Amazing how quickly children grow and learn isn't it? I have noticed over the past few weeks that Tara is beginning to grasp the concept of big and small. We have mainly talked about this concept in relation to shoes and clothing but although she has grasped the overall idea she is yet to understand the actual difference between small and big…she now says big to convey when she feels something is too small for her!
Time to start expanding on this knowledge so i have begun to incorporate some simple play activities to reinforce the differences between big and small. The first activity we did on a sunny Winter's morning was some painting with big and small brushes!
First a little Cornflour Paint dropped onto some paper on our paint tray…..
Then I added some large and hard bristled dish brushes……
Then some old toothbrushes the toddler twosome are no longer using (and I use that term loosely as I am still yet to get them brushing teeth properly!)…..
Then the fun began…..I let them choose the brushes they wanted to use first and found it interesting that Tara chose the large brush and Ruby chose the small brush first.
We talked about using the small brushes….how they looked and how they felt….one brush is prickly, the other soft…..
And then the large brushes….which incidentally made great run around the yard play things according to Ruby!
I asked the girls to pick up the large brushes…and then the small and I think they were beginning to grasp the concept which was a lot of fun to watch! They really enjoyed the different patterns each brush made so we talked about that too…helping your toddler to learn a new concept is really about making it fun with a little repetition….they just love to show you a new skill!
I made the cornflour paint just before we used it so it was still lovely and warm… of course this encouraged some wonderful fingerpainting….the toddler twosomes' all time fave activity!
Such a great sensory experience to squelch your hands through warm paint on a cool winter's morning!
Then of course we needed to clean each other up a little…another favourite activity!
I like to provide a shallow bucket of water and a few cloths for the girls when we are painting as they enjoy washing their hands…then getting messy again…then washing off…..this extends the time spent on any activity beautifully and teaches them some important self care skills at the same time!
When I worked in early childhood I often got asked by parents of 2 and 3 yr olds what they had actually ‘learnt' today. I usually found myself explaining that just because they ‘only' did outside play or painting didn't mean they hadn't learnt some valuable skills. Often parents want to see their children performing measurable tasks like identifying colours with flashcards or writing letters in their name…I used to get so frustrated as it often seemed that parents were putting to much pressure on themselves as well as their children to ‘perform'.
I think it is important to remember that for children play is learning…they don't need fancy activities or to participate in activities that are better suited to the schooling years…they are learning every moment they are awake…just in different ways to us.
This activity is so very simple but it was another step towards mastering a concept…yet it was fun and age appropriate.
It's easy to look around sometimes and wonder if you are doing ‘enough' with your children at home….in reality they are watching everything we do and practising new skills everyday…we often just don't realise the learning in our everyday experiences.
If you don't feel confident with painting and messy activities that is not going to hinder your toddler learning about their world because right now you are their world and they just want to play with you…in any way you feel most comfortable.
I often wish I could go back to some of those parents who were constantly on the search for the perfect pre school program to give their child that perceived head start…I do wonder if they ever figured out that their time and love were always the most important learning tools in their children's lives….and that a little ‘basic' play was already teaching them so much for their years ahead.
I try never to forget the wonder that is a toddler's world…everything is new, everything is a challenge to be conquered, every moment of play will offer learning opportunities that last a lifetime…for us right now it is the simple concept of big and small…tomorrow it will be something else….but that will be a surprise to me because it is my girls who will decide what they will learn tomorrow!
Do you feel like you should be doing more at home with your kids? Do you know what it is you feel you ‘should' be doing or are you just feeling a little peer pressure? Love to hear your thoughts!
I love the idea of teaching big and small concepts with paint brushes! A “very sensorial” experience! And it is less structured, which toddlers tend to like! (“I do it Mommy!”) And thanks for your comments, they really meant a lot!
I got a laugh out of this. I have just been doing something similar with Ginger, as in big and small with a stacking toy. I don’t we have got the concept quite yet. I will show her which is the biggest, and she will say no and point to another and say that is the biggest. I have even tried mummy is big, Ginger is small. Ginger is big, Tom Kitten is small. Oh well, maybe instead of trying grading sizes we should just go for big and small at this stage:)
When they are little it is so much fun watching them learn through play that I wouldn’t want for any little one to have to have a structured way of learning concepts. I think it’s hard watching my 8 year old having to sit down in a classroom for the hours that she does. I do wish that we lived closer to the Steiner school, I love their ways and how the day flows freely, I’m sure that she would learn much more.
Another great activity Jode to that teaches little one vital concepts, thank you for sharing. If I ever go back to working in child care I know where to come to for inspiration. xx
I couldn’t ever imagine asking my son’s kindy teachers what he learnt today! Toddlers are learning every second of every day! love how you wrote the wonder of a toddler’s world. Isn’t that one of the best parts of parenting? To be reawakened to that wonder and that special way of seeing the world? Beautiful post Jode.
I just bookmarked your cornflour paint recipe. That is such a great idea and one I’d never heard of before. You are such an inspiration for creative early learning Jode.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
What a beautiful post! I’m aunt to a 16-month-old, and I applaud your bravery in getting messy–and loving it! Children are so inspiring!