Toddlers love to do practical work! In reality, they need very few toys and just want to be involved in everyday life. Recently, Nora has been very interested in peeling the clementines for snack. Peeling is a great way to strengthen hand muscles and increase concentration.
Nora loves peeling so much that I've noticed that she has been taking clementines from her snack area and peeling them without actually eating the fruit. So, I've put together a couple of other easy Montessori inspired ways that she can work on peeling without actually wasting fruit.
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This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.
1. Washi tape on a tray -- Here, just place some washi tape on the tray and peel! So simple! I like washi tape because its not super sticky and can easily be ripped by a young toddler or preschooler. I was actually surprised how much Henry has liked this tray!
2. Crayon wrappers -- Yes, I broke these crayons. They tiny pieces are perfect for encouraging a pincer grip. Just a few broken pieces and Nora was quick to focus on peeling the paper.
3. Velcro on a Shoe -- This is another simple idea! Just a shoe! The velcro takes some strength to pull apart and precision to place back together. Not only is it fun to peel, its the perfect practice for Nora as she transitions to this pair of shoes.
4. Ziplock bag -- Here I just included a small ziplock back and a tiny felted heart. Nora loves placing objects inside bags, so she can peel open the bag place the heart inside and repeat.
5. Clementines -- Peeling clementines is so much fun and tasty! Nora has been doing this daily {see her in action here} for weeks! She's gotten to the point where she can do the whole process -- from starting the peel to throwing all the peel away!
These easy Montessori inspired trays make a great addition to a toddler or preschool shelf! Many can be recreated with just a few simple supplies. Many times observing a child can give you great ideas about what your child is interested in and what types of work they would be interested in. A simple practical observation -- Nora likes to peel oranges -- can lead to so much more exploration!
Do your children like to peel? Have you incorporated peeling activities with your toddler? Have your observations influenced the types of activities you present?
If you liked this post, don't miss: Montessori Toddler Trays -- How Do You Set Up Toddler Toys in a Montessori Way?
