This weekend was a struggle for me. I was sick all weekend and my husband had to work both days. Little One was especially frustrated with my lack of energy and patience. I was determined to get the kitchen tidied so I set her up with a tray, cup of beans/lentils, a scooper and a small jar.
Her task was to use the scooper to put all the beans into the jar. She really just wanted to use her hands.
I redirected her to use the scoop and praised her when she did it. Her little face lit up with pride and she immediately did it again. I stayed close by and continued to praise her every few scoops as I was tidying up the kitchen. She finished, poured the back into the cup and did it all again! I had 10 minutes to work in the kitchen.
Once she got bored she took them off the tray and played in them with her hands. I brought her little broom to clean them up and put them back on the tray, but she wanted to do it. I got another 10 minutes to work 
A few days later she spied the beans/lentils in the cabinet and wanted to do it again- I’d say it was a huge success!
When Little Turkey did this activity a few weeks ago I made it more difficult. He was to move them from the cup to a bowl, then pour them back into the cup. Next he was to move them to the small jar, and pour them back. Then he was to move them to a small mouth jar and back. It took him about 10 minutes, but he enjoyed the activity as well. I’m finding that most of the activities I have for him, I’ve been able to simplify for Little One to still be beneficial for both of them.
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