Concentrating
Hard work
Finished products
Sweet Son made a doggy and Sweet Daughter made a kitty
Showing posts with label fine motor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine motor. Show all posts
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Sewing
The school I teach at and the kids attend part time went through accreditation. This meant stress for Mommy and needing the kids to have perfect behavior. I bribed them. After they did it, I asked what they wanted for their reward. They both asked to learn how to sew. Not what I was expecting, but we jumped right in.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Pumpkin Carving
This is the second year the kids did the carving by themselves. I love this stage of independence!
Cleaning out the pumpkin
She went with an apron and a head band before diving her entire arm in
It's always more difficult than they remember
You can almost hear the grunts in the photo
Making the same face
Friday, September 8, 2017
Gears
An early birthday present arrived in the mail and the kids were excited. They each got a set of gears and they went to work.
Sweet Daughter's first creation - her favorites are the swing and merry-go-round for bears
Sweet Son was more interested in how many gears he could hook together
They put their sets together and made a 3d set that worked smoothly
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Throwback Thursday: Early Education Priorities
This post was originally published in August of 2013.
Kids were tested going into Kindergarten on their knowledge of reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. What was the best predictor of later reading and Math tests (2nd grade and up)? Science and Social Studies, in that order. Kindergarten reading was not even correlated to 2nd grade reading. Early reading certainly didn't cause higher reading scores. It is much more important to do Science with your kids than any other subject when they are young. This is great because most young kids would rather do Science than reading anyway. Everyone's happy! Also interesting is that early reading doesn't improve later Science and Social Studies scores. Since those subjects are most traditionally taught through reading, I found that interesting. So far the research hasn't figured out why, but still fascinating.
The best way to improve Math scores is going to surprise you. Fine motor skills help with Math. The larger the fine motor deficit, the more impaired later Math becomes. This is most obvious when replicating figures or models, but is true for all areas of Math. They tested many different ways to improve Math scores and the top interventions are: drawing (but not coloring), Legos, fuse beads, pattern blocks, Montessori triangles, puzzles, paper folding, blocks, knob cylinders, and Colorforms. No worksheets, flashcards, or tutoring made the list. Kids tend to shut down when forced to do something they think they aren't good at, but hand them a bucket of Legos or teach them paper folding and they are willing and successful.
Now for something that makes me feel old. These studies weren't just done with young children. These studies went all the way through college students. At the beginning and the end of the college student study they needed a novel way to test their ability to do mental rotation. Something the kids hadn't done before and were unlikely to practice in between the two tests. They used Tetris. For those of you who are around my age you just freaked out a little that college students have never played Tetris. I was presented with this information at a conference. The group of young guys in the row in front of me spent about 5 minutes debating what Tetris is before using their smart phones to look it up. They decided it must be a game for old people.
It's well known that the current educational policy is dill and kill. Everyone says they want their kids to have critical thinking skills. You need to know that these are learned before/after and outside school, usually through play. Music, sports, fine motor, problem solving, etc. It's also important to realize that most colleges care more about these activities than you might expect. When looking at two kids with identical grades and test scores the one that will stand out is the one who was involved in things outside of school. This is also one reasons the homeschooling movement is growing in the United States.
Kids were tested going into Kindergarten on their knowledge of reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. What was the best predictor of later reading and Math tests (2nd grade and up)? Science and Social Studies, in that order. Kindergarten reading was not even correlated to 2nd grade reading. Early reading certainly didn't cause higher reading scores. It is much more important to do Science with your kids than any other subject when they are young. This is great because most young kids would rather do Science than reading anyway. Everyone's happy! Also interesting is that early reading doesn't improve later Science and Social Studies scores. Since those subjects are most traditionally taught through reading, I found that interesting. So far the research hasn't figured out why, but still fascinating.
