transferring beans

These beans reminded me of TicTacs. So I thought I'd set out my empty container for a transferring activity. 

I poured all the beans into the cup because I wasn't sure how many he'd want to do. Apparently it was too much, or the container I put them in was too tight because he dumped them on the tray either in frustration or for better access, I'm not sure. He hasn't been interested in doing this activity again, so I think it was a bit too much (though he put about 10 beans in). 

The end!

the power of absorbtion (or using a sponge)!

I got this idea from Melissa from Chasing Cheerios (I  love her blog,  J and I will be trying out many of her activities).

I set up a tray, a sponge, and a salt shaker of water. I showed J how to sprinkle the water onto the tray and how to wipe it up with the sponge. He was very engaged in this activity wiping and sprinkling over and over.

Ah, sweet sweet concentration! I actually managed to unload and load the dishwasher! 

The end! 

transferring pom poms

J loves these Montessori-type activities. I think most children do.

I set him up with a tray, some tongs, a bowl of pom poms and an egg tray. He did the rest! 

The end! 

pennies in a bunny bank

I love these Montessori type activities because they work on fine motor and build concentration. Initially I had 10 pennies on the tray. But he burned through them and banked about 15 more.

Please note, pennies,as with all small objects, are choking hazards. I have worked long and hard with J about what kinds of things he can taste and what kinds of things he cannot put in his mouth. If he doesn't know he will look to me for guidance. Still, whenever J works with small objects such as these I keep careful watch over him and the objects he is using.The end!

spooning chick peas

J had a good time with this Montessori-type activity, using the spoon to transfer chick peas from one container to another. He worked for about 10 minutes, and the bottle didn't seem to get in the way! He knows not to put the chick peas in his mouth (they are choking hazards).

Of course, this activity ended like this:

The end!

beans and funnels

I set two containers on J's high chair/work station. One contained dried garbanzo beans and the other contained a funnel. Garbanzo beans (like anything you put in your mouth) could be considered choking hazards. I made sure he knew they were not for eating (or tasting) and obviously supervised throughout. 

This activity would have worked without the funnel, too, but I felt it would be enticing. I was going to use one of my husbands empty sports drink bottles which had a thinner opening at the top but it was a little wet inside from washing so I used a mayo container instead.

After J dug his hands in the beans to get that initial sensory experience I showed him he could drop the beans into the funnel:

He quickly got down to business:

He had to stand up and lift off the funnel to get a really good look at what was happening (the beans were coming out of the bottom of the funnel and into the container). 

Until finally with a squeal of delight he picked up the containers and threw them onto the floor. Ah, children. So predictable. He then got down and helped me put them all back in. Then tossed them back out. Then helped me put them back in again, etc. etc.

The end!