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You are here: Home / Creative Learning / Childhood Fine Motor Nature Play & Learning – Using Colander and Flowers

Childhood Fine Motor Nature Play & Learning – Using Colander and Flowers

June 30, 2022 By Suzette Salmon Leave a Comment

Here is a simple fine motor activity using only two items -this is perfect for young children, adults, and occupational therapy aid for those recovering from surgery. I’ve had two carpal tunnel surgeries in both hands, so I know firsthand how important these exercises are for your finger grasp and movement.

What you will need

  • Colander/strainer/sieve -small or large holes that’s alright
  • Flowers real or false – the important thing is to place the floral stems in the holes

Miss Sue loves fine motor play invitations – why? It helps children with life skills. Instead of offering worksheets, we engage in many creative fine motor activities that support their curiosity, improve their confidence, help to build their independence, and who doesn’t love when children demonstrate autonomy. Using the colander aids their creativity – I wonder what else they can do with colanders? They have used colanders with water, mud, sand, and clay, and I am sure there are many more activities to come 😉

Threading flowers through the holes of a colander is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers; let’s say it is a childhood must. This nature play learning is lovely at any play-based learning center or nature/forest school.

May your children play outdoors until the sunset and the moon rise – lots of love, Miss Sue.

 

 

Filed Under: Creative Learning, Nature Play, Outdoors, Sensory Play Tagged With: fine motor skills, nature play, nature weave, outdoor play

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Oct 7

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Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the  little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates. 
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size. 
#earlychildhoodeducator 
#naturebasedlearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
#homechildcare 
#edulallie

Here’s an example of our cleanup process. The bell goes off for lunchtime and the children automatically start singing and cleaning up (I don’t usually sing but they do). Some are singing only for the song while others are busy cleaning up like ‘the little red hen.’ A beautiful example of when you work alone and the children are your teammates.
Yes, they’re my little learners and teammates - all hands on deck. We have a wonderful symbiotic relationship harmoniously working together for the good of the environment.
It makes this work enjoyable and it also helps all to learn and appreciate each other - especially when you have a yard this size.
#earlychildhoodeducator
#naturebasedlearning
#outdoorclassroom
#homechildcare
#edulallie
...

8 0

lilbebeacademy

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Oct 3

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Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after. 
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors. 
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play. 
#playbasedlearning 
#mixedagelearning 
#outdoorclassroom 
#naturebasedlearning 
#edulallie

Beautiful slow approach to my early years classroom. I work alone and it’s very important that we all enjoy the space. Children are allowed to move materials, gather, play, learn and then clean up after.
- A small mixed-age ratio provides many opportunities for discoveries, play and lots of hours outdoors.
-This was a rainy day, we also harvest rain for their unending play.
#playbasedlearning
#mixedagelearning
#outdoorclassroom
#naturebasedlearning
#edulallie
...

14 2

lilbebeacademy

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Sep 30

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Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool 
#learningforlife 
#inhomechildcare 
#edulallie

Nature gives children something real to think about. Listen to the children - bumblebees and butterflies like nectar too.
🍃
#naturebased
#natureschool
#learningforlife
#inhomechildcare
#edulallie
...

31 3

lilbebeacademy

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Sep 12

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Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors!

Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors! ...

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