The best way to improve Math scores is going to surprise you. Fine motor skills help with Math. The larger the fine motor deficit, the more impaired later Math becomes. This is most obvious when replicating figures or models, but is true for all areas of Math. They tested many different ways to improve Math scores and the top interventions are: drawing (but not coloring), Legos, fuse beads, pattern blocks, Montessori triangles, puzzles, paper folding, blocks, knob cylinders, and Colorforms. No worksheets, flashcards, or tutoring made the list. Kids tend to shut down when forced to do something they think they aren't good at, but hand them a bucket of Legos or teach them paper folding and they are willing and successful.
Now for something that makes me feel old. These studies weren't just done with young children. These studies went all the way through college students. At the beginning and the end of the college student study they needed a novel way to test their ability to do mental rotation. Something the kids hadn't done before and were unlikely to practice in between the two tests. They used Tetris. For those of you who are around my age you just freaked out a little that college students have never played Tetris. I was presented with this information at a conference. The group of young guys in the row in front of me spent about 5 minutes debating what Tetris is before using their smart phones to look it up. They decided it must be a game for old people.
It's well known that the current educational policy is dill and kill. Everyone says they want their kids to have critical thinking skills. You need to know that these are learned before/after and outside school, usually through play. Music, sports, fine motor, problem solving, etc. It's also important to realize that most colleges care more about these activities than you might expect. When looking at two kids with identical grades and test scores the one that will stand out is the one who was involved in things outside of school. This is also one reasons the homeschooling movement is growing in the United States.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Throwback Thursday: Eye Droppers
This post was originally published in January of 2013.
One of our favorite fine motor activities is using eye droppers . We have a couple of different ways we use them.
Here you can see the kids have a few different colors of water and are dripping them onto coffee filters. Once these dry, they make pretty circles to hang up.
In addition to how great this is for building fine motor skills, this also offers the opportunity to experiment and talk about why the water spreads. The water spreads on the flat parts first, but slowly it will climb up the higher parts. I love when I can add in a little Science to an art project. We were also able to talk about what happens when the colors meet and start mixing.
Another fun activity that I borrowed from their Montessori school is moving all of the water from one small container to the other. These are small bowls and while at school they use glass, these are plastic. The kids may be great at taking care of their equipment, but Mommy is a klutz and tends to break or get hurt with glass. This takes a lot of patience and really builds those finger muscles that will later be important for writing, typing, playing piano, using chopsticks, and many other things in life.
These red trays are great. I got them at IKEA when they were on sale for 1/2 of their regular price. The kids can open and close them and they are the perfect height for doing art work over the tile. At the top they have two circles for cups (or for marker lids) and one long tray that we use for markers/crayons so they aren't rolling over the kids paper.
I also have visions of eating breakfast in bed on one of these trays, but since I refuse to get up and make breakfast before getting back in bed I don't think it will happen. haha
One of our favorite fine motor activities is using eye droppers . We have a couple of different ways we use them.
Here you can see the kids have a few different colors of water and are dripping them onto coffee filters. Once these dry, they make pretty circles to hang up.
In addition to how great this is for building fine motor skills, this also offers the opportunity to experiment and talk about why the water spreads. The water spreads on the flat parts first, but slowly it will climb up the higher parts. I love when I can add in a little Science to an art project. We were also able to talk about what happens when the colors meet and start mixing.
Another fun activity that I borrowed from their Montessori school is moving all of the water from one small container to the other. These are small bowls and while at school they use glass, these are plastic. The kids may be great at taking care of their equipment, but Mommy is a klutz and tends to break or get hurt with glass. This takes a lot of patience and really builds those finger muscles that will later be important for writing, typing, playing piano, using chopsticks, and many other things in life.
These red trays are great. I got them at IKEA when they were on sale for 1/2 of their regular price. The kids can open and close them and they are the perfect height for doing art work over the tile. At the top they have two circles for cups (or for marker lids) and one long tray that we use for markers/crayons so they aren't rolling over the kids paper.
I also have visions of eating breakfast in bed on one of these trays, but since I refuse to get up and make breakfast before getting back in bed I don't think it will happen. haha
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Throwback Thursday: Art with Babies
This post was originally published in February 2011.
