Stick and remove

Stick and remove

Activities for toddlers and babies

Young children learn by repeating the same actions many times. They assimilate best when they are interested in the activities that are made available to them. That is why I chose to create a theme that involves two actions children love: sticking and removing various adhesive items repeatedly.

AREA SETUP

Purchase several sticker books and large stickers that can safely be manipulated by little ones. Set them on a table or in a special bin and let children explore the material.

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

Diaper changes and adhesive tape

Purchase colorful adhesive tape. Every time you change a child’s diaper, have fun sticking pieces of tape on his shoes, his sweater, the back of his hand, etc. Wait for the child to remove the pieces of tape. Let him stick the pieces of tape on you. At the end of the activity, be sure to remove all the pieces of tape (constant supervision required).

SENSORY ACTIVITIES (look, touch)

Pumpkins and feathers

Set pumpkins on a large towel or blanket and use a spray bottle to moisten them. This “sticky” activity is great because it doesn’t require glue, just water. Let children press feathers all over the pumpkins. They will temporarily stick to the surface.

SENSORY ACTIVITIES (look)

A little joke

Cut a fun shape out of construction paper, for example a fish. With the toddlers in your group, pick a person who works in your daycare who will be your accomplice, for example the cook or another early childhood educator. Glue the shape on the person’s back and have fun laughing with him or her about your little joke.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Fabric

Create a sticky board using a roll of adhesive paper. Hang it on a wall at children’s level, with the adhesive side facing away from the wall. Set small pieces of different types of fabric on the floor. Encourage your group to stick the pieces of fabric on your board and remove them.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Little decorators

Let toddlers help you decorate your daycare. Purchase removable stickers. They are great because they can be pressed on items and removed repeatedly without damaging the surface. Let children press the stickers wherever they see fit: on furniture, on the floor, on walls, etc. Try to respect their choices as much as possible.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Post-it fun

Use adhesive Post-it notes to foster spatial awareness. Stick them on items throughout your daycare to encourage babies and toddlers to stretch to reach them. Use words to describe where the adhesive notes are: on the table, under a hat, on the floor, under a window, etc.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

Magnets during walks

Give toddlers large magnets that they can safely manipulate. You can find horseshoe-shaped magnets in specialty toy stores. Walk around your daycare with your group to find surfaces the magnets will stick to. This activity can also be done at the playground. Children will like to stick the magnets on signs and play structures.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

Pictures on a window

Create a unique “picture book” using the pictures of your choice. Using a spray bottle, moisten a window. Press the pictures on the window. They will adhere to the surface. Have fun naming the items in the pictures.

Chantal Millette

Early childhood educator

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