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Give your preschool child a head start for school.

Ever take a good look at your desk? Pens and pencils are usually stashed everywhere. Why not help your child create a pen and pencil holder? With a little imagination and creativity your child can create a masterpiece to help you keep these items in their place. Here's how.

What You’ll Need

* Aluminum can
* Metal file
* Construction paper, any color
* Pencil
* Glue
* Scissors
* Markers
* Colored pencils
* Crayons
* Stickers

Instructions

Your child will need an aluminum can. After removing the top and washing the can out well you will need to help your child file down any rough edges. You can do this very easily with a metal file.

Once you make sure the can is safe and clean let your child decorate the can. Start by taking a piece of construction paper, your favorite color of course. Lay the can on its side at the edge of the paper. Your child can cut the extra paper off making sure the paper covers the whole height of the can. Then measure the paper around the can. Any extra paper can be cut away. Now take the can and set it straight up on the paper. Take a pencil and trace a circle around the bottom of the can.

Next they will need to glue the construction paper to the can. Start with a strip of glue along the edge of the paper. This will fix the paper to the can so you can continue attaching it without any slippage. Continue to glue the paper until it is completely around the can and meets the beginning edge. Now glue the bottom piece on the can.

Now it’s time to let your child decorate the can. They can use markers, colored pencils, crayons, stickers and glue to make designs that will make your pen and pencil holder unique. Once the decorations have dried, fill your holder with all your pens and pencils for a better organized desk.