The other day, I read about someone making and drinking “Full Moon Water”, which apparently is water that has been soaked in the light of the full moon. I’m not exactly sure what to say about all of that, and you’ll have to google it yourself if you don’t believe me, but I will tell you that this little Moon Phase project is not that. 🙂
This all started when my son became interested in the different looks and phases of the moon. We were noticing together how the moon makes different shapes in the sky. Sometimes, it looks like a fingernail and sometimes it looks like half of a yummy cookie. What’s the deal with that?
So, we decided to do a little digging and find out what makes the moon change shape like that. In Montessori world, we call this “child-led learning”. We follow the interest of the child and guide them along as they explore.
First, we do what all typical people of the 21st century do. We googled it and found a kids’ video explaining the phases of the moon. Then, we decided it would be fun to do a project together to make a model of the moon phases. After a little nudging on my part, we also decided to make this project as a gift for Jude’s baby cousin, Penny. For an extrovert like Jude, making gifts for others is a huge motivator for finishing a project.
Sidenote: I know from my Montessori training that high contrast (black and white) is great for little baby eyes. This is in large part where the idea for the Moon Phase Mobile came from.
I wanted to develop a project that hit 2 birds with one stone: helped my toddler work on his fine-motor skills of painting and cutting, while also working on a gift for a family member. So, in a way, I suppose we’re hitting 3 birds with one stone: fine-motor skills, empathy, and the result of a high-contrast mobile for baby cousin!
Steps:
- Mix some gray paint, using white and black watercolor paint mixed with water.
- Put some cardboard down for splatters, and drip your gray on white paper.
- Use a straw to let your child/student blow the paint around on the paper. Watercolor may work better for this as the water can slide around the paper more easily.
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut out moon phase shapes. (or freehand it!)
- Have your child/student trace circles with the cookie cutter on black construction paper
- Have your child/student cut the circles out of the black paper.
- Glue or glue stick the moon phases to the black circles.
- Use a needle or hole puncher to make a hole for string
- Tie string to each moon phase and then tie the other end to a stick or dowel.
- Voila! Hang it on the wall or above baby’s area for eye focus!
For real though, I was very tempted to re-do those black circles after my toddler got a hold of them, but decided to push my perfectionism aside and chill. These black “circles” are my kid’s work and I want him to feel great about that!
If you’re into this Moon Phase Mobile project, the steps are above and the supplies list is as follows:
SUPPLIES:
1. Black and white watercolor paint
2. Cup of Water
3. Paintbrush
4. Straw
5. Scissors
6. Round Cookie Cutter or Something Round
7. String
8. Stick from outside or a dowel of some sort
Would you like to join a Free Virtual Art Party?
We’re going to be doing some games, a creative project, and a giveaway for an Amazon gift card! If you’re into any of the above, come join us!
Click Here to Register for Free Art Party!
Belonging Books!
If you’d like a book recommendation to go along with this project, as well as a whole list of Culture Canvas’ “Belonging Book” Recs for Black History Month, sign up below to receive The Culture Canvas Newsletter and stay in touch!
