Cognitive Development (Taking Apart and Putting Things Together)
An activity for young infants
Materials
-shipping boxes of various sizes -paint -packing tape -scissors
Materials for modifiers -measuring cup set -tubes (toilet paper rolls, gift wrap rolls, and paper towel rolls) -Matryoshka set
Modifiers
For an easier challenge: -Replace boxes with a measuring cup set
For a trickier challenge -Replace boxes with tubes (toilet paper rolls, gift wrap rolls, and paper towel rolls) -Replace boxes with a real Matryoshka toy set
Follow-up Ideas
-Let the children fill and dump toys out of the boxed matryoshka with toys in their classroom.
-Bring the matryoshka set outside and let the children fill/dump out objects that they find in nature, such as pine cones, rock, sand, flowers, and leaves.
Originating Idea
It's not only a fun activity that promotes gross motor and fine motor skills, but it teaches children about space and permanence. You can also paint the boxes however you want.
How to Make Activity
The teacher should first paint the different boxes. Then she should carefully wrap the boxes in packing tape. She should test the boxes to make sure they easily slide in-and-out of each other.
How to Implement Activity
During free choice time, the teacher should bring out the boxes. She should have all the boxes together. She should then observe how the infants interact with the boxes.
The infants will initially be fascinated by the material on the boxes. They may spend the whole time feeling the outside of the boxes. Then they will start pulling the boxes apart. If the teacher painted different designs on the boxes, the infants may spend time looking at each different design. Otherwise, they will start pulling the boxes apart and then putting the boxes back together.
Near the end of free choice time, the teachers should start taking infants one-by-one to wash their hands for snack time.