Counting with pumpkin seeds 

This activity can be done with toddlers. This is a great activity to teach them numbers and counting while improve their fine motor skills and concentration.

How to do

  • Wash the pumpkin seeds and dry them before use.
  • Write or print the numbers on a paper. Show number one and ask the number.
  • Then count and take a pumpkin seed. Put a glue dot in front of the number and let the child to paste.
  • Count while pasting the pumpkin seeds.
  • You can draw or print pumpkins with numbers and let the child to paste seeds inside the pumpkins while counting the seeds.
  • When using the pumpkin flash cards you can use little play dough balls, pom-poms or any small counting materials which fits in to the pumpkins to make the activity more engaged when repeating the activity. 
Flash Cards
 
 
 
 
 
       Prepared By: www.earlyyearseducationhelper.com


        Prepared By: www.earlyyearseducationhelper.com

Cutting Threading Straws 

This activity is full of fun and learning. This activity can be done with 2+ children. Even preschoolers would be enjoying this activity. The adult must attend with the child during the activity for safety concern.

Materials Needed:

  • Colourful straws
  • Scissors
  • Sponge (foam)
  • BBQ sticks

Procedure:

  • Show the child how to cut the straws. Let the child to cut the straws in to pieces. Guide the child about the size he/she has to cut. If the child still not ready for cutting you or an older child may help.
  • Offer the barbeque stick and let your toddler to insert the sticks in to the sponge. Guide your toddler to insert the sharp side.
  • Then, your toddler can stack the pieces of straws in to the barbeque sticks.
  • If you have older children (preschool aged) you can ask the child to follow a pattern when stacking the straws.
  • You can count, name the colours of straws as they play to improve their vocabulary.
  • Same straws can be used to do another threading activity. You can make a necklace or a bracelet with your toddler using straws and a lace.
  • Show the child how to do threading using straws and show lace. Once the threading is done put a knot to make the necklace.

It is sure that your toddler will engage in these activities for long time and may want to repeat it over and over.

 

Learning outcomes:

  • Improve fine motor skills. Your toddler use pincer grasping to hold the straws and laces which helps to learn how to hold a pencil.
  • Develop concentration
  • Develop hand and eye coordination.
  • Inner satisfaction.
  • Improve cutting skills.
  • Improve mathematical and language skills.
 
 
 
 
       Prepared By: www.earlyyearseducationhelper.com

Let’s Play with Coloured Rice

These sensory activities are full of fun and learning. Further, these activities can be done with 2+ children. Even preschoolers would be enjoying these activities. The adult must attend with the child during the activity for safety concern.

Materials Needed:

  • Coloured Rice
  • Trays and Containers 
  • Spoons
  • Kitchen Toys
  • Glue and Papers (For the craft activity)

 

Procedure:

  • Offer sensory bins filled with coloured rice, containers and spoons to the child.
  • Prepare trays with little containers filled with rice for spooning activities.
  • Dramatic play area can be arranged as a kitchen and offer rice to play in the kitchen.
  • Click on “Rice Play” below to view the activities.

                                                                 Rice Play

It is sure that your toddler will engage in these activities for long time and may want to repeat it over and over.

Learning outcomes:

  • Increase muscle strength in the fingers and hands,
  • Supports language development.
  • Sensory development
  • Improve concentration
  • Improve hand and eye coordination
  • Improve mathematical skills
  • Encourages scientific thinking
  • Improve hand and wrist movements.
  • Learn to use the spoon correctly
  • Get the children ready for writing
  • Inner Satisfaction
  • Expand creativity and encourage imagination
  • Group play enhance social and emotional skills.
 
 
 
 
       Prepared By: www.earlyyearseducationhelper.com

Nature Sensory Play

This is a sensory play activity which helps the child to use their senses and creativity to explore the nature

Materials Needed:

  • A basket.
  • Plastic tub if needed (or the basket can be used for playing)
  • A few kitchen tools which are safe for the child.

 

Procedure:

  • Tell your child that today we are going on a leaf hunt.
  • Let the child to hold the basket if he/she likes.
  • Go to the garden or go for a walk and collect different leaves to the basket. While collecting leaves you can name them. While outside you could talk about weather and seasons as well. Talk about the colours and textures as well.
  • Bring them to the play area and let the child to explore the leaves.
  • You could offer some large and safe kitchen tools such as whisks, potato mashers and kitchen tongs to explore the leaves.

 

Activity Extension Ideas:

  • You could give a large paper with glue for child to paste the leaves on the paper.
  • Offer flowers and a few sticks to make a nature scene.
  • Add water to leaves and offer some cups and jugs. Child can have a tea party or make soup out of leaves
  • Offer crayons and papers, keep the leaves underneath the paper and rub crayons on top to make a leaves art.

     

                                                         

Learning outcomes:

  • Child learns the names of different leaves.
  • Child learns colours, texture, shapes of the leaves which help for sensory development.
  • Child gets the opportunities for language development, fine motor development, and creative dramatic play.
  • Basically leaf sensory play is an opportunity for overall development of the child.
 
 
 
 
       Prepared By: www.earlyyearseducationhelper.com