Photos and project courtesy of April Hartmann/My Little Growing Mindset.
This Maker Monday craft for kids was shared last year by My Little Growing Mindset founder April Hartmann. It was so well received by our readers that I thought I'd share it again now that sprint time is finally here again.
Hartman teaches kids the qualities of a growth mindset, and this fun Maker Monday project does exactly the same thing. Kids will love making character faces, planting seeds, tending to the soil, and watching the grass sprout. As the grass grows, your green-haired friend can receive a trim for even more personality.
A growth mindset is an internal belief that one's intelligence and abilities can be improved through effort. Children with a growth mindset enjoy learning and embrace challenges. They tend to think independently and bounce back from failure. The opposite is a fixed mindset, the belief that no amount of effort is enough to overcome a challenge.
Maker Monday materials needed:
- Regular cup (paper, foam, or plastic)
- potting soil or regular soil
- grass seeds
- markers (permanent or washable)
- scissors
- Options: googly eyes, stickers, decorative tape, pom-poms, yarn, etc. (have fun!)
Before you begin, ask your child a few questions.
- Do you think planting something and waiting for it to grow is a lot of work?
- How does it feel when you work hard and something good happens?
- How do you feel while waiting for something good to happen?
Explain that even when something is difficult, there are often great rewards if you don't give up. The reward is often a good feeling. We say, “We're proud.”
Manufacturer Monday instructions:
step 1: Use markers to decorate the cups with faces. Permanent markers are best so you don't make any mess when watering your plants. If you use washable markers, you can cover your face with a plastic bag to protect it when drinking.
You can also express different silly expressions and different emotions. Create unique creations using the craft supplies you already have.
Step 2: Fill the cup with about 3/4 of the soil. Potting soil is effective, but you can also use regular soil from your garden.
Step 3: Sprinkle grass seeds thinly on top of the soil. Add a thin layer of soil on top, just enough to lightly cover the seeds. Use a spray bottle of water to lightly moisten the soil. Place it in a sunny place and watch it grow!
Step 4: Continue to water the cup daily with a spray bottle to keep the soil moist. Within a few days you will see the grass begin to sprout. You can expect full green hair by day 7.
Step 5: It's time for a haircut! Children love to give their characters a special style. Crew cut? Mohicans? You can also make a ponytail using yarn. Your child can try new hairstyles every week and the grass will continue to grow as long as you keep watering it.
Ask your child a few more questions as they work on creating their hairstyle.
- Are you proud of the work you did to plant these seeds?
- What was it like to take care of the soil and wait for a long time?
- Was this project too easy for you?
- What could be more challenging next time? Maybe a different type of species? Or maybe plant something in your outdoor garden?
Understanding that results come from genuine effort is the foundation for promoting a growth mindset. Learn more about growth mindset with books, printables, and activities from MyLittleGrowingMindset.com. You'll find fun things for toddlers, preschool, preschool, and kindergarten-age kids.
Children who start school with a strong growth mindset are more successful and enjoy learning outside of school. By developing a growth mindset early in a child's life, it will take root and thrive throughout school and into adulthood. Enjoy planting!