3 Easy Show and Tell Clues for a Easel

The big day is approaching! When "Letter E" week rolls around in preschool or kindergarten, many parents scramble to find something more exciting than an egg or an envelope. If your little one wants to stand out, bringing an Easel (or even a photo of their favorite home easel) is a brilliant, creative move.

An easel isn’t just a piece of furniture; it’s a stage for imagination. It’s the tool that turns a messy toddler into a focused "Artist with a capital A." Let’s dive into how to make this "E" object the star of the classroom.

What Exactly is an Easel?

Think of an easel as a tripod for creativity. It is a stand—usually made of wood, plastic, or metal—designed to hold a canvas or a large piece of paper upright.

For a five-year-old, you can explain it like this: "An easel is like a desk that stands up tall! Instead of leaning over your paper on the floor, the easel holds your art right in front of your eyes so you can see your masterpiece while you work."

Why the Easel is the "E" MVP

Finding a physical object for Show and Tell Letter E can be tricky. While many kids might bring an elephant toy, an easel is a fantastic "action" item. It emphasizes the short E sound (eh-eh-easel) perfectly.

Even if your child’s easel is too bulky to fit in the car, don’t sweat it! You can bring a "Tabletop Easel" or even a photograph of your child standing at their easel. In early childhood education, we love when kids show "process" over "products." Bringing an easel allows your child to talk about doing something—painting, drawing, and creating—which is a huge confidence booster.

Engaging the Senses: The "Show" Part

To make the presentation more than just a "look at this" moment, help your child describe the sensory details of the easel. This builds their descriptive vocabulary:

• Touch: Is the frame smooth like a whiteboard, or does it have the slightly rough feel of natural wood? Are the clips that hold the paper "snappy" or "tight"?
• Sight: Look at the tray at the bottom. Does it have colorful paint splatters from past projects? Is it a bright, happy color?
• Sound: Demonstrate the click-clack of the magnets on the board or the crinkle of the big roll of paper being pulled down.

Presentation & Acting Tips

A great Show and Tell is part speech, part performance! If your child is bringing a small version or a photo, here is how they can "act it out" for the class:

1. The Stance: Have them stand with their hands on their hips like a professional artist.
2. The "Air" Drawing: Ask them to pretend they are painting a giant "E" on the easel using big, sweeping arm movements.
3. The Reveal: If they have a piece of art they made on the easel, have them hold it up at the very end as their "grand finale."

Questions to Practice at Home:

• "What is your favorite thing to draw on your easel?"
• "Do you use markers, chalk, or paint?"
• "Who gave you your easel, or where do you keep it in your house?"

3 Fun Facts About Easels to Impress the Class

Add a little "did you know?" flair to the presentation with these kid-friendly facts:

1. The Donkey Connection: The word "easel" comes from an old Dutch word (ezel) which means "donkey." Why? Because just like a donkey, the easel "carries the load" for the artist!
2. Ancient Tools: People have been using easels for a very long time—even the famous Leonardo da Vinci used them to paint the Mona Lisa hundreds of years ago.
3. Not Just for Art: Easels aren't just for painting. Teachers use them to show big books, and restaurants use them to show the "Special of the Day" on a chalkboard!

Bringing an easel for Easel Show and Tell is a wonderful way to celebrate the Letter E while highlighting your child's unique personality and love for art. Happy sharing!