Buzz
1. Playing with Sponge or Foam Sheets
Engaging with sponge or foam sheets helps develop a child's sensory skills.
Materials:
- A small sponge or foam sheet
- A little baby bath foam
- A bucket of water, a small tray for holding water
- A plastic apron to keep the child dry
- Prepare a small bucket of water, adding a bit of baby bath foam to create bubbles.
- Give the child the sponge or foam sheet and demonstrate how to dip it into the water, stir to create bubbles, and then squeeze the sponge to release the water and bubbles.
2. Playing with Modeling Clay
Playing with modeling clay helps children improve their concentration. It also encourages imagination, creativity, and the development of sensory skills.
Materials:
- Safe, colorful modeling clay
- Rolling pin
- Cutting and shaping tools (plastic knife, plastic molds, etc.)
- Printed sheets with alphabet letters, shapes, or pictures
How to do the activity:
- Children can freely explore and shape the modeling clay however they wish.
- Parents can demonstrate how to use the rolling pin to flatten the clay, create shapes with molds, cut the clay into strips with a plastic knife, or form small pieces of clay to stick onto the printed alphabet or images on paper.
3. Transferring Beans into a Jar
Transferring beans into a jar helps children develop their sensory skills, hand dexterity, and hand-eye coordination.
Materials:
- A tray with various types of beans or peas in different sizes and shapes.
- Short, wide-mouth jars or containers.
- A wooden spoon.
How to do the activity:
- Place the child along with the materials on a mat.
- Pour the beans/peas onto the tray, arrange the jars beside it, and guide the child to scoop the beans using the wooden spoon or pick them up by hand, transferring them one by one into each jar.
4. Picking Vegetables and Fruits
Picking vegetables and fruits helps children refine their hand precision and learn to identify different types of food through this hands-on activity.
Materials:
- A cutting board with various vegetables and fruits chopped into small pieces. Depending on the child’s age, parents can prepare vegetables in different sizes.
- A large bowl to collect the picked items.
- A pair of tongs or a picking tool that fits the child’s hands.
How to do the activity:
- Parents can chop the vegetables and fruits into appropriate sizes based on the child’s age and skills. Introduce the child to each type of vegetable or fruit as you cut them.
- For older children, you can guide them to chop the vegetables themselves.
- Demonstrate how to use the tongs to pick the vegetables and transfer them from the cutting board to the bowl.
- Let the child continue until all the vegetables are picked up and placed into the bowl.
- For older children, multiple bowls can be provided for sorting different types of vegetables and fruits while picking.
5. Playing with Watercolors
Playing with watercolors encourages children to use their imagination and helps them recognize different colors.
Materials:
- Non-toxic watercolors safe for young children
- Paintbrushes
- Plastic aprons
- Plastic trays
- Large sheets of paper
How to do the activity:
- Pour watercolor into a tray for the child to use.
- Demonstrate for the child how to use a paintbrush to apply color to their hands.
- Have them press their painted hands onto the paper to make prints.
- Parents can also let the child freely explore using their hands to play with the paint, without needing to use a paintbrush.
