Animal Excavation - Fun Science (STEM) Activity For Kids

It is never too early to introduce children to science. Toddlers with their curious minds are like little sponges, waiting to absorb everything they experience. And since science is all around us, why not introduce them to it early on? Watch this animal excavation activity that your child would love!

Science experiments need not be complex.  Even something as simple as observing how salt helps to melt ice faster is an amazing experience for kids. So here is a fun way to learn this concept and have a gala time! 

My son kept himself busy for so long in this activity that it gave me a much-needed breather. I even happily managed to capture his antics on the camera. He played, explored, observed, experimented and learnt a lot with this simple exercise. 

Below is the video of the activity & in action :)

Click HERE to read the full account of this activity. It has been featured on BabyChakra!

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Navratri & Dussehra Themed Montessori Inspired Activities & Crafts For Kids (VLOG)

With Navaratri & Dussehra around the corner, you must be wondering how to tell your kids about Navaratri. Well, the Montessori approach has an answer.  In a Montessori setup, children are exposed to different cultures and countries in a very hands-on way. If you are looking for activities & crafts you can do with your toddlers & preschoolers this Navratri & Dussehra season, you are at the right place!

When I wanted to let my 19 months old toddler experience the beautiful festive spirit of Navaratri and Dassera, I refreshed the Montessori learning principles in my head and planned out activities for my son, according to his age, skill set and interest. Now, I simply can’t wait to share them with you all!  All these activities have been chosen such that they represent  the culture and traditions of this 10 day festival. You can easily tweak them according to your child’s interest and age or even a bit as per your own culture!

Here is the video that explains the set of activities!

If you are an image person, here are some quick images of the activities that I did with my son -

CULTURE - A DIY bow & arrow made from hula hoop connectors & a twig. I used this as a prop while telling the story of Lord Ram & Raavan that how Lord Ram was so good at using bow & arrow. 

ART - Some sticks that we collected from garden, we painted them with tempera paints & used them to play dandiya :)

FINE MOTOR - Hand drawn Durga Mata faces kept inside plastic sheet. The activity is to peel off bindi & put it on the right place on Durga Mata. 

MATH - One to one correspondence of keeping one flower in one cavity using a clothespin. A pre-math activity & a fine motor skill to use the clothespin.

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You might also like THIS ultimate compilation of 17 books on Indian mythology for Dussehra & Navratri festival for children.

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PRETEND PLAY - People observe fast during Navatri season & hence I came up with this pretend play setup with his toy fruits & a balance. He became a fruit seller. 

SENSORY - Pulling out the flower petals & making water rangoli

MATH - Hand drawn Raavan face with numbers written on his 10 heads. Wooden number cutouts to match the numbers. 

SORTING - sorting marigold flowers according to the color

PRACTICAL LIFE - Punching holes in mango leaves & threading them to make a toran for Dussehra.

I am going to make a separate blog post on some books that you can read this Navratri & Dussehra festival to your kids.

My activities have also been featured on BabyChakra. Click HERE to check them.

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Do not forget to follow us on Facebook page & closed Facebook group, Twitter and Instagram for day to day updates that might not always find a place on this blog. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to know more about our early learning journey, DIY & Montessori-inspired activities for kids, kids books & toys reviews and much more!

Hope to see you around. Happy Parenting!

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The Ostrich Who Came For Tea - Pretend Play

The other day, I posted on my facebook page about how & why I love figurines & miniatures. And how open ended they are for a child to enjoy & play with.

Today, my 19 months old was enjoying in the swing leisurely when he suddenly wanted to get down. I helped him get down & he ran to another room & grabbed the ostrich from the animal figurines basket. He kept on playing with the ostrich for some time & then grabbed his tea set. Little did I know he had actually invited the ostrich for tea & snacks!

As you can see in the pic, from left to right, top to bottom, he first laid out the saucers, put cups over them, prepared tea & mixed sugar with the spoon, tasted the tea himself, invited the ostrich for tea, offered him tea & snacks by spoon himself, and then drank his tea himself!

I love how free play/pretend play brings forth the creativity in a child. All these were his own ideas :) Oh yes, he offered me some tea as well at the end!

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