Sunshine loves to play in the snow.  One of her favorite outdoor winter activities is building a snowman.  

It only seemed fitting to create snowman activities for her.  All activities are designed for preschoolers and come with free printables.  Sunshine is loving them!

Winter activities are some of my absolute favorites!

Snowman Activities for Preschoolers with Free Printables

Here's what's on our Montessori shelves!

S is for Snowman

Sunshine continues to struggle learning her letters and sounds.  

After speaking to her doctor we believe that she may have some learning disabilities.  These combined with her vision impairment are proving to be a challenge in the classroom.  

We're excited to help her out in as many ways as we can so she can be successful.

In this activity, Sunshine will glue cotton balls onto the dots provided to create the letter "s" that will stand out from the page.

Source: I created the printable for this activity. Snowman Activities Printable Pack 1 is a free printable. For your copy, click on the link at the bottom of this post.

Snowman Nomenclature Cards

Sunshine enjoys the process of matching three-part cards.  In this activity she will match up parts of a snowman.  I just love the images in this activity.

Source: I created the printable for this activity. Snowman Activities Printable Pack 1 is a free printable. For your copy, click on the link at the bottom of this post.

Snowman Shapes

Sunshine is taking an interest in shapes right now.  She was so exited to show me a pentagon this week and tell me how many sides it has.  

When I saw this activity, I couldn't resist adding it to her shelves.  Sunshine will be so excited to learn some new shapes and review old ones.

Source:  The free printable for this activity can be found at Totschooling.

Building a Snowman Sequence

Sunshine will sequence the cards provided and place the number under each step in order.  

I love the cards used for this activity because after the first few, Sunshine will really need to pay attention to details.  It's not as simple as it looks.

Source:  The free printable for this activity can be found on TpT by Randi.

Snowman Baking Soda Science Experiment

Picture Courtesy of Little Binds for Little Hands

Sunshine is so excited about this activity.  It's definitely something new for her to try.  

We will be making the snowmen together and then carrying out the experiment during learning time.  

I love that this is not only a science experiment but also a great way for her to practice fine motor skills.

Source:  Instructions and ingredients for this activity can be found at Little Bins for Little Hands.

Snowman Water Transfer

Sunshine will practice her pouring skills, pouring water into each of the snowmen.  

Once finished she can use the dropper to transfer the water back into the glass.

Snowman Cutting Activity

Sunshine has been begging for a new cutting activity, even though she really struggles to develop the skill.  I wasn't going to disappoint her!  

In this activity, Sunshine will cut on the lines between each snowman using the scissors provided.

Source: I created the printable for this activity. Snowman Activities Printable Pack 1 is a free printable. For your copy, follow click on the link at the bottom of this post.

Metal Inset Shaving Cream Activity

Sunshine is struggling with writing skills, so we've decided to back up and start from the very beginning of the Montessori writing curriculum, using the metal insets.  

We're not using them with a pencil yet.  Instead we will spray shaving cream on the cookie sheet provided. Sunshine will then place the metal inset on top of the shaving cream and trace the shape using her finger.

We've decided to use the circle shaped metal inset, so she can create her own snowman in the shaving cream.

Snowman Invitation to Play

We were hoping to have snow this week to build a snowman outside, but it's supposed to be warm all week. So instead we created a Snowman Invitation to Play.  

Sunshine can create as many snowmen as she'd like using the materials provided.  Materials include:

• Black and orange pony beads
• Twigs
• Black buttons
• Googly eyes
• Red felt scarves (I cut them out myself.)

Snowman Sensory Bin

I am so pleased with this sensory bin.  It may be my favorite yet.  Sunshine is enjoying it as well.  

What's more fun than a snowman themed sensory bin, especially when it's made with items you have on hand at home?  

The sensory bin includes:

• Cotton balls
• Foam snowflakes
• Foam snowmen
• Black felt top hats (I cut them out myself.)
• Black buttons of various sizes
• Red felt scarves (I cut them out myself.)
• Orange foam carrot noses (I cut them out myself.)
• Twigs
• Small black rocks to represent coal

We are so excited for such a fun time with our snowman activities in the classroom.  Sunshine is so happy when she sees scissors, play dough and a sensory bin on her shelves.

For those who would like more seasonal activities and printables, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking the link below.

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Don't forget your free printables!

Snowman Activities Printable Pack 1

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This post is part of the 12 Months of Montessori Series. For more fabulous Montessori winter themed posts, check out the links below!

