Recommended Age: 3 and ½ to 4 years (or after many experiences with the tasting exercise) Level of Parent Involvement: High, this exercise requires some preparation and full engagement during initial presentation Prerequisites Child must be able to identify the 4 fundamental categories of taste (salty, sweet, sour and bitter) Materials A platter A variety of foods […]
Recommended Age: 3 and ½ to 4 years Level of Parent Involvement: High, this exercise requires some preparation and full engagement during initial presentation, low once the chid has been shown and can work independently Prerequisites The child must be able to use an eyedropper The child must have a good level of concentration as this […]
Recommended Age: 3 and ½ years and on Level of Parent Involvement: High to create the smelling jars, low once the activity has been made Prerequisites Child must be able to open and close a screw top jar Materials 3-6 pairs of jars (The Reject Shop and most $2 shops have packets of small […]
Recommended Age: 3 and ½ to 5 years Level of Parent Involvement: High during the initial presentation, then medium observation is required when the child is working independently Prerequisites None Materials Fabrics of great contrast differing in texture and colour but of the same size 8-10 pairs (Spotlight or Lincraft often have fabric scraps for sale) A box […]
Recommended Age: 3.5y+ Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled Prerequisites Can identify and name basic shapes Materials Masking tape or painter’s tape Preparation Use the masking/painter’s tape to mark out some shapes on the floor around the room. Include some familiar and some unfamiliar shapes. For example, square, rectangle, triangle, […]
Recommended Age: 3.5y+ Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once your child understands the activity Materials Puzzles with 8-10 pieces Notes Start with a puzzle that your child knows well. Steps Take the puzzle to a table. Ask your child to remove the pieces from the puzzle tray/frame and place them on the […]
Recommended Age: 3y+ Level of Parent Involvement: Low, mostly preparation and supervision Materials 4 differently shaped varieties of pasta – 10 pieces of each shape (the differences in shape should be easily discernible) 4 small bowls that are the same as each other (for the different shapes of pasta) 1 larger bowl (for all of […]
Recommended Age: 4y+ Level of Parent Involvement: High Materials A large tray with a towel/cloth to cover it A collection of 8 small familiar objects Steps As you place the objects on the tray, ask your child to name each one, helping her if necessary – this ensures that both of you will be referring […]
Recommended Age: 3y+ Level of Parent Involvement: High – mostly supervision Prerequisites Understands the concept of things being “the same” Can match objects/pictures that are the same Materials A sheet of paper Coloured pencils or crayons Preparation Choose 3 to 5 colours from those found in Colour Box 2 – red, […]
Recommended Age: 3.5y+ Level of Parent Involvement: Medium Prerequisites The vocabulary to describe what objects feel like Materials A medium-sized drawstring bag A container with a collection of 5 to 8 familiar objects in it. Initially, try to choose objects that are easily discernible by touch. (E.g. a rock, thimble, key, pinecone, piece of rope, feather, wool, peach pit, small pot, doll’s hat, brush, bottle, purse, spoon, button, ring, etc.) Steps […]
Heavy and Light Recommended Age: 4+ Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once shown Materials 2 baskets, trays, or other containers A list of items to weigh (rock, penny, pencil, bottle filled with water, spoon, crayon, magnet, chalk, candle, book) Steps Define the terms “heavy” and “light” for your child, using an example of each. Example: use a penny for “light” and a book for “heavy.” Ask them […]
Sorting Books by Colour Recommended Age: 3.5+ Level of Parent Involvement: Medium Materials : Bookshelf with books that the child can reach Steps: Invite your child to help you organise a shelf with books. (Start with one shelf, and if the child is interested, you can always start another shelf). Place a mat or towel on the floor, as the designated […]
Recommended Age: 3y+ Level of Parent Involvement: Low Prerequisites Can dry objects and wipe up spills with a cloth Can fill a jug from a water source and carry it without spilling Materials An accessible water–source A small jug A medium-sized bowl to do the activity in Two small bowls, with labels that read ‘float’ and ‘sink’ (with simple illustrations) A container with a collection of 8 to10 small household objects (e.g. a cork, […]
