Amistad means friendship and these Amistad chains can promote friendship and help the children explore their own thoughts and feelings on friendship. You will need construction paper, scissors, tape, paper, markers or crayons. Cut the construction paper into vertical strips no more than 2-inches wide. Write a word, phrase or sentence that has something to do with friendship. When each link (paper strip) is written on, fold the strips into a circle and use the tape to connect them. Let each child connect their friendship link to the chain.
Most children like to draw, so having them draw is an activity that kindergartners rarely have a problem with. Drawing self-portraits can help the children find their self-awareness and get an update on how their self-image is doing. Most of these drawings will not resemble the children exactly but how they go about drawing themselves can let you know how they feel about themselves. When all the children are finished, let them show their self-portraits to the class. This makes an individual activity into a group activity.
Finger painting lets the children explore their creativity in a fun and colorful way. Cover your table(s) with newspaper to keep paint from staining the tables. Give each child a piece of paper and different colors of paint from which to choose. Stress to the children to keep the paint on the paper. This activity is usually messy, so do not be alarmed whenever paint is spilled. Use non-toxic paint for obvious reasons.Water colors work well for limiting the size of the mess.
Paper clocks can be very fun to make and they will help the children with learning all of a clock's features and how it works. You will need construction paper, scissors, crayons or markers and brass fasteners. Have the children cut the paper into a big circle. Have them use the scraps from cutting the face of the clock for the long and short hands. Have them cut the hands into narrow triangles. This will give room to place the brass fastener in the middle of the face. Write or have the children write the numbers on the face of the clock.