Problem-solving, Object inquiry skills
A toddler practices taking apart two connected star builders.
Be Prepared: If toddlers have not had experience playing with star builders, you may wish to provide several days of exploratory play with the “connected” star builders prior to offering the activity described below. This activity is an opportunity for toddlers to take apart connected stars by holding one star and pulling the other star.
[Sit on the floor facing a young toddler. Hold two stars that are connected. Give the toddler the connected stars.]
We can play with stars today. Here are stars for you.
There are two stars. Here is a star. Next to this star is another star.
[Point to each star as you emphasize there are two. Pause and then describe the toddler’s actions or reaction. Examples: “You are holding two stars with your hands.” “You are tapping two connected stars on the mat.” “Now you are waving the stars.”]
You can take apart your two stars.
[Demonstrate how to disconnect the two stars. Hold the connected stars away from your body and in clear view of the toddler. Describe the action. Example: “I am holding this star, and I am pulling on the other star.” Emphasize the words pull and hold.
Put the two stars together (not the focus of today’s activity) and offer the connected stars to the toddler. Pause for the toddler to examine and manipulate the connected stars.
Describe the toddler’s words and actions. Example: “You are holding two connected stars. You said ‘ahh.’ I think you want to pull off a star. You are learning how to take apart the stars.” If appropriate, repeat the demonstration as you say, “Hold one and pull one.”
If the toddler disconnects the stars, enthusiastically acknowledge the accomplishment. Example: “You used two hands and pulled on two stars. The two stars came apart. You did it yourself!”
Ask the toddler whether he/she wants to take apart the stars again. Offer encouragement. Conclude play with the stars after 2–3 minutes or when the toddler seems to lose interest.
Show the book and invite the toddler to look at it with you. Example: “This book tells us about other things we can do with our hands. Let’s look at our book together.” Engage the toddler in a discussion of the book cover before reading and discussing each page. Encourage the toddler to point to pictures.]
We played with star builders. You learned how to take them apart. You held one star and pulled on the other star. The stars came apart. You worked hard and practiced taking stars apart many times. We looked together at a book about things we can do with our hands.
If a toddler experiences considerable difficulty or frustration during or after your assistance (see Extra Support tip), modify the activity to suit the toddler’s abilities and interests. Example: the toddler may wish to play with a larger collection of stars by taking stars out of a container and/or putting stars in a container.
Some toddlers may learn to disconnect the stars quickly and will enjoy disconnecting the stars you fit together. Toddlers will be pleased with their ability to make a dramatic change in the connected stars. Some toddlers may implement an activity idea of their own, such as stacking the stars or arranging them in a line.
The enjoyment of one-to-one play with you may prompt some toddlers to focus on your demonstration and persist in disconnecting the star builders.
Extra support
Enrichment
Problem-solving, Object inquiry skills
Toddlers practice taking apart snap beads connected in a chain, with the option of placing the beads in a clear container after they are removed from the chain.
This activity option extends Option 1 by offering practice in taking apart a different set of items (snap beads). Create chains with the snap beads, making and offering longer chains if you anticipate toddlers will respond positively to the challenge of having a greater number of beads to pull off a chain. Toddler-size snap beads can be fastened into a circle if a higher level of challenge seems appropriate.
Toddlers will enjoy altering the bead chain by pulling off individual beads. Continue to refasten snap beads and talk with toddlers about how they got the chain of beads apart. Your attention and positive comments about the toddlers’ accomplishments let them know their discovery play is valued.
If toddlers readily disconnected items, provide each interested toddler with a clear container, such as a large non-breakable peanut butter jar. Some toddlers will enjoy dropping beads into the container after taking apart the snap bead chain. Toddlers will enjoy seeing the beads held in a different manner. Playfully describe toddlers’ actions during the activity. Example: “Wow. Ryan, you put all the beads into the jar!”
If a jar is used, some toddlers will enjoy dumping the beads out onto the floor. Put the bead chain back together and encourage toddlers to take it apart again. This game can be a lot of fun for toddlers when it is presented in a playful manner.
The efforts of toddlers who do not wish to use a container are as important as the efforts of toddlers who use a container. Be careful to avoid offering more attention or reinforcement to toddlers who use a container.
If a toddler wishes to connect the beads on his/her own, offer just enough assistance for the child to be successful. Demonstrate how to connect two beads. Draw attention to the hole on one side of the bead, and the peg on the opposite side.
Extra support
Enrichment
Object inquiry skills
Toddlers practice taking apart chains of star builders or snap beads as a caregiver offers informal comments about “more” and related concepts of quantities.
Create chains with five star builders or snap beads connected in each. Lay the chains along a low table (or other surface) easily accessible to toddlers. Sit close by and talk with toddlers about how they can pull off a star or bead. Remake the chains so toddlers can continue to take apart a chain.
Promote toddlers’ awareness of the concept of more in relation to the chains. Toddlers hear and probably use the word more in relation to food and drink. When appropriate, use the word more and other concepts related to quantity (without explicitly defining them) so toddlers have repeated exposure to these terms as they manipulate different quantities of stars or beads. Use words, such as longer, bigger, and more when you offer comments about the chains. Your use of these terms helps set the stage for learning more about quantities at the preschool stage.
A toddler may carry a chain around the room for enjoyment. It is typical for toddlers to carry items from one place to another. It is beneficial to support this interest while also giving gentle encouragement to take apart a chain. Repeat the activity and observe the reactions of individual toddlers.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: star builders
Create interest in problem-solving by connecting star builders in several different arrangements and placing them on a low table. Discover two different shapes you can create with four stars of all one color. You might include a multicolored arrangement of three builders that toddlers can discover and manipulate.
Materials Needed: star builders, non-breakable quart-size containers
Place two connected stars into non-breakable quart-size containers so each toddler has a set to use. Sit with toddlers on the floor and talk with them about pulling apart the stars. Older children can create chains of stars. Encourage an older child to compare the length of the chain to his/her foot, leg, or full height. Example: “Is your chain longer or shorter than your arm? How can you make it the same?”
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