10 Ways To Explore Glass Beads

In the last few weeks we have been exploring glass beads...  the kind you put in floral vases.  Because of the swallowing hazard, I was always very present for these explorations.  We talked about and practiced procedures for playing with glass beads safely (a word I'm trying to use alot these days) each time we used them.  This has built the kids' confidence and independence.  And made mommy feel more at ease about what they can do with supervision (not that I would trust them unattended any time soon).  Also, they now ask to play with the beads regularly.  So I guess they liked what we've done!

I had some glass beads already, and then found a few more bags at the dollar store, which stocked me up for our explorations.  So far we have:

• listened to the sound they make when poured (the kids thought it sounded like rain!)
• felt them in our hands (which gave me the chance to introduce terms like "smooth" and "glass")
• explored properties by sorting them based on color and size (we used the trays shown in the video to do this with some guidance)  I just happened to have some small, medium and large sized beads in green which made a nice extension for a book on "big" and "small" we've been reading this week.  It was really fun to see them sort AND use the correct terms!
• explored the concept of capacity by moving them from one container to another (small, medium and large) 
• decorated our playdough by pressing them into the dough 
• glued them into picture frames for a stained glass effect (we started with white glue and glass beads as shown here, but when they lost interest in beads and found the ooey glue fascinating we added glitter glue to finish out the piece)
• counted them using our DIY number plates (which they found uber boring)
• made shakers with them
• explored them on the light panel, which made them extra fun to look at
• put them inside balloons and tossed them in the bathtub (they make awesome clinking sounds!)  We put other things in other balloons just for comparison (flour, oil, water, air) and as soon as we put them in the tub Addison picked up a balloon and said, "What's dis?"  They proceeded to make guesses based on the sound and feel of the materials.  So AMAZING what these little scientists can already deduce.

Just look at what we can do!!