I love doing art with kids. I think it is important to use a variety of textures and materials. I prefer process over product art. However, this post is about starting at the beginning. We started doing art when the kids were around 3.5 months old. This was the point they could hold a marker and were learning how to control it.
Many people are surprised that I start with markers. Most people assume starting with a crayon would be better since it is less messy. If you are trying to avoid mess when doing art with children, then you aren't doing it the way I would. Markers are typically larger than crayons (there are always exceptions) which make them easier to hold. They will also mark on paper with very little pressure. If you lightly drag a marker across the paper you get a line. Try it with a crayon and most of the time you get nothing. The bold larger lines/marks are easier for babies to see and make sense of as they experiment. Babies will also put everything in their mouth. Markers have no taste and if they put the marking side in their mouth, the worst that will happen is brightly colored poop. Crayons being made of wax, taste good to young children. If you give them something that tastes good and tell them not to eat it you are fighting a losing battle from the beginning. This is why we start with markers.
I encourage the kids to only color on the paper, however as you can see that isn't what usually happens. That's ok because it all wipes off easily. It washes off clothes and baby wipes will clean it up off most surfaces. We don't use markers on carpet or near furniture. The markers are not kept out at all times. They are only brought out when I am right there to supervise. This is more important once they become mobile, but until they learn not to color on carpet, they aren't left out. As babies, we did art at least twice most weeks. That increases as they get older and have more interest and more variety. Most of the time, I don't have photos of them doing art because it's difficult to supervise and take photos.
One of the awesome moments of being a mom and/or teacher is seeing what a child is thinking when they finally get "it" - whatever "it" you are currently allowing them to explore. Here you can see my son as he realizes one end of the marker is special. He would touch it to the paper, pick it up to look closely at the paper, look back at the marker and try it again. After doing this multiple times, he started laughing. He tried using the other end and nothing happened, so he set it down and threw a fit (he was still a baby after all). I turned it back over for him and he started all over again.
I love doing art with kids. I think it is important to use a variety of textures and materials. I prefer process over product art. However, this post is about starting at the beginning. We started doing art when the kids were around 3.5 months old. This was the point they could hold a marker and were learning how to control it.
Yummy markers
Sitting in Bumbo to color
Many people are surprised that I start with markers. Most people assume starting with a crayon would be better since it is less messy. If you are trying to avoid mess when doing art with children, then you aren't doing it the way I would. Markers are typically larger than crayons (there are always exceptions) which make them easier to hold. They will also mark on paper with very little pressure. If you lightly drag a marker across the paper you get a line. Try it with a crayon and most of the time you get nothing. The bold larger lines/marks are easier for babies to see and make sense of as they experiment. Babies will also put everything in their mouth. Markers have no taste and if they put the marking side in their mouth, the worst that will happen is brightly colored poop. Crayons being made of wax, taste good to young children. If you give them something that tastes good and tell them not to eat it you are fighting a losing battle from the beginning. This is why we start with markers.
Look! My paper is still clean, but my tray and brother needed some color.
Can you draw two different things simultaneously?
I encourage the kids to only color on the paper, however as you can see that isn't what usually happens. That's ok because it all wipes off easily. It washes off clothes and baby wipes will clean it up off most surfaces. We don't use markers on carpet or near furniture. The markers are not kept out at all times. They are only brought out when I am right there to supervise. This is more important once they become mobile, but until they learn not to color on carpet, they aren't left out. As babies, we did art at least twice most weeks. That increases as they get older and have more interest and more variety. Most of the time, I don't have photos of them doing art because it's difficult to supervise and take photos.
Marker on face, hands, arms, clothes, and some on the paper
One of the awesome moments of being a mom and/or teacher is seeing what a child is thinking when they finally get "it" - whatever "it" you are currently allowing them to explore. Here you can see my son as he realizes one end of the marker is special. He would touch it to the paper, pick it up to look closely at the paper, look back at the marker and try it again. After doing this multiple times, he started laughing. He tried using the other end and nothing happened, so he set it down and threw a fit (he was still a baby after all). I turned it back over for him and he started all over again.
