A day at the park
Sharon DeBoer, infant teacher at LVCC's Campus Center recommends, "when possible take your infant outside to observe the world and get some fresh air." Walk to a park or
grassy area. Explore different textures by letting your child feel the grass under her bare feet, rubbing feathers and flowers on her skin, or blowing bubbles around her. On a beach ball, roll your infant around on her belly to strengthen her sense of balance (vestibular balance) and direction (spatial orientation).
On a rainy day, all the same activities can be done indoors. Spread a blanket on the floor to play, just like at the park. Lots of giggles and smiles may arise when your little one views her own reflection in a mirror while playing. Although your infant is too young to recognize herself (self-awareness develops in the toddler stage), she will focus on the facial features of the bright-eyed baby staring back at her.
Make your own sunshine
When the weather isn't cooperating, that doesn't mean your child won't either. Vicki Walters, LVCC at South Mountain's toddler teacher, keeps her class busy with weather-related artwork. They draw pictures of raindrops and the sun with crayons. "Toddlers learn the words for weather elements or seasonal events through art," explains Vicki. "It also gives them a healthy outlet for self-expression."
Another creative activity Vicki does with her class is painting butterflies with bingo dabbers. The thick dabbers are easy for toddlers to grip in their tiny hands. Dabbers come in a variety of colors. If they aren't washable, you may want to cover your child in an art smock.
Plant an indoor garden
Preschoolers find gardening fascinating. They experience nature hands-on. While digging through dirt, they discover different textures. As the seeds grow to plants, they explore the life-cycle of fruits and vegetables.
To begin your indoor garden, have your child fill paper cups three-quarters full with soil. In each cup, plant a seed by covering it with some soil. Keep the soil damp, but not wet. Place your potted seedling in a window with lots of natural light to germinate. Once the green peeks through after four to six weeks, you and your child can plant the seedlings outside on a sunny day. Your child will soon learn to appreciate the gifts of nature and the satisfaction of eating healthy foods grown with his own hands.
Craft seasonal decorations
Spring is a time for emerging blooms and animals awakening from hibernation. Pam Schaeffer, LVCC at Western Salisbury center director, suggests using these seasonal themes to create crafts. Her school-age students enjoy decorating the classroom bulletin board for spring. They cut out construction paper bird houses, adorned with flowers made of colorful tissue paper.
Crafting contributes to child development. "Children use coordinating skills while cutting paper with scissors and then twisting ties and fluffing tissue paper to make flowers," Pam explains. "Thinking skills develop from experimenting with the different materials. Assembling the spring scene requires social interaction and working cooperatively. And equally as important, the children use their imagination."
