Happy Independence Day! Okay, so we were celebrating a few days after the fact but we did use the holiday as an opportunity to celebrate and do some activities and discussion around the theme of Independence. Keep reading!
We started with a fun salt art activity--again, our Sibshoppers were creative and came up with all sorts of clever designs!
A happy kiddo with his completed work of art!
We tried a new game out on our Sibshoppers this month and it was a hit! "Shoulders, Knees, Cup!" paired the Sibshoppers against one another in a competitive duel to see who could grab the cup first when "Cup!" was called. Sometimes the game leader yelled head or shoulders or stomach or nose or ears instead. Only when 'Cup" is yelled can the player grab the cup from the floor.
These two competitors made it to the Final Round!
Our next activity helped us experience the theme of Independence and Dependence. We talked about how we often take our Independence for granted--the fact that we can use two legs to get where we want to go, or grab a snack when we want one, or ask for help when we need it. We also talked about how we each are a little dependent on others as well. These Sibshoppers don't have drivers licenses to operate a car and get themselves where they need to go--they need help getting around. Turns out they aren't rolling in the dough either and depend on their families to help them pay for things they want or need.
This obstacle course was designed to only successfully be completed with some help. You simply cannot complete the course independently!
Partners worked together to navigate through unseen obstacles and to transport items to their final resting place, so to speak. Depending on someone else was a little challenging, but also necessary.
Our ping pong ball toss had the Sibshoppers working together to achieve a goal. Again, they were dependent upon others to complete the task. Launching the ping pong ball is no easy feat, but working together our Sibshoppers were able to get the balls to fly into the air. We learned to work together and let others help us achieve our goal!
Another partner activity was this Synchronized Drawing. It was fun to watch the Sibshoppers work together to complete a symetrical drawing. One kid takes the lead and the other must follow on their side of the paper.
Our Sibshoppers were pretty jazzed to have some dessert at this month's Sibshop. Graham crackers, cool whip, berries--YUM! We didn't make it too easy for them though. They were to only use one hand to create their American Flag Dessert, and that hand had to be their less dominant hand! Not such an easy task. We talked about how often we take our independence and our bodies for granted. We hardly ever think about how we can use both sides of our bodies to complete tasks, to do what we want and enjoy and to just live life! Hopefully we left all the more grateful for the blessing of our miraculous bodies!
