As a working mother, meal time was always a challenge. Juggling homework help, checking voice messages (we had telephone answering machines back then), cooking dinner AND squeezing in the “family quality time” often took heroic efforts. Having your child help in the kitchen can be a nice way to spend quality time together. Using a […]
I love when I find an activity that works for all ages. With the right amount of help even the littlest hands can manage this simple project. It is easy to do and materials are inexpensive. Benefits: The sponge should be held between the thumb, pointer and middle fingers. This strengthens the muscles used for […]
When beauty meet utility we have a perfect creation! There are so many great things going on (developmentally speaking) as a child “creates” this work of art. Introduce concepts of science and you have a block buster learning experience! For example: Collecting specimens on nature walks Learning the concepts of “natural dyes) […]
When I was young, my mother sent me outside and I would spend HOURS swinging. I would sing, I would close my eyes to surprise myself by how high I’d gone and as I got bigger I’d challenge myself by jumping off at the highest point. Swinging does so many good things for sensory motor […]
I have recently learned that an excellent source for potassium is found in the skins or outer layer of a carrot. So, I’m not sure you want to peel off all that nutrition. However, carrots also are easy to hold and are a terrific introduction to peeling for younger children. When it comes to teaching […]
One of my favorites is the “squeeze toy” pictured above. It allows the child to squeeze when turned into a ball and this stimulates proprioceptors, which you may recall, help inhibit unecessary stimulation in the brain. In essence, it provides calming stimulation. When the ball is turned inside out it becomes this “spiky” thing that provides tactile […]
Ever wonder why every preschool, kindergarten and first grade have a myriad of cut and paste projects? There are so many integrating skills that develop when using scissors. In a perfect world, early childhood programs would throw away all the pencils and have the students cut out strips of paper and combine to form all […]
It is always fun to see the reaction of children when I pull out a plunger to play with. Even at a very young age, children acquire a sense of place – and plungers belong in the toilet, certainly not in the gross motor room. After I assure them that the plunger I use has […]
Play dough is a favorite of many children. This time tested activity strengthen the hands and is a great entrée into touch exploration. Benefits: Hand strengthening occurs when the fingers are fully extended (straight) and used to press down and roll the dough back and forth to make coils. Children, typically call these “snakes” or “hot dogs.” Isolating […]
Some people say I’m lucky because I never had to spend a lot of money on a “professional wardrobe.” If I had to give one reason why I couldn’t indulge myself in stylish skirts and dresses I’d sum it up in two words: “Crab Walking.” As a “go to” activity for trunk strengthening and improving […]
When I walk into a classroom, many of the students lift their heads expectantly and frequently plead, “Take me!” I carry a bag of toys. Each toy, ofcourse has a purpose, and some are actually quite difficult. But the kids always step up to the challenge. A favorite of theirs (which always brings a crowd) […]