clothespins on a bucket

[This post linked to Montessori Monday 1/7/13.]

Vicki Jo has a few funny obsessions that have stuck with her for awhile now.  She loves toothbrushes, and will frequently carry one around with her like a security blanket.  She talks constantly about her "bucket," which is a small galvanized washtub we have in the backyard.  She will play with the bucket for half an hour at a time, placing items in and taking them out.  And clothespins.  During the warm months, we hang laundry out a lot, so we have pins on the line in the yard.  When we take out the trash or recycling or compost, she has to stop and gather several clothespins from the line.

When I saw this simple activity on a Montessori Album website, I knew it was the one for Vicki Jo!  I've been continuing my rollout of new activities on her shelves, and wanted one that would draw her in and work her hands.  It says ages 3-4, but she is able to do it pretty easily, although it takes her two hands to manipulate the springs on the pins.  She is really developing her pincer, and her three-fingered grasp!  Great practice for later writing and other fine motor.

I bought the smaller galvanized paint bucket from our local hardware store and pulled the clothespins off the line.