Making a Scrapbook-"My Family and My Home"

To make this scrapbook, cut pictures from magazines and paste into a loose-leaf notebook. The pictures are chosen by the child to represent himself, Father, Mother-any members of the family he wishes to include, not forgetting the family pets-the inside and outside of his home, activities of the members of the family (singly or together) and any other information that you both decide is appropriate.

A loose-leaf book is better than the regular scrapbook with fixed pages, because with the former it is possible to change the selection and arrangement of the pictures after they have been pasted in. Get as large a notebook as possible, to accommodate big pictures. Several large envelopes may be used to hold the sorted pictures until they are ready to be pasted in the book.

Before beginning the scrapbook with the child, cut out a few pictures yourself to help explain the idea to him.

Remember that a child does not see things in photographic images as adults do, and he may identify his family, himself, and his surrounding without much rhyme or reason (to you). So if he selects a picture of a blonde woman to represent "Mother, " who is actually dark-haired, don't correct him. Of course, the older the child is, the more he will want accuracy in the pictures.

In gathering pictures of the home, be as factual or as fanciful as you wish, or as the pictures suggest. For example, when looking for pictures of the kitchen, you can use either pictures of a complete kitchen, or pictures of separate parts of one, or individual appliances, such as the stove, sink, refrigerator, etc. Let your child take the lead in deciding how elaborate the pictures should be and how they are to be placed on the page.

Monday

For a starter, after explaining the project for this week, produce the pictures you have already cut out. You might say, "Here is a picture I found that looks a bit like Grandfather. Maybe well find a better one if we look through the magazines. Meanwhile, we can keep it in one of the envelopes. " Take time to enjoy discovering the pictures and discussing them as they are found. Cut and paste the pictures right away using as many pages as are necessary. In this way, the child quickly becomes aware of what the finished book will look like. If your child is too young to cut neatly, have him do the original cutting and you complete the finishing touches. (Don't try to trim every comer or angle too perfectly; that might slow things up. )

Tuesday

With pictures of Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, and the child himself now in the book, it is time to start on the home, beginning with the living room. A picture of the entire room may be chosen or pictures of individual pieces of furniture. If a picture of the entire room is chosen and used, selecting it will probably take only part of the hour. The rest of the time may be spent in adding, on other pages, pictures of new pieces of furniture the family may be planning to get or dreamed-of replacements for worn-out pieces of furniture now in use. For instance, if Father's favorite easy chair is worn out and rather shabby looking, there has undoubtedly been conversation about getting him a new one. Cut out pictures of all the different kinds of chairs you think he might like. He can make his choice on the last day of the week when the entire family will be invited to look at the book. It is more of a challenge, but in the end a source of greater satisfaction, to try to pick out the proper color scheme so that the "house" more nearly resembles the original.

Wednesday

The kitchen with its numerous possibilities is today's room of the day. From cookie jar to refrigerator- what possibilities to be found! On one or more pages you can put the actual appliances, and on other pages the pots and pans-on still another, the supply closet with cereals, flour, condiments, canned goods, etc. Perhaps the child will want to include pictures of some of the family's favorite dishes and meals, or a birthday party menu.

Thursday

Now it's time to do the bedroom! Include all the furnishings, blankets, spreads and linens. Here again, do not forget the color schemes of each room. It might be difficult, but fun, to find the exact replica of that unusual rocking chair in your guest room; or to include the contents of the dresser drawers or the items found on the top of Mother's dressing table. Remember, it doesn't matter how many pages are devoted to one room, for a loose-leaf book solves this problem.

Friday

Set aside today for the bathroom, its accessories, the linen closet, and the medicine chest. Most pictures of bathrooms in magazines have nice bright new towels and washcloths; most homes have at least some worn out linen. It might be preferable to title this "Our Dream Bathroom. " The medicine chest can contain not only medicines but shaving things, cosmetics, and whatever else is a bathroom "staple" in your home.

Saturday

By this time, you and your child will have had time to decide on a cover design for the scrapbook. It can be any appropriate picture, a drawing your child has made, or a title made from lettering found in magazines. Possible titles might be "My Family, " or "The Smiths at Home, " or "Meet the Family! "

If there is time left over today, add extra touches such as pictures of the contents of clothes' closets, toys in the children's room, the garage, the flower garden, or anything both of you feel will make the book still more interesting.

Sunday

Let the family in on your secret today! Invite them to join you at your regular playtime. Their appreciation of the week's efforts will be a satisfying experience. If the suggestion (made in Tuesday's plan) of cutting out different designs for Father's new chair has been followed, now is the time for him to choose his favorite one. Have a few blank pages for autographs of each member of the family and for any sentiments they may wish to inscribe. Include in the autographs the paw marks of the family dog or cat.