Motor Development: Table Lessons

Little Kid got bored doing his school work, so we took a break for some practical life lessons.

First, we went over the names of something nearby. 

Cord, plug, socket (or outlet), floor lamp, bulb, lampshade (none of my kids knew "lampshade."  Huh.), table, table legs, table leaf (WHAT?).  He didn't understand "table leaf" so...we learned how to table apart.   

  And put it back together. 

 And take it apart. And put it back together.  You know how it goes. 

After all that work, his muscles were all tuckered out.  So, we had a lazy susan lesson.  He'd been curious about this little gadget for ages.  We set up a tiny dish part and practiced using the lazy susan and our good manners.

Then, of course, since I'm an old waitress, I showed him how to "bus" the table.  Then he did it.....about ten times.  HA!

Grampa's Garage

Oh my, the bounty we plundered in my daddy's garage.  I haven't even gotten to some of it, but this is what we have out this week.  Fancy, huh?

Motor Development: Stapling, Punching

This was a mistake.  I have to learn over and over again that limiting the choices is KEY for my kids.  Later in the week, I cut it down and split it into two trays.  And, this is also one of those activities for which that Dollar Tree supplies WILL NOT WORK.

Punching tray:

Use 1 DECENT hole puncher, like the one pictured above, leftover strips of paper from other projects, Dollar Tree Zen garden tray for a trash tray and a paper liner.  You see the froggy punch out on the left?  Dollar tree punchers are HARD and don't line up correctly.

Variations:  other decent punchers (one or two only), a three hole punch (a good one that actually releases the paper and does stick on one or more holes.

Stapling and UN-stapling tray:


Same tray, paper, and liner set-up.  A DECENT stapler, a staple remover, and box of staples. Demonstrate for child how to load and unload stapler, staple two sheets together, remove staples, and put the tray to rights.

*Note:  Child WILL want to staple without paper or hold like a gun and *shoot* staples.  I allowed it as long as the staples remained on the tray or were *shot* into the trash tray.  It's up to you, but know that it WILL come up.

Grading: Bolts

This is one of our favorite activities.  I saw it first in Montessori at Home.  He has a specific set of measurements for grading the bolts, washers, and nuts, but my home improvement store didn't carry those sizes, so I just got the biggest bolt I could find and worked my way down in increments.  The associate on that row must have thought I was crazy.

Anyway, I just used a dollar store tray and sheet of foam with at least six different sized bolts, nuts, and five matching washers.  I have  the kids grade them according to size and then put them together.  At first they tried to do it without grading, but as a larger washer will fit on any of the bolts that are smaller, they got  confused, so grading is necessary. 

Of course my boys HAVE to think outside the box...

 And let's don't forget the bunny ears....

Motor Development: Pill (Mint) Cutting

This is perhaps the most popular center I've ever put out!

Materials:  Dollar Tree pill box, Dollar Tree pill cutter, Dollar Tree cookie tray, liner, colored breath mints, bowl for unsatisfactory cuts (according to them, not me)

How to:
1.  Call child over.
2.  Demonstrate cutting a few mints
3.  Sort divided mints by color into the pill box.
4.  Stand back and buy more mints!

They cut...

and cut....

and cut...

I had to resort to finding cheaper mints because they sliced $4 worth the first day!  But, now I have tons of tiny mints to hand out in mass, arranged by color and taste.

Motor Development: Sanding and Screws

Materials Needed:  Dollar Tree tray, Dollar tree ramekin for screws, three screws, small screwdriver, piece of scrap lumber (got mine from the trash can in the cutting section at Lowe's), sanding sponge

Set up and presentation:

1.  Before calling child, assemble materials as shown and make a few starter holes in your lumber.
2.  Call child over and tell him you have something (totally cool) to show him.
3.  Ask child to feel the wood before you sand.
4.  Demonstrate sanding the lumber, with the grain, holding it steady.
5.  Draw child's attention to the powder created and the new feel of the wood.
6.  Then demonstrate placing a screw in a hole and screwing into the wood.
7.  Then unscrew and place it back in the ramekin.
8.  Place materials back on tray so they are ready for the next time.

Motor Development: Whipping Bubbles

This is great for motor skills and entertains children from two to ten.  

