summertime *reusable* indoor learning activity

Does it feel like summer is on its way where you live, or has it begun? Los Angeles is already bringing that heat. It's getting to be HOT outside. I am all for outdoor time and activities, but those days when the cool morning is taken over in a boil - we need indoor activities. This idea is derived from a Montessori "work," which is usually an activity that is chosen by the child. Typically I have seen this done in a shallow box or tray full of sand and a letter or shape to copy. I did this as a child in my Montessori school and remember it to this day, maybe because the one I used had BLUE sand! Must have been very exciting for me.

There are many of these sand trays on the market now and if you've had that purchase on your mind, let me give you an alternative! WE HAVE SAND AT HOME. No, maybe we don't live on a beachfront property or even own a sandbox. What we do have is SALT! A pantry staple, common table salt.

If your child likes to help you cook or bake, I'm sure there has been a spill of some sort around the kitchen. If you're able to clean up and save that spilled spice or sugar, go ahead and add it to a tray - make it an activity! Depending on your child's age, pick some letters, shapes, or numbers for them to work on. I have a printout that my daughter helped me make, here. You can print your choice of learning ideas out if possible, OR draw for them on paper yourself. This activity is best done with your finger, as the pencil if you will, to teach kids the shape and feel of what they are trying to learn. If you are at the stage of kids learning to use/hold pencils you can add in an unsharpened pencil, a stick, or maybe even a chopstick. Don't overthink these recommended items, just focus on how the activity could work for you and yours.

Use what you have!

---

HERE IS WHAT YOU'LL NEED: but again don't overthink it!

morton table salt can go a long way for many activities

So, if you read the part where I said that this is a reusable activity, I would like to explain. Grab a container, maybe an old pasta sauce jar - whatever you have - put the sand (salt) into that container, label it: SALT used for ACTIVITIES. Use it time and time again for this, OR I have another fun activity that requires table salt as well.

Remember, these are all just suggestions for an activity. You can use whatever you think will work for you! Let me know if you try this activity at home!

Here is a short clip of my daughter doing this activity at home.