DIY PALM TREE

This is one of the projects that I did for my daughter's birthday but never got to post.  It's a simple DIY palm tree using things you probably have in your house.

 

HOW TO INTRODUCE A SHAPE SORTER TOY TO A TODDLER

Does your toddler get frustrated when playing with a shape a sorter toy? Mine does.  Shape sorter toys are great for toddlers. It helps them with their eye hand coordination, pincer and palmar grasps and problem solving skills.  Introducing a shape sorter toy is a little bit tricky.  The LO is only 16 months and she gets frustrated that she can't fit a shape into a hole.  So, I had to go back a step and teach her to put objects into a container first.  I started with an open basket then moved towards to a plastic container to a pringles tube.  All sucesses!! The key is to gradually introduce a smaller hole opening.  Now, here's the next dilemna, as you introduce a new concept, you need to make sure that it is challenging enough that it pushes the LO to persevere but not difficult enough that she will just give up.

LO'S FIRST BAG

The LO is obsessed with my bag.  She dives into it and go for the good stuffs -- my wallet, keys and planner.  She walks around the house with my bag in her arm or my Iphone in her ear.  I figured, I can buy her her own very bag and found this in Amazon: Kidoozie My First Purse

DIY COLOR BIN

I made a color sorting wheel for my class today.  My kids for this year are much younger than what I had last year.  I have some color sorting boards from Lakehore but they seemed too distracting for my little kiddos. 

DIY SENSORY BOX

This is my friend's son Duke.  (He is also my daughter's soon to be boyfriend).  My friend Cita made him this amazing sensory box using common household products and a diaper box.

IKEA HACK : MALM HEADBOARD

Would you believe this is a MALM bed?  We've had our MALM bed for about 3 years now and I love how simple and clean the style is... but, I was getting bored with how plain looking it is.  One of the our bedroom's wall is painted dark chocolate brown and the headboard blends with it.

PLAY AREA FOR 10 MONTH OLD

The LO has a new play area again now that she is 10 1/2 months (FYI this is the 3rd time I have rearranged our apartment!).  She is now cruising and standing up on her own.  She needs a much bigger space where it will be safe for her to explore. One side has the sofa for her to hold on as she cruises, one side has a shelf for her toys and I propped pillows on the wall.  The other side opens to the living room where she could explore even more.

DIY OBJECT PERMANENCE BOX

 For the longest time, I've been wanting to buy the object permanence box... but I could not justify the $25 price tag.  I just felt it was too much for a toy I was not sure the LO will play with.  So, I decided to make one instead. All you need is a box and a ball.  This is a box from Ikea.  Any rectangular box with a lid will be perfect.