Introduction

Chalk was a part of my childhood. I remember being given the job of clapping erasers for my first grade teacher. When a student was chosen for this prestigious job, he or she could choose a partner to help collect the chalkboard erasers and take them outside. Then we “cleaned” the erasers by slamming two of them together, creating big clouds of chalk dust. In those days, there were lots of erasers to clean because most of the classroom walls were lined with chalkboards. The whole room smelled like chalk, and teachers always had dust covering their clothing. Back then, students really did know the sound of “nails on a chalkboard!”

My favorite memories of chalk are more recent. They’re not from my own childhood, but from my children’s. Give them a bucket of sidewalk chalk and a place to draw, and my kids will entertain themselves for hours. They play hopscotch and write messages on the driveway. They draw pictures and trace each other’s outlines. My favorite chalk recipes and activities are the ones that encourage this kind of creativity. I love to watch my kids express themselves and engage in make-believe while they’re creating something with sidewalk paint or window chalk. Their favorite activities are the messy ones. They like sensory projects, such as ice chalk and exploding stomp chalk. Children learn best when all of their senses are engaged, and these chalk activities encourage exploration, descriptive language, and problem solving. But my kids don’t know that. They’re just having fun. Whatever kinds of activities you and your little ones prefer, this book is full of chalk recipes and projects for adults and kids to explore together. Many of these activities are meant to be done outdoors, but I’ve also included some that can be done on a rainy or snowy day. If staining is a concern, choose washable paint for coloring and test first on an inconspicuous area. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make substitutions or invent your own twist on a recipe. Due to variations in materials and temperatures depending on where you live or the time of year, I can’t guarantee the exact results of your efforts, but there’s always room for experimentation. Creating something is often as fun as enjoying the final product.

Although very few classrooms have actual chalkboards now, chalk is still a childhood classic and a great way to connect with kids of any age. I hope this book encourages you and your child to create some of your own chalk memories together.