Activities @ Home With K & A
5 Activities for the week Animal Movements Cardboard Collage Dyed Beans Sensory Play Balls, Boxes, & Baskets Homemade Puzzle
Animal Movements
Cardboard Collage Dyed Beans Sensory Play STeps to Dye BEans
Balls, Boxes, & Baskets BONUS!
Homemade Puzzle
Animal Movements
What Materials are Needed? Bowl, Popsicle Sticks(optional)
How much time do i need to prepare? 2 minutes
What are the Steps? -
Write out the animal movements on popsicle sticks. Choose a popsicle stick and move like that animal. Keep picking and keep slithering, stomping, galloping, hopping, running, and crawling.
How Do I weave in literacy skills? Bring attention to initial sounds of animal names by writing them in a fun color.
What Learning is Happening? Self-Awareness, Creativity, Imagination, Communicating an Idea Through Physical Expression, Trial and Error, Gross Motor Skills, Helps Develop Body Control, Balance, Coordination, Listening Skills, Letter-Sound Connection, Playing with Initial Sounds
Steps For Animal Movements 1. Write out the animal movements on popsicle sticks. Write down animals and their movements on popsicle sticks (ex. “Slither like a Snake�). I have compiled a list of animals that move in a variety of ways, so just simply copy them down from the picture on the left. No sticks, no problem. You can write down animals movements on post-its, scrap paper, or index cards.
2. Choose a popsicle stick and move like that animal. It worked best for us to have an animal runway, so Avery had a designated spot to do these big body movements safely. Our animal runway, aka our hallway, was made complete by placing an empty bowl at the farthest end. When Avery was a bunny she hopped down the hallway to eat (pretend) carrots from the bowl and then brought some back for me. The bowl gave our animal movements the structure and imaginative play element we needed. If a bowl with pretend food doesn’t work for you: Use a timer that dings when a minute of movement is up. Play some music to move to, pausing intermittently to change animals.
Steps For Animal Movements 3. Keep picking and keep slithering, stomping, galloping, When I first introduced hopping, running, and crawling. this activity, Avery and I did some of the movements together. I wanted to leave space for her own ideas, while also demonstrating some movements (ex. galloping, crab walking). You can do as many, or as few, sticks as you’d like. As time went on we used the sticks to meet other needs. Some days we are in a funk, so we would take out these sticks and end up stomping like an elephant as we transition to lunch. Other days the energy was high and we needed to get moving, so having a known movement activity easily accessible grounded us.
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4. Weave in Literacy Skills.
You might notice I wrote most of the letters and words in black. Attention to the initial sound of the animal is given by simply writing it in orange. Note that an animal that begins with a diagraph like cheetah, both the C and the H are in orange because they work together to make that /ch/ sound. This is not something to drill or test, but something that I do when labeling things for Avery to highlight initial sounds in a quiet, yet colorful, way. When a stick is picked I use my finger to track the words as I read them, moving from left to write across the stick.
Cardboard Collage
What Materials are Needed? Cardboard, Clear Tape, Bubble Wrap (optional)
How much time do i need to prepare? 4 minutes
What are the Steps? -
Cut the cardboard into large and small squares and rectangles. Arrange, tape, and repeat. Give space for the artist´s observations.
How Do I Talk to my child about their art? Using descriptive language when talking about children’s work can give your child insight into their process.
What Learning is Happening? Fine Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination, Self Expression, Creativity, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Observation Skills, Being Present, Reflection on their Process, Builds Confidence, Sensory Exploration
Steps For Cardboard Collage 1. Cut the cardboard into Large & Small squares & rectangles.
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Our small squares were roughly 1” x 1” and large were about 2” x 2”. Set aside one XL rectangle for the base of the collage (around 9” x 11”). My shapes were quick and jagged, Avery did not care a bit. We had just moved and Avery’s life was boxes, bubble wrap and packing tape. This collage gave her an opportunity to interact with the world around her in a new way.
2. Arrange, tape, and repeat.
I organized the squares and rectangles into neat piles so Avery could start arranging them on her cardboard base. As the collage developed some pieces overlapped, other pieces weren’t used. Half way through it became ALL about layering the tape. To add a physically active component to this experience, I decided to rip 2” pieces of packing tape and place them on the edge of the table. As I ripped, we counted how many pieces it took to go all the way around the table. Avery retrieved all 52 pieces of tape and got that body moving. Retrieving tape from the other side of the table also gave her new angles for seeing her work.
Steps For Cardboard Collage 3. Give Space for the Artist´s Observations. When Avery does art I like to be close to watch her process. I’m physically nearby but am conscious to give her mental space. In the silent space between us, we are comfortable together in our quietness, making our own internal noticings. This gives her time to concentrate or share an observation outwardly if she chooses.
