Has your preschooler ever put on a pair of pants that he wears every day only to realize that suddenly they are inches too short? It’s a mystery to a preschooler that they are actually growing constantly. You can tell your preschooler to eat their vegetables so they will grow up big and strong, but what “growth” means doesn’t necessarily register to them.
Demonstrate your preschooler’s growth with a growth chart that will help them understand just how fast and how much they are growing.
The simpler the growth chart, the better. In fact the old fashioned pencil mark on the wall routine is just as good as an actual chart. But if you want a keepsake for later years, make a chart.
You Will Need:
4 sheets of 9 x 12 craft foam in two different colors
Foam cutouts or extra foam to make decorations
Craft foam paint
Magic markers
Pictures of your preschooler
Create a Growth Chart
Step One
First, take your four pieces of foam and alternate them lengthwise. Secure them together with tape on the back.
Step Two
Next take your chart and hold it up against the wall or door where you plan to place it permanently. Hold it about 1 foot above the ground. Take a yard stick or ruler and mark measurements from the ground on the left side of your chart. For example, mark 1 ft., 2 ft., 3 ft., etc.
Step Three
Take the chart down and decorate it on the right side leaving room on the left side for height marks. With your preschooler, use foam stickers, glue, or markers to draw pictures and make the chart personal. Cut out pictures of your preschooler through the years and place them on the chart.
At the top of the foam use craft paint to paint your preschooler’s name. There are many ways to do this. With your preschoolers help you can cut out foam letters of his name or you can use magic markers to write his name at the top of the chart. Foam paint is fun because it adds dimension.
Step Four
Once your chart dries hang it with tape or tacks. Have your preschooler stand up against the chart and mark his height. Next to your preschooler’s height mark, write the date. Take a picture of your preschooler and place it next to that mark. Do this about once a month or every other month. You and your preschooler will be amazed at how fast he is growing!
Variations
This project can be done with any medium that is fun and easy to decorate. The most important part is that your preschooler understands his growth.
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