As home childcare educators, we know that each day is an adventure—filled with curiosity, creativity, and unexpected learning moments. Today was no exception. Despite the cold temperatures and a polar vortex, I was ready to create an engaging and warm environment in my home daycare for the children to explore, play, and learn. See episode 4 of our morning play HERE
I love fostering creativity through play-based learning. Knowing my toddlers’ fascination with holes—finding them in furniture, clothing, and even the ceiling—I set up a home childcare play invitation to explore this curiosity further.
However, as the children arrived after 8:00 AM, they ignored my planned activity and focused on two empty Fruit Loops I boxes I intentionally left on the table. My older girls immediately saw potential:
“Can we use these to make robots?”
I repeated their question, and they eagerly confirmed—“Can you make robots for us?”
And just like that, my plans for the day shifted. I grabbed paper tape, scissors, and a spray bottle, then rushed to the garage for more empty boxes. I began assembling cardboard robots for my daycare children, but soon, it was time for breakfast.
fruit loop box with brown tape
While I no longer prepare breakfast for them, I encourage the children to develop independence in-home childcare by getting their lunch bags and washing their hands. As they ate, I continued making robot boxes and gathered materials for the next phase.
cardboard box robots
After breakfast, we had a lively circle time discussion about robots—covering wind-up, battery-operated, and computerized robots. Then, we extended the theme into process art in home daycare.
children process art
Rather than jumping straight into adding eyes, hands, and feet, I introduced a sensory experience: pastel chalk soaked in water. When wet, the pastels create a rich, creamy texture, making colors glide onto cardboard—just like an art invitation for toddlers they had loved the week before.
The children transformed their DIY robots with doodles, lines, and vibrant colors. Their enthusiasm was contagious. What started as an unplanned moment became a day filled with creative learning in home daycare.
child making marks on a cardboard box robot
I hope you enjoyed seeing their cardboard robots, my in-home childcare, and the beautiful art that emerged from them.
Until next time—I’m Miss Sue, your educator in the trenches, inspiring home childcare providers daily.
XOXO,
Miss Sue