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When doing this particular collage Avery noticed & named: “Hey, this cardboard can bend!” - Sharing an observation as she manipulates a known material in a new way. “Tape is sticky here but smooth here. Tricky, smooth, sticky, smooth.” - Noting differences in textures and being playful with words and pattern making. “Woah, bubble wrap can be loud. It surprised me.” Embracing and experiencing the collage with her senses. Avery is How Do I Talk to my child about their art? When beaming with pride after doing her collage she looks up at me and waits. It’s quick and easy for me to say “Oh, it’s beautiful” but there is so much richness if I talk WITH Avery about her process. Honestly, it’s not my place to make judgements or assumptions about her work. It’s a moment to gain insight into Avery’s process and give her tools to describe her work in the future. I consciously use descriptive language about my observations. When chatting with Avery about her collage you might hear me say: “I noticed those two pieces of cardboard are overlapping.” “I see you have used a lot of square pieces in your collage.” “Look at all the different ways you have chosen to use the cardboard.”
Dyed Beans Sensory Play
What Materials are Needed?
STeps to Dye BEans
Dry Beans (or Rice or Pasta), White Vinegar, Food Dye, Plastic Bags, Parchment Paper, Plastic Bin, Egg Carton (optional), Paper Towel Tubes, Spoons, Measuring Cups, Tape
How much time do i need to prepare? Dye the beans with your child - 10 minutes Sensory bin experience set up - 1 minute
What are the Steps? -
Dye the beans. Set up a scooping and pouring station. Extend the play.
What Learning is Happening? Independent Play, Sensory Exploration, Tactile Learning, Language Development, Critical Thinking, Fine Motor Skills (Scoping, Mixing, Grasping, Pouring), Measuring, Estimating, Spatial Awareness, Self Regulation
How to Dye Beans Below are the steps of how to dye beans, but this works great with pasta or rice as well! Find whatever dry, expired foods you have in your pantry. Supplies: Dry Beans White Vinegar Food Coloring (I like Candlewood brand) Measuring Cups (1 Cup, 1 Teaspoon) Parchment Paper Large Tray Plastic Bags
Recipe by Mother Cloud
STEPS: 1. Measure out 1 cup of dry beans
2. Pour beans into a plastic bag
3. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
4. Add 7 drops of food dye
5. Close the bag and shake well
6. Pour out the dry beans onto the tray cover with parchment paper
7. Flatten the beans and let them dry overnight
Steps For Dyed Beans Sensory Play 1. Dye the beans.
Avery and I LOVE dying expired, dried goods. If you don’t have beans, don’t fret the recipe works for dry rice and pasta too! Don’t let the many pieces overwhelming you. We broke down all the steps to make them digestible. Having Avery involved in the prep gave her some anticipation and excitement for the sensory bin reveal so I highly recommend dying the beans with your child.
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2. Set up a scooping and pouring station. Since we went all out with dying the beans, using all of the colors of the rainbow, we kept the set up simple. We created a scooping and pouring station with spoons, egg cartons, and paper towel tubes. Avery could mix, scoop, transfer and pour the beans into the egg cartons or tubes. If you don’t have egg cartons you can use small cups, applesauce containers, or an ice cube tray. Sidenote: As a grown-up running my hands through the colorful, neat rows of beans feels so satisfying. Give it a quick try!
Steps For Dyed Beans Sensory Play 3. Extend the play. Typically I like a sensory bin to last a few days. The first two days I use a straight forward setup - something to scoop and something to pour into. I revive the sensory bin after a few days by supporting or extending Avery’s play with new accessories.
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For us extending the play meant following Avery’s lead and making “tube city” by securing the tubes with painters tape over some of the egg carton cups. We also decided to add measuring cups because that felt fun! You might want to only give cool colored dyed beans (green, blue, purple) and add in the warm colored dyed beans (red, orange, yellow) after a few days. Other extensions might include adding: plastic farm animals, construction vehicles, wooden people, small bowls, cups, loose parts, taping the tubes to the sides of the plastic bin to create slides
Original Set Up
Extension Set UP
Balls, Boxes, & Baskets
What Materials are Needed?
BONUS!
Empty Boxes/Bins, ALL the Balls You Have in Your House!
How much time do i need to prepare? NONE!
What are the Steps? -
Collect ALL the balls in your home. Create a circle with the balls around boxes and baskets and get tossing.
