Paint Pallette Tweezer Transfer

Using a paint pallette some tweezers or small tongs, you can set up a transfer activity. Pile pieces in the center and transfer small items (I used paperclips) using tweezers or tongs to each of the smaller cups.

Paint Pallette: $1.49 from craft store

Transfer items: Endless possibilities. Try cereal and eat after success!

*Pinching and grasping strengthens hand muscles in pre-writers.*

Recycling Greeting Cards

Turn a greeting card into a puzzle by cutting it into pieces, as many as you think your child can handle.

Punch holes around the outside of a card to make lacing cards. Weave a shoelace through the holes. Try cutting out specific shapes from the pictures on the cards and punch around those.

*Extension: Laminating will extend the life of the pieces.

Share recycling with your children.
Is this the world you want to leave them?

Exploring Sunflowers

The sunflowers are starting to droop and I decided to let C do a little sunflower dissection. They really are pretty interesting. Once you remove the little yellow buds, a whole sea of seeds lies underneath. He spent a good fifteen minutes removing the seeds one by one with tweezers!

Sensational Scarves

A scarf is a simple prop that encourages movement. Scarves are available for purchase on a number of children's stores. I suggest checking your local thrift store. They are light and showy. They flow with ease through the air as the mover prances and dances. It encourages crossing the midline. So many play possibilities!

Abracadabra! Scarf Magic!

I Can Hammer

For motor skills practice, a hammer and nails can be teaching tools. The optimal materials are the real thing- wood and metal! Don't worry moms, pair a hammer and nails with safety goggles. An old tree stump is a good surface. You've never seen concentration until you watch a preschooler use a hammer and nails!

If it is tricky, you can scaffold success by drilling or pounding a few partial holes into the stump first yourself so the nail stays upright, no holding necessary.

*Variation: Let your child practice hammering golf tees into a big chunk of styrofoam or floral foam with a toy hammer.

*Extension: A song

Johnny works with one hammer, (pound one arm)

One hammer, one hammer,

Johnny works with one hammer,

Then he works with two.

Johnny works with two hammers, (add other arm)

Two hammers, two hammers,

Johnny works with two hammers,

Then he works with three.

Repeat with:

Three – add one leg

Four – add the other leg

Five – add head

On last line of verse five say, “Then he goes to sleep.” (put hands under head like pillow)

Bell Ringer

Tie a piece of string to a large bell and hang it from a tree branch at child's eye level. Toss a ball or beanbag at it to make the bell ring. Level up or down by changing how close or far away from the bell the child stands.