Social Emotional Development

Expressing "Thanks" through Creative Art

Activity: MANY THANKS GIVINGS!

Objective: To make a "Thankful Turkey!"

Skill/Learning: Appreciation, Gratitude, Holiday Celebrations

Materials:

• A "Thanksgiving" children's book
• Construction paper
• Pen or pencil
• Paper plate
• Brown paint
• Paint brush
• Wiggle eyes
• Scissors
• Paste/glue

Directions:

• On construction paper draw turkey parts: face, beak, feet, wattle and 3 feathers.
• Read a book to child about Thanksgiving. Then discuss the meaning of the holiday, what it means to be "thankful," and things your child is thankful for.
• Tell child that they can now make a "Thankful Turkey!"
• Have child paint paper plate brown.
• As the plate is drying, have them cut out the turkey parts: face, beak, feet, wattle, and 3 feathers (if child is very young, pre-cut shapes for them).
• Have child paste/glue the face, beak, wattle, feet, and eyes on the paper plate. Ask that they write 3 things they are thankful for onto the 3 feathers, then paste/glue these on as well (if child is very young, have them tell you 3 things they are thankful for and you write their words on the feathers).
• Put "Thankful Turkey" up on the refrigerator or tape it to a wall in the house!

Benefit:

• Children have a fun art experience while learning all about the true meaning of "Thanksgiving!"