Sweet Pea is 25 months old.
From: I am not exactly sure where this idea came from, but I think I saw a picture of something similar at 1+1+1=1.
Materials:
- Penne pasta.
- A salad dressing mixer (works great because you can remove the lid to get the pasta back out) or other container with a very narrow spout. (Tupperware sells a quick shake container, but I am pretty sure that Target has something similar.)
- A sturdy bowl.
Procedure:
- Put the pasta in the bowl.
- Present the bowl of pasta and the mixer container to your tot.
- Show them how to pick up one piece of pasta, turn it vertically and drop it into the container.
- Let them have a turn.
Observations: Sweet Pea really loved this activity. At first she tried to put handfuls of pasta into the container, but she quickly learned to just do 1 or 2 at a time. She spent a long time dropping the pasta into the container and then would ask me to take off the lid and dump the pasta back into the bowl and start all over. I would highly recommend this activity for other tots.
Notes from the Trenches: There is always the fact that our dog tries to eat the raw pasta, but other than that this went very smoothly.
Rating: 4 Stars * (Fun, Easy, Independent, Frugal)
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This is a great idea. I like your pictures and a look of total concentration on your daughter’s face. A possible extension activity would be to make a necklace or a pasta collage with her.
You know, I hadn’t thought of a pasta collage. Sweet Pea is crazy about gluing things so I think that would be a big hit. Thanks!
I love this activity and can not wait to try it with Sunshine!
YES, I LOVE ALL YOUR IDEAS. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST SITES I HAVE EVER CAME ACROSS. YOU CAN USE FOOD COLORING TO DYE THE PASTA. CHILDREN LOVE COLOR.