Age: From 2.5 years old
Activity Duration: 5-10 minutes
Objectives:
1. To train fine motor skills to swipe into a designated area.
2. To teach shape.
3. To teach the concept of inside and outside of the line.
Materials:
1. 1 small brush
2. 1 small dustpan
3. 1 small container of oatmeal
4. 1 tray taped and drawn with a rectangle in the middle
Directions:
1. Pour the oatmeal on the tray randomly outside of the rectangle.
2. Show your child how to sweep the oatmeal into the middle and say "all the oatmeal is now inside the rectangle.
3. Show your child how to sweep the oatmeal inside the rectangle into the dustpan.
4. Repeat by pouring the oatmeal on the tray again and ask your child to try to sweep it into the middle.
Tips:
1. You can also tape a circle or triangle shape in the middle for variety.
Additional Information:
Before introducing the Toddler's Cleaning Kit, it is good to first let the toddler try this sweeping activity. J (2Y5M8D) can't sweep the oatmeal into the rectangle yet. He swept it all over the tray, and sometimes on the floor. But I told him that he should try to swipe within the tray. He then tried to sweep the oatmeal into the dustpan, which he did pretty well.
