apples
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Gross Motor Activities with Apples
Sometimes we have to get a little creative in order to support gross motor skills, but when it comes to exploring apples, there are tons of ways to incorporate practicing these skills! Here are some of my favorite ideas. Apples are ball-shaped (for the most part) which makes them perfect for tossing and catching – gently of course! They can also be rolled back and forth or used in games like bowling. Apples with stems can be tied to a piece of yarn and hung from a tree so children can practice reaching and pulling (or “picking”). They make excellent items for relay races – balance them on wooden spoons,…
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Fine Motor Activities With Apples
You can’t escape the apple theme this time of year, and for good reason! Apples are a wonderful way to explore the science behind plant life and nutrition, but they can also be a great way to exercise some fine motor skills. Here are some of my favorite ways to use apples: Use a rotating apple peeler (like this one – affiliate link) to encourage wrist movement. It’ll fascinate the children and make quick work of slicing all of those apples so that you can taste them or bake with them. Of course, it does have a sharp blade, so this is a one-on-one activity that should only be done…
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Apple Orchard Field Trip
Visiting the apple orchard is one of my all-time-favorite autumn activities and it’s a perfect field trip for preschoolers. An apple orchard is an excellent introduction into understanding where our food comes from, and how fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested. There are so many topics that a trip like this can lead into, and it has the added bonus of great snacks! If you’re planning a visit to the apple orchard here are some things to prepare young children for before you go: Some topics that can be explored in relation to an apple orchard field trip are: If you aren’t able to visit the orchard in person…
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Autumn Cooking Projects
Autumn is a great time to explore cooking in the classroom because the season naturally lends itself to so many food-related experiences. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites, along with some great ideas from other bloggers, to give you plenty of recipes to choose from! Apple sauceMaking apple sauce is a great experience for preschoolers because they can be a part of the entire process. Apples are soft enough that they can be easily cut with plastic knoves, and this recipe is made in the crockpot, so you can do it all in the classroom while they watch – and smell! Mini Apple PiesPlay to Learn Preschool has…
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Starting a child-led apple investigation
It’s almost that time of year – time to explore all things apples and pumpkins. I don’t know what it is about apples, but we can’t seem to make it through a school year without some kind of apple activity or snack. I’m all for exploring these fall favorites, but lets let the children determine what they want to learn. The best way to start a child-led investigation is incredibly easy; just put some apples on a table and see what happens. I do suggest a number of different kinds and colors of apples, because these will lead to a number of different conversations. Young children are curious about EVERYTHING,…
