PLAY is our favourite four letter word!

Motor development games

Materials

• Coloured patty case holders
• Muffin tray
• Multi-purpose sponge cloths
• Mini tongs
• Paper cups
• Tennis balls
• Buckets

Method

These simple games support fine motor and gross motor development through matching, sorting, throwing and rolling.

1. Place coloured patty pans into a muffin tray. Invite your child to use mini tongs to match the cut-up sponge pieces to the same colours.

2. Set up a bucket toss and throw tennis balls into the bucket.

3. Line up paper cups and roll tennis balls to knock them over. Count how many fall and take turns.

Learning Outcomes: Matching and sorting to build early maths skills, Fine motor and hand-eye coordination, Gross motor skills, building muscle strength and coordination, Independence and confidence.

Rice cake creations

Ingredients

• Plain rice cakes
• Fruit for decorating: banana, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, apple and pear
• Vegetables for decorating: cucumber, carrot, capsicum and cherry tomatoes
• Healthy spreads: hummus, plain yoghurt, mashed avocado and ricotta cheese

Method

Children can have fun creating rice cake people and animals while exploring healthy foods, colours, shapes and design ideas.

1 Choose a rice cake and spread with your choice of healthy topping.

2 Add fruit and vegetables to create a person or animal face.

3 Talk about the colours, shapes and features in your design, then enjoy eating it together.

Learning Outcomes: Fine motor and hand-eye coordination, Creativity and imagination, Thinking and problem solving, Early scientific and mathematical thinking

Treasure baskets 

Materials

• Basket or bag
• Shower puff, sponges and microfibre cloths
• Nail brushes, brushes and combs
• Pumice stone, loofah and exfoliating glove
• Wooden spoons and spatulas
• Whisks, measuring cups and measuring spoons

Method

Treasure baskets and bags invite babies and toddlers to explore safe everyday objects through touch, movement and curiosity.

1 Gather a basket or bag and add a small range of clean, safe objects with different textures, shapes and weights.

2 Sit with your child as they reach, hold, shake and explore. Talk about what they notice and rotate items to keep interest fresh.

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive development and problem-solving, Language and early communication skills, Social and emotional development

Gluten-free play dough

Materials

• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable/rice bran oil
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• Food colouring (optional)

Method

1 Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

2 Mix the food colouring into the hot water, then pour the liquid and the oil into the dry bowl.

3 Stir vigorously until it forms a dough, let it cool for a minute, and knead until smooth.

Adult supervision required when using hot water.

Learning Outcomes: Early maths and measurement, Sensory awareness and exploration, Creativity and imagination, Fine motor strength and coordination

DIY paint brushes

Materials

• Clothes pegs
• Scissors, paint, paper, paper plates

•  Supermarket based items to create paint brushes: cotton balls, sponges, scrunched up foil, loofah, wool, cupcake liners, cotton tips, wool, cooking twine, pom poms. 
• Nature: leaves, twigs and feathers

Method

1 Gather your materials and cut larger materials down to size. We cut strips of the fabric and foam to fold into brushes.

2 Use the clothes pegs to clip in.

Learning Outcomes: Fine motor and hand-eye coordination, Autonomy and confidence, Scientific inquiry