The Best Kindergarten and Preschool Penguin Activities | Natural Beach Living

17 Printable Pictures of Animals that Adapt in Winter | The Natural Homeschool

Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Winter {Free Printables} | Living Montessori Now

Practical Life for the Winter -- Toddler Nose Blowing | The Kavanaugh Report

Montessori Inspired Polar Bear Unit | Mama’s Happy Hive

Montessori Inspired Antarctica Shelf  | The Pinay Homeschooler

Indoor Snowball Fight | Grace and Green Pastures

Winter Books for Preschoolers | Christian Montessori Network

Hands on arctic themed activities| Welcome to Mommyhood

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Gift Ideas for 10 Year Old Boys

It is so hard to believe that my first baby boy is turning 10 years old.  I can not believe how fast time has flown.  He's definitely not a little boy anymore.  His interests have changed so much, especially over the last year.  In honor of his birthday Dinomite put together these Gift Ideas for 10 Year Old Boys.  If you're looking for that perfect gift for the 10 year old boy in your life, one of these is sure to fit the bill.

Dinomite has a few interests right now.  A couple he's had since he was a little boy.  The others he's developed a passion for over the last year or two.  It is so fun to watch him grow.  His gift ideas are sorted into groups for easy viewing.  Happy shopping!

Book:  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them:  The Original Screenplay (Purchased)

Harry Potter Hogwarts Bookmarks (Purchased)

Video Game:  LEGO Harry Potter:  Years 5-7-Nintendo 3DS (Purchased)

Harry Potter Wands Print Black with white ink 18''x24''

Movie:  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Book

Video Game: Lord of the Rings Conquest-Nintendo DS

Video Game:  Lord of the Rings Aragorn's Quest-Nintendo DS

The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Coloring Book

CD:  The Lord of the Rings:  The Two Towers (Purchased)

CD:  The Lord of the Rings:  The Return of the King

Lord of the Rings Eye of Sauron Snow Globe (Purchased)

Sharks and Other Deadly Ocean Creatures Visual Encyclopedia

Wildlife of the World

Sharks A Firefly Guide

Dinosaur!

Super Nature Encyclopedia

Super Bug Encyclopedia

LEGO Super Heroes:  The Hulk Buster Smash 76031 (Purchased)

LEGO DC Comic Super Heroes Batman:  Deliverance from the Ra's al Gul 76056

Video Game:  Captain America-Super Soldier Nintendo DS

Video Game:  Iron Man Nintendo DS

Video Game:  Thor God of Thunder Nintendo DS (Purchased)

Book:  LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes Character Encyclopedia

LEGO Star Wars AT-ST Walker 75153

LEGO Star Wars Clone Commander Cody 75108

LEGO Star Wars Imperial Death Trooper 75121 (Purchased)

LEGO Star Wars Sergeant Jyn Urso 75119

LEGO Star Wars K-2SO 75120 (Purchased)

LEGO Star Wars Homing Spider Droid 75142

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Non Toy Gift Ideas for 9 Year Old Boys

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Must Have Fidget Toys

We are huge fans of fidget toys to help keep our special needs kiddos regulated when they're craving sensory input.  Our fidget toys are used on the go, in the classroom, and wherever else they're needed at home.

There are hundreds of fidget toys out there.  It can be so hard to find good ones that work.  We've tried so many.  These are our favorites and the ones we always go back to.  Check out our must have fidget toys!

This post contains affiliate links.

Fidget toys can be used for children who have:

• ADHD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• PTSD
• So much more!  

They're small and easily portable.  The fidgets are made for wear and tear and to meet a child's sensory needs.  I can't recommend them enough!

Must Have Fidget Toys

Spaghetti Ball-This is Bulldozer's favorite fidget.  He loves to put it on his head and other parts of his body.  It provides great visual stimuli and also has a fun tactile component.

Hyperflex Stretchy String-This is the fidget that the kiddos fight over the most, so much that we now have four, one for each of them.  There's just something about being able to stretch these as far as you can that's so pleasurable. They're also fun to rub in your hands and squeeze.  One would think they would break, but none have yet in all the years we've owned them.

Tangle Relax Therapy-Dinomite loves this fidget because he can take it apart, put it together, squeeze it, and rub it whenever he needs to.  It keeps his hands busy when he's trying to remain still and calm.

Tangle Jr. Fuzzies-Bulldozer enjoys the soft touch of this fidget as well as the colors.  He loves to take it all apart and put it back together creating color patterns.

Wood Fidget Puzzle-Dinomite can't get enough of this fidget.  It's quite simple, but so much fun to manipulate into different shapes.  He has used it for years.

