Farm Animal Bin
Objective: Feed the farm animals by pouring the kernels through the milk carton chute!
Benefits:
Grasping the small kernels is great for fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and building finger isolation. Feeding them through the chute helps build pincer grasp strength and finger dexterity. Developing the ability to manipulate their fingers in a coordinated manner and setting the foundation for future everyday tasks like; spoon holding/self feeding, cutting with scissors, and shoe tying.
Basic Materials:
This bin consists of a milk carton decorated with some construction paper to resemble a barn, sensory bin tools, i.e. spoon or tongs to scoop and grab, corn kernels, funnel to make it easier (optional), and some farm animal friends. Animal figurines are Schleich brand, and can be found on Amazon.com!
How I Interact:
Minimal is always best with child led play. Serving more as a creative guide and observing rather than directing and instructing her on what to do. I offer her a demonstration of pouring the kernels into the chute, filling up the tub (aka small plastic nursery pot) with them, and then let her either try to replicate these motions or explore and play in her own way. Beyond naming the animals as she picks them up, and pointing out different body parts (i.e. hoof, tail, snout) I let her do her own thing!
..but make it Fall
Objective: Feed the farm animals by pouring the pumpkins through the milk carton chute!
Basic Materials:
The only difference between this one and the last is that the kernels have been swapped out for a bag of brown rice. Half of which I dyed with red and orange food coloring. Also, the cute little pumpkins I found at our local craft store to feed through the chute as an alternative to the kernels. A fun little seasonal flair (totally optional). Small acorns or mini pine cones would just as easily do the trick, whatever you can find!
