Good morning. It looks like today will feel like summer in Durham with pretty warm temperatures, so we have put together some invitations to help your toddler stay cool and engaged today. In light of current events we also wanted to share this resource from NPR about talking about race with children, it also includes links to other resources.
Art/Sensory Invitation: Finger paint
It is going to be warm today, so we invite you to set up some finger paint for your toddler. This cool, squishy sensory and creative expression invitation is the perfect prelude to water play. Finger paint often becomes a full-torso experience, so be prepared. If you are running out of finger paint, it is fairly simple to make your own. Remember to allow time for it to cool, but not become too bouncy.
Fine Motor Invitation: More muffin tin sorting
If your child was interested in the muffin tin sorting invitation, what else could you offer for them to sort? Perhaps they have a collection of small farm animals, or you have some fabric scraps or pieces of different kinds of string. You could also take this invitation outside and invite your child to collect and sort herbs or non-toxic leaves and flowers. You could also offer muffin papers. Separating them and putting them in the tins is an excellent fine motor challenge and invites exploring one-to-one correspondence.
Large Motor/Outdoor Invitation: Wet 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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