I love teaching preschool and kindergarten. The growth that happens academically each year is incredible to me and I love being a part of it. I also enjoy using resources that easily record and show a child’s progress over time. These printable monthly self portraits are my favorite resource to show monthly changes.
You can use this resource at home, or in the classroom. The pages are simple and focused on only a few skills – drawing a self portrait and printing names.
When the school year starts children’s pictures tend to be simple with little detail. Over time you will see them add details and when the year is over, it’s easy for the child to see how much they have grown and improved.
This is Me Monthly Self Portrait
The resource includes twelve color pages for children to fill in. Each page includes the same structure and task, and a few small cute pictures that fit the theme of the month. The printables are also included in black and white.
You can print the color, or black and white pages and create a booklet at the beginning of the year or have children complete the pages, one month at a time and then put them together to create a booklet.
When complete, the pages create a type of time capsule recording each month. Encourage children to add lots of details to their self portraits. Can they draw grass, clothing, and background images? In the fall add colorful leaves and other images that make them think of the season.
Monthly Self Portrait
When children complete their first month, allow them to do it completely independently. If you use the resource with preschool or kindergarten it’s okay if their name for the first month only includes a few letters. This is where the progress comes in. Each month encourage them to add or improve on something.
My students looked forward to completing their monthly page on the first day of each month. They loved looking back at their previous months and were even self reflective of how much they have changed and improved over time. It’s a great project for self reflection.
This is also a great project to send home over the summer. Children completed September to June at school with me, and I sent their pages home as a booklet with July and August attached, but incomplete. Children were able to continue their learning and routine during the summer break by completing the last few months at home.
Get the Printable
The printable is available through Hands-On Teaching Ideas. Use the code portrait1 and save! With the code the resource will cost $1.50!
Click the image below and you can purchase the resource through teachingideas.ca online shop.
