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Pumpkin Guts: Sensory Exploration

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed
Age Group:
Mobile Infants
* Lesson plan objectives and assessments can be adapted to use this activity with toddlers and preschoolers.
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Pumpkin Guts: Sensory Exploration
Objectives:  
  • Child will develop sensory motor skill by exploring new textures
  • Child will be introduced to new vocabulary
  • Child will develop the fine motor skill of grasping
CDA Competency Standard:   
II.4.3a
  • Activities and materials encourage children to develop their senses
o   a) Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch experiences are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities
Materials: 
  • Large pumpkin
  • cooking utensils (optional)
  • large plastic bin
Procedure: 
  1. Prepare for the activity by cutting the top of the pumpkin off and placing the pieces along with the cooking utensils in the large bin. 
  2. Place the bin in an appropriate area for exploration.
  3. Invite the child to play
  4. As they are exploring, talk with them about what they are experiencing. Be sure to use new and interesting vocabulary to describe the different textures. 
Note:  Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children.  Infants require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow infants to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard. ​
Assessment: 
  • Observe and record the child’s fine motor skills. How did they control the utensils? How did they react to the new texture? Take pictures of the activity to share with parents and guardians. 
Click on the photos to enlarge.
Online Child Care Courses
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Stages of Cognitive Development in Infants $10.50
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10 Hours Infant Training Package $105.00
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Infant and Toddler: Health and Safety $21.00
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Stages of Social and Emotional Development in Infants $10.50
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Shaken Baby Syndrome and Sudden Infant Death $10.50
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Stages of Physical Growth and Development in Infants $10.50

Infant and Toddler Play

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By definition, play means “to occupy oneself in amusement or recreation,” but play can also be defined as the “work” of children. Research demonstrates that learning in early childhood is best accomplished through play. It is important for infant and toddler teachers to understand the benefits of play in promoting healthy development for children in their care.

Here are some suggestions for play:
Copy Cat - Infants and toddlers like to watch and copy your motions and sounds. You stick out your tongue, he watches and tries to do the same. You click your tongue, he watches tries as well.

This Little Piggy and other rhymes - These short songs and rhymes are filled with repetition and build anticipation. Kids begin listening to the sound of your voice, watching as you wiggle "piggies" and teaching movement as you send the spider "up the water spout."

Building towers - Young children are building motor skills while they stack blocks or measuring cups or books. They are handling objects, picking them up, knocking them down, stretching to reach them and put them up again.

Climbing - Putting cushions and pillows on the floor gives a young child something to maneuver over and around. They will climb, scoot, stretch and roll in all directions building muscles and learning balance as they play.
Infant and Toddler Training Online
Click on the course icon for enrollment information.