Fine Motor Activities::St.Patrick's Day Themed Lesson::Slotted Can with Shamrocks

This video continues the series of fine motor activity videos we are starting.  Fine motor activities are extremely important with preschool age children.  Such important functions such as writing, cutting, and more require the coordination and a certain amount of strength in the small muscles of the hands and fingers.  In addition, fine motor activities require intention and concentration.  In particular, using lessons that require passing objects through a slot works on developing wrist movement as the child tries to orient it into the container as well as serving as a practice for hand eye coordination. In this video I used a three finger grip which was encouraged by the Montessori school I worked previously.  This lesson can easily be adapted for other themes/seasons by changing the shape/type of the objects being used to put into the can.  In addition instead of using a baby formula can, I have seen other educators use chip cans as well.  I also laminated the shamrocks for added durability with my two year old class.

Materials:
-can
-scissors
-cut out objects (shamrocks)


Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process:

Preschool Table Top Activities :: Winter Snowflake Sorting

One last winter lesson before we welcome spring in the next few weeks.  This is a sorting lesson using plastic cups and plastic snowflakes that can easily be found in stores such as Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Michael's.  The snowflakes can be switched out for other seasonal items you think of.  Stickers or cut out items work just as well.

Sorting is an important activity that begins in the preschool years.  Activities such as these can encourage young children to recognize things that are the same and different building the skills for classification.

This lesson can be appropriate for children as young as two.  I am currently a two year old teacher and even my youngest students can accomplish this once I have worked with them for a couple weeks.  If you wish to make the activity easier start with two different types of items to sort.

Materials Needed:
-plastic cups
-seasonal items for sorting
-hot glue or tape to place an example on the front or bottom of the cup

Preparation:
The only preparation for this lesson would be to either glue or tape an example of which item goes in each cup if you wish.


Our YouTube Video demonstrating the process: