The Preschooler

What’s in the Box?

Have you ever seen a neat-looking container and wondered what is inside?  Or perhaps you have sat at a birthday party and eyed-up all of the elegantly wrapped gifts?  Holiday gift exchanges can also be intriguing as you try to determine what is inside each gift based solely on how it is wrapped.  All of these situations produce the same type of curiosity in adults that we can harness in children in order to help them learn how to think creatively. 

Try this simple game at home with your child.  First, find a shoebox or other solid container with a lid.  Gather some everyday items from around your house that will fit inside the shoebox.  Write down three clues for each item.  For example, if the item you selected is a fork, you might come up with the following clues:

1. This item is found in the kitchen.

2. It is silver.

3. This object has four, sharp prongs used for picking up food.

Have your child try to guess what you have placed inside the box while giving clues one at a time.  At first, your child may need several guesses after each clue, but quickly instate the rule that after each clue only one guess is allowed.

Take turns with your child placing objects in the box from around the house.  It is just as beneficial for your child to guess the object as it is for her to try and create the clues without giving away the answer.

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Written by BRWI Staff on April 18, 2011