5 Ways With… Rubber Bands
5 ways with... is a series that gives you a whole week of ideas with one resource! This time we're focusing on rubber bands.
They’re not being “naughty” – they’re exploring the connection schema
Schemas are patterns of repeated behaviours which children engage in. They are a crucial part of development and learning. Here are some ideas can help channel their interest.
Using rubber bands and some knots you can turn a balloon into a bouncy ball, or hang them so babies can play with them whilst lying on their back.
You can decorate a stick by wrapping, gluing or taping ribbons, wool, lengths of paper or fabric around it – this could be a magic wand and inspire some imaginative play. Or tie on materials and find ways to move with the loose ends flapping and swirling in the air.
Suggesting different ways your bodies can connect can be a fun game- arm touching arm, head touching head, knee touching shoulder! Really tune in to your wee one and use this as a chance to practice gentle touch.
Dens are a great way to explore multiple schemas at once – this could enveloping and enclosing as well as connection. They’re also a great way for wee ones to explore connecting items together and solve problems – clothes pegs can be a great way for wee hands to join different bits of cloth.
For wee ones, fabric is often an easier way to start tying knots or connecting things together. Scarves or small cloths are great for making a long chain.