Discovering how a marker works
Monday, August 7, 2017
I'm hungry!
Am I the only parent who gets tired of the kids always expecting food? The good news is my kids can now get their own food. Not just simple microwave stuff either. This day Sweet Daughter wanted a cucumber. I told her to go ahead and this is what happened:
Yup, this is another phase I could get used to. She even shared with me and Sweet Son!
After washing it, she peeled it.
Then she cut it into chunks and ate them.
Yup, this is another phase I could get used to. She even shared with me and Sweet Son!
Friday, June 2, 2017
Woodworking
The kids asked to attend a woodworking summer camp, but those don't exist for 6 year olds. So we decided to do some simple projects at home. Here is the first one - a toolbox.
Hammering and aligning the pieces
Hammering
Finished Projects
Friday, May 26, 2017
Dallas Museum of Art
We went to visit the Dallas Museum of Art and while we enjoyed looking at the beautiful art, the favorite area is the kids' section. Here kids are given art supplies, inspiration, and set free.
Creating sculptures
Finished results
A couple of days later he created this. I love when art leaves a lasting impression!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Rainforest Dioramas
The end of our rainforest unit required the kids making a diorama. I gave them each a shoebox, open access to all of the art supplies, and a rubric. Then they asked if they could use some of the plastic animals and plants and I agreed. They both did a great job.
Both of them side by side
SweetSon's diorama
He built trees and even had a monkey hanging from the vines connecting the trees. There is an ape sitting on the large rock as well as many other animals hidden. There were 7 different animals included in his diorama. He had a plan from the beginning when he started painting the background and it seemed to all work perfectly for him.
Sweet Daughter's diorama
She stood the shoebox up and went in an entirely different direction. She also has 7 different animals hidden, but I loved that she used (with permission) some of the blue strings off of a pompom to hang as rain. She also included a human figure to be a scientist observing the animals. She didn't have a plan until it all came together and looked great.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Painting Time
When we get set up to do painting, we take it seriously. Here you can see the set up and process that works for us.
Work on flooring that is easily cleaned. Then use large paper (we used the back of paper that had already been used on the easel with markers) as a base to define where the paints should stay. We use paper plates as pallets with 5 colors each. Instead of cleaning the brush between each color, we assign one brush per color. Each child chooses which colors they want to use.
These are the finished products. 4 paintings for each child and the clean up is a breeze. The plates go in the garbage. Any paint that got on the floor or hands is first cleaned with a baby wipe before a more thorough wash. Once the paintings are dry, the paper goes in recycling. The paintbrushes are all washed out together.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Marble Run
Every once in awhile we get out the marble run boxes and let the kids explore. We can't keep them out regularly because then they fight over them and they don't get cleaned up. When they are a once in awhile toy our kids cooperate for a while and once the arguing starts they have to clean up.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Wordless Wednesday
The would be a duck pond (with ducks) and a chess board with pieces.
I'm impressed. This may also be the last time the Lego table was that clean.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Playing in the Sand
The best part of a beach vacation for the kids is getting to play in the sand.
Can you stand still for a couple of minutes? Just ignore what we are doing. It will be fine.
Starting with a plan
So that is how wells work!
We can make roads and paths in the sand.
I think it's almost deep enough...
Monday, December 26, 2016
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve they both opened one gift. It was a kit to build a metal helicopter.
Step 1: Dump out all pieces
Working together to build
Finished!
(We tried many photos, he couldn't stand still.)
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Christmas Crafts
December really does seem to be a month full of crafting! Here are just two of the many projects the kids worked on this month.
Decorating their own foam gingerbread houses
Tiny tree!
This was a really cool project. The tree it self is a wooden dowel with silver pipe cleaners wrapped around it. The tiny ornaments are Shrinky Dinks! In case you don't know what that is. There are outlines of pictures on plastic. You color in the pictures then place them in the oven. They curl up, flatten out, and are now tiny hard plastic ornaments. So much fun!
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