Gumball fine motor skill play

I don’t know if you visit the dollar store as much as I do but I am a dollar store addict. Yes, I admit it – I just can’t drive by without one quick stop just to see if there is something I might want to pick up…

I recently picked up a set of gumball machines for my students to explore along with our sound of the letter Gg….

The children found the gumball machines, chopsticks, plastic cups, and gumballs out on the table to explore…

The children spent all morning using their fingers to pop gumballs out of the machine…

And the chopsticks to pick gumballs up and drop them back into the machine or into the clear plastic cups…

As the children explored the gumballs they also spent a good part of the morning just exploring the mechanics of the gumball machines too…

And different ways to get the gumballs to drop from the machine into the cups…

The children loved the gumball machines and I know someone is going to ask me if the children wanted to eat the gumballs.  I don’t know why they didn’t ask me, but they did not ask me if they could eat the gumballs. The children seemed to be more focused on using the gumballs to explore the gumball machines and because we often use items like gumballs for exploration, I think my students just know that they were for play and not for eating…

Here’s another example of a fine motor game you can play with your students!

 

Available on Amazon

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

Subscribe to My Newsletter

Latest Blog Posts

P is for Pizza!

While learning about the letter “P” we decided to explore with pizza! Pizza is an all-time favorite food for many preschoolers, and activities involving pizza

Read More »