Experimenting, exploring, creating and communicating through the activity is more important than expecting the children to achieve an end goal - for example, finding the buried items on time in Treasure Pots.
Texture Mat
* Chose a variety of fabrics like those shown in the photograph.
* Fabrics do not need to be the same size or shape.
* Ensure you select different textures and colours.
* Place all the small mats in a box or basket for your children to explore.
* Sit beside a child and choose a few pieces. Place them side by side, touch each piece and describe it. Invite the child to join in.
* Take your shoes off and support her in doing this too. Feel the textures with your toes. Use your elbows to try it out.
* Lie on the mat with the child and rub your cheek on the various fabrics.
Texture Trove
* Place a variety of items in a basket. They should be different shapes, materials, sizes and colours. For example, you could use a fir cone (make sure none of the seeds are loose), wooden spoon, marble egg and fur fabric.
* Close the 'trove' and place it on the floor. You could cover it with a large price of fabric if you wish and leave it for the children to discover and explore.
* As they find and open the 'trove', allow them to explore the textures. Sit nearby and interact if invited to by a child looking for your involvement.
* Place some of the soft resources next to each other and rough resources next to each other and allow the child to explore them further.
* If you become involved, choose some of the items and place them beside each other or on top of each other.
* This will encourage the children to manipulate the various objects and explore them further.
Treasure Pots
* Choose two or three large sized 'pots' - you could use flower pots, laundry tubs or baby baths.
* Fill them with sawdust, rice, pasta, sand or water, and allow the children to play with the contents.
* Allow them to choose some scoops or spoons to pour and fill the contents.
* Again, allow them to choose some small items to bury in the large pots. You could count to three while the children find them.
* Hide some items yourself for the children to find.
Pillow Mountain
* Gather a selection of pillows and cushions together and place them in a large space.
* Change the texture of the pillows by covering them with jumpers, skirts or fabric swatches.
* Allow the toddlers to roll on and under and hide behind the pillows.
* Lie on the 'mountain' with them and play peek-a-boo. Use a smaller cushion to tickle their chins, cheeks and noses.
* Hide some small soft toys underneath some of the pillows and encourage the children to find them.
* Place bells inside one of the cushions, and in another some paper that rustles when manipulated.
Food Play
* Although it's controversial because of the food wastage, if this type of activity is carried out only occasionally, young children will have huge amounts of fun.
* Pour some warm water into a pouring jug. Place a large tray on the floor and a small bowl of powdered potato. Suggest that the toddler pours some of the powdered potato and then adds water.
* Talk about what is happening. Suggest they use their fingers or a spoon to stir the mixture.
* Next add some spaghetti hoops, beans or peas to stir in and manipulate.
* Call attention to the different textures.
Silk Swatches
* Gather a selection of fabrics such as silk, satin, scented tissues, crepe paper and so on. Cut the pieces quite small.
* Allow the toddlers to explore the textures. Then throw some gently into the air and let them fall.
* Lie on your back with the toddlers and repeat, allowing the fabric to cascade on to your face. If the little ones want to join in, repeat.
* Encourage the children to stand and throw the fabric with you.
* This is a good introduction to throwing and catching objects.
