Mom’s Talk Q&A: Creative Constructions for Crafty Kids

Q: There are just so many books you can read when you’re stuck indoors during this gloomy, rainy weather. Can you suggest some easy crafts that my toddler can participate in, with a little help from mom? 

A: It’s never too early to start encouraging your child’s creativity. My daughter is just about two years old, but we had a great time the other day at the kitchen table when I created colored “paints” by mixing water with different flavors of jello. I plopped some plain white computer paper in front of her, gave her a paintbrush and let her loose to explore her inner artist. “Wow,” she exclaimed with delight, as she used the brush to make sweeping circles and colorful bold slashes, punctuated with enough dramatic flourishes of her hand to make Picasso proud. 

For your budding artist, here are some crafts from the education team at Childtime (www.childtime.com), one of the largest providers of child care and preschool educational services. 

Handprint Paper Lilies

Make several flowers to create a bouquet

Supplies:

• Construction paper (in several colors), a pencil, straws or pipe cleaners, safety scissors and tape

Instructions:

1. Help your child trace one of their hands on several sheets of colored construction paper.
2. Cut out their hand prints
3. Curl each finger of a single hand print around a pencil
4. Using the palm of the handprint, form a cone.
5. Glue or tape the cone together (and remove the pencil).
6. Tape the “flower” to a pipe cleaner or straw (aka the flower stem)
7. Draw a few leaves on construction paper, and cut them out.
8. Tape the leaves to the flower stem

Make-Believe Stained Glass

For maximum impact display this creation by a window

Supplies:

• Wax paper, newspaper, crayons, plastic knife, safety scissors, flat objects, iron

Instructions:

1. Collect a variety of flat objects (glitter, dried leaves, stickers, scraps of paper; pictures from a magazine) and run a plastic knife over crayons to make shavings. 
2. Cut two pieces of wax paper into shapes that are the same size.
3. Place one piece of the waxed paper on a flat surface and arrange the flat objects you’ve collected on the paper; sprinkle on the crayon shavings.
4. For adults only: With your child down for a nap, or in a safe place, iron out the artwork: Put several layers of newspaper down on your ironing board, then lay the artwork on top of the newspaper and cover it with another piece of waxed paper. Place a few more sheets of newspaper over the pile. Carefully run the iron over the papers (using medium heat), until the waxed layers stick together and the crayon shavings melt.
5. After the artwork has cooled, trim the edges.
6. Patch up any unsealed parts with transparent tape.

More Locations for Your Little Artist’s Creations

Abrakadoodle, Fort Lee, Hoboken, Paramus, Tenafly (www.abrakadoodle.com)

Tie Dye Town Messy Art Classes, Englewood and Tenafly (www.tiedyetown.com)

Scribble Art Workshop, Englewood, (www.scribbleartworkshop.com)

PlayArt in Ridgewood (www.myplayart.com/studioSite.html)

Building a Better Nursing Bra

Q: I have three kids, and I’m pregnant again. I was wondering if I could use my nursing bras from last time (18 months ago), or do I need to get new ones? What should I look for in a nursing bra?

A: I’ll never forget the day I knew I was pregnant. One minute my bra fit perfectly; the next minute I had gone up in my estimation at least one full size. In a panic, I ran out to purchase a new bra, without getting measured. Big mistake! The stretchy fabric I selected for comfort offered me no support. It wasn’t until I was well into my second trimester that I received a proper bra fitting. Save yourself that hassle, by taking in these tips from Suzanne Schwechter, owner of Suzanne Nursing Boutique, 1 West Forest Ave., Englewood; (201-569-8033). 

Pregnant Pause: You absolutely need new bras for each pregnancy if your old bras are stretched out, or if your size has changed. Keep at least three bras in rotation at all times. Have one to wear, one in the wash and one in the drawer.

Measure of a Woman: Word to the wise: Get measured by a professional. Let’s face it: draping a tape measure tightly around your chest can be challenging while you’re in the middle of first trimester nausea. The fitter should use measuring tape to measure the upper rib cage and then the fullest part of the breast. They should also adjust the straps in the back for optimum placement and support. 

Does Your Cup Runneth Over (With Sweat)?: Ideally, bra cups should be constructed of a breathable fabric, such as cotton, natural fibers (ask for Modal), or bamboo; although some of the newer synthetics breathe, too. Most lactation consultants say your milk ducts will clog if you wear an underwire bra, but if the bra is not creating too much pressure, then it’s worth giving it a chance.