Spiderweb Basket Small group time: Age: six months (or sitting up) -two years
Originating Idea: I thought this would help the children learn how to problem solve and I chose to use their preferred items. I thought that the kids would work harder if it was something that they really wanted.
Materials for child and teacher: Laundry basket with spider web (yarn or string that has been woven into a web) Toys that are stuck under the "web"
Beginning: Show the child the basket that has some of their preferred toys or items in it Middle: The child will enjoy trying to figure out how to get the items out of the web. It may be difficult for some but is good for problem solving. They will enjoy working their hands through the different layers, trying to reach the toys.
End: When we are done here we can read a book about spiders!
Earlier children may: Enjoy playing with the strings on the basket and feeling them. It is more for children that are sitting up. Later children may: Tip the basket over and try different ways to get their items out
Follow up ideas:
Have an obstacle course for the kids to crawl through similar to the spider web.
KDI that relates: Approaches to Learning (problem solving)