Wednesday 30 January 2013

Baby sensory crawl obstacle course~ indoors


H Man quickly became a very efficient crawler. To be honest quick is an understatement. Of all the babies I have ever met I have never met one who can crawl as fast as this little man. Everyone comments on it!!! He is speedy...

...and after more challenges!!

Suitable Ages: You can modify this to suit all crawlers.
My little man was just 11 months old in these pics.

Learning Skills: Gross motor development, physical awareness, cognitive and classification skills, exploration and discovery of the senses

Equipment: It is simple to set up an obstacle course for your baby using household items.

Please make sure to consider the development level of your crawler and provides challenges that also allow for success. Don't make it impossible for your baby to achieve on their own.

This is how I did it, with Miss M's help of course!


A long cardboard box as a tunnel for your baby to crawl through.
I attached some ribbons to the exit after this pic was taken.



You could use a store bought tunnel if you have one.



Use some different textured materials for your bubba to navigate and crawl over. This is a shower curtain made from thick plastic.


Some large cushions from a couch or a beanbag to climb over.

Some babies are very good at climbing so you may like to make it extra challenging for them. They can also progress very quickly, a week after this and he was climbing onto furniture!


I made another crawl through using two stools draped in fabric with a soft fluffy blanket on the floor.

The coloured balls were to entice him through the obstacle course. Balls are his favourite toy so perhaps you can use something your child is particularly fond of to entice them through challenging parts of the obstacle course!


H Man was really good at pulling himself to standing on furniture but had not yet progressed to cruising around furniture so I Incorporated the ottoman as an obstacle to hopefully encourage this.
The end of the course was the mini pool full of soft toys!




Let the discovery begin!


He found his own way through lol!



Funny his reaction to this texture! He wouldn't crawl but adopted the bear walk! Same way he travels across lawn!




He actually stopped to play with the balls for quiet awhile!



Wow, this is exciting and fun!
Can you spot Miss M in the background?





Pulled himself up onto the smaller nappy box!


Here he goes at pulling himself up onto the ottoman!
Laughing froggie was a great encouragement!


Oooooh what's over there Mum?
Looks like fun!!!




So much for cruising the ottoman! Crawling is waaayyy faster!!!



Going for his prize!



Got it!


Remember to:
  • Speak constantly to your baby about what they are doing, seeing, feeling and experiencing. Be their words and give the language to the experience!
  • Give lots and lots of praise and verbal reinforcement when they overcome challenges.
  • Let them lead the play and do only what they feel comfortable and safe with.
  • Make sure baby is rested, fed and happy before attempting this experience.

For more sensory experiences for your baby please check out these links

Stay tuned for sensory crawl obstacle course ~ outdoors  for a whole new sensory experience!


Play and Learn


Katey


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Tuesday 29 January 2013

Baby Percussion


We all know right from an early age babies and young children love to make things... anything make noise and usually lots of it!!

Recently we've been investigating how we can make music with many household items and here I'd like to share with you our fun homemade and simple to do baby percussion!

Suitable ages: can be adapted to suit all ages from approx 10months.

Learning skills: cause and effect, gross and fine motor development, listening skills, rhythm and beat awareness

To set up you will need some pots and pans, mixing bowls (both plastic and metal), cake tins and muffin pans also work well. You will also need something to use as drumsticks like wooden spoons.

Miss M 3 thoroughly enjoyed helping me set up this little activity so be sure to get your older toddlers to help by asking them to pick items they think will make good drums and have a good sound.



The fun begins!





Miss M ended up moving all the 'drums' closer together so she could reach them all! She delighted and totally let her inner 'drummer' out!!


Don't forget to extend the learning and bring in new language by asking questions and providing opportunities to explore further.

Open ended questions
  • Which drum makes the loudest, softest, funniest sound sound?
  • Can you play them louder, softer?
  • Can you play them faster or slower?
  • Wow that was an interesting sound, how would you describe it?
  • Why do you think the different 'drums' make different sounds?
  • Do you think it would sound differently if you hit it in a different spot? Where else could you hit it? Try hitting the sides.
  • Why do you think it sounds differently?
  • Which 'drum' do you like the best and why?
Depending on the age, ability and interest of your child you could try,
  • clapping a beat and get them to play along with you
  • play along to some music




Then it was the H man's turn!


No matter how many times I handed him the wooden spoons he wasn't interested. He would throw them away, far more interested in the bowls!!


Even with big sis demonstrating so well!


He did like to play...


... Peekaboo!


And he did find the bowls that were easy to push along the floor and...


chase!

We'll play again another time and see where it takes us then lol!

Play and Learn

Katey


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Friday 25 January 2013

Exciting News!

We are so excited that our gorgeous family is growing and by
August this year we will be a family of 5!!

We couldn't be happier!

However, I have suffered from morning sickness with a vengeance for the past 7 weeks! I've been so sick that I've spent a very large portion of that time in the bathroom!! Even looking at the computer screen would have me running to the closest sink, toilet bucket whatever! Add to that the first trimester fog and two very young children and my only goal was to get myself and my kids through the day. Thankfully, I've got some amazing friends and family who have helped me out! I really appreciate everything they have done to help and it may seem little and insignificant to them but I can tell you having food and groceries delivered, my dishes washed and washing hung out was a lifesaver to me!
This has meant that I have been absent from my much loved blog and facebook page!

But I am slowly having moments where I am feeling better and hey, I've typed this without being sick so far, so fingers crossed I'll be back up and blogging soon! I have over 4 Christmas related blog posts that I couldn't manage not to mention the rest of the 7 weeks worth! I have alot of catching up to do. I'm expecting exhaustion will keep my blogging to a minimum over this year as family and my health and well being will always come first, but I'm sure you will all understand!



Our newest little addition!

How amazing are the scans during pregnancy!
No amount of morning sickness could wipe the smile off my face!!

We are an incredibly blessed family!

Play and Learn

Katey