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The Moon
 Teach your child the phases of the
moon.
For younger children, just casually
make observations about the moon. For example, say, "The moon sure is very round
tonight."
For older children, help them chart the
moon each night. A calendar with circles for them to color in each night is
perfect.
Don't be afraid to tell your children
how the moon's phases make you feel. For example, when the moon is waxing, tell
them it makes you feel like creating things.
Take your children on a field trip to
the ocean. Nothing shows the power of the moon better than watching the tidal
changes.
Allow your child to celebrate the Full
Moon with you, however you do this.
Have your child paint pictures of the
moon with white or silver paint on black or dark blue paper.
Let your child make pictures of the
moon by cutting moon shapes out of aluminum foil and gluing to the paper.
Your child can use chalk to make
pictures of the moon too.
Have the children make a moon shape
with glue on paper. Have them sprinkle glue with glitter. Shake excess glitter
back into the jar.
Cut out a full moon and crescent shapes
out of cheap sponges. Have your child dip these into white, silver, or cream
paint and print onto dark blue or black paper.
Cut a slice off the end of a paper
towel or toilet paper roll. The child can dip the end of it in white, silver, or
cream paint and print Full Moons.
For a book with factual information
about the moon, read "What the Moon Looks Like" by Franklin M. Branley.
For the best infant and young
children's book ever written, read "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.
Full and New Moon Pillow
You can have
your child do as much or as little of this project as they are able. Purchase
silver, white, or gray cloth for one side of the moon. Purchase dark blue or
black cloth for the other side of the pillow. Use a large bowl to trace a circle
on paper. Use this as a pattern to cut out a circle of the white (or gray or
silver) cloth and one out of the blue or black cloth. Turn right sides of cloth
in, and stitch around the circle, leaving an opening only large enough to stuff
the moon. Turn right side out, stuff with polyfil or other stuffing material,
and stitch closed. Your child can sleep with this pillow, or get it out only for
the Full Moon, and the New Moon as a special occasions.
Moon Cookies
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking
powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon milk or cream
Sift together into a bowl flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Cream the
butter. Add the sugar and stir until creamy. Add the egg, the vanilla and the
milk and stir until smooth. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time. Chill
for at least 1 hour. Roll out 1/8 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut
into circles with a round cookie cutter, a biscuit cutter, or a floured drinking
glass. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for
8-10 minutes.
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