“Look, Observe, Experience and Learn” is this mother child duo’s motto of learning. Every month, they work together on several activities based on different themes. The main highlight is that topics are decided by the child about what he would like to learn. This month of January is all about Vehicles. Their learning does not confine within four walls of the house or just toys .They mostly focus on practical life, and  simple child led activities.

Below are the details of how Bhuvaneswari Srinivassan implemented this for her son.

Objectives & Skills of this activity

• To create awareness about practical life aspects relating to vehicles which is very important in raising an independent & confident child
• Improve cognitive skills as the child is allowed to observe, imagine, think different ways to play the game
• Focusing on various skills which are required in overall development of the child

1. Practical life exposure
This month the child was given practical exposure by taking him to railway station, bus depot, petrol bunk, learning vehicle numbers from parking area, driving bicycle on the road by following traffic rules, how the vehicles have to be parked on the road etc. Each & everything was practically explained to the child.

2. Pretend play
One of the all-time favourite of my child is pretend play. We did diy driving license, vehicle name plates, filling of petrol in petrol bunk, car wash, traffic police, accident, garbage collector and many more interesting games.

3. DIY vehicle activities
I always believe “Imperfection is Perfection”. I allow my child to explore the activities in his own way and I do not correct him while he does any activity. We did several diy activities; I would like to share our two favourite activities and one group activity

A. The Magnet Car

My son is always fond of magnets. He goes all around the house to find out which objects will get attached to the magnets. So, here is simple diy magnet car.
Things needed –
a. Any magnets
b. Your child’s favourite Car
c. Cellotape

Procedure – Attach the magnets in front, back and top of the car using cello tape. Give big magnet or bunch of magnets to the child. Magnet Car is ready.
Your child will have super fun as car will move front, backwards and can lift the car without even touching the car.

B. Bubble wrap road

Here is another simple activity which will engage child for long time. All you need is Bubble wrap and any toy vehicle. I have folded big bubble wrap and sticked tape so that it does not come out. Now leave the rest to your child, let your child will explore the bubble wrap road with his favourite vehicle

C. Shake the bucket game – A group activity game

Things used.
a. Small bucket
b. Sheet of paper
c. Vehicle stickers
Procedure –
Cut the paper in equal sizes and asked the child to stick the vehicle stickers in each paper and to fold it and put them inside the bucket.

This game was played by my son and his friends. Everyone would take turn one by one. Then during their turn, each child should say the following with actions
“Shake the bucket, Shake the bucket, Shake Shake Shake.
Shake Shake Shake, Shake it up Shake it down
Shake to your left and Shake to your right
What comes out.?”
Whatever paper, the child receives in his hand. He needs to tell the vehicle name, questions asked regarding that vehicle. For example, if it is ambulance, when do we use ambulance, what is the number of ambulance, Where can you find ambulance; How does ambulance make sound .The child can talk anything about vehicle that comes to his mind. Kids sang rhymes about certain vehicles during this game. Overall all kids enjoyed playing the game.

Bhuvaneswari Srinivassan – Few years before, she wanted to be CEO of a company but now is a CMO (Chief Mommy Officer) to her little hero Haren. Although company secretary by profession, she quit her career to take care of her child. There were several twists and turns in her life but she got new life when her little hero entered her life. Now everyday, she learns new thing from her son and is in love with her journey of learning with her child. You can read more about what they both do at “REBORN FOR MY LITTLE HERO”.

These posts are part of Creative Mommy Series we are running in the Facebook Group : Early Learning and Positive Parenting India for Preschoolers and Toddlers – A forum to interact and exchange thoughts about early learning and purposeful play. Share one’s experiences on child development.This is also place to encourage DIY learning aids and easy to make play materials by including daily routine activities.