There are a few items you can score at the grocery and/or thrift store that are perfect tools to foster independence in young children (mostly ages 2-5). Here's all you need:
1. Bag of rice
Take out a lasagna pan and fill it with rice. Scoop, pour and sift the grains. It helps with mess to put out a tray underneath! Supervision needed. Ages 3+
2. Funnel
Allow your young (2-5) child to pour water into a jar or bottle through the funnel. Also, the funnel can be used in the rice tray.
3. Thick Glass Jar
Heavy class bottles can be used for pouring and mixing water colors, rice and other materials. Why glass? For the sound /tactile/ visual sensory....it makes nicer sound when the rice falls through and hits the bottom.
However, be cautious and use your best judgment when using glass.
4. Hand-Sized Slicers
Everytime I make lunch and serve fruit, my 3 year old slices his own strawberries with a crimped slicer (it has a handle and a crimped blade to slice down with two hands on the handle). My oldest uses the apple corer and my middle can use an apple slicer. Other choices? Egg slicer, banana slicers- find a cheapo one and see what your kid can do! SUPERVISION REQUIRED. (3+)
5. Spray Bottle & Towel
Grab a mini bottle, fill it with water or NON-TOXIC cleaner and put them to work. I let my youngest wash the stove window for like an hour. Show them how to a) spray b) wipe LEFT TO RIGHT, if possible and c) put the cleaner & towel away. Can keep on a shelf. If you don't want water everywhere, let them have at it in the shower. :)
6. Mini Pitcher
You can use plastic or glass. Keep a low pitcher in the fridge--water, juice, etc. You can also buy tiny cream pitchers and allow the children to pour water for play OR things like syrup at mealtime. We have a cow, a rabbit and an elephant.
