Pipe Cleaners in a Jar

Stuffing Pipe Cleaners

Materials:
empty (clean) Parmesan cheese jar
pipe cleaners (cut into small pieces)
straws (cut into small pieces)

Push the small pipe cleaners or straws through the holes.
Dump or shake them out and do it again!

Kansas Early Learning Standards

PHD.t.4:

Coordinates the use of arms, hands and fingers to accomplish more complex tasks 

PHD.p3.2:

Uses classroom and household tools independently and with eye-hand coordination to carry out more complex activities.

K using the straws.

Excellent fine motor skills being worked!

K stopping for a "cheese".

Great eye hand coordination!

Allow your child to lead the activity for as long as she/he wants to explore.  Then try some extended activities.

Extended Activities:
> count the straws/pipe cleaners as your child puts them in
> name colors to be put in (put the yellow straw in, put the green pipe cleaner in, etc.)
> ask your child to put in a certain number of straws/cleaners (Can you put in 3 straws?)