While I was doing some work in the sewing room, Clara started playing with a pile of buttons.
I added two empty yogurt containers and a pair of tweezers, and she had some impromptu Montessori-inspired fun!!
This was a super-simple activity of just transferring the buttons one at a time, from one container to the other using the tweezers. It kept her happily occupied for more than 20 minutes — a long while in toddler time!!
Once all the buttons were transferred, she would pour them into the other container and start all over again!
My favorite part was hearing her say “Ta Da!!!” — she was quite proud of herself! For a more simpler version, have your child try transferring cotton balls from one bowl to another using a pair of tongs. It’s a great workout for those developing (and very important) pincher-grasp muscles!
Have fun!!
November 16th, 2010 on 9:11 pm
I love this, I have a post coming soon on practical life. It’s my favorite area of the classroom!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:25 pm
Fun! Looking forward to reading it!!
November 16th, 2010 on 9:43 pm
She’s getting so big! What a fun and simple activity!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:25 pm
It kept her entertained for a long time!
November 16th, 2010 on 10:01 pm
I love how the simplest of things make the best toys or games. Who doesn’t love sorting through and playing with buttons?
November 24th, 2010 on 11:25 pm
That is SO true!!
November 16th, 2010 on 10:14 pm
What a great activity and 20 minutes! that is great!!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:26 pm
It’s a great quiet-time activity. I’m planning to pull it out again whenever I need a few minutes of quiet…. I hope it works just as well!
November 16th, 2010 on 10:32 pm
So cute.
Now I have to go eat some Oikos Greek yogurt with caramel!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:27 pm
I know!!!! Seriously, I will take any excuse to eat that stuff!
November 16th, 2010 on 10:41 pm
I think my favorite part is how she dumped them back in the first container instead of transferring them back. :>) Thanks for the pigtails! She looks so much like her big sis in them!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:27 pm
LOL I don’t know why she insisted on doing it that way, but as long as she was enjoying herself, it’s okay with me!
November 17th, 2010 on 6:10 am
Super cute! Those ponytails get me ever time!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:28 pm
Awww… thanks, Brooke! xoxo
November 17th, 2010 on 7:32 am
She is too cute!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:28 pm
Thanks, Sofia! I can’t believe how big she’s getting…
November 17th, 2010 on 8:12 am
I think the spontaneous Montessori activities are the best ones!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:28 pm
They really are!!!
November 17th, 2010 on 10:08 am
Those seem to be the only Montessori type activities that occur in my house. If I plan it, they sure don’t work well.
November 24th, 2010 on 11:29 pm
Why is that??? It’s so frustrating sometimes. I’m so grateful she comes up with her own little things to do. It’s fun to watch!
November 17th, 2010 on 1:03 pm
I loved this idea and sent it along to two of my daughters. Another take on this is to slip old fashioned clothes pins around the side of a bread pan. The idea is to take the clothes pins off, drop them into the pan and then reposition them along the edge of the pan. A very fun and toddler friendly activity. Especially good while the toddler is sitting in the middle of the floor while mom is cooking or helping those dish fairies! clean up.
November 24th, 2010 on 11:29 pm
Oh, great idea!! I’ll give it a try, and thanks so much for passing it along to your daughters!! xoxo
November 17th, 2010 on 6:11 pm
Thanks for the fairy princess idea… this will make cleaning a breeze….
Looking forward to see other frugal family fun ideas
Sincerely,
Jeanne
November 24th, 2010 on 11:30 pm
ROFL! You’re welcome!
November 17th, 2010 on 11:35 pm
Who would have thought it would be so much fun.
What a simple idea.
November 24th, 2010 on 11:30 pm
I think we’ll turn it into a sorting activity soon, so she can sort buttons of different colors… I think she’s up for it!
November 18th, 2010 on 2:29 pm
Cute! My 20mo old like to do this with water from one bowl to the other…messier though!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:31 pm
Oh, yes, that’s always a hit at our house too!! Fun!
November 18th, 2010 on 4:07 pm
I love how a simple project can keep a little one entertained for hours!
November 24th, 2010 on 11:31 pm
Me too! It’s the best!!
December 7th, 2010 on 1:49 pm
Hi Valerie! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas with our Carnival of Junk Play. This is the perfect illustration of child-led fun – and just shows how we have all sorts of ‘toys’ around the home if we let children explore a little.