Optimus Prime by a 6 yr old

My6-yr old is crazy about transformers especially Optimus Prime. He even selected a Night Watch Optimus Prime as a gift for his birthday which is coming up in a few days time.

Above 2 Optimus Prime were drawn without any reference and he did a really good job. He drew one a year ago after we brought him to the cinema to see the Transformer show. See below. I think he has improved tremendously in terms of colour combination and details of drawing.

Interesting Books for Boys!

Usborne Young Reading series - interesting books for boys to read. There are 2 levels to the books - level 1 for beginner and level 2 for advance readers. Not a structured reading series but interesting books for children especially boys to pick up the habit of reading. My boys just love the books. Will share more of each book in my next posts.

Effective Learn to Read Series

This is a very structured and effective learn to read series for young children. The series run from 1a to 12a with stories around 2 children named Peter and Jane. I started the series with my boys as young as 3.5 years old. My elder son by the age of 6, he is now at book 11a. My younger boy of 3.5 yrs old has started book 1a one month ago and now is half way through the book.

Nevertheless it is a very boring series! I will share some more exciting books for boys which can instill their interests to pick the book and read further.

Art and Craft Idea for Boys and Girls - Idea 1

Cut and Paste Beetle

Materials:
1. Glue
2. Colour paper
3. Scissors
4. Colour pencils or crayon

Method:
1. Draw the shape of circle (body), semi circle (head), square (eyes), triangle (tail), L-shape (legs) and Antennae.
Head (Semi circle) - draw a circle - fold into half and cut across the fold to make semi circle.
Tail (triangle) - draw a square - make a diagonal fold to form 2 triangles. Cut along the fold.
Legs (L-shape) - draw a square, cut out the square. Then, mark 2 L-shape inside the square and cut out the L-shape.
Antennae - draw a circle - draw another smaller circle inside the big circle. cut through the two circles and then cut around the inside and teh outside of the circles to make a ring. fold into half and cut along the fold.

2. Stick the different shapes into a beetle as shown in the photo.
3. Colour the beetle as how your kids like it.






Work by a 5.5 year-old (left) and 3 year old (right).

Paper Optimus Prime - A 5.5 Year Old Creation

Made of toothpaste box, toilet roll and cellophane tape as well as scribbles here and there.

River Craft...continued

Completed with trees and dinasours - you have Jurassic Park! :)

Art & Craft for Boys - Idea 2

Making a River

materials:
Water colour
Brush
Glue
Scissors
Unwanted carton boxes/cardboard
Scrape paper

Method:
1. Fold the cardboard/carton to form a wide river with banks at both sides.
2. Get your child/children to paint the river and banks.
3. Draw shapes of grass, cut out and get your child to paint them in colours like yellow, brown, light green and dark green. Paint both sides - so may have to wait for one side to dry first before working on another side.
4. After everything is dried, paste/glue the grass at the side of the river banks. Get your children to do the pasting.
5. Crumble 2 pieces of unwanted paper to form rocks (this is an idea by my son). Paint them. After they are dried, paste them in the river - you may need to use double sided tape if the glue doesn't hold.

Now it is done! My sons put the soldiers on the rocks. They said the soldiers are watching the crocodile.

Watch this space - I will show you how to make some trees & coconut trees to be put on the river banks. Happy crafting and painting with your children!