DIY Projects to Show Teacher Appreciation
Teachers are a significant part of your child’s week; they play the role of carer and educator for hours at a time. So why not start the year off by thanking them for all they do for us?
You can encourage your child to create some homemade, heartfelt projects and send them in your kids’ backpacks for their first day of term.
Get decorative
The classroom is a fun, interactive environment and every teacher is appreciative of a splash of colour.
Get your child thinking creatively and make decorations for the class.
Nothing says “thank you” like a card. But rather than spending time choosing one at your local shop, you can add a personal touch by making the card yourself. Let your kids’ creativity and appreciation shine by letting them take command of this project. Not only will they be excited to show their teacher their creation, but it will also be a great start to the year.
Or perhaps you are looking for a papier mâché project that your child’s teacher can display on their shelves. Why not take on the tradition of giving the teacher an apple by making and decorating one? Simply cover an inflated balloon in newspaper and a mix of flour and water. When it is dry, your kid can decorate it in traditional green and red or mix it up and cover it in colourful designs!
Personalised items
Teachers love nothing more than practical items. And giving a gift like this at the start of the year is the perfect opportunity to give your teacher something that they can use frequently.
Items such as notepads, bookmarks, coffee sleeves, and more are important to the daily running of any teacher’s school day. By personalising items such as these, you can improve the functionality of your teacher’s day while appreciating them for their hard work. Grab out the glitter pens and stencil their name across a notebook.
Or teach your child patience with cross-stitching designs onto fabric. However, not all children will be old enough to do this and they should always be supervised while handling needles.
Additionally, your child could make a decorative name sign for their teacher. This can either be for their desk or their door – additional points if the sign is laminated.
And never underestimate the value of a calendar. Calendars are another fantastic addition to any teacher’s desk.
Build a hamper (or a survival kit)
Perhaps you don’t want to stick to one idea. Creating a hamper is a wonderful way to show appreciation while supplying your teachers with both creative and functional items.
Consider a comfort hamper to help your teachers relax at the end of the day. This can include anything from candles and face masks to socks and chocolate. The aim of this is to provide comfort and care to the teacher. This is something they can take home and cherish after a long day of work.
Equally, a teacher’s survival kit would work just as well. Rather than taking this home, they can leave it in school and use it when needed. Items to include might be coffee – for when they need a boost – hand sanitiser, cleaning wipes, and a stress toy. The aim of this is to help the teacher achieve the most during the school day, as well as provide humour.
Get baking
Your little one might prefer baking over crafting.
Why not make cookies, brownies, or cupcakes to take to school. Find some easy-to-follow kids’ baking recipes and allow them to grow their independence by measuring, mixing, and making cakes. These can be shared with the class while also being appreciated by their teacher. Consider allowing your children to decorate a special cake for their teacher to add an extra touch of personality to their creation.
Be careful to consider any allergies when doing this. Certain schools have regulations around food items, including prohibiting food with nuts due to allergies, so make sure to contact your school and get permission before attempting this.
Starting the school year with positivity and kindness is important for the social progression of your child. And teachers deserve appreciation from the start of the term. By turning your summer craft projects into gratitude gifts for teachers, you can keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays and prepare for the start of the school year.
Sources:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-paper-mache
https://www.dltk-kids.com/type/crossstitch.htm
https://www.funlovingfamilies.com/teacher-survival-kit/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/kids-baking-recipes
Article Credit - Cath Kidston
