PREPARATION TIME: 5 minutes | AGE: 1 - 3 years old
MATERIALS:
Shaving foam
Containers for shaving foam
Food coloring
Spoons
Towels (for cleaning)
Cake sprinkles
Small bowls for sprinkles
Toy ice cream cones or cups
Ice cream scoop or spoon
Optional: large oven tray & small cars
INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare the colored shaving foam by mixing shaving foam and food coloring in separate containers.
Set up small bowls and fill them with cake sprinkles.
Introduce the materials to the child and suggest playing ice cream shop. Encourage them to take ice cream orders with different colors and toppings.
If the child starts losing interest, switch up the activity by using the shaving foam in a different way. For example, place it in a large tray and have fun playing with toy cars.
DEVELOPMENT AREAS:
SENSORY DEVELOPMENT: Mixing the shaving foam with different food coloring and exploring the texture of the foam provides a sensory experience. The child can feel the foam's softness, observe the vibrant colors, and engage their senses through touch and sight.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Using spoons to mix the foam and food coloring, scooping the foam into the ice cream cones or cups, and sprinkling toppings require precise hand movements. These actions help develop the child's fine motor skills, coordination, and dexterity.
IMAGINATIVE PLAY: Pretending to run an ice cream shop encourages imaginative play. The child can take on different roles, such as being a customer or a shopkeeper, which stimulates their creativity and helps develop their social and emotional skills.
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION: During the activity, the child can practice verbalizing their ice cream orders, interacting with others, and expressing their preferences for colors and toppings. This promotes language development, vocabulary expansion, and communication skills.
COGNITIVE SKILLS: Taking and fulfilling ice cream orders involves basic counting, color recognition, and matching skills. The child can also engage in problem-solving and decision-making by choosing different combinations of colors and toppings.
FOCUS AND ATTENTION: Following the instructions, mixing colors, and creating different ice cream orders require concentration and focus. Engaging in this activity can help improve a child's attention span and ability to stay engaged in a task.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION: Playing with sensory materials like shaving foam can provide a calming and soothing effect, helping children regulate their emotions and reduce anxiety or stress. It can also offer a safe outlet for emotional expression and exploration.
