Today I will show you how to use one of my favorite picture books to empower children to cope with monster fears. This activity is geared to children 3-6 years old.
"Go Away Big Green Monster" by Ed Emberley.
I start by reading the book to the children and having them identify the facial parts. After the first reading, I introduce the Monster. As we read the book again, the children and I point to the parts of the face. In the middle of the book, the author says, "You don't scare me." And one by one, the parts of the face are told to go away. That is the fun part for the children,when they get to remove the facial parts.
Here is the book
We follow what the book tells us
Until....
We make the whole monster disappear
And they will surely want to do it all again!
To make the monster board you will need:
Corrugated cardboard (brown from a box)
Foam squares - red, green, yellow, purple and white
Black and yellow oak tag (or tag board) cut to the size of the cardboard
Velcro dots or square pieces with adhesive backing
White glue (Elmer's)
1. Cut cardboard and oak tag to same size (about 1 foot x 1 foot) and glue tag board to cardboard.
2. Copy the big green monster face from the book onto the green foam. Cut out.
3. Draw the facial features on corresponding foam colors and cut out.
4. When you have all the facial parts, attach soft Velcro squares or dots on back
5. Attach scratchy Velcro pieces on to the black oak tag
6. Cut a long rectangular piece of yellow oak tag and glue onto the bottom of the black oak tag. Write the words, "Big Green Monster."
If you have any thoughts or questions, please comment below. Happy crafting!
-Eileen
