Shaving Cream Sensory Fun & Pre-Writing Play!

This lesson is all about having fun with shaving cream while secretly learning some important skills! We'll explore how it feels, make cool designs, and even practice some letters and shapes.

Materials Needed:

• Can of non-mentholated, unscented shaving cream (sensitive skin formula is a good choice)
• A flat, smooth, and easily wipeable surface (e.g., a large baking sheet, a plastic tray, a laminated placemat, or directly on a clean, waterproof table)
• Smock or an old t-shirt to protect clothing
• Paper towels or a damp cloth for cleanup
• (Optional) A few toy cars or plastic animals for making tracks
• (Optional) Letter and shape flashcards for reference

Lesson Activities:

1. Introduction & Setup (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Guess what we get to play with today? Something super fluffy and fun – shaving cream! But first, let's get our art smocks on so we can get a little messy without any worries."

Activity:

1. Help your child put on their smock or old t-shirt.
2. Prepare the workspace by ensuring the surface is clean and clear.
3. Show the can of shaving cream and build excitement. "Are you ready to see what this feels like?"

2. Sensory Exploration: Touch & Feel (5-7 minutes)

Teacher: "Let's put some shaving cream on our tray. I'm going to make a fluffy cloud!"

Activity:

1. Spray a generous amount of shaving cream onto the surface.
2. Invite your child to touch it. Ask questions like: "How does it feel? Is it soft? Squishy? Cold?"
3. Encourage them to spread it around with their hands. "Let's cover the whole tray!"
4. Let them simply enjoy the tactile experience for a few minutes. They can pat it, squish it, and make handprints.

3. Pre-Writing Practice: Lines & Marks (5-7 minutes)

Teacher: "Now that our tray is covered, let's see what kinds of marks we can make. Watch me! I can make a long line. Now you try!"

Activity:

1. Demonstrate making different types of lines: straight lines (vertical, horizontal, diagonal), wiggly lines, zig-zag lines.
2. Encourage your child to copy your lines using their fingers.
3. Praise their efforts: "Wow, what a great wiggly line! That looks like a snake!"
4. (Optional) If using toy cars, let them drive the cars through the shaving cream to make tracks.

4. Shape & Letter Exploration (7-10 minutes)

Teacher: "Great job with the lines! Now, let's try to draw some shapes. Can we make a big round circle like a ball? How about a square like a present?"

Activity:

1. Demonstrate drawing a simple shape (e.g., circle). Ask your child to try. You can guide their hand gently if needed.
2. Introduce another simple shape (e.g., square or triangle). (Use flashcards for visual aid if you have them).
3. Move on to letters. Start with the first letter of their name. "Let's try to make the letter 'A' for [Child's Name]!" Draw it clearly for them to see and then encourage them to try.
4. If they are interested, try other simple, familiar letters. Keep it light and fun – the goal is exposure and experimentation, not perfection.
5. If they make a "mistake," show them how easy it is to "erase" by smoothing the shaving cream over and starting again!

5. Creative Free Play (10 minutes)

Teacher: "You've done such a wonderful job making lines, shapes, and letters! Now it's time for you to be the artist. You can draw anything you like in the shaving cream!"

Activity:

1. Allow the child free time to draw, make patterns, or play imaginatively in the shaving cream.
2. Observe their play and comment positively on their creations. "That looks like a beautiful swirly cloud!" or "Tell me about what you're drawing."
3. (Optional) Introduce plastic animals to make footprints or create small world scenes.

6. Conclusion & Cleanup (5-7 minutes)

Teacher: "Wow, we had so much fun with the shaving cream today! Look at all the amazing things we did. Now it's time to clean up."

Activity:

1. Involve the child in the cleanup process. They can help wipe the shaving cream off the tray with paper towels or a cloth.
2. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Talk about what they enjoyed most about the activity. "What was your favorite part about playing with the shaving cream today?"

Teacher Tips for Success:

• Keep it Positive: Focus on the process and exploration, not perfect outcomes.
• Be Patient: Allow the child to work at their own pace.
• Supervise Closely: Ensure the child does not try to eat the shaving cream.
• Embrace the Mess: It’s part of the fun! Having cleanup supplies ready makes it less stressful.
• Extend the Learning: You can add a drop or two of food coloring to the shaving cream for color mixing exploration (be mindful of potential staining). Or hide small, waterproof toys in the shaving cream for them to find.