Materials Needed:  towel, Dollar Tree boot drying tray, pot, water, dish soap, hand crank beater

How to Set up and Present:

1.  Place all items on tray as shown.

2.  Demonstrate beating* with the hand mixer to create foam.

3.  Demonstrate a small spill and wipe up with towel.

*Child may need help learning to position the beater in vertical position.  

Variations:  

• Add food coloring to create colored foam.
• Place in tub so child can create enough foam to over flow the bowl (especially for older children who can REALLY make some bubbles.)
• Have child use grater and bar soap to add an extra step.

Motor Development: Whisking, Basting, Spatula Bubbles

Materials needed:  two bowls, Dollar Tree ramekins, Dollar Tree baster, Dollar Tree little spatulas, Dollar Tree boot drying tray, whisk, dish towel (not shown), water, dish soap (optional: grater, soap instead of dish liquid)

How to set up the center and present:

1.  Place all materials on tray as seen above.

2.  Tell child that you have something to show them.

3.  Using the whisk, show child how to "draw straight lines on the bottom of the bowl" briskly.  (Pressure on the bottom of the bowl eliminates sloshing.)

4.  Once the bubbles are significant, show child how to scoop the bubbles into the ramekins with the spatula.

5.  Once the bubbles are removed, show child how to move the water into the bowl with the turkey baster.

6.  Wipe out the bowl with the towel.  

7.  Return water to main bowl by pouring, and bubbles by scraping out with spatula.

8.  Wipe out ramekins and small bowl.

9.  Place utensils back on tray and check for spills.

10.  Wipe up with towel.

Motor Development, Following Directions: Combination Locks

This center is for OLDER kids.  My nine-year-old spent the day on it.

Materials Needed:  Combination lock, Dollar Store cookie tray, construction paper or foam for liner, written instructions for the combination.

How-To:  

1.  Set up materials as in tray.

2.  Follow your own instructions a few times to make sure they make sense.

3.  Tell child that you have something to show them.

4.  Following your instructions, open the lock and close it.

5.  Allow child to try.  

6.  Expect questions and repeat demonstrations all day long.

Sorting: Battery Testing

We started doing this activity just before I read Montessori at Home.  It's in there too.  Anyway, here's the how to:

Materials Needed:  collection of old batteries, battery tester (~$6 at Depot), cards that say yes, no, and low, foam or paper-lined lipped tray or cookie sheet, bowl, mat.  (last three aren't shown in pic, just my dirty bedroom carpet...gross)

1.  Collect batteries from your junk drawers and place in bowl on cookie sheet with tester and cards. Put whole tray on mat.   

2.  Show child how to lay out the cards on the mat and test each battery.

3.  Place battery in correct column.

4.  Show child how to return batteries to the bowl and replace items on tray.  

Motor Development, Sorting: Chopstick Puffballs

My children are older, so be sure your child is ready for this activity before you introduce it to him. If he's too young to manage the sticks on his own, perhaps pick up the little-kid cheater grips from your local sushi restaurant.

Materials needed: Dollar Tree cookie tray, ice cube tray, small loaf pan, Dollar tree puff balls and package of chop sticks, construction paper or foam to line the tray.

How to:

1. Set up tray as shown.

2. Using one of the extra sets of chopstick in the pack, review the proper way to hold chopsticks. Allow child to copy your hands with his own pair and practice the grasp until firm.

3. Demonstrate slowly transferring the puffs from the pan to the ice cube tray.

4. Once the child feels comfortable, you can suggest that he sort them by color.

Motor Development: Dry Pouring

Above you see that the seven-year-old took over the five-year-old's center.  I find that most centers interest older children, even if it only takes a few minutes to master the skill.  They won't be outdone by the little kid.

My children are older, so I combines SEVERAL dry pouring centers into one activity.  For very young children, only one type of vessel is needed per session.

Materials Needed:  assorted sized vessels, spoon, Dollar tree tray, liner, beans (size depends on age of child, smaller child, bigger beans so spills are less overwhelming.)

Round One
1.  Start with two vessels as shown below.
2.  Demonstrate pouring.
3.  Use fingers to pick up lentils.
4.  Allow child as much time as desired repeating your motions.





