Practice some of the most foundational math skills with this fun and inviting turkey color and number match Montessori inspired activity. I've included a free printable so that you can set this up in a breeze! What a perfect addition this would be to a math center for hands-on learning! It is designed for younger children and older children, so whether a child is working on colors, numbers, or View Post
Alphabet Bead Sand Tray Loose Parts Play
Do you have an item around that you just find irresistible? For me and my kids, it's alphabet beads -- and a sand tray. I decide to put the two together to make an alphabet bead sand tray loose parts play invitation. Two words describe this activity: pure bliss! I could just run my hands through a giant container of alphabet beads! Wouldn't that be so fun! The smooth texture and inviting View Post
Musical Shaker Sensory Bottle
This musical shaker sensory bottle with beads has been a huge win for my kiddos. Now that I have another sweet baby in the house, it has been so fun making activities that my big kids and the baby all love. It makes a gentle sound when shaken, similar to a rainstick. The baby finds it irresistible. And the big kids love to make her giggle. Awww, these moments! Does anyone else ever wish the View Post
Cute Ghost Sensory Smash
Combine recycled eggs with shaving cream to make this fun cute ghost sensory smash game! The past few years around Halloween my girls have enjoyed throwing and Smoking Boo Bombs and watching them explode all over. You can find all of the directions to making Smoking Boo Bombs on Growing a Jeweled Rose. This year I wanted to put a twist on things. So we filled some eggs with shaving cream! It View Post
Alphabet Sensory Bag
Isn't this alphabet sensory bag so inviting!?! We have been enjoying squishing it and finding the alphabet letter jewels hidden in it. It's the perfect blend of learning the alphabet and sensory exploration. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. This alphabet sensory bag works two-fold. It is a great and fun learning activity, but it is also a tool. A tool for View Post
Books for Teaching Themes
Some of my best preschool lesson plans have been made through themes. Whenever my classes have shown an interest in a particular topic, one of my first ways to organize for it is to find books about that topic. I've compiled books for teaching themes, and I'm including some of my all-time favorite educational books. Teaching through themes is not only engaging to young children but it also View Post
Ice Cube Melt Science Experiment
Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Curious Kid's Science Book in exchange for a review. In fact I begged this author to do a review for all of her books (including future ones) because I love her work that much! So you know the activities that you plan for children that you think will capture their attention for about five minutes, but instead they can't get away! This ice cube melt View Post
Tips for Helping Picky Eaters
I am sharing my top tips for helping picky eaters! These are preschool teacher approved methods that can be useful for children who are picky, have texture sensitivities, or are reluctant to even try a new food. It can be quite rough to get a picky eater to eat. I've had children in my classes over the years who have refused foods because they "don't look right," because they are a fruit or View Post
Free Printable for Glass Bead Story Pieces
Teaching children through stories is so valuable and important. I always piece together my own curriculum each year, and many times I use stories as the base and foundation for many of my activities. This was my inspiration for these Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? glass bead story pieces. We loved using our story stones, and I decided to make another extension with hands-on characters by View Post
Candy Corn Pattern Discovery Bottle
Candy corn, you love it or you hate it, right!?! I think the colors on the candy corn are perfect together, which is the inspiration for today's sensory bottle -- a candy corn pattern discovery bottle. Truthfully, I'm not a huge fan of the candy, but I always have to eat a few. And when I do, I bite each color off. One at a time! Am I just crazy, or does anyone else do that too? This View Post