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Using a Gravy Separator (and an Introduction to Density)

Sweet Pea is 5 years old.

Intro: This is a super easy practical life lesson with a good dose of science. During the holidays, Sweet Pea saw my gravy separator and wanted to know what it was, so I set up this quick little activity for her on the spot.

Prerequisite: Your tot should […]


Berry Basket Weaving

Sweet Pea is 5 years old.

 

From: I loved this beautiful strawberry basket weaving with yarn at Paint Cut Paste, and decided to try let Sweet Pea try an easier version with ribbon.

Material:

Berry basket. Ribbon. Scissors.

Procedure:

Wrap a piece of ribbon around the basket 2 times to […]


Sorting Coins (& U.S. Coin 3-Part Cards)

Sweet Pea is 5 years old.

 

From: Sweet Pea is very interested in putting money into her piggy bank so I thought she would like to learn more about coins. I found this coin sorting activity at the Activity Mom.

Material:

A variety of different coins. Coin cards. (I created my […]


20 Ways Your Preschooler Can Help In The Kitchen

 

I call 5:30pm the “Witching Hour” in our house because I am usually up to my elbows in raw hamburger, my husband is texting me that he will be home late, the dog is scratching at the back door to be let out, and Sweet Pea is invariably whining about some article of […]


Polishing Pennies

Sweet Pea is 4 years old.

From: This idea was from Quirky Momma.

Material:

1/4 cup Vinegar. 1 tsp Salt. A small (non-metal) bowl for the vinegar and salt. A bowl of water. Several grubby pennies. Rags for scrubbing the pennies. Towels for containing the mess.

Procedure:

Mix the salt and vinegar in […]


Introduction to Sewing

Sweet Pea was 46 months old.

From: This activity was inspired by a section on sewing in John Bowman’s book Montessori at Home.

Prerequisite: Your tot should be very good at lacing before you introduce him to sewing.

Material:

Shelf Liner. Embroidery Floss Sewing Hoop Dull needle. (We found a package of plastic beading […]


Teaching Your Tot To Tie A Knot

Sweet Pea is 4 years old.

From: I was getting ready to show Sweet Pea a sewing activity (which I will post about next time) when she surprised me by saying she knew how to tie a knot. Her preschool teacher had shown her this very simple method and in delightful reversal, Sweet […]


Scrubbing Appliances

Sweet Pea is 4 years old.

From: One day when I was cleaning the kitchen, Sweet Pea begged to help me. I found a spray bottle and a cloth and showed her how to wipe down the appliances.

Material:

Cloth. Spray bottle of water.

Procedure:

Show your tot how to aim the spray […]


Cherry Pitting

Sweet Pea is 4 years old.

From: Given the opportunity, I think I might be able to eat my weight in cherries. They happen to be in season around here right now so when I saw this cherry pitter at the grocery store, I thought cherry pitting would make a great activity for Sweet […]


Shoe Polishing

Sweet Pea is 4 years old.

From: I first read about shoe polishing as a traditional Montessori activity in Maja Pitamic’s excellent book Teach Me To Do It Myself.

Material:

Uncolored shoe polish (We used beeswax sealer from The Walking Company, Montessori Services sells a natural shoe conditioner, and For Small Hands has a […]