Little Kid Activities

Dearest Guide,

The 3 R's are great for the older kids, but what can you suggest for my little guy, nearly 3, who loved his Montessori classroom so much and was so satisfied by his work there?  What can we do to help him feed his little soul, mind and body here at home?

Signed, Doting Mom

Dear Doting,

Hooray for our little guys, right?  I hope he is having a great time at his home.   Here are some  ideas your special fella may enjoy:

* Trim the grass at the edges with a pair of blunt children's scissors.
* Sidewalk chalk
* Wash the sidewalk with a bucket and scrub brush.
* "Paint" a fence, deck or house with a housepainter's brush and a bucket of water to dip it in.
* Bubbles
* Tub toys outdoors in a big tub of water, such as a storage bin.  A child can easily drown in such a tub.  This must be continuously supervised.
* Dig in the dirt.
* Move a stack of firewood or heavy rocks from one area to another.  Use a STURDY bucket, little wheelbarrow or gloved hands alone.
* Wipe the baseboards with a damp rag.
* Make pinecone birdfeeders with peanut butter and sunflower seeds.  Wash your hands afterwards.
* Scrub the birdbath.  Wash your hands afterwards.
* Make musical instruments by putting gravel in one cottage cheese container and rice in another.  Hear the difference?
* Find all the squares he can in his home.  Say "square" each time.  Now do the rectangles.
* Wash bikes, trikes, scooters and car wheels with a bucket, scrub brush, bar of soap and sponge.
* Play "Run and Touch."  Say, "Run and touch something shiny" "something wet" "something heavy" "something round"  "something near."  Great way to learn adjectives and get your heart rate up!
* Play "The Preposition Game." Say, "Stand next to Dad."  "Sit in front of the fireplace."  "Run around the shed."  "Get behind the sofa."  Prepositions are the words that tell us where things are in relation  to other things.
* Cut out pictures from old magazines together.
* Invite him to "sort" those pictures.  I wonder what categories he will dream up?
* String macaroni. It's a necklace!  Glue it on a carton of Stash tea. It's a jewelery box!  Cook it.  It's dinner!

Gentle Parent, I hope this list provides some fodder for your whole child: mind, body and spirit. Thank you for writing as I'm sure others are glancing about for potential activities for their wee ones as well.  Wishing you and your little tyke many hours of enjoyment, I remain,

Your Guide,
Doni