One of the easiest “home-made” toddler activities for high-chair time is pasta play. Raid the pantry for some interesting pasta shapes and gather a bunch of little containers of different varieties and you’re done. While most toddlers will have the self-control not to put the pasta in their mouths, keep an eye on them simply because of the choking hazard it could pose. As far as them having a bit of a chew though, there’s really no problem – it is just pasta!
If you start simply, changing materials as interest wanes, there are unending ways to extend this kind of play. Some ideas are:
- a cup of pasta and cake tin to tip it into. (Tipping out and refilling a cup is surprisingly absorbing for a toddler and a good introduction to dry pouring.) The tin also makes a satisfying sound as the pasta is poured.
- a cup of pasta, cake tin and scoop. The child now learns how to scoop the pasta back into the cup from the tin.
- a container of pasta and a second container to transfer it into. Transferring is another practical life skill that develops fine motor control. Vary this by changing the kid of tool used for the transfer (spoons, scoops, tongs, ladles etc.)
- a jug and something to pour into.
- a variety of different sized containers
- glass containers (It is interesting for the child to be able to see the container filling up from the outside.) Think about the floor underneath – glass and tiles do not mix!
- add a teddy with a plate and spoon
Filed under: Routine and daily activities: structuring your child's day, Toddlers and babies | Tagged: concentration, highchair activities, play, routine, schedules, toddlers, toys, training |
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