What are some fun activities for cognitive development?

Fun activities for cognitive development?

• What are some outdoor activities that children can learn from? Fun and easy? Last week, we poured glue on a paper, and crumbled leaves. Today, I wrote their names with glue on paper, and they poured dirt. They loved the idea that they just created their name by pouring dirt. Anywho, any ideas?? Any weather is fine. Also, I was looking for activities for fine and gross motor skills. I know several things, just looking to see if anyone else may have an idea! Thanks! :)

• Answer:

  You could set up a scavenger hunt - depending on the ages, you could have either a word list or a picture list to work on word/object recognition. Also, for fine motor skills, you can set up an "excavation scene" - bury some items in mud the day before, let it dry, then have the kids chisel away at it to find the items (you could bury little plastic dinasaurs or bugs to make it like a real excavation). If you don't want to mess around with mud, then bury the items in sand and have the kids sift to find the items. This not only works on fine motor skills, but also addresses tactile and sensory integration. This time of year is great for playing I-spy outdoors since leaves are starting to change color - have the kids find something of various colors (i.e. leaves, rocks, flowers, etc.). For gross motor skills, eurhythmics is great. You can do improv or use recorded music and have the kids express through movement what they see outside. For example, one kid might see a leaf twirling around in the wind, so he could make up a dance and pretend that he is a leaf twirling around. Have the rest of the kids guess what he is and do it along with him. And the possibilities are endless! Have fun - it sounds like the kids you work with are having a blast!