Good morning. As we continue to find resources for talking with young children about current events, we will continue to share them with you here along with our usual invitations for each age group.
Anti-Racism 101 from Books for Littles has some children’s book recommendations you may find helpful.
Art/Connecting Invitation: Sending another care surprise
As the stay-at-home order continues, how are you staying connected to friends and loved ones? Today you could invite your preschooler to make a care surprise for a friend. It could be something you leave on a doorstep or send through the mail. Children often really enjoy sending and receiving mail. You can set out some paper, an envelope and a variety of mark-making utensils. Your child can practice folding the paper so it fits in the envelope and sticking a stamp in the correct location.
This invitation calls for children to be kind and think of others, use their imagination and creative expression, and builds fine motor skills.
Fine Motor Invitation: stickers/stamps and paper
Peeling and attaching stickers is amazing fine motor work for young children. You can make a simple shape or design on paper (like the first letter of their name or a heart), and ask them to follow the outline with stamps or stickers, or you can set out the materials and allow them complete creative control. Some children also want to cut out the stickers once they are attached to paper.
Large Motor/Outdoor Invitation: Sponge toss/throw
This invitation will work with a kitchen sponge, but a bath sponge or clean car wash sponge would work even better. Set up a bucket of cool water and the sponge outside and invite your child to dip the sponge in the water and toss it at a target. A small basketball hoop, hula hoop, another bucket, cooperative older sibling or parent will work. You can play catch with the sponge as well. This invitation builds tossing/throwing skills.
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