Round Two
1.  Use smaller vessels as shown below.
2.  Repeat steps from Round One.




Round Three
1.  Demonstrate pouring in the air between vessels.
2.  Steps 3,4 from Round One.



Round Four
1.  Demonstrate pouring between TINY vessels as shown below.
2.  Repeat as in previous exercises.


All the kids loves the *tiny* pouring.


Round Five...Spooning
1.  Place spoon, bowl, and cup on tray.
2.  Demonstrate spooning between vessels, picking up spilled beans.
3.  Allow child to repeat.

Round Six...Scooping

1.  Show child how to scoop the beans from one container to the other using the tiny cups and/or measuring cups.

2.  Remember to repeat cleaning up the spilled beans.

3.  Allow child to repeat.

  

4.  Give child access to all of the vessels used and allow some free play.

Motor Development: Sweeping Center

My seven-year-old was sweeping the kitchen, and we kept fussing at her for doing it all...crazy.  She was all over the place.  So, I remembered the "sweeping the bean" activity I saw in a Montessori pre-school.  Now, she's genius at it.

Materials Needed:  masking tape, broom, dust pan with brush, cereal or beans

Set-up and Presentation:
1.  Tape a three sided square on the floor.  (I hope you have better luck with your tape than I.  See below.)
2.  Throw Rice Krispies on a limited area of the floor.
3.  Retrieve broom from it's "home."
4.  Demonstrate how to hold broom, plant feet, and sweep around self, drawing all debris back to the taped square.



5.  Demonstrate using dust pan and dumping contents into the trash.
6.  Throw Rice Krispies down again and let them try.
7.  Instruct child to repeat as often as desired, as long as the floor is clean once she is finished.

My seven-year-old repeated this on her own several times.  In the end, we taped three squares all over the kitchen so that she could effectively sweep an actual floor.  We explained that in the future, she choose an imaginary square in each area of the kitchen to sweep into, rather than dragging all the dirt across the floor to the square on one side of the room.

Go-Togethers: Easy Smelling Jars

For Big and Middle, this is an entertainment center while I work with the other kids. But it's "assigned" for Little. He has serious sensory defensiveness about smells. So, after a bit of exercise and a treat, we match the smelling jars together.

Here's how you make your own set.

1. Find a friend who makes soap and keeps essential oils. If you don't have access to a variety of essential oils, raid your own spice cabinet for extracts, your medicine cabinet for menthol rub, alcohol, or whatever else you have around with an interesting scent.

1. Buy a tray, some cotton balls, small stickers, and one or more packs of wedding bubbles from the Dollar Store. If you don't already have some construction paper or foam to line the tray, get that too. Anything you can do to make the set up more beautiful makes it more attractive to the child.

2. Dump out the bubble solution and pull off the wand under the cap.

3. Stuff each container with a cotton ball.

4. Mark the containers on the bottom into matching sets. I used stickers.

5. Mark the tops of one of each set. This allows the child to proceed through the exercise in an organized way. If he lines up the set with marked lids, he knows he has one of each scent in the line and the unmarked containers are the matches with no doubles. Again, I used nine identical stickers. Some other marking system may be more attractive, but what are ya gonna do?

6. Into each set, dropper some essential oil or extract.

If you did this correctly, you should now have matched sets, identifiable by the marking on the bottom so the child can check his work.

For the first round of smelling work, only put out three or four sets and make sure they really contrast. Be sure to show the child how to progress through the work in an orderly fashion; see this link HERE.

Motor Development: Braiding Post

Materials needed: Three different dollar store fleece scarves and one sturdy piece of furniture to use as a braiding post.

How to:

1. Tie all three scarves in a knot on the post.

2. Call the child over and explain that you are going to show them how to braid.

3. Slowly and methodically demonstrate bringing pieces to the middle and tightening.

4. Show the child how to undo the braid when she's finished.

Using the different patterned scarves helps the child see what is happening to each strand. If all the strands are the same, it's hard to keep your place.

Middle practiced all week and was so pleased to finally know how to braid.

Motor Development: Scrubbing the Sink

Little Kid blew flour all over Grammy's bathroom when I wasn't looking. So, he learned to scrub a sink.

