Sara from The Material Life is sharing a fantastic tutorial on how to make her own version of a peek a boo board.
DIY PEEK-A-BOO BOARD -2 Ways
DESCRIPTION: A board with Flaps that open and shut.
AGE GROUP: Infants, Toddlers, Preschool
PRE-SKILLS NEEDED: Fine motor skills, object permanence
GOALS: Work on Further understanding object permanence. Help with separation.
WHAT MIGHT A CHILD DO / LEARN: Open and close flaps, rearrange pictures, match pictures to each other, work on object permanence and separation.
DIFFERENTIATION OPPORTUNITIES: Help with fine motor challenges, smaller board with larger flaps, scaffold language.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES: Use as a memory game with older toddlers and preschoolers, matching outside pictures to inner pictures (number symbols to corresponding amount). Add texture inserts for sensory exploration.
Cardboard Peek-a-Boo Board:
Materials:
- Large cardboard
- Tape Measure
- Exacto blade/ stanley knife
- Paper protectors
- Hot glue gun
- Scissor
- Pictures
- Laminator and sheets
- Duct Tape
Directions:
Cut Cardboard to desired size
Divide board into sections (I chose 2 inch sections) creating a grid, using a pencil
Draw sections for “window flaps"
Cut the flaps and score thu underside for easy folding
Add tape to flaps and dividing sections (optional-although i prefer to at least tape the flaps because they are handled often
Cut the flaps and score thu underside for easy folding
Add tape to flaps and dividing sections (optional-although i prefer to at least tape the flaps because they are handled often
Flip board over
Cut paper protectors a bit larger than the flaps
Using a hot glue gun, glue one side to the board
Glue the second flap on 3 sides, leaving one side open
Cut a slit about half way down the third side for easy access
Laminate Desired Pictures (optional)
Insert desired pictures
Flip over and explore!
Baby Wipe Peek-a-Boo Board:
Materials:
- Large piece of cardboard
- Duct Tape
- Baby wipe covers
- Goo Gone/sticky residue remover
- Nail File
- Hot glue gun
- Pictures
- Laminator and sheets
Directions:
Cut cardboard to desired size
Cover with duct tape
Cover with duct tape
Remove sticky residue from baby wipe covers
File the closure a bit (just enough to keep it closed with minimal force necessary to open, this makes it easier to open and close with little hands - trust me, if it is too hard to open, the kiddos are more likely to pull the entire cover off).
Arrange and glue the wipe covers to the board (I prefer to glue the covers so that they open downwards, also making it easier for little hands to open rather than pull off)
Add velcro to inside and outside of flaps
Laminate desired pictures
Add velcro to pictures
Place pictures in and over flaps and enjoy exploring!
Picture Ideas:
Numbers
Colors
Creatures
Vehicles
Family Photos (helps ease separation anxiety)
Photos of children and teachers in the class (community building)
Number to corresponding amount (Matching)
To see more of Sara's fantastic activities follow her on Instagram.
About Sara
TIME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF!
My name is Sara Shelton. I am 26. I live in NY with my husband & daughter. I have a Bachelors in Psych with a Minor in Studio Art & received my Masters in Early Childhood General & Special Ed from BankStreetCollegeofEducation. I worked in Pre-School & Infant/Toddler integrated classrooms at Bank Street's Family Center, & currently work for an amazing organization in a 2s class with my unbelievably talented Co-teacher & 2 assistants. I also began working as a SEIT providing 1:1 support for children with special needs.
I believe deeply that each child is unique, special, & has something important to teach us. I feel that it is the job of educators to meet each child where they are at developmentally & provide the necessary supports & materials to help each individual child grow & reach their potential. Just like the children are constantly growing, I hope to evolve in my practice.
I have always been a bit obsessed with the materials that are used in classrooms & with children. As a Student Teacher I took tons of photos of classroom materials after they were set-up by my supervising teachers to save as inspiration. I have been taking pictures of every provocation that my teaching team & I set-up ever since. In doing so, I feel motivated to be extremely thoughtful as to what I choose to put out & why. I try to think about the developmental needs that will be met while interacting with the materials, as well as the language I hope to use with my students, & any possible modifications I might need to make for specific students. I like to use open ended materials so that the experience of the child is authentic & leads them where they need to go. Sometimes the children respond to the materials in the way I expected, & sometimes the exploration leads us down a path we never could have imagined! I also like to create some of my own materials based on the interests and needs of my students.
I am lucky to be home for my 19 month old daughter in the afternoons. I love bringing home the ideas from my classroom, & vice-versa.