This project creates a book that is meaningful to your particular child.
Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Printer
- Scanner (optional)
- Paper
- Clear Contact paper
- Paper cutter or Scissors
Take photos of all of the people and things most important to your child. This includes their blanket, favorite toy, favorite movie character, mother, father, siblings, grandparents, themselves, etc. Even include their favorite food and color. Download them into the computer. Set the computer on landscape to turn the page sideways. Now place two pictures on each page, one east and one west. Atop of each page in bold font, type what the article is. You can make these colorful by either changing the font color or by using a program like Word Art.
Set these aside. You are now going to make the cover. Remember the cover will be the photo on the right hand side of the sheet. The picture here should be the child the book is intended for. Children are very egocentric creatures and will be attracted to the book because they are on the cover. Along with their photo, type their name on this side of the page.
The photo on the left hand side will be the final page. If you are going to use this for bedtime, you may want to include a photo of bed here with a “good night”.
Cut a piece of clear Contact paper 10” x 12 ½”. Lay the first picture flat on the table face up and gently work the contact paper into place leaving a ¾” margin all the way around. Set aside.
Now take the next photo and place it on a flat surface and repeat the process, covering the photo side with clear Contact paper. Flip this one over when complete and lay the first picture on top of it sealing it at the edges by pushing together the margin. (Check first that both sides are in the same direction). Do this for each of the remaining photos. Trim any irregularities from the margin without removing the margin using the scissors or paper cutter. You will need this to insure the book is waterproof.
When you have all of the photos covered, arrange them in the permanent order you would like them making sure the cover is on the top right side. With them all stacked carefully run the whole through the sewing machine right down the center. Use a moderate stitch but reinforce the ends slightly on both top and bottom. Fold book in half and press down firmly to crease.
That’s it, you are done. You can use the book to help them begin recognizing the words for different people and objects and as they grow, create more books.
