Open and Close Treasure Box

I collected a few items that open and close in unique ways and put them into a box for my daughter (2.5 yrs).

A simple bottle with a screw top.

A pocket watch with a push-top.

She worked on this one with such determination when it was first introduced; and it seemed to be her favorite item in the box. Perhaps because it was such a challenge for her - she needed to figure out how to put her fingers just right on the sides in order to open it.  

A locket held together by magnets:

This one is tough for her - it helps to have a finger nail to open this one, so she really needs to use her finger and thumb strength. She's so focused when working on this one, and always so proud when it's open! 

A binder clip:

Strengthening those muscles in preparation for writing. She likes to squeeze this one as hard as she can to see how far she can open it - you know the kind of squeeze that makes your whole body shake - that's what she does here!

My son (4 yrs) also enjoys the binder clip in this box so he can show off his strength:

... I like how it's strengthening his pencil grip!

A frame that has a clasp similar to a coin purse closure.

She puts this up to her eyes upon opening and claims it's a pair of glasses. 

This locket has a little fold over clasp that hooks onto a little ball ... 

She needs to pick the locket with her little finger to pop it open.  

A small lock and key:

She likes the challenge of taking the key out and figuring out how to place it back in before opening.

Closing the lock is another challenge as it takes lining the hook up with the small hole, and takes some finger and thumb strength to lock it back into place.

Hope you enjoyed taking a look into my daughter's treasure box!

Currency: Sorting, Matching, Counting and More

Money Work at 2 Years:

 

Penny Transfer:

My daughter enjoys counting them as she transfers

 

Sorting Pennies and Dimes:

This is an absolute favorite of hers!

 

Object to Picture Matching

Penny and Dime Fronts and Backs:

Imagine Our Life's wonderful currency printables were found here.

 

 

 Money Work at 4 years:

 

Value Matching:

 

Bead Counting: 

 

Addition using Beads:

 

Hundred's Board:

10 dimes = $1.00

 

My son estimated 100 pennies and then filled his Hundred's Board: 

 

100 Pennies = $1.00

 

Currency with Teens Board:

My proud son mastered his Teens Board about 5 months ago. Once it was mastered, we moved to currency and began using it with money instead of beads.

 

 

Extensions to Dissecting Sunflowers and Polishing Acorns

A few extensions to our Dissecting Sunflowers and Polishing Acorns post.

 

My son decided he would like to take the seeds he and his sister pulled out of their sunflower and give them to the birds/squirrels.  

So we found a pine cone and he got to work spreading peanut butter on it.

Sprinkling it with sunflower seeds

My camera died, so this is the best I could do up close with my phone.   

He picked this spot because the birds like to sit on the top of the fence by our star. He didn't want me to hang it, so he put it up as high as he could reach.

 

Here are our nature jars with bags for some multi-sensory work:

I filled jars and bags.

The children feel the bags and match them to the nature jars by touch and sight.

Some prickly looking plants from our nature walk, corn we picked off the cob last year and our most recent acorns (cleaned, polished and baked by the kids). 

Can't wait to get out and see what the kids find outdoors this weekend!