Poking pins for fun
11 August 10
Today I had a two-year-old who needed some extra attention. Calista yearned for something to do while her sisters played more sophisticated games with their little people, so I started looking around for a quick and easy activity that would interest her.
After I opened our package today (we upgraded to a “real” microphone for Skyping — the Yeti), I had turned over the blocks of polystyrene that had protected the device and wondered what they could be used for. Surely, with creative minds in the house, these polystyrene bricks could have new life breathed into them.
So I did a quick Google search and couldn’t find anything satisfactory. I didn’t want to buy any more craft supplies, and my primary concern was that the girls didn’t start breaking up the bricks, leaving bits everywhere for the baby to eat.
But then I thought about the successes I’d had with offering my sewing stash to the girls to play with, plus Aisha’s current fascination with sewing.
So I brought out my pearl-headed pins and matched it with one of the polystyrene packaging blocks and gave them to Calista. I showed her how to poke the pins into the block, and as she got started, we were soon seriously looking at the colour of each pin.
Later on, when Calista had announced that she had had enough (after first teasing her sisters by hopping down and then back up again several times), it was Aisha’s and Brioni’s turns. I drew their names on the polystyrene blocks and encouraged them to follow the outlines of the letters.
I’m always amazed at how Aisha and Brioni can carry on lengthy conversations while they’re playing. They’re two old souls, chatting like old biddies — reliving conversations, analysing actions and emotions, disagreeing and then reaching a consensus.
Brioni is fiery and emotional, and Aisha is logical and rational. The two clash mightily but smooth things over very quickly. Isn’t that how all good friendships should be?
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1 · Donna · 11 August 2010, 21:45
What beautiful girls you have!! Love the pin craft / time occupier / learning activity – I intend to try it out with my girlies. Luv Donna
2 · Debbie · 11 August 2010, 22:27
What a great idea! I will have to invest in some more pins to try this.
3 · Neely · 12 August 2010, 00:33
My daughter is completely engrossed in sewing right now. I am trying to teach her to put the needles away so her siblings don’t get them! This would be a wonderful activity for my other children to do while she sews at the table. Our quick, keep them busy activity is filling half a bowl with water and put in some dish soap. Give them a straw and this can last forever! lol You mentioned to me about linking again and I am not sure what you meant. I am not very computer savvy. ;) What beautiful pictures you have here! Have you ever considered making your blog into a book. I have seen that done and it is amazing!
4 · Lori M · 12 August 2010, 03:09
I’ll say it again – I just love how you are so tuned into your kids’ development, different personalities, etc.
5 · Rosemary · 12 August 2010, 15:31
wow, that is a cool activity with styrofoam / polystyrene! I also save our styrofoam pieces, (dd hasn’t used them in a while) but she used to make things with pipe cleaners attached to them etc. Fun!
6 · beyondbluestockings · 12 August 2010, 17:22
What a great idea! Even as a grown up (who can’t sew for peanuts), I still like a reason to get out my pretty, coloured pins. I know my little people would love this activity – thanks for sharing :)
7 · Peta · 14 August 2010, 00:10
I’m impressed with the fact that you gave your girls the responsibility of playing with the pins even though there is a small element of risk that they would poke themselves, each other etc… They obviously rose to the challenge. Our kids learn so much more when we allow them to take a risk. Thanks for reminding me of that Lauren.
8 · beth @brewcrew · 14 August 2010, 00:11
LOVE this idea, thank you for sharing!
9 · Lauren · 14 August 2010, 07:26
Peta, everything has an element of risk — even colouring-in! Perhaps I am happier with a greater level of risks than more parents, and my children are also more responsible as a result.
10 · Jody · 16 August 2010, 23:23
This is a great activity! We often do Push pin work, but I have never tried this! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up!
(hugs)
11 · Colleen - Sunrise Learning Lab · 17 August 2010, 04:08
Cool post! Love the work they did. Pinning is such a great work, isn’t it? We have taken a week off from our regular Montessori schedule, as my sons are doing a Lego summer camp this week, but hope that you will pop by this week, as sometime this week, I am going to post some free Lego downloads from the camp projects I designed for the boys and their buddies. Have a happy week, Colleen
12 · amandab · 17 August 2010, 09:07
We have lots of colourful pins left from our Christmas decorations that we made (candy can trees and chocolate balls – lollies pinned to foam shapes) so maybe we could try this too (if Princess gets over her fear of pointy bits. Perhaps Mumma has been over zealous in her instruction of “Be careful”!)
13 · Deb Hodgkin · 17 August 2010, 09:32
What a good idea! I remember my eldest used to put the pins into a chair cushion. My little one hasn’t seen as much sewing because I find it harder with two, but the big one would love to do it again now she’s old enough to make patterns and things.
14 · jenny @ let the children play · 17 August 2010, 11:15
What a fabulous idea – thanks for sharing it :)
15 · Kelly Be A Fun Mum · 18 August 2010, 10:19
This is absolutely fabulous! I’m so impressed. Poor teddy though lol. My daughter would love this activity. Will be trying this one. Thank you!
16 · katepickle · 18 August 2010, 10:41
What a fabulous idea! My three year old loves to sit and put pins from one pin cushion to another while I sew… I had never thought of a lump of foam for this, so much fun!
17 · JDaniel4's Mom · 18 August 2010, 22:05
They did such a wonderful job. This looks like it could be hard.