Liquid Motion Bubbler-Our family can not live without this fidget.  Bulldozer is obsessed with visual stimuli. When we're needing to attend an event where he's required to sit still and quiet for any period of time, this comes with us.  He also uses it at home to calm himself when he's upset.

Shark Tooth Chewie Necklace-Dinomite loves this chewie necklace.  Out of all the ones he's had, he enjoys this one the best.  The necklace itself is sturdy and comfortable.  And for a kid who loves sharks, you can't go wrong.

Glitter Wand-Sunshine loves her glitter wand.  She has so much fun playing the "I Spy" game with it.  Bulldozer enjoys it too!

Pin Art Board-Bulldozer loves the feel of pressing his hand (and sometimes) face into the pin art board. He finds it so soothing and never tires of it.

Automoblox Minis-These cars are the best!  The boys have so much fun with them.  They're quiet and provide great tactile stimuli and fine motor practice.  Plus they're small enough to bring anywhere you want to go.

Stress Ball-I don't know where Dinomite would be without his stress ball.  He uses it so often.  It has definitely saved us a lot of pencils from breaking into pieces when he's doing school work.

Sound blocking headphones-Every child in the house has their own set of sound blocking headphones. Whether they're used to block out noise during learning time or Sunshine's meltdowns, they are so helpful.  We also use them on car trips to help with noise in close quarters.

I seriously don't know what we would have done without these fidgets over the years.  They have been lifesavers for our family.

If you're interested in more sensory and special needs related posts, be sure visit the links below!

Sensory Resources for Children who Need to Chew

Sensory Oriented Anxiety Kits for Children

Autism Support and Resources

Reactive Attachment Disorder Support and Resources

The ABCs of Montessori and Special Needs

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The Montessori three period lesson approach to teaching kiddos is well known to those who use the Montessori Method.  

We have found it to be extremely beneficial for our kiddos with special needs, especially when using the visual prompts below.

FREE Montessori Three Period Lesson Visual Prompts

The way in which a lesson is taught using Montessori principles has many benefits for those with special needs.

• Lessons are presented using a multi-sensory approach.
• Minimal verbal communication is encouraged.
• Instruction is given in small groups or one-to-one setting.

The lessons are well received for the most part in our homeschooling environment.  However, we have encountered a few challenges along the way.  

Princess and Sunshine do not do well with instruction from adults in general due to Reactive Attachment Disorder.  So functioning and participating appropriately is a challenge.

Bulldozer and Sunshine struggle with focus during a lesson and often become distracted.  Their thoughts often wander.  At times this results in them not focusing on the initial presentation.

Then there's the fact that our kiddos have a hard time waiting their turn to use materials. 

They can become extremely impatient while I am demonstrating how to complete work because they just want to dive in.  

When it is their turn, they're not quite sure what to do because what I ask varies between having them show me how to complete the task, or asking them questions.

All of these challenges led me to create the Montessori Three Period Lesson Visual Prompts.  These cards are used as visual reminders for the kiddos as I'm presenting lessons. 

Montessori Three Period Lesson Visual Prompts

1.  THIS IS...

The first card corresponds to the first period of the lesson.  

It is a picture of a finger pointing to the teacher.  

This is a visual reminder to the child that it's the teacher's turn to present the material.  

Cards that point both ways are included in the printable for when teachers need to sit on the left and right sides of students, depending on whether the child is left- or right-hand dominant.

2. SHOW ME...

The second card corresponds with the second period of the lesson.  

It is a picture of a finger pointing towards the child.  

This is a visual reminder to the child that it's her turn to complete the work.  

She may now touch and use materials appropriately.

3.  WHAT IS...

The third card corresponds with the third period of the lesson where the teacher asks the child questions.  

It is a picture of a person thinking, surrounded by question marks. 

This is a visual reminder to the child that the teacher is going to ask a question and she will then answer.  

It reminds the child to listen well, so she can pick out key question words, and answer correctly.

Since implementing these visual prompts, the kiddos' ability to function and make it through lessons has improved significantly.  

I'm not being interrupted. 

The kiddos know to keep their hands off materials, until I'm finished.  

Best of all they're better prepared for the third part of the lesson which includes questions.

This printable is a subscribers only freebie in conjunction with the release of my new book The ABCs of Montessori and Special Needs.  

You can now purchase this book in paperback and ebook forms by visiting my shop today!

The Montessori Three Period Lesson Visual Prompts Printable is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your free copy, follow the directions below.

Directions on How to Obtain Subscriber Only Freebies

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3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

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6. Click on link.

7. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

Note: If you are already a newsletter subscriber, open your most recent newsletter. At the bottom you will find a link to the Subscriber Only Freebies page, along with the password in case you forgot it.

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