Fine motor development is essential to a young child being able to do so many things in his or her future. Some of those activities include using scissors, weilding a writing utensil, and even playing an instrument. There are many excercises to help develop finger muscles and finely tune that “pincer grasp”. Â You can also […]
Hard-plastic drinking cups (clear cocktail variety works best) Markers Towels Hammer Nail Aluminum foil Cookie sheet Yarn Small branches or wood sticks in a variety of shapes  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Ask your child to predict what will happen when you put the plastic cups in the oven and what he thinks […]
Read the book “What Makes a Rainbow?” by Betty Ann Schwartz. Â Each page highlights a different color of the rainbow. It is a “magic ribbon book.” As you turn each page another color of the rainbow magically appears and on the final pages you get to see a complete ribbon rainbow. Then construct your own […]
 File Folder Season Printables Marker Zip-top Baggie   Print out the season and clothing cards. If desired, laminate them to increase their lifespan. Divide file folder into 4 sections with your marker, and glue down one season per quadrant. Provide the cards to your kids and have them place them in the proper […]
 File Folder Fruit Printables Marker Zip-top Baggie  Print out the fruit pictures. If desired, laminate them to increase their lifespan. Glue the whole fruits to the file folder, and place the half fruits in the baggie. Name the fruits. Encourage our child to match the half fruits to its whole. Â
 Plastic-foam trays, at least one-inch deep Plastic fork Potting soil Grass seed Spray bottle for misting Seashells, walnut shells, eggshells, small twigs, pebbles, and other interesting natural items  Using a pencil, help your child poke a few holes in the bottom of the tray for drainage. Together, fill the tray with a half- […]
 salt dough (follow recipe) or air drying clay tempera paint or food coloring materials to decorate sculptures, such as feathers, art wire, toothpicks, smooth small wood shapes, buttons, and rocks paintbrushes  Children will help mix up a batch of salt dough to create animal sculptures. This activity will encourage scientific observation, creativity, imaginative […]
pine cones acorn caps other natural materials (acorns, leaves, moss, twigs, bark) pom poms glue shoe box construction paper art supplies • supports fine-motor development • encourages creative play With your child, collect pinecones (or you can purchase them at a nursery), along with leaves, twigs, and other “natural” materials.  To make a pine cone creature, your […]