This routine is a mixture of fun, responsibility, fine and gross motor skills, and practical living. It's beautiful. It's all kinds of pinching, squeezing, grasping, and twisting practice. Great for kids with trunk weakness, low grip strength, or writing motor skill struggles. Develops those growing hand and arm muscles in a sneaky, somewhat fun way. (Well, fun the first time or two.)

Materials needed: sink, small grater, bar of soap, handbeater, towel for drying

1. Have child grate soap on the counter. (See above)

2. Have child brush flakes into sink of warm water and use hand beater to get the suds going.

3. Soak and squeeze a sponge until it's bubbly.

4. Scrub counter in little circles, moving left to right, top to bottom. (This is obviously not 100% necessary, but the more you can sneak this in on little kids, the easier math and reading are later.)

5. Drain sink. Rinse sponge. Wipe down to remove suds.

6. Repeat until not longer soapy.

7. Dry with a towel and put away supplies.

Sometimes little kids want to "practice" big people skills. If you're little person thinks of scrubbing as a big person thing, he might want to do it a few times in a row. Remember that the clean sink isn't the goal. It's all that motor practice and self-esteem building that comes from mastering a "grown up" skill. So be sure to allow them to repeat the whole process as many times as they like.

*Note: If you don't have a handbeater and grater, you may, of course, show them how to put a drop of soap on the counter, however, you miss out on all that lovely motor work that comes from the grating and beating.

Motor Development: Hammering

This center seems dangerous, until you learn the clothes pin trick!  My five year old LOVES it.

Materials Needed: small-ish hammer, nails, Dollar tree tray, construction paper or foam liner, small tin to hold nails, stump, clothes pin.

Set-up and Presentation:

1.  Call child over and tell him you have something (awesome) to show him.
2.  Carefully choose one nail from the tin and place it in the clothes pin.  I use the end, but my five year old likes to place it in the mini-hole close to the spring as seen below.

3.  Place nail on stump, show child how to grip hammer, and start the nail into the wood.
4.  Remove clothes pin (placing it back in tray) and hammer in the rest of the way.
5.  Observe child's first attempt to set nail with clothes pin and correct (for safety.)

Notes:  If you have more than one child, you may need to let them know how many nails they can each have.  Otherwise, first child may use all the nails.

Variations:  On the second presentation, show child how to remove nails as well and place in another tin.  These nails will likely no longer be useful for hammering due to warping.

Motor Development: Sifting

Materials needed: Three bowls, flour, scoop, sifter, dollar store boot tray.

How to:

1. Show child step by step how to place the sifter in the small bowl and fill it by scooping flour from the large bowl.

2. Show her then how to carefully move it to the large bowl and sift.

3. Show child how to place sifter back in small bowl and pour contents of medium bowl back into the big bowl.

(If you are a really clean-type person, this may be a bath tub or back porch activity.)

Motor Development and Sorting: Tweezing

Materials Needed: Dollar Tree cookie tray, Dollar Tree set of ramekins, Dollar Tree tweezers, three sets of Dollar Tree erasers, mini load pan, one sheet of construction paper or foam as a liner

How to:

1. Demonstrate how to hold tweezers.

2. Demonstrate how to use tweezers to grasp erasers and place them into separate bowls.

3. Show child how to return all erasers to the load pan when finished.

Notes: I'm not into seasonal activities, so since they only see this activity every 4-6 weeks, I use these objects year round.

Motor Development and Grading: Key Locks

This activity is an entertainment center for my kids while I work with one in the other room. I have three locks and three keys. If they grade the locks according to size and grade the keys the same way, the locks will open.

This is one of the most expensive centers if you don't have unused locks lying around the house. If you must buy them, like I did, get identical looking locks and the prettiest ones you can stand to buy. The more attractive an activity, the more likely the kids will gravitate to it.

This activity works on gross motor, fine motor, grading (math skill), orderly problem solving, and teaches a practical skill. It's one of Little's favorite. And anything that sneaks in those foundational math skills is fine with me.

Materials Needed: three or more identical key locks, Dollar Tree tray, construction or foam liner for tray.

How to:

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

2. Pick up each lock and examine it, placing it in order of size on the tray.

3. Do the same with the keys.

4. Try the keys in the corresponding locks and see if they open.

5. Remove keys, close locks, and mix them up on the tray.