Maths - Counting Beans

Y&K enjoys counting but they still can't count. They don't know when they should stop counting. :)
I was thinking of reusing the Red beans from the scooping activity we did for another activity and came up with this.

I'm doing this activity with 5 bowls each time. Their attention span is still extremely short. I'm already lucky to have them sit through the counting of 5 bowls.

What You Need:
Containers
Labels (to label the container with numbers)
Beans or any other counters

I showed them the number on the container and gave them the correct number of beans. For example, I give them 5 beans for bowl "5". And they put the beans into the container and we count together. They still don't know when to stop counting at the end of this activity but I think they are slowly getting it.

Fine Motor Skills Activity - Scooping Beans

Scooping is a Montessori inspired activity. This is a very easy activity to put together to keep your children occupied for at least half an hour. It was 45 mins for mine. You can let your children practice scooping with all many materials available at home, rice and all sorts of beans, etc. But keep a close watch, though my boys have out grown tasting, they still attempt to put the beans in their mouth.

What You Need:
2 Containers
Spoons
Beans (I got those big red beans)

Y, practicing his scooping but he soon got impatient and just poured the beans over the other container.

Paper + Glue + Beans = 45 mins of peace

We are not quite done with the terrible twos x2 phase though the boys are turning 3 years old in about 3 months time. I made a very brave decision to transit them to a big bed as they are outgrowing their baby cots and with the allergy cough that I suspect the bed to the culprit, we purchased 2 car beds for them. It had been a nightmare . It’s been 1 month and I’m happy to say that they are slowly adjusting to their new beds though they still ask for their old beds every now and then.

It’s mostly child led activities in the house these days since they have their old favorites like Marble Painting and Car Painting. It’s not an uncommon sight to see them with their cars and paint at 7am in the morning still in their PJs.

Back to the activity, on this day, Y suddenly ask for glue. “Glue?! What do you want to glue?” I asked. And all that came after that was whining “I want Glue! I want Glue!”. Ok, they want Glue and I’ve got to find them something to glue. In the kitchen I go and out came some beans and so here are my boys totally focused. I just love the serious work on their faces when they play. I like to observe how they different they play. Y make patterns with his glue before pasting the beans creating a masterpiece while K puts a dot for every bean, very systematic.

Bus Themed Craft

My boys are very crazy over transportation, cars, buses, train, etc. So, I did a bus themed craft with them. I printed the template from First School.

What You Need:
Construction Paper
Cut out bus template
Glue

It's so simple, I trace the windows on the bus body to guide them a bit with the pasting. Older kids can do without this. We counted the windows as well. We talked about the parts of the bus when we were crafting.

Y, applying glue on the bus body

K, still trying to apply glue though he is done with his craft. 

The boys loved their cousins a lot. They refused to nap and keep asking for their cousin on Sunday. So, we decided to bring them to my mum's place where the cousins gathered. I asked the boys if they would like to give the bus craft to their cousin as a present and they were happy with the idea. I want them to learn the art of giving. They loved this craft they made so much but they were willing to give. Till today, they were still saying, "Gor Gor... bus...". Seems like they were telling me that they gave their bus to their cousin and that's so sweet.

K, in the lift, excited about giving his bus craft to his cousin.

K, passing his present to his cousin. My nephew was so surprised and happy to receive the gift.

Balloon Painting

I got the bunny balloons with the intention of letting the boys use the ears as a brush but the boys just took the balloons and held them by the ears and started painting. Silly me! That’s easier, isn’t it? I’m glad my sons are smarter than me. This is real idiot proof and provided lots of fun and the artwork produced were not too bad! But they were destroyed by them at the end of the session. The artists were not too happy with their works. 
What You Need:
Bunny Balloons or any balloons.
Paper
Paint

You don’t need instructions for this! My boys intuitively stamped the balloons on the paper. 

Letter S Craft: S is for Sailboat

First craft for year 2011. We had a tough time with their terrible twos and was unable to do much with them. This craft was forced under circumstances again. When I'm totally at my wits end with them, my last bet is a craft and it did calm them down though the crying starts again after this craft session when we are supposed to clean up. What a way to start the new year but I still look forward to a better year crafting and learning with them.

My boys simply love anything that can move. Their first time on a boat was on a bumboat to Pulau Ubin and since then, they called all boats and ships "bumboat", with a distinct "at" sound at the back. Hah, I just love the way they pronounce "boAT".

What You Need:

• Styrofoam Blocks (keep those styrofoam blocks for crafts like this when you have a new appliance. This was from the printer box we recently purchased)
• Paper
• Paint
• Brushes
• Disposable Chopstick or any Sticks (keep them when you order take aways)
• Glue

Method:

1. Paint the paper for the sail. I cut out the triangles first but I find that it may be easier for your young children to paint an A4 piece before you cut. 
2. Cut the styrofoam blocks into the size and shape you desired and let them paint.
3. Cut out the triangle from paper they have painted when the paint has dried and glue the triangle/sail to the disposable chopstick.
4. Push the stick down the styrofoam block
5. Tata! A Sailboat!!

K likes to mix the paint more than painting.

Vigorously painting.. hah...

I have no idea why Y had this expression but I thought he looks so cute!