Read Online The Everything Toddler Activities Book by MEd Joni Levine - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: MEd Joni Levine
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a few seconds, and you will see them shrink!
Thread string through the hole if you wish to hang the finished project.
CHAPTER 6
Sensory Activities
Modern psychological research has determined that flashcards, drills, and worksheets are not effective ways of teaching young children. Your young child is not able to grasp abstract concepts. Instead, he learns by doing and by using his five senses. Sensory activities help your child learn while he has direct, concrete, hands-on experience with the world around him. This chapter provides all sorts of interesting sensory activities that are perfect for a toddler.
Sand Activities
Sand is a great sensory material for children to explore. It is versatile and easy to find, and it even changes properties when water is added. You do not need to have an elaborate sandbox or table for sand-play activities; simply use a plastic dish bin. Add a shovel, a funnel, and other simple tools, and your child will have all he needs. You will need to tell your child that the sand must stay in the container.
Pirate’s Treasure
Your toddler will enjoy searching for the buried treasure!
You may choose to think of other interesting things to bury.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Gold spray paint
Small rocks (large enough not to pose a choking hazard)
Sand box with sand
Paint the rocks and let them dry.
Hide the rocks in the sandbox and let your child dig for treasure!
Roadway
This activity combines the fun of sensory play with your child’s imagination.
You can also adapt this activity for any outdoor dirt area.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Flat spatula
Sand box with sand
Small toy cars and trucks
Small blocks (optional)
Toy or handmade mini road signs (optional)
Show your child how to use the spatula to draw roads and passageways in the sand.
Let him create the roadways and then drive the vehicles around.
Sand Squiggles
This simple project is very easy and yet creates a beautiful result.
Add some glitter to the sand for a special effect.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
White craft glue
Construction paper
1 small spoon
½ cup of sand
Glitter (optional)
Show your child how to squeeze the glue bottle to drizzle a design onto the paper. You may need to put your hand over his to guide him. Fine squiggly lines work better than big blobs.
Have your child use the spoon to sprinkle sand all over the picture.
Help your child tilt the paper over a garbage receptacle so that the excess sand falls off. Let the picture dry.
Water Activities
Water play is soothing. Splashing and dipping in water is a stress reliever for both children and adults. You may find that your toddler is drawn to water, wanting to play in the sink or puddles. You must always supervise your young child around water. Drowning can occur with even a small amount of water.
Boats That Float
Your toddler will enjoy helping to make these boats as much as playing with them.
You can also use plastic container lids for small craft.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Waterproof markers
Thin sheets of Styrofoam (such as butcher trays that come with meat in the grocery store, washed well)
Scissors
1 sheet white construction paper
1 small drinking straw
Small blob of Playdough (see Appendix A)
Let your child use the markers to color and decorate the Styrofoam.
Cut a small paper triangle with 2 horizontal slits.
Thread the paper triangle onto the straw to make a flag.
Place the blob of Playdough in the bottom of the tray to hold the flag.
Glacier Creatures
This is a good opportunity to talk about temperature and melting.
Be sure to choose toys that are not a choking hazard.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 3 hours
Small toys
Small
Thread string through the hole if you wish to hang the finished project.
CHAPTER 6
Sensory Activities
Modern psychological research has determined that flashcards, drills, and worksheets are not effective ways of teaching young children. Your young child is not able to grasp abstract concepts. Instead, he learns by doing and by using his five senses. Sensory activities help your child learn while he has direct, concrete, hands-on experience with the world around him. This chapter provides all sorts of interesting sensory activities that are perfect for a toddler.
Sand Activities
Sand is a great sensory material for children to explore. It is versatile and easy to find, and it even changes properties when water is added. You do not need to have an elaborate sandbox or table for sand-play activities; simply use a plastic dish bin. Add a shovel, a funnel, and other simple tools, and your child will have all he needs. You will need to tell your child that the sand must stay in the container.
Pirate’s Treasure
Your toddler will enjoy searching for the buried treasure!
You may choose to think of other interesting things to bury.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Gold spray paint
Small rocks (large enough not to pose a choking hazard)
Sand box with sand
Paint the rocks and let them dry.
Hide the rocks in the sandbox and let your child dig for treasure!
Roadway
This activity combines the fun of sensory play with your child’s imagination.
You can also adapt this activity for any outdoor dirt area.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Flat spatula
Sand box with sand
Small toy cars and trucks
Small blocks (optional)
Toy or handmade mini road signs (optional)
Show your child how to use the spatula to draw roads and passageways in the sand.
Let him create the roadways and then drive the vehicles around.
Sand Squiggles
This simple project is very easy and yet creates a beautiful result.
Add some glitter to the sand for a special effect.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
White craft glue
Construction paper
1 small spoon
½ cup of sand
Glitter (optional)
Show your child how to squeeze the glue bottle to drizzle a design onto the paper. You may need to put your hand over his to guide him. Fine squiggly lines work better than big blobs.
Have your child use the spoon to sprinkle sand all over the picture.
Help your child tilt the paper over a garbage receptacle so that the excess sand falls off. Let the picture dry.
Water Activities
Water play is soothing. Splashing and dipping in water is a stress reliever for both children and adults. You may find that your toddler is drawn to water, wanting to play in the sink or puddles. You must always supervise your young child around water. Drowning can occur with even a small amount of water.
Boats That Float
Your toddler will enjoy helping to make these boats as much as playing with them.
You can also use plastic container lids for small craft.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Waterproof markers
Thin sheets of Styrofoam (such as butcher trays that come with meat in the grocery store, washed well)
Scissors
1 sheet white construction paper
1 small drinking straw
Small blob of Playdough (see Appendix A)
Let your child use the markers to color and decorate the Styrofoam.
Cut a small paper triangle with 2 horizontal slits.
Thread the paper triangle onto the straw to make a flag.
Place the blob of Playdough in the bottom of the tray to hold the flag.
Glacier Creatures
This is a good opportunity to talk about temperature and melting.
Be sure to choose toys that are not a choking hazard.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 3 hours
Small toys
Small
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