Summary: Have fun with modelling materials to create a monster, and then use Chatterpix Kids to make it talk!
Set-up: 10 mins
Play: 30 mins – 1 hour
Complexity: Easy
Materials
- Playdough (see recipe here)
- Plasticine or clay, or recycled boxes tins
- Packets and tubes
- Or you can even use fruit and vegetables such as swedes, potatoes and oranges for modelling your monster.
As well as items such as:
- Buttons
- Shells
- Sticks
- Toothpicks
- Wiggly eyes
- Straws and card to add details.
- Download Chatterpix Kids (free app) to your device.
What to do
Challenge your child to make a monster with your supply of resources. Talk about how to make the monster truly monstrous – how many eyes will it have? Will the eyes be the same size and colour, or different? What sort of expression will it have? Explain that because when the monster is finished we are going to make it talk, it is really important that the monster has a clearly outlined mouth!
Use Chatterpix Kids to make it talk (warning: once your child learns how to use this app, they will probably want to try taking photos of all sorts of things to make them talk). The app will direct you to take a photo, then draw a line across it in the place that you want the picture to talk. Then its time to record a voice for your monster. What will it say? What kind of voice will it have – scary, stupid, trembling, etc.?
Extensions
Use your monster to send messages to family and friends.
Invent two monsters and have your child script a dialogue between them.
Use a stiff piece of cardboard to create a “set” or scene behind your monster as it talks.
What learning does this activity promote?
Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, problem-solving, communication and language
By Dr Vicki Hargraves
