The good news is there are lots of projects we can do that are related to The Little Mermaid.   I saw a tub of ocean stickers the other day and thought it would be a very easy craft for Munchkin Girl to create her own "ocean".  I used to think stickers were a bit indulgent...really just a waste of money until my friend and child expert Susan Case helped me realize that stickers can be a really valuable way for children to work on strength and fine motor skills.  We've been doing lots of stickers lately and last weekend we went out breakfast and they gave us a plastic case of crayons.  Normally Munchkin Girl would have made me open hers, because it was clear plastic and pretty tricky to open, but this time, she opened the package herself without even asking for help!  I really think this is from all the sticker practice she has had lately.

However, I noticed something this sticker project.  Not all stickers are created equally.  First, we started with a book of stickers that I bought because it had a lot of variety.  I liked all the choices she would have.  However, as it turned out, these were too small for her.  She could get the stickers started, but then the head wouldn't come with the rest of the body and she would get frustrated and whine for me to come help her.  I could tell this project didn't booster her self-confidence at all.  In fact, it was the opposite because she had trouble with almost every one she tried to remove.  We had much better luck with the larger, foam stickers.  They didn't look like they would be as much fun because they didn't have any detail, but she didn't care.  She definitely preferred the ease of the larger stickers and so did I because when she was able to take the stickers off by herself, the project took her a lot of time and she worked quietly by herself while she created her ocean.

So, if you're ever wondering how to improve fine motor skills in preschoolers, go with this cheap craft!  Who knows...you might end up with smarter kids!! :-)  All I needed for this project was construction paper and the stickers.  It took no prep work from me and was easy to clean up!

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PS...I've been nominated for Top 25 Most Creative Blogs on Circle of Moms.  If you have a second, I would love it if you voted for me.  Just click the button below to get to the site and then find me (I'm about #10 currently but would like to move up!! :-))