Santino creates his own sensory activity: salt and pepper

According to the Montessori Method, it is important to observe and follow child's interests in order to create beneficial activities for him. I've noticed a while ago, that water is Santino's number one choice of sensory experience. Today Santino clearly pointed at the salt and pepper shakers and I gave them to him.

St.Valentines for a Toddler: sensory box and a little bit of science

I arranged a little sensory experience for Santino. Basically, I used the chocolate rice from before and added some heart candies from the dollar store. I didn't tell Santino, that those were candies and, luckily, he didn't try to eat them. These candies came with a plastic cup, which worked great for playing.

A Cardboard Fire Truck

Oh, what joy! Another fire truck, only there is Santino in this one! He couldn't keep his hands off and played with it until until it was ripped into pieces. Am I upset about this? Not at all! I am happy that he loved my craft so much!

A fountain: water, plastic bottle and balloon

This experimant was such a fun experience for Santino! Oh, he loved watching the water flow from the straw, he loved how the balloon got smaller when the air escaped, and how the straw produced funny spitting noises as the water level would get too low. He couldn't get enough and continued with it in the bath.

Toddler art: St. Valentines 3D poster

Here is a beautiful St.Valentines poster me and Santino made with a large sheet of construction paper, a few tissue sheets, masking tape and glue.

A view from my world: Chocolate Rice and Dinosaurs

Sensory play: Chocolate Rice

St. Valentines day is approaching fast, and here is a fun sensory activity that engages not only your child's sense of touch, but also smell. And who doesn't love the sweet smell of chocolate?

Some DIY activities in preparation for writing

Santino was introduced to a few new exercises yesterday and today: matching and recognizing shapes and letters. He also showed a tremendous progress in managing playdough!

The View From My World. II

More photo experiments by Santino (2 year old.)

/The first one here/

Finger painting, dinosaur footprinting and playdough 3D art

While exploring all these fun sensory activities, we had put art aside for a little while. Now I started encouraging Santino to do more art, and to do it every day.

 

A Cardboard parking lot!

Here is a fun use of cardboard box I've been saving for a while now. I loved making this fun toy parking lot for my little Pipidinko. Hope he will enjoy it tomorrow first thing when he wakes up.

A fun little experiment with shaving cream and color

It was supposed to be a quiet activity to keep Santino occupied in his high chair while I am cleaning up after dinner. I got a jar and filled it with water, added a few squirts of shaving cream on top. I then gave Santino 2 little plates with different colors and a spoon.

Playing With the Coffee Grinds

 Here's a messy activity for your toddler! So much fun! I collected coffee grinds for several days, then put them in a tub, added dinosaurs and trucks, and a little water. Santino enjoyed this one for about 40 minutes.

Happy Birthday Babushka and Merry Ukrainian Christmas!

Today, January 7th Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, a beautiful holiday, that comes after the New Years. We also celebrate birthday of Santino's babushka Tanya, who lives in Ukraine.

Cloud Dough and Golf Pins

This was a fun fun morning for Santino! He didn't mold the cloud dough into shapes, but oh my, did he ever love playing with the flour. We also utilized my little prize from a Christmas cracker - little plastic golf pins (well, at least that's what I think they are).

Flour and water is fun for a toddler!

I took out some flour, added water and a little bit of food coloring, and had my 2 year old son playing with this for three quarters of an hour!

Fine motor skills. Playing with tongs.

Santino's favorite utensil actually has a much greater purpose, other then just distracting him when I'm washing dishes or cooking. Tongs help children to work on the grip of their hands and fingers, preparing them for writing.

Welcome 2013 and a Cardboard Calendar

Here it is! It arrived, the New Year, 2013!