Learning Baskets (or Bags or Boxes) are something I started when my oldest was a toddler.  A Learning Basket is simply a basket (or box or bag) with a learning activity in it! I have acquired many various activities appropriate for preschoolers, so I rotate those through the baskets. I generally have 8-10 different activities available during the morning. I let each girl pick whatever baskets she would like to do!

I also have a Book Basket on top of the bookshelves for each girl. I usually put books about our weekly theme in the basket, and I also include easy readers (for my older daughter) or alphabet books (for my youngest daughters).

 

 

Some ideas for Learning Baskets include:

Purchased:

• Puzzles
• Melissa and Doug “See and Spell”
• Shape Sorter
• Sticker Books
• Jigsaw Books
• Pattern Blocks
• Coloring Books
• Stacking cups
• Magformers
• Lacing cards
• Learning Pallette
• Magnet Books

DIY Learning Bags

• Cotton Balls in an Ice Cube Tray
• Clothespin Basket
• Rice Bin
• Craft Stick Puzzles
• Name Activities
• Find more activities on the Busy Bag page or my Learning Bag page on Pinterest.

This approach really works well for me, because it forces me to have activities planned for my preschoolers! I just pull out a few activities at the beginning of the week and swap them out.  It is a good idea to write down what you’ve used to keep the activities from getting stale.

Let me know if this is helpful for you and/or if you would like more details. Please, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!