Social-Emotional Development
Calming Strategy – The Drain
Review this intentional breathing strategy that can help your child release tension in their body.
Hold both arms out in front of your body. Make your hands into fists. While taking a deep breath in, squeeze tight the muscles in your body. As you exhale, release all the tension in your muscles while making a ‘Ssshhh’ sound.
Cognitive Development
Counting Cactus Spines
Divide a piece of corrugated carboard into 10 squares. Write or have your child write the numerals 1-10 in each square (one numeral per box). Encourage your child to poke the correct number of toothpicks to match the numeral into each square.
Language Development
What is a Desert?
Make a list with your child of what they know about the desert (appearance, oasis, mammals, birds, reptiles, plants, weather, etc.) adding in facts that you know, as well. Encourage your child to choose 1 or 2 items from the list to draw and label with the word.
Physical Literacy
Hopscotch
Play hopscotch with your child. If you have forgotten how to play, follow this link to find the rules. https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/hopscotch/
Creative Activity
Prickly Cactus
Using cereal box cardboard cut out three sizes of ovals to use as tracers. Invite your child to trace and cut several ovals of different sizes from paper. They can then use these ovals to create a cactus (provide a photo for reference, if needed). Use a marker to draw spines. Flowers can also be added using crumpled bits of tissue paper.
Additional Resources
Try this website for budget-friendly Montessori activities to do with your child. The site includes motor skills, practical life skills, play activities, fine motor skills, language and math activities and arts, craft and music ideas.
https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/fun-easy-and-budget-friendly-montessori-activities-for-kids/
Head to this Active for Life website to find 49 fun physical activities to do with your 2 to 4-year old. You can also find some resources for parents and articles to read. A couple of titles that might be of interest at this time, “42 Easy Activities to Keep Kids Busy While Parents Work at Home” and “School’s Cancelled—What Now? Here Are 200+ Activities You Can Do with Kids at Home”.
https://activeforlife.com/49-fun-physical-activities-to-do-with-kids-aged-2-to-4/