A Bit of Styrofoam

A parent gave me several long sheets of styrofoam

so I covered a table with them.

 I dug into my cupboard and fun tooth picks

and appy sticks, like umbrellas.

The children loved poking the sticks into the foam.

 I worried how safe it would be with toddlers

but they amazed me with their curiosity and focus.

 It was fun to see the different ways and places they put the sticks;

making patterns and designs.

 Then the umbrellas stirred their interest.

How do they open?

 Do they smell like flowers?

They look like trees.

One day I noticed a family added some buttons to the table.

So it inspired me to look for other items that would work.

 

Love it when you can use recycled materials to create games and learning.

Sewing Hearts

I found these felt hearts at Michaels

and thought they would be perfect to practice sewing.

I attached a plastic needle to the end of piece of yarn

and tied the other end of yarn to the heart.

It's a great activity to involve the grown up.

The little ones need the extra set of hands to hold the heart for them

while they concentrate on putting the needle through

the hole.

I left the piece of yarn long so they could sew all the way 

around the heart.

But it gets in the way and tangles.

Again with an adult there they can help guide the yarn

straight.

A few of the older children were able to continue sewing on their own

after their parent got them started.