Center ideas - art, science (ooey, gooey, squishy stuff)?

Question

We have a 17 month old. We do Glen Doman with him and he currently recognizes over 500 words and can do math very well, and he speaks two languages. But we want him to just have FUN, too!

We have his playroom (carpeted) with a bounce house, slide and "climbing wall," tunnel, sit and spin, rody horse, and blocks and toys.

I have finally talked my husband into making the garage an ooey, gooey, squishy, messy, fun play area.

We're going to have a sandbox, an art table, an easel, and his brachiation ladder. I also want a science play area.

What I'm looking for is advice/ideas...

I know I can put oatmeal, flour, sand, beans, whatever in the sandbox. But what else can I do?

What sorts of things do you have in a science center? And besides crayons/stamps/markers what do you do with art?

Any "center" ideas are most appreciated - it's just him and he can be as messy as he wants!!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I work at a center and the kids his age have lots of different stuff put in the "sensory" table throughout the year.  There are lots of things to be put in sensory table.  Noodles: cooked or not (long enough so that they are not chokable).  You can do water, snow, ice in big chunks, (so can't choke), shredded paper, mashed potato flakes, wrapping paper...

Science: ant farm, goldfish, hampsters... animals are science.

Answer 2

PLAY PLAY PLAY - Early Childhood should just be about fun and being with the people you love most - family.  Over scheduling your child and having performance based expectations is does not allow for the natural curiosity that children have to be explored or developed.  Go natural - go to the park, into the backyard, down the street, turn the bedroom into a cave and read books under the covers with a torch - the best thing you can do for your child is love them

Answer 3

Please----do not put BEANS in anything for a child!! Do not put flour or any powdered substance in the sandbox or any other container the child might aspirate the flour from! Oatmeal is loaded with airborne particles as well--not at all a good idea, could lead to asthma, pneumonia etc. And the beans have sprouted in noses, ears and lungs and can be deadly. I suggest you let him be an adventuresome child and investigate the natural earth and save all the intellectually stimulating pursuits for HIM to choose with SOME direction from you. He is already so choreographed he will burn out at 3 on overwhelm! He is not being allowed to find things and say "look Momma look!" all excited at HIS discovery. Best of life joy and happiness to you!

Answer 4

The best science is outside in your backyard or at a park. That's where you can find bugs, leaves pinecones, dirt etc...

You are smart to let your child just have fun. Your child has many, many years of school ahead and not too many years of play ahead. I've seen hundreds of children burned out of education by high school by pushy parents -trying to raise genuises. What these parents wanted ( Their child to go to a great college) is exactly the opposite of what they get.  A lot of these pushed children end up taking time off before going to college or not going at all college .

Young children learn best through play.