Learning through Play

I have been very slack of late but hey it's my blog and I will take a hiatus if I want to : ) 

This blog, I have dedicated to play ideas for my little man who is almost 9 month and starting to pull to stand. He is so curious and wants to touch , taste and explore everything, especially the power points ( future electrician like his Dadda).  I've found myself searching the old mind (and google) for play experiences and ideas to encourage this beautiful curiosity.

I’ve found a heap of blogs and websites with literally THOUSANDS of ideas to try out. Its not that you have to do it every day, but he really enjoys exploring AND it's fun :) 

I like providing him with activities and experiences that don’t cost a fortune and are natural or upcycled.  


Of course with everything you need to watch your bubbas..SAFETY first. If it can fit in a film canister...its too small. With all things nature, ensure the plants are not poisonous. If unsure don’t touch... coz the second you look away it will end up in the mouth!

Be sensitive to the stage your baby is in. Logan is experiencing a bit of separation anxiety (mixed with teething). He prefers to explore new things with his Mumma by his side to “touch base” with every once in awhile.  

Also, little changes are good. Big changes can be bad. Keep a few favourite toys around for comfort and consistency. Imagine if someone changed your whole house around while you were sleeping ? 
With that done...have fun Mumma’s : )

  Zones for fun

Try packing away some of their toys and just placing 6-8 out. Group them together eg. Balls all together, blocks in a bucket, soft toys in a basket.

Its amazing how they take the time to explore each individual grouping going from group to group.

I have also set up the bottom shelf of my bookshelf for Logan with his books displayed. Sometimes I stand them all up or stack them flat. Of course it has cushions to snuggle on and have stories together.

Now the man is pulling up on the furniture I have also added a small lamp table to the lounge room where I put things of interest on top. At the moment, I have my vase of Valentines Day sunflowers. I wouldn't leave him alone with them (!!!) but when he points to them and I hold the vase for him to smell and touch. Its amazing how gentle he can be and how amazed he is at the texture of the petals and the spiky stems.

Magic bottles

Recycle your old soft drink or water bottles . You can fill them with anything you can fit through the hole. This week I did googly craft eyes and sequins and a really cool nature bottle using leaves from the fern outside. Other ideas

-Rice..coloured or plain makes a great shaker

-Pasta shapes

-Dirt and a plastic toy which gets buried and rediscovered when turned

-Leaves, grass, flowers

-Hair gel and marbles

-Water coloured with food colouring and oil

-Water and dish washing liquid

-Sand and shells

-Bells, buttons, pom poms

-Pegs

-Glitter

-Sensory bottles. Drill holes in lid and put a few drops of oils such as strawberry, orange, vanilla on a cotton pad for kiddles to sniff.

 Here's the link to a great website with lots of fun ideas to try out!

http://pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com.au/search/label/disovery%20bottles

Discovery Baskets

I made a discovery basket for Logan this week and he LOVED it. Firstly I cleared away his regular toys into his toy box, except a few favourites for continuity. I then placed the basket on the floor and sat with him while he discovered his treasure.

In his discovery basket I put:

-Balls of wool in different colours and texture

-Woven fabric circles, (which i am making into a rug when i have more time to spare!)

-Plastic cup with wooden and plastic pegs inside

-Tissue Box with scarves inside

You can make a discovery basket with just about anything some ideas...

-Kitchen stuff...pots, wooden spoon, whisk, spoons, Tupperware, lids in a container

-Beach theme- shells, sand in bottles, fish toys

-Nature- rocks and pebbles, bottles filled with dirt, leaves

-Music- shakers, drums using old ice cream containers,  sticks to tap, maracas

The idea is to encourage the bubs to explore using their senses and believe me this will keep them occupied for AGES : )

This is a Montessori website. I don't necessarily agree with everything they advocate, but I take some great ideas and inspiration from this really interesting blog...

www.howwemontessori.typepad.com

 Boxes

Tissue boxes are great for hiding treasure in such as scarves (buy from Salvo’s or Vinnies. Scarves are also great for sensory play and  peekaboo!), pegs or use for posting. Logan is starting to like posting things in holes so its a great opportunity to bring out the shape sorter or simple cover some cardboard ( you can use photos or envelopes whatever is around with clear contact (because it will last longer and not be easily eaten). Cut a hole in a shoe box or use tissue box and bubs can post away. Logan likes to put wooden blocks in the tissue box and shake it to make noises.

Big boxes make for great climbing and also tunnels as well as for putting in stuffed toys or whatever they can! Boxes can be cars, trains, rocket ships, boats. Look up some silly songs and incorporate them into play!

http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-rhymes.htm

  

Hope this provides some inspiration to keep those precious minds busy... messy play will be next : ) 

x Mumma K x