More Valentine Fun!

I made a few more Valentine activities for Maddie to go along with her sensory box activity.

I'm so glad we'll have a few things to keep us busy while we huddle inside out of the cold weather! 

First, we made little "flower arrangements" 

It's still a little tricky for Maddie to get the pipe cleaners into the shaker, but we'll keep working on it.  She just likes to bend the pipe cleaners!

Next, I made "sound boxes"

I found these heart containers at the dollar spot at Target.  I tried to put things that would sound different when shook.  

I hot glued them together...

and marked the correct pair on the bottom.  

Maddie shake, shake, shakes!!

and tries to find the match.  

This is another activity that is probably a little too advanced for her right now.  She just likes to shake, shake, shake!!

I'm a little torn as to whether I should continue to introduce these things I know are a challenge or wait until she can master them.  A lot of Montessori things I read says to put the activity away until they can use the materials correctly.  I kind of disagree.  

We keep things light-hearted and playful around here and when she shakes the "sound boxes" she's learning, even if she doesn't understand matching yet.  

I think what Montessori was referring to was probably respecting materials and using them properly.  

Anyone have any insights on this?