Pumpkin Hammering

I added something new to our Practical Life area on Thursday of this week.  I had seen this idea somewhere, but added my own variation.  For quite a while now we've had out hammering nails into a log and it is still used every day.  This week we are also hammering nails into a pumpkin.  My new variation was to draw a jack-o-lantern face on the pumpkin first with a black Sharpie.  The children are supposed to pound nails into the black lines to outline the jack-o-lantern's features.  They have really loved doing this so far.

Here is the work set up in the Practical Life area.  Just to the right and not in the photo is the log we have been pounding nails into.

Here you can see the pumpking with my "test" nail in it.  It is much easier to pound nails into a pumpkin than a log, but it still takes some effort, so it's a perfect activity for this age group.

You can see that the children are doing a great job pounding their nails right onto the black lines.  Next time I need to draw the face higher, however.  I am not sure that they will be able to pound nails into the mouth very easily because it is so low on the pumpkin.

Comments

[Laura]

I would say wait until at least age 3. You need to be sure to find a child-sized hammer too. Montessori Services has one made especially for little hands.

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[finger thumb]

What age group is this intended for. My son would be so excited about the hammering, but I think it might be beyond his motor skills (he's two). How old does a kid have to be before you can safely hand them a hammer (under supervision of course).

[Diane Simons]

I have used the hammering pumpkin idea in my classroom when we studied pumpkins in October. My purpose was to add a bit of spice and I used golf tees instead of nails. The purpose is to allow the child to build eye and hand coordination and concentration and small motor skills. When it comes to the end of the pumpkin lessons, we will open up the hammered pumpkin, we experience a sensory lesson with the inside of the pumpkin, count the seeds, and bake them and eat them. This is the best part!

[Calypso]

This is so much fun - great development of fine motor skills. My son loved it - thank you.

[AMI Directress]

Out of curiosity, what's the goal of hammering nails into the pumpkin? I understand that it's a hammering exercise and is easier than using the log, but you wouldn't do this anywhere else in life, and true Montessori is reality-based. I don't mean to come across as rude! I enjoy reading your blog... I just really am curious.

[Michelle]

Does it matter what size nails you use? I haven't had any luck obtaining a stump, so this will be perfect!! Thanks so much for the idea!

[RM]

You could put it on it's back in a bucket, perhaps.