How Do I weave in Math & Science skills? Countdown THREE, TWO, ONE before tossing each ball or once all the balls are in different boxes count to figure out which box had the most balls. Notice how gravity plays a role in getting that ball into a box, for what goes up must come down!
What Learning is Happening? Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination, Timing, Tossing, Acurancy, Persistence, More Than/Less Than, Compare/Contrasts, Counting, Measuring, Spatial Relationships, Scientific Concepts (Mass, Gravity, Force)
Steps For BALLS, BOXES, & Baskets 1. Collect ALL the balls in your home. This activity is no prep for grown-ups. Send your child on a search for all the balls in your home.
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Perhaps they will find your dog’s ball OR a dryer ball OR a textured ball from when they were little. We used a wagon to collect balls big and small, then headed outside. We have done this activity indoors with great success, too!
2. Create a circle with the balls around boxes and bins. Avery handed me the balls one by one from her wagon. I created a circle around a few random boxes we placed in the middle of our circle and used them as hoops. To get the balls in the hoop you could: First, see what your child tries out! Challenge them to go ball by ball, tossing each one till it lands in a hoop.
Shout out a descriptive clues like “Find a ball with a bumpy texture” or “Search for a ball that is bigger than your fist.” Use music as a start/stop signal, essentially playing freeze dance but instead of dancing your child is tossing balls.
Steps For BALLS, BOXES, & Baskets How Do I weave in Math & Science skills?
In your child’s ball collection, some balls might be the same size but have different weights (exploring the concept of mass). You might hear me say, “I wonder if you can find two balls that are the same size? How are they different? Is one heavier than the other?” When tossing the ball underhand you might bring attention to the ball making an arch, going up, then going down before landing in the basket (highlighting gravity).
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When all the balls have been tossed, count with your child how many balls landed in each of the boxes. Have your child make a bar graph by lining up each of the balls as they pull them out of the box. Which box had the most balls? Which had the least? Just because the line is the longest, does it have the most balls?
BONUS - BALL TRANSFER
Being emerged in a bin with ALL of the ball's in your home can be an experience in itself. When Avery was younger laundry baskets were a lifesaver, they gave boundaries and containment. A laundry bin can become a boat or a cozy reading nook or a ball pit. Placing a small secondary basket next to the laundry basket made for a great ball transfer activity for young Avery.
Homemade Puzzle
What Materials are Needed? Piece of Paper, Random Toys (aka a handful of things that we never got to put away from our purple bath last week)
How much time do i need to prepare? 3 minutes
What are the Steps? -
Trace your child’s toys. Do the homemade puzzle. Extend the puzzle with a scavenger hunt!
What could I DO when my child gets frustrated? Let them feel their feelings and support them in this sometimes uncomfortable work.
What Learning is Happening? Spatial Awareness, Shape Recognition, Problem Solving, Observation Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Finger Strength, Hand-Eye Coordination, Process of Elimination, Patience, Concentration, Perseverance, Building Frustration Tolerance
Steps For Homemade Puzzle 1. Trace your child’s toys. Grab a piece of paper and trace your child’s toys. Things to think about: -
Choose toys that challenge your child to manipulate everyday objects in a new way.
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Start simple, you can trace more toys to extend this work.
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Avoid toys that roll.
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2. Do the homemade puzzle. I placed the puzzle pieces on a tray and Avery went to town! She turned, rotated and flipped pieces until they fit just right. The bowl really stumped Avery, I had traced it upside down. She became frustrated. More to come on this!
Steps For homemade Puzzle 3. Extend the puzzle with a scavenger hunt!
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After Avery got over the hump of the cup and bowl feeling tricky, she wanted to do the puzzle again. Now feeling confident in her puzzle skills, she moved into wanting to make things playful. First I hid the puzzle pieces and she found them, completing the puzzle as she went. Then she hid the pieces for me!
What could I DO when my child gets frustrated? Avery began to get frustrated with the puzzle. Here are some of the ways I deal with frustration: Let her feel her feelings. It’s hard not to jump in and try to fix things for Avery. It might feel momentarily good for each of us, but that’s not the work to be done here. Age-appropriate uncomfortable moments are difficult but an important part of being human. Let her express her feelings. Avery let out a loud “UGHHH!” I gave Avery time be frustrated and see where it takes her. Connect with her. “I hear you. This is hard. You are doing something new and it’s hard to do.” Ask if she wants help. “Can I help you?” Help isn’t doing the puzzle for Avery but supporting her work. Maybe she needs to make a plan to come back to this work, maybe she wants to talk through her problem solving strategies, maybe she just wants a hug to connect and reset. Keep her safe. If big feelings lead to unsafe movements, it’s my job to intervene and name what is happening.
