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Jessica Peramo

CHILD-DIRECTED LEARNING: PROOF THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE IN CONTROL TO WIN

Sometimes I’ll fill a spot in our day with a familiar but educational activity that the kids haven’t yet mastered. Patterns are hard for them (completely normal for 3-year-olds), so I like to increase their exposure and opportunities. I pulled out the buttons and pattern mats, and B stared lacing in the most intricate way I have EVER seen her try AND be successful at it…

QUICK AND EASY DIY SLIME!

While so many things can be bought at the store, it’s such a cool experience 😎 to make it yourself at home. 🏡 Slime is something we started experimenting with a few months ago, and last night Bianca requested we make a pink batch, so we did. Even my mom was fascinated, because you know, at the core of it all, it’s science. 🧪 MATERIALS:• 5 oz clear glue• 1/4…

ICE CUBE 🧊 COLORING 🎨

In case you were as skeptical as @moorethanhappy and I that this would actually work, here’s proof. 😋 Just drop a dab of food coloring in an ice 🧊 tray overnight and when you wake up in the morning ☀️, you’ll have a water color 🎨 sensory experience ready to go. We used the letter C worksheet 📝 provided by @experiencecurriculum , but really you could have used anything, including blank paper, white coffee…

DIY NAME RECOGNITION PUZZLES 🧩

Before anyone can read and write, there are a whole lot of skills that need to be front loaded. Letter and name recognition are just 2 of them, and this simple DIY activity takes no time to make while still being really valuable. MATERIALS:• Markers• Paper• Ruler• Scissors ✂️ H chose to place the letters under his name while matching them, while B placed hers on top. This is a great…

PAINTING CLOUDS ☁️ WITH COTTON BALLS

Of all the unusual things you could give your child to paint with, have you stopped to consider using cotton balls and clothespins? We did! 🙋🏻‍♀️ MATERIALS:• Cotton ball• Clothespin• Blue paper• White paint…

A TODDLER EXPERIMENT IN UNSTRUCTURED CUTTING WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF SCISSORS ✂️

At the end of every 2 weeks, we have a “review” day that allows me to use up whatever activities I may not have gotten around to from our curriculum. These days also allow me more wiggle room to supplement with my own stuff, and tend to be my favorite because of the creative freedom they allow me. Today I decided the kids don’t get enough opportunities to cut…