science

Super Spider!

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A most favorite activity is this pipe cleaner spider. It is super duper simple, but my kiddos absolutely love it!

All you need are four long pipe cleaners (chenille wires) and one short one.

First, take the short one, make a loop and twist it so that it holds. Then, at about half way, twist together pairs of the long pipe cleaners. Have your child do the twisting for fine motor development.

Place the loop on the legs and twist to secure

Once all body parts are secure, shape them into a spider. This one is similar to the grand-daddy long legs that we see frequently in our neck-of-the-woods.

There are many creative and educational options. The spider can be any color. It can have short or long legs. The body can be larger or smaller. It can be associated with a science lesson on spiders by researching and discussing their habitat, webs, and food. Are You a Spider? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries is a simple non-fiction read for young children that describes basic characteristics of spiders. Reading the Very Busy Spider is another delightful literacy connection.

Making the spider is just a fraction of the fun. The real fun is playing with it. It can be formed it into various shapes. Children can engage in pretend play by having it climb onto furniture, up the curtains, onto cabinets, and around table legs. They love having it climb up there arms and onto their head. Scaring their mother is the best!

Have fun together!

This activity has been linked to NurtureStore and Red Ted’s Art Blog!!!!

A Cup of Spring: Planting seeds for Spring!

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This seed planting activity is dedicated to those in the USA who are under a blizzard warning and anyone else who is tired of having snow on the ground. Spring will come and this little guy is here to encourage you until its arrival.

You need:

grass seed (or seeds of your choice)

soil, water, a clear container, foam shapes, wiggly eyes are optional but fun.

Decorate your cup (before you put dirt in it!) with shapes. I had extra plastic punch cups from a party, but any clear plastic container will work. We used foam shapes to make eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Younger children will likely place shapes wherever they like and that is great! I used glue dots from the scrap-booking aisle from Walmart. They are very sticky, but safer than a glue gun and great for fine motor for older preschoolers.

Now…pour some dirt into the cup.

Sprinkle on the seeds.

Your child can use a spray bottle or pour some water onto the seeds depending on what skill you would like for them to learn. Talk about what plants need to grow: soil, sunlight, and water. It takes about 7 days for the seeds to sprout. Then…

Watch them grow! This is why I love a clear cup. You can see the roots. 🙂

As they grow you can describe how roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil.

Such a beautiful green in a very monochromatic time of year.

Once the ‘hair’ has grown on your friend, give it a hair cut. Great for scissor skills!

There are so many skills that can be incorporated into this activity: science, life cycle, the responsibility of caring for a plant, fine motor, attention to task, color, shapes, and patience…

I wish you could smell that fresh cut grass. Summertime!!!!!

The “Small Seed” is my favorite book that describes planting seeds. It has texture, a fold out sunflower, and a simple text for toddlers and younger preschoolers. It describes what elements are needed to grow a flower in basic terms. I use it nearly every spring.

“In the Garden” is printed on 98% recycled materials. It describes where fruits and vegetables grow. The back cover has recipes, planting tips, and instructions to grow cherry tomatoes. It is a very good little book on gardening.

You can purchase these books at Amazon:

My grandmother loved to garden and see things grow. She found it amazing that you can plant a simple seed in black dirt and have something wonderful come from it. It’s a wonder!

Have fun planting seeds together!

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This has been linked to

NurtureStore’s Play Academy!

Science Sunday

Red Ted Art

For the birds!

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Is it cold and snowy where you live? If so, this winter post is for you:

It is another snow day! Seven inches. 13 degrees. I know that isn’t much snow nor is it very cold for some parts of the world. But in our neck of the woods, school has been canceled. Making a bird feeder is perfect way to pass the time on a snowy day.

To make a bird feeder take a quick look around the kitchen and see what you have on hand. This is what I found at our house:

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