Motor Development: Cutting, Cracking

The innovative part of this activity is not cutting carrots or cracking eggs, but the 1/4 shower curtain underneath. I'd wanted to let him do this for ages, but I wouldn't relax until I made the "splat mat."

Anyhoodle, he was really proud to help me make lunch. He cracked over a dozen eggs in the step by step fashion I showed him. (I love this age, they're so methodical, if shown.) Not a single shell in the bowl. Very impressive.

To do the egg activity, you only need a splat mat, two bowls (one is for shells) and a carton of eggs. Tell the child you have something to show him and demonstrate slowly the egg cracking technique used in your home.

In addition to being a great motor development activity, this is a great concentration building experience.

Carrots Activity

Materials needed: cutting board, knife, carrots, splat mat, peeler, bowl, sink, towel.

1. Call the child over and tell him you have something to show him.

2. First demonstrate how to peel carrots into the sink, scraping away from you.

3. Allow child to finish the rest of the carrots and place them in the bowl.

4. Direct child to the table or counter where the mat, cutting board, towel, and knife are prepared.

5. Show child how to gently cut carrots with fingers curled to avoid cuts, and place the cut carrots in the bowl.

6. Supervise as he cuts the rest.