Once the pivots have worked their way down to the wrist, the journey doesn’t stop there, although for lots of children it becomes far trickier. This is where children often get stuck. The end of the ‘pivot’ journey will be when we get that mark making implement to the very last, smallest set of pivots, right at the end of the fingers. If we can hold our mark making tool there then we will have the fullest, most dexterous range of movement that our bodies can provide. Penguin Pre School The hand is quite a complex piece of machinery and is made up of lots of different joints and muscle groups that interconnect and work together to provide maximum dexterity. … Read More
A Week of Dough Gym…
I have had loads of requests for more information about Dough Gym recently so, rather than do one GIGANTIC post, I am going to do a Dough Gym post every day this week. By next weekend you will all be experts! I first started doing Dough Gym as a Reception teacher way back in the Early 1990’s. In those days it was the policy of the school that I was working in, to start each day by getting children who couldn’t write their names to copy it through tracing paper. It didn’t take me long to realise that there was a core group of children that were really struggling to hold their pencil, never mind recognise and write their name. … Read More
Mid Week Make – Apple Shrunken Heads!
These weren’t my idea, I came across them on the internet and just had to have a go. Initially I made them as talk prompts as part of an activity for my next book about display. The whole concept of a severed head is wonderfully gorey, but also the process of the initial making and then the ensuing decay is fascinating. Not to mention the end results. I love them! They are dead easy to make (excuse the pun)! You need Apples (any sort will do) Apple peeler Play dough utenstils Blunt wooden skewers or sticks Lemon juice (optional) Water (optional) My boys loved making them. I obviously don’t condone the drinking of wine whilst working with children (unless they … Read More
Squeeze and Snap Dough Recipe
It has been a busy old time here at ABC headquarters what with conferences, consultancy and book deadlines! I am also really chuffed to say that I have been shortlisted for not one, but three Nursery World Awards! This is very exciting news and I am keeping everything crossed that I might actually win one! I have also very much enjoyed trying out some new dough recipes with my gorgeous neice Mabel -who is a very willing, able and chatty helper! We had such fun making this one, I thought I would share it. It is really quick and easy. Squeeze and Snap Dough (It is called ‘Squeeze and Snap’ because you can squeeze it and snap it!) What … Read More