Plastic Cups

I brought some plastic drinking cups for the girls to explore.

First they pulled them all apart.

They looked like they were wondering what do you do with all these cups.

Then they started to pretend to drink from them.

Next they tried to put them on different body parts

and discovered that they fit well on their hands.

So we sang a little song and used them as musical instruments.

They discovered that the cups are fun to kick, they don't hurt their toes and they make noise.

They also discovered that this size can be hard to pick up.

Once they mastered that they begun to try to stack them.

It was easier to stack them when they are upside down.

And they were worked so well together building a tower.

And sometimes carrying more than one cup at a time.

I left the cups on the speaker for them to go back to.

Which they did and kept stacking and unstacking.

Another simple item you wouldn't think of a toy but offers much fun and exploration.

What's in the Tub Tuesday?

We continued, this week, using the pasta and tubes.

 The tubes were stuck in a box at different angles.

 This week they knew what to do without any prompts.

Some of the pasta was still in the cans so I added them to the play.

She figured out how to turn the can over and shake the pasta out.

 As the play progressed they moved the box away from the tub and became more interested in the tubes.

They noticed that the tubes could slide in and out.

Each took a turn figuring out how to pull a tube out and the banging began.

What's in the Tub Tuesday?

Pasta!

With tubes taped to the wall and table.

The cans under the tubes are for catching the pasta so it doesn't fly all over the floor.

 The girls got right in to grabbing the pasta 

and dropping in to the tubes after I showed them it could be done.

 Watch her progression as she drops the pasta into the tube and follows it with her eyes.

 Where did it go?  It's not in the tube, maybe it's in the can?

Eventually they started playing with the cans so I put the tops on. 

I had already cut a small hole in the lids so they could drop pasta through it.

They spent quite a bit of time with this Tuesday Tub.

In the afternoon I brought it out the pasta again but with just the cans.

 Transferring items from one container to another is so much fun and something that toddlers love to do.

 Adding the lids with the holes adds another skill for them to practice.

Same with adding a tube.  This time she has reach to the top.

What's in the Tub Tuesday?

Wooden rings in a basket with mug and paper towel holders.

I purposefully brought three holders so each would have one.

I saw some cooperative play well not really but being able to use the same toy is big for these three cousins.

It's fairly easy for them to put the rings on to the post but getting them off is a challenge.  They did a lot of practicing figuring out how to use their hands and be successful.

I like these wooden rings for their feel, how they sound when tapped together and that they are easy for the little ones to pick up.

This metal paper towel holder was a hit as she learned how to swing it.

 She is not aware of the space around her so I stayed close so no one would get hit with it.

Oh hi Nana, I'm in the tub today.

Twist Off, Twist On

A simple, new, homemade toy that helps build her eye to hand coordination and fine motor abilities.

I cut out the top of puree food bags and stuck them through a cardboard box.

It sticks through enough to put the screw top back on.

Unfortunately it doesn't go through enough to screw it all the way on.

Some of the lids just sit on the posts.

We practice our colours too.

She loves puzzles like this.