Purpose:
This activity offers the
possibility of making beautiful gifts for the winter holidays that are based
on the concept of light; thus they are not confined to one culture or
religious observance. Children will follow directions and will practice the
small motor skills that will help them as they become writers.
Materials/Advance Preparation:
- Household (or Sabbath) candles. These are sold in small and
large boxes quite reasonably priced at supermarkets or hardware stores.
- Decorating wax. Although the initial cost is high, it is well
worth it. It will last for quite a while and is easy to use and very
beautiful. See notes below for purchasing information. Cut it up into very
small pieces. You may want to put different colors into different paper cups.
- Colored tissue paper and yarn (if you wish to wrap the candles as gifts)
Directions:
- It
is helpful to warm up the children's hands before proceeding. Have them rub
hands together for a while until they feel warm.
- Give
each child a candle.
- Demonstrate
how they should firmly press or smear one piece of decorating wax at a time
onto the candle. Discourage them from putting colors on top of each other.
- Make
sure to remind children to turn the candle around so that they decorate the
whole candle.
- When
finished, they may be wrapped and given as presents if you wish. Roll up each
candle in a sheet of tissue paper and tie the ends with yarn.
Eric Gidseg
Notes: Candle decorating wax may be purchased from:
http://hearthsong.com/
or call (800) 325-2502
http://www.achildsdream.com/index.htm
or call (800) 359-2906
The Literacy Corner only offers these sources as a
service.
Candle Decorating