiful art..
Send your child off with their and the sheet and while they are gone set up the remaining materials in an organized way, leaving room for your child’s container when they return.
Toddler Adaptation
Instead of giving your toddler a list you could have them find the matching items already in an egg carton.
Fill the back 6 spaces of an egg carton with items easily found in your yard and ask them to find something just like they have to put in the front spaces.
I saw this lovely idea at Toddler At Play
A self portrait is a very introspective activity that is perfect for little ones because it focuses on the most important person in their world – themselves!
Looking in a mirror at yourself and deciding what material to use for each of your features, which parts you capture is a way for you to gain insight on how they see themselves.
Read More at Journey into Inquiry – Reggio: Examining Self Portraits
When your child returns invite them into their work space and ask them to create a picture of themselves.
If they’d like to practice they can trace their face on the mirror with the dry erase marker.
They can also draw their face on the card stock before beginning with the natural materials.
Encourage them to play with making their face happy or sad or angry or laughing before gluing any pieces down. When they are happy a little white glue and a paint brush will allow them to spread the glue where they’d like to stick their nature pieces.
Remember the purpose is in the play not the product. The point isn’t to have a nature face to hang on your wall. The point is to engage your child in exploring their inner and outer world more deeply; to support their learning how to recognize their own facial features and expressions.