We started the day off with our books as usual! I love to start our baby-school days by taking my sweet into my lap for a cuddle and a good book. I get a thrill out of seeing him point to different things that interest him and guiding him through each page.
Kingston really loves the book Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer
, so I let him explore it on his own after we read it. He couldn't resist grabbing the slinky-like caterpillar that runs throughout the center of the book. He was in awe of the butterfly on the last page (which is a pop up), and stroked each wing.
Simultaneously, I set out an invitation to explore using a butterfly teether and a caterpillar-like toy. Really, it was a firefly type bug, but it served its purpose! I had previously popped the Teething Wing Butterfly
into the freezer, so that the gel side would be nice and cold. This added a sensory element to his exploration. Since it IS Sensory Saturday, I wanted to add as much sensory play as possible to our learning fun. He had a great type chomping on the cold butterfly.
While he played, I talked to him about butterflies and caterpillars. I used words like, caterpillar, leaf, crawl, cocoon, butterfly, wings, and fly". He was enthralled with the caterpillar toy. I kept holding the wings back and making it crawl on the rug. When the caterpillar had crawled a bit, a let the wings fly forward and flew it up into the air. K thought this was very amusing and waved his arms up and down trying to reach for it!
For this project you will need: a zip top bag, a Pipe cleaner
, and Pom-Poms
. This is such a simple craft, and so unbelievably versatile. Simply fill your bag with the pom poms (or anything else you choose - the options are endless!), seal, split the poms down the middle evenly, and secure pipe cleaner around the center. I triple knotted it because I have a little destruct-o on my hands! Then I cut the pipe cleaners to make the antennae shorter, and folder down the tops so that it wouldn't poke Kingston. I love how it turned out!
While he played, I talked to him about butterflies and caterpillars. I used words like, caterpillar, leaf, crawl, cocoon, butterfly, wings, and fly". He was enthralled with the caterpillar toy. I kept holding the wings back and making it crawl on the rug. When the caterpillar had crawled a bit, a let the wings fly forward and flew it up into the air. K thought this was very amusing and waved his arms up and down trying to reach for it!
This is his: "Can I help you Mama?!" face! This kid is hilarious I tell you!
Earlier in the day, while Kingston was napping, I made this simple Sensory Butterfly! I had been perusing Pinterest for some kind of related sensory activity, and came across butterfly sensory bags filled with paint. I loved the idea of that, but K is used to playing with paint in bags. I wanted to fill it with something else for him to explore. I decided that pom poms would be the perfect addition!
He went back and forth between playing with the sensory butterfly and his caterpillar/butterfly toys. I let him play until he lost interest. I was happy to see that they kept his interest like yesterday with his bee activities. Kingston has a very long attention span, especially when it comes to the introduction of new items. He will play with something new and exciting for a long time. It makes it really worthwhile for me to make things for him. Nothing like a little baby appreciation to make a mama swoon!
After a nice long nap, I helped Kingston make a caterpillar based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar
I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day! I am so excited to celebrate my first real Mother's Day with my little buddy.
So cute! I still have my son's hand print Very Hungry Caterpillar from when he was 2 -- it's framed and up on the wall. I'm going to pin this so I can try the sensory caterpillar with the young ones I'll be watching over the summer. Thanks for sharing at Stress-Free Sunday at Fun-a-Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks MC! That's adorable!! That's going to be me.. I will still have it framed 5 years from now! :) So excited for you try our activity
DeleteThanks!
ReplyDelete