Materials: Open-ended materials such as box, bottle tops, sticks, buttons, cardboard, wooden blocks, and recycled materials.
STEP 1
With your child, collect open-ended materials such as sticks, natural items, buttons, cardboard, wooden blocks, and recyclable items.
STEP 2
Box the items and add labels together. Your child can begin to sound out words and eventually write them.
STEP 3
Work as a team and use your imagination to create new things with the materials. Maybe a car, building, purse, pool, or a swing set. Let your child take the lead. You can help increase their vocabulary by adding new words. For instance, if they are building a tower, use words like moat, spire, or structure. You can also make musical instruments or practice drumming. Together, use your phone or computer to look up fun facts about your creations.
MAKE IT EASIER:
Collect materials and have your child help you find the beginning sound. Write the words for your child.
EXTEND THE LEARNING:
- Think back to when you played with open-ended material like a box. Then work together to retell the story of how you played.
- Add art materials to your activity and color or paint your new creations.
- After making your creations, talk about how the pieces make you feel. Play music that expresses that feeling for you. Dance and enjoy your new creations.