Growth Chart

WHAT YOU NEED

• A roll of butcher paper cut 18" wide x 5 feet long
  
• Scissors
  
• 5 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" colored construction paper
  
• Colored marker pens
  
• Regular letter envelopes (no larger than #10 size)
  
• Brass brads
  
• Yard stick
  
• Straight edge or ruler
  
• 3" x 5" index cards
  
• Unlined 8-1/2" x 11" paper
  
• Non-toxic paper paste or glue or stapler and staples

HOW TO DO IT

• Cut the butcher paper into a strip 18" wide x 5 feet long.
  
• Using colored marker pens and starting from the bottom of the growth chart, mark off feet and inches on the left side, beginning with inches, and ending at 5 feet.
  
• Beginning 5" from the top, glue or staple the 5 sheets of construction paper down the right side of the growth chart. If desired cut the left edge of each piece of paper into a shape, such as a wavy edge or scalloped edge.
  
• Ask your child to help you decorate his or her growth chart with the colored markers.
  
• Hang the growth chart on a wall. The bottom edge should touch the floor.
  
• On his or her birthday, measure your child, marking his or her height onto the growth chart.
  
• Each time you measure your child, attach an envelope to the chart with more information about how your child is growing. For example:
  
  • Write your child's age and the date on the back (flap side) of one envelope.
    
  • On an index card, write down the date, child's name, weight, shoe size, etc.
    
  • On an unlined piece of paper, trace your child's hand.
    
  • Include a photograph of your child.
• Place these items into the envelope and using a brass brad, attach envelope (you'll eventually have one for each birthday) to the right hand side of the chart. Be sure the flap side faces toward you. (You can glue or tape the envelopes onto the chart if you wish.)

FOLLOW-UP FUN

• Have your child start an "All About Me" journal to help build a sense of self. The journal might include some statistics such as eye color, hair color, names of relatives, etc. as well as written entries about special events or activities.
  
• Have your child do a "self portrait" using yarn, buttons, fabric scraps, crayons and non-toxic glue.
  
• Take a field trip to the library to check out books with topics of "about me."