On a piece of construction paper, either draw a picture of a tree trunk and branches or have the child draw one for you.
Then give them a paper plate with 3 small dots of different colors of paint.
Ask them to dip one finger at a time into the paint and “dot” onto the trees to make the leaves.
For a fall tree, dot some paint at the bottom as well or along the sides as if the leaves are falling.
For this activity, you might want to use a one hole or a shaped hole puncher.
Have the child punch random holes on stiff paper/index cards using the hole puncher.
Promote the child to alternate squeezing the lever with their thumb and first finger, then thumb and middle finger, and so on. This will help in developing the small muscles of their hands in addition to thumb opposition.
On colorful construction paper or paper with different designs (e.g. scrapbooking paper), draw 8-10 pairs of mittens. You can also let the child trace the shape a few times.
Cut, or allow the child to cut the pairs.
If using blank color construction paper (i.e. with no design), draw different designs on each pair (a pair with straight lines, a pair with circles, a pair with wiggly lines, etc.). You can also write letters or numbers on the different pairs.
Once the mittens are ready, place them on the table and mix them.
Provide the child with clothespins.
Ask the child to find matching mittens and clip them together using the clothespins
Draw 2-inch squiggly squares on the back of the paper plate.
Write sums that would equal either 10 or 5 in the boxes. Alternate the sums to create a pattern.
Gently color over the squares using green and yellow. Be sure to assign 5 the color yellow and 10 the color green or, vice versa.
Using a green construction paper, cut out the turtle’s head shape, 4 legs, and a tail.
Glue the turtles, head, legs, and tail onto the opposite side of the plate and glue on the eyes.
