As parents, we all want our children to grow and develop to the best of their abilities. There are countless ways to encourage this growth, but sometimes the most effective methods are the ones that are also the most fun. That’s where Montessori activities come in. These hands-on, interactive exercises are designed to help children learn and develop in a way that feels like play. And one particularly engaging Montessori activity is Boxes with Surprises. This activity can help unlock your child’s motor skills and spark their curiosity in a way that will keep them engaged and entertained. So if you’re looking for a new way to help your child grow and learn, read on to discover the magic of Boxes with Surprises.
Boxes With Surprises
Suitable Age: 2 1/2+
Materials:
- A basket or a tray consisting of various boxes with different ways to open each and a “surprise” inside each box
Direct Aim: Removing, placing, and balancing the pegs evenly around the basket independently, and the three-finger grasp
Indirect Aim:
- Refinement of the muscles in the hand
- Concentration
- Hand-eye coordination
- Independence
- Horizontal sequence from left to right
Presentation/ Child instruction:
- Begin by asking the child which box she finds the most appealing
- Remove the chosen box from the tray or basket first and place the box on the table, in your hand and carefully open the box. With excitement, take the hidden object (“surprise”) out of the box and examine it, allowing the child to have a look.
- Once you are both fully content, place the “surprise” back into the box, close it, and place it in front of the child on the top left side.
- You may invite the child to try again, inviting her to remove the boxes from the tray one at a time, examine the content, close the lid, and place them in a row from left to right.
Point of interest:
To open/close a box and view the object inside
Control of Error:
- Difficulty replacing the objects in the proper boxes
- Difficulty opening/closing the box lids properly
- Difficulty completing the exercise
- Unable to open or close a box
- Removing the surprise and playing with it
>> Read more: Unlock Your Child’s Motor Skills with a Fun Montessori Activity: Sorting