Bubble Wrap Runway
Area: Gross Motor
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 7-12 Months, 13-18 Months
Description:
Cut long pieces of bubble wrap (about 1 foot wide), and tape into a runway-like strip in your home. The baby can crawl (or even walk) on the “runway”. The bubbles will pop as they crawl (or walk) over the area. This will provide them motivation to move, and feel safe and comfortable doing so. Make sure the runway is away from any obstacles they would encounter. The child could even practice crawling/walking forwards as well as backwards. The crawling would promote hip rotation which would assist in smooth walking development.
Needed Materials:
bubble wrap, painters tape
Bubble Wrap Stomp
Area: Gross Motor
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 25-30 Months, 31-36 Months
Description:
This is a very simple activity—put bubble wrap (either from a package or store bought) on the floor and have your child walk, jump, stomp, or hop on it for auditory feedback. They will soon figure out the higher they get and harder they stomp, the better the results. Hold their hand and jump with them if they are hesitant. If they are sensitive to loud sounds, show how you can pop just one with your hands and slowly build up to more bubbles at a time.
Needed Materials:
bubble wrap
Bubbles
Area: Gross Motor, Sensory, Fine Motor
Daily Routine: Playtime, Bathtime
Developmental Age Range: 1-6 Months, 7-12 Months, 13-18 Months, 19-24 Months, 25-30 Months, 31-36 Months
Description:
Bubbles can be used for a variety of activities and can be adjusted depending on the age.
• Blow the bubbles with the wand to have the child catch them.
• The child can catch/pop them in different ways such as clapping, poking, stomping, or pinching them.
• They can also view/catch/pop them in a variety of positions such as during bath-time, tummy time, on their back, crawling on them, balancing on one foot, while hopping, or while kneeling.
• To adapt the environment, use a high contrast cloth (such as a black piece of fabric) and shine a light on the bubbles as they float through the air.
Needed Materials:
Bottle of bubbles with wand
http://eiviprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/fun-ways-outdoors-baby-bubbles-950×1152-150×150.jpg
Bug Hunting Sensory Bin
Area: Fine Motor, Communication, Math/Science
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 13-18 Months, 19-24 Months, 25-30 Months, 31-36 Months
Description:
Put grass mat or fake grass in the bottom of a bin. Sprinkle bugs over the grass. Provide colored cups and tongs or tweezers for the bugs to help build the students pincer grasp and assist with sorting the bugs.
Needed Materials:
Fake grass inside of a bin, colored plastic bugs with matching colored cups, tweezers for younger students but move to the pure pincher grasp as they get better and build up strength.
Building Dexterity
Area: Sensory, Fine Motor
Daily Routine: Mealtime, Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 7-12 Months
Description:
To refine the child’s fine motor skills provide them with a variety of containers of all sizes that are easily manipulated. During this time you could hide a motivating item inside the container whether that is food, or a toy such as a puzzle piece. The child can also stack the containers and use them as blocks. Through this activity the child is able to practice using pincer grasp, finger isolating tracking by feeling the raised line of the lid.
Needed Materials:
Containers of all sizes and can be easily manipulated