• a tray of some sort (I like to use a broiling pan base as it is deeper than some trays but not too deep to get in the way of fun manipulation of “snow” and figurines.)
• some shaving cream (or whipped cream if you want to add a taste element to it.  Personally, I prefer to keep stuff that has had potentially dirty hands and figurines out of my kids’ mouth – and can, due to my own kids’ quirks.  But, if you’ve got a kiddo who mouths everything, go for it!)
• some favorite easily washable figurines, hopefully based on one of your child’s current obsessions
• extra tools to imagine with (Can we say a spoon “shovel” or little buttons for snow sculpture faces and buttons?)
• some damp and dry towels (for hands that get too covered in “snow” – especially for the tactile defensive.  You may want some rubber or winter gloves if your child is an avoider, too.)
• a bowl or dishpan with a half inch to an inch or so of water (for cleaning toys and hands while playing.  Experience has proven to us that any more water in the cleaning bowl ends up creating more mess than clean up.)

Materials gathered, let the fun begin!

1. Have your child create a scene with the figurines – using fine motor skills, motor planning and creative story telling, among other things, while doing so.
2. Then, make it snow by spraying shaving cream all over the scene, adding in some great tactile input and  a chance to work hand strength while focusing on some eye-hand coordination as your child makes it snow on and around each figurine!!
3. Finally, allow plenty of time – and tools, such as a spoon for a shovel or some small buttons for decorating snow sculptures- for your child to play and explore.
4. As needed, offer towels and a rinse/clean up bowl for hands and figurines “covered” in snow.

And, while all this is happening, savor the moment , knowing you are not only offering your child some fun sensory input, but also working on art and literacy skills.

Exploring art media is key at a young age.  By manipulating the shaving cream and creating sculptures – however temporary these may be – your child will be gaining in “art literacy” through experimenting with texture, movement and shapes.

Likewise, your child will be making steps towards more traditional literacy.  The Public Library Association (PLA) recommends focusing on six early literacy skills in children, which serve as the foundation for learning to read and write. These are vocabulary, print motivation, print awareness, narrative skills, letter knowledge and phonological awareness.  Researchers have determined that children who enter school with these skills are better able to benefit from the reading instruction they receive when they arrive at school.  This activity focuses mainly on two of these skills:  vocabulary and narration.  As your child plays, converse.  You’ll find a lot of naming of objects, actions and emotions – i.e. vocabulary work – going on.  Likewise, there is likely to be quite a bit of narration that happens as your child’s own snowy day adventure unfolds with the figurines.

Enjoy!