Thursday 12 September 2013

Keeping Their Hand In!

It is important to help children develop all their senses, and in one class I worked in last term, the teacher was using a Feely Tub. The idea is that a child can put their hand inside, and feel an object and guess what it is – or try to describe it so others can guess. The teacher was also using the tub for a maths game, where the children were drawing out numbered cards to use in their addition.

tubs

But the teacher lamented the high cost of this kit. “We are sharing a set of 4 tubs across the classes” she said.

I discovered that for a set of 4 tubs you can pay anything up to £36. This seemed rather excessive to me.

They are just plastic tubs inside fabric bags, after all. So I dug out a couple of old tee shirts and some empty yogurt buckets [from Lidl, the 1000g size] and a length of elastic.

IMG_0766First cut off the sleeves. Now measure the height of your yogurt pot [mine was 14cm] and the diameter of the top [also 14cm] Add the height to ½ the diameter [14 +7 = 21] That’s the height of your side piece Measure round the top and subtract 1 [43-1 = 42] That’s the width. Now cut out your main piece, measure the width along the bottom hemmed edge. Stand the pot on one sleeve and draw round to get a circle for the IMG_0767base.

Sew up the sides, then pin the circle round the raw edge and sew in place. The hemmed edge will become the channel along the top. Thread some elastic [half the width, that’s 21cm] through the channel and knot it. Slide the sleeve right up over the tub.

The gathered edge will tighten neatly to form an elasticated circular hole at the top through which you can put objects [and the children can put their hands! I used my fancy embroidery machine to label the tubs – but that’s obviously not essential. For two tubs you need one teeshirt [for a 5 year old] and about 50cm of elastic

IMG_0765

I made four inside an hour – and they have already been put to good use in school. And no, I’m not planning to go into business!

13 comments:

  1. They look great! I find those Lidl yoghurt tubs brilliant. I've got a couple as table top waste bins for when I'm crafting and I'm hoping to make a craft tool bucket with pockets for various bits and pieces.

    And the yoghurt's delicious too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it is relatively inexpensive as Greek Yogurts go!

      Delete
  2. Dragon's Den - It's a yes from me!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's so impressive. These things are just so expensive in the educational catalogues, aren't they? Well done you. Out of interest what sort of whizzy machine do you use for your embroidery? I keep thinking about updating my old electric machine as the tension just never stay true. Maybe I would sew more if my machine felt more reliable? On the other hand maybe I'm truly just a knitter at heart - I haven't made up my mind on that one yet! However your sewing does inspire me. Have a great day, x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I explained about my different sewing machines here http://angalmond.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/and-sew-on-and-sew-on.html
      The embroidery one is great, but my basic Janome gets used most of the time

      Delete
  4. Wonderful! What a help to them! You know, I bet you could also crochet/knit those covers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sad that the school hadn't thought of doing that.Well done Ang!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like yours a lot more than the bought ones. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh - yours look so much nicer. Are you sure you aren't missing an opportunity here...!!! Jx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I made mine from a cardboard box with glued on scraps of material. I cannot believe people buy them, and certainly not at that price. Good grief, if I can make my own anyone can!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Genius!!! Yours are marvellous! I had a science activity involving feeling equipment and I just used a Christmas stocking from s pound shop!!! X

    ReplyDelete

Always glad to hear from you - thanks for stopping by!
I am blocking anonymous comments now, due to excessive spam!