Fabulous Fine Motor Play

If given half a chance kids take care of their need to move their bodies and develop those gross motor skills needed to walk, run, jump, etc. But the fine motor skills are often lacking when kids get to school. As a result, holding a pencil, buttoning their coat, tying shoes can be difficult for them.

That’s why I was happy to see the terrific list of fine motor skill builders at www.handsonaswegrow.com . All of the activities use common household items to encourage little ones to use those fingers, hands, and eyes in a coordinated manner. Check it out.

Susan A. Vessels
Executive Director

100 days of School

In most school systems, the 100th day of school occurs during January. This can be a reason to celebrate for teachers and children alike. It’s fairly common to think of January being the beginning of the end of the school year. Some children and teachers even begin counting how many days left. So, when you make snowflakes for an art activity, why not add 100th activities, as well. Kids can use cheerios to glue on papers, make funny looking faces out of the number 100 by adding hair, glasses, nose, mouth. Have each child bring in a picture of their favorite thing and see if they can make them add up to 100. Counting beads is a good activity and making necklaces with 100 Cheerios, Fruit Loops, pieces of pasta helps develop fine motor skills. You may have many, many more ways to celebrate the 100th day of the school year. Just remember to have fun! Children learn by playing!!

Pat

Grass Sock Pets

Spring is in full swing, and there are so many wonderful opportunities to explore it with the children in your life.  One great activity I learned last week, when visiting Rose Schum’s classroom at Dawson Orman Education Center, was how to make Grass Sock Pets. They are very simple and easy to make, but an activity like this doesn’t have to be just a craft. Use this as a teaching moment and blend art with science. Put them in your Discovery Center and bring out the magnifiers. Ask questions. Get curious. Examine the roots. Chart the growth. Find other plants sprouting in your playground or yard. Try different types of seeds or amounts of light. Talk about how to care for living things. And most importantly, focus on the wonder of the every day events that we as adults sometimes take for granted.

What you need:

• Sock or nylon stocking
• Grass seed or bird seed
• Dirt
• Bowl
• Water
• Sunlight

What you do:

1. Pour some grass seed into the toe of a sock. You will need enough to cover the bottom.
2. Fill the rest of the foot with dirt. Press it down, and tie a tight knot so that it creates a ball.
3. Place the sock ball in a bowl so that the seeds are facing up, and pour some water over it.
4. Find a sunny place to place your sock pet, and watch it grow!
5. Dampen the sock pet once a day to keep it growing.
6. For added fun, glue on wiggly eyes or buttons, or use rubber bands to tie off ears on either side.