THE CHANUKAH CLOTHESPIN MENORAH TUTORIAL

I​​​ love Chanukah. The family moments around the menorah, the chanukah parties, the dreidel games, the taste and smell of hot, sizzling latkes, powdery sufganiot, and of course as a lover of all things chocolate- milk chocolate chanukah coins.
Ok, there was one thing I never liked- Chanukah vacation. Ladies admit it. For those of us who live in the frozen north, its dreadful. Every outing involves snowsuits, boots, runny noses, long lines (the whole world has vacation!) and endless snacks, diapers, and drinks.
And then there are the cozy moments at home. You've already baked your third batch of chanukah cookies, watched endless Uncle Moishe videos and now it's time to be a real mom and do a...... PROJECT!
Since I was never a person who could magically transform an empty milk carton into an adorable tzedaka box, I always turned to the expert for help - Morah Tami Schultz (AKA my little sister, but fondly known for two generations of parents and children as  "Morah Tami".)

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When I asked her to share an easy, fun project (that even un-project loving Moms could do) she invited me to come to her classroom to see how it's done first hand. 

I arrived early to follow the morning routine at her preschool "Playtime with Morah Tami". The time moved seamlessly from davening to playtime, singing and dancing, storytime, snacktime and of course the project.
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I was captivated by the palpable chemistry between Morah Tami and each child.

This year will be the 20th anniverary of "Playtime with Morah Tami". So I was curious to find out the secret to her success. Why did parents keep coming back with their 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th or more children?

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​As I watched in awe, the answer is simple and recreatable at home. 
She has the ability to zoom with a laser of love. At that moment of attention, the child feels that she is the most important person in the world, yet somehow the rest of the room is accutely on Tami's radar. Phones and other distractions are simply a big no no in an intimate teacher or mom - child moment.

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​​Morah Tami also had suggestions for developing creativity. She emphasizes that art is the work of the child's own hands. Embrace the imperfection! Coloring out of the lines is the greatest form of modern art!
 It is an opportunity for honing crutial fine motor skills and fostering self esteem. She tells mothers to have crayons, paper, and starter scissors handy for free playtime. When the school year begins, Morah Tami also gives her parents a recipe for homemade non- toxic playdough to make at home and use with cookie cutters for a rainy day ( or dreidel cookie cutters for Chanukah vacation). (Recipe to come in a later post.)

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MORAH TAMI'S CLOTHESPIN MENORAH TUTORIAL

MATERIALS:   

2 PAINT STICKS (Available for free at Lowes, Home Depot or a local hardware store)
TACKY GLUE (Available at any craft store - think Michaels or Jo Ann Fabrics)
CLOTHESPINS (Craft store or dollar store ...we loooooove dollar stores! Now that's a great vacation trip!)
GLITTER FOAM (Craft store)
ACRYLIC PAINT (Craft store)
PAINT BRUSHES (Craft store)
And mom basics: (If you don't have them on hand, get them! You need them!)
PAPER PLATES
Q- TIPS

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STEP 1:  Place one paint stick on the table and glue the other stick on top of it to look like an "L".

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STEP 2:
When the glue is dry, paint the sticks and set aside

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STEP 3: 
Make a color palate using a small paper plate. Choose your colors for the candles. Using
Q-tips, paint one side of each clothespin and set aside to dry.

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STEP 4: Cut out the "flames" from glitter foam and glue on the top of each clothespin. Make sure to place one of the flames a little higher than the rest to make the shamash (or helper candle). 

CLIP THE CLOTHESPINS TO THE WOODEN STAND AND YOU HAVE YOUR MENORAH!

Then let the kids play!!! They can clip the candles on and off the stand for fun. 
( My note:  When Chanukah is over, keep the candles. Buy self stick magnetic strips. Stick them to the back of the clothespins and use them as refrigerator magnets to show off their work!!)

SPECIAL THANKS TO MORAH TAMI AND HER ADORABLE STUDENTS!!

HAPPY CHANUKAH!!