Activities for The Home Environment

ACTIVITIES FOR THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

 
PRACTICAL LIFE

Carry bags of groceries inside

Get mail

Feed/give water to pets

Throw trash away

Sort recyclables (plastic, paper, and glass)

Sort light/dark laundry

Empty clean laundry into basket

Empty dishes out of dishwasher

Set the table for meals

Clear plates after meals

Pour water with small pitcher

Sweep up dirt with small dustpan

Wipe up spills

Water the plants

Fold towels/washcloths

Scrub plastic toys with soapy water (such as large     riding toy for a car wash)

Dressing themselves

Undressing themselves

Opening/closing zippers

Opening/closing Velcro

Buttoning

Sleep in bed instead of crib

Wear underwear

Help make bed (pull up covers & place pillows)

Place stamp on envelopes

Let them fix your hair

Have them give you a foot massage

Use appropriate utensils for eating

Always wash hands before eating and after toileting

 
COOKING/FOOD PREP

Make personal pizzas (spread sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add toppings)

Make burritos (add toppings and roll)

Scramble eggs (crack eggs, whisk them, pour into     pan)

Make smoothies

Scoop melon balls

Get own snack

Spread jelly, hummus, etc on bread or crackers

Slice bananas with a butter knife

Scrub vegetables with a brush

Wash fruit

*See Food Prep sheet on back to discover other ideas to include your toddler in cooking activities

 
LANGUAGE

Name everything using appropriate terminology

Identify feelings (yours and theirs)

Discuss the sequence of events

Have them tell you a story

Play “I spy” games with vocabulary words

Finger plays

Matching games

 
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

Encourage them to put their “toys” away

Set up an environment that has order

Encourage appropriate manners

Encourage gentle touches when exploring materials  and other people and animals

Set clear limits/expectations

Establish consistent routines (i.e. take bath, brush     teeth, read book, and get tucked into bed)

 
SENSORY

Discuss how things smell (use descriptive words)

Discuss how things taste (use descriptive words)

Discuss how things sound (use descriptive words)

Discuss how things feel (use descriptive words)

Sort objects by color, size, shape, and other   characteristics

Describe the characteristics of objects

Take a nature walk; discuss the variety of textures,   colors, smells, etc.

Go on a scavenger hunt

Let them tell you when the traffic light is green
 
FINE MOTOR/HAND-EYE COORDINATION

Puzzles

Posting items inside containers (water bottle)

Painting with brush

Finger painting

Playdough

Drawing with chalk on the sidewalk

Using scissors

Using brush to glue items together

Lacing/threading beads on shoestring

Stickers

Opening/closing containers

Building structures with blocks

Make a tall tower

Rolling placemats or small towels

Pick up small objects