Fine motor activities truly are fantastic for little ones. Fine motor activities strengthen little hands and muscles, build hand-eye coordination, dexterity, support the development of a proper pencil grip and strengthen little hands for future writing. Fantastic indeed! What is even more fantastic is how easy they are to come by. Fine motor activities are…
Christmas Ornaments to Make with Kids
I must say, even though I know it is early for most, we are totally into the Christmas spirit over here! Garlands are hung, lights are lit, and that woodstove is burning strong day and night. Last year, my boys had so much fun making Christmas ornaments. So much so, in fact, when we were…
A Pretty Winter Lantern Craft
You know when you have an idea for a craft that you think will turn out super cute and then, well, it doesn’t? I bring you, my lantern craft. Actually, it still turned out pretty, just not as I had intended. But I’m jumping ahead a little. We have been invited to participate in a…
Stump and Nails Geoboard
I am always, always cold. I also hardly ever, ever wear socks. The combination of these two competing forces means that come winter we best have a lot of firewood. The conversation about how much firewood we should have always goes something like this: “I think 6 cords really would be enough. The neighbours have…
A Painter’s Tape Road (again)
Guess what? I just published my 500th post. 500 posts about playful ways to get those little ones learning – and a few about my chickens. Turns out I have a lot to say – but there are some ideas that simply keep reappearing again and again in this space. Quiet Bins, obviously, but also…
Wrapping It Up
Turns out all 3 of my little ones are gift givers. And with a big birthday only 18 days away, the crafts are turning into birthday surprises. While I cannot believe my baby is going to be 4, I can believe that we are counting down already. I have mentioned before that birthdays are big…
DIY Wooden Building Blocks
Today I am bringing you a fabulous DIY. Well, actually it’s not me who’s bringing it so to speak, but it is completely fabulous. A friend of mine made me these incredible DIY building blocks and today she is bringing us all the tutorial. This means in no time at all we will all be…
A Puppet-Making Quiet Bin
A Quiet Bin idea on Friday. (To add to the ideas in my book A Year of Educational Quiet Bins) Here is the newest Quiet Bin we have added to the rotation this week. And it is a really big hit. Some popsicle sticks, pipecleaners cut in half, a few beads, and a pencil. Oh…
Friendship Flowers
Sometimes I think about sharing something in this space and decide against it as I feel it too simple. But tonight, as I was about to write a different post, I gave my head a good shake. Too simple? Is that even a thing when your a Mama? No, I think this idea might just…
A Learning-Filled Scavenger Hunt!
Do you know what makes me really happy? Well, lots of things actually. But one of those things? When I find a fun-filled activity that my boys love and it is also full of learning. Really good learning too – vocabulary, math, fine and gross motor development – all the good stuff! I am so…