Introducing Pink: Simple Montessori

I should be writing a post about the unique role of toys and play in the life of a child with special needs.

I’ve had ideas rolling around my brain for a long time now.  But the second I sit down to put those ideas to paper….

::::poof::::

they disappear.

Which is causing a wee bit of anxiety.  Cause I need to get this article written and off my mile long to-do list.

So, I thought I’d share this idea with you.  It’s how I chose to introduce the color ‘pink’ to Parker.  He’s got the basic colors down cold.  In any venue that I throw at him.  Which shows that Parker’s ability to take knowledge gained in one experience over into other experiences is strong.

Now I’m moving to pink, brown, black and white.

At Walgreen’s the other day I found these cute pink and blue plastic containers for .o9 cents each.  The smoothie flavored Necco wafers were .22 cents a package.  A Montessori based sorting activity for less than .75 cents……priceless!

We began by reviewing ‘blue.’ I had Parker practice his pincher grip by picking up each Necco and dropping it into the blue container.

I then had him repeat the process using the pink Necco wafers and the pink container.

I give him both verbal instruction as well as instruction in sign. I find that if I tell him what I want him to do……and then give him about 7 seconds to process the command (i.e. decide whether or not he wants to do it.) our activities flow smoothly.

If after seven seconds he hasn’t completed what I’ve asked, I help him by performing the task with him hand over hand.

The last part of this activity was to mix up the candy colors, then have Parker choose one and place it in the correct container.

Except for the two he threw (sigh) he got all but one in the right container.

This activity gives Parker the opportunity to master the concept of ‘pink’ before we move on to more abstract activities.

Simple. Straight forward. Effective. My kind of lesson.

Got any fun sorting activities to share?