Activity 7: Folding Laundry

Yes, kids must learn to fold laundry, not just their own but the family’s laundry as well. Here is why:

1. It is a life skill. It takes them one step closer to learning how to take care of themselves, and others.

2. They need to know that chores are for everybody, not just mummy and daddy. This will teach them to value what their parents do for them and not take their comforts for granted.

3. Folded clothes last longer and contribute to the cleanliness of the home. Children need to learn the importance of both.

This does not have to be a boring activity. Make it all about how neatly and how quickly they can complete this task. You can also make it competitive by challenging them to fold within a given time limit.

Watch the video of my four year old showing how to fold certain types of clothes. If you want more ideas on how to fold some difficult pieces of clothing, or how to arrange clothes inside a cupboard, you can check Marie Condo on the Internet.

Comments

Activity 1: Leaf Art

If you have a couple of potted plants at home, or if you are lucky enough to have a proper garden, you have something that the kids can play with, and learn from, at the same time: leaves. Here is a simple activity you can undertake with no mess and no preparation. Age: 3 – 6 years Materials required: 1. 2 or 3 thin sheets of paper 2. colour pencils / wax crayons 3. leaves of different sizes and shapes (select ones that have visible veins, like hibiscus leaves) 4. a thick sheet (to make a greeting card with) 5. a pair of scissors 6. a glue stick What to do? 1. Place the leaf face down on a flat surface, like a table or a book. 2. Put a thin sheet of paper over the leaf and lightly colour the area above the leaf. 3. Notice that the outline of the veins of the leaf appear on the sheet of paper. The outline of the leaf itself will also appear if your leaf is thick enough. 4. Now, ask the child to make several such impressions on the t...

Activity 3: Object Squares

When a child manages to draw an object on her own, she feels a sense of accomplishment. Her ability to create something on her own, makes her confident, creating an aura of positivity. Think of a simple object like a cup. It is just a combination of straight and curved lines. Anyone can draw it. Therefore, it is the best subject for an art class conducted by a non-artist (that’s us). Age: 3 – 6 years Materials required: 1. a sheet of paper 2. a square object to trace squares (example: building blocks) 3. pencil Steps: 1. Draw squares on the sheet of paper, three in a row. 2. In the first square of each row, draw an object of your choice. Here are some ideas for objects you can draw: · everyday objects, like a fork, a pencil, a window · objects from our surroundings, like a boat, a car, a hut ...

Activity 5: Nose Knows

There are entire professions that require a keen sense of smell, like aromatherapy and perfumery. But even for the rest of us, a good sense of smell is helpful. Not just because we can detect a gas leak faster, but because smells are also connected to memory and vocabulary. So here is an activity that I call ‘Nose Knows’ to help children learn to use their sense of smell. Materials required: 1. Select four or five spices that can be sniffed closely without running the risk of irritating the respiratory system. I selected these four spices: dry bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Choose the whole spice rather than the powdered form. 2. You can use a blindfold if your child is comfortable wearing one. Alternatively, you can just ask the child to close their eyes for the second half of the activity. Steps: 1. Place the spices on a tray or plate and allow the child to explore them. This includes touching, smelling and licking the spices. Ensure that they do not ...

Busy Kids are Happy Kids

Search This Blog