Native Americans first made dream catchers.
Preschoolers often have bad dreams that they can't shake; if your child is one of these, help them conquer their bad dreams by helping them make a dream catcher. Make these at home with very few materials; most are probably already in your home. This Native American craft is simple for preschoolers to make with a minimum of help.
History of Dream Catchers
The Native Americans first made dream catchers. Dream catchers for children were often made out of twigs and sinew; they dried out and disintegrated by the time the child reached maturity. At this point, the child was ready for an adult dream catcher made out of woven fibers. These dream catchers traditionally had seven or eight legs or spokes. Feathers resided in the middle of the dream catchers; owl feathers for girls and eagle feathers for boys. The dream catcher filters bad dreams out and catches only the good dreams.
Materials Needed
When making a dream catcher with preschoolers, it is important to take into consideration their skill and patience level. Paper plates make great hoops for the dream catcher. Yarn works well for the spokes or legs. Tape up the end of the yarn so it can easily pass through the holes in the dream catcher. To make it more authentic looking, purchase colored feathers from the craft store. Allow the children to choose the colors they want. Beads are also another item that Native Americans may have put on the original dream catchers.
Making the Dream Catcher
Cut out the center of the paper plate. You should only have about 2 or 3 inches remaining around the edge of the plate. Punch holes around the entire paper plate; to make eight spokes, you need nine holes in the plate. Cut a long piece of yarn and put tape around one end; knot the opposite end through one of the holes. Allow the child to thread the yarn through the other holes, creating a net or web through the hole in the plate. When finished, knot the end around the last hole in the plate. Punch two or three holes in the bottom of the plate and have the child string yarn, beads and feathers from these holes.
Hang the Dream Catcher
String yarn or fishing line from the top of the dream catcher; the beads and feathers should hang from the bottom. Tie the dream catcher above the bed of the sleeping child to catch the good and bad dreams. If you can't tie it directly above the bed, hang it somewhere in the bedroom. A door knob or closet door work well.
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