It looks like the wonderful spring weather will continue today. We hope you can open some windows or go outside for awhile today. Here are a few invitations for you to consider. They range from low-mess to high-mess and low adult input to a higher level of set up.
Fine Motor Invitation: Sorting any small toys you have at home (by shape, color, size, material, etc). You will need a collection of small toys or objects (cars, farm animals, counting bears, large buttons, etc.) and a variety of small boxes, jars, or clean yogurt cups to sort into. Older children may enjoy using tongs to move the toys into the containers.
Intent: Children at this age are often drawn to sorting and categorizing in different ways. This invitation provides an opportunity for that while also building small motor skills.
Sensory Invitation: Gel sensory bag. For this invitation you will need a gallon zip-top bag (freezer bags are sturdier than storage bags) and a squishy substance to put in it. Aloe vera gel, hair gel, water cooked with cornstarch and cooled, and shampoo all work well. You can add food coloring if you would like or an assortment of small objects such as sequins. Seal the bag and let your child explore.
Intent: This invitation provides a way for children to increase small motor skills and explore the world in a different way.
Outdoor Invitation: Collecting materials to paint on. Find a box, bucket or basket your child can carry and invite them to collect things like pine cones, rocks, or large leaves from the ground. You can put out a tray, shower curtain, or rag towel for them to display their collection on when they are done.
Intent: Collecting walks help us all to slow down and look carefully at the world around us. This is an opportunity for children to feel different textures, notice smells and colors, and interact with the natural world.
Art Invitation: Painting/drawing on different items from nature (pinecones, rocks, leaves, etc.). Add child-safe paint and brushes to the area where your child has displayed their natural material finds. A wet rag nearby will help with cleanup.
Intent: This extension of the collection invitation opens up the materials to new life and allows the child creative expression.
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