Archives

Time for Oatmeal

   Written by on September 5, 2013 at 12:39 pm

How many times do you look at an empty container and think it’s a shame to throw it away?  Well, don’t!  Empty cylindrical containers are great for crafts for all ages.  As with many games and activities, it is important for you to stay with your baby to supervise when beans or other small objects are involved.  (NOTE:  A good rule of thumb is never to leave your baby alone with any object that will fit through a toilet tissue tube.  No exceptions!)

wee-notesMaterials:  empty oatmeal container, dried beans, pasta, or small rocks, colorful construction paper, tape, & glue.  Optional:  stickers or markers.  Take the empty cardboard cylinder and place in it a handful of the beans, pasta or rocks.  Place a small amount of glue around the outer edge of top.  Replace the top.  Remove any excess glue.  You don’t want it to run down the inside of the container and the beans get stuck in it.  A few strips of tape to hold the top in place is an added safety measure.

Glue paper onto the entire container.  Place fun, bright, stickers on the paper or cut several shapes from a contrasting color and glue them on the container.  If you prefer, you can draw fun shapes on the container.  Let it dry completely.

Place your four to six month old on the floor and roll the noisy container to her.  You want to encourage her to be mobile and what better way than with a new toy?  She will reach for it, roll or pivot toward it, kick her feet, and may get up into a crawling position in an effort to get her little body closer to the prize.

The noise the container makes as it moves will reward her efforts and help keep her interested.  One thing a baby needs to learn at this age is cause and effect:  When I do this, something happens.  She will quickly begin to learn that she has the power to get a response from this new toy.

At first you may need to roll the toy back to her so she doesn’t get frustrated or lose interest.  Praise her efforts and smile with her as she learns.  Don’t forget some music to keep her brain developing.  How many senses is she using?  Hands, eyes, ears, and if you put a few drops of lemon or vanilla on the paper, we can include the nose.  If she is like most babies, she will likely examine the toy with her mouth.  What an awesome activity you have provided that little sponge.

This is just one idea for you to try with your princess (or prince).  It will take only a few minutes and uses items most of us have on hand.  If your baby has an older sibling, he will enjoy helping with the project.

If you have ever used a cylindrical container (chip can, oatmeal can, coffee can, etc.) to provide an activity for a preschooler, let me know.  I’d love to add it to my list of ideas.  It may even make it into wee Notes!  You may write or email me at this paper or at bkholland-r@vzw.blackberry.net.  Happy parenting.

© 2013 Brenda Holland-Robinson

Leave a Reply