Not only was this a great exercise in imaginary play but it was also a fantastic fine motor workout. Most of us had never used tape before on our own. As you and imagine there was an excessive amount of tape used but the children were empowered to try again and again. Individually, I worked with each child to discover the end of the tape dispenser and how it had "teeth". We gently ran our finger across the edge and learned how to pull the tape down in order for the "teeth" to cut the tape free from the roll. Once we were successful with cutting the tape, we had to manage to stick it to the wrapping paper and secure the domino inside. For some this was a bit frustrating, trying to get the sticky side on the paper and not our finger. We were determined to figure it out. The bows were also sticky backed and we had to carefully remove the backing to attach them to our gifts. So many amazing challenges built into one activity and yet we had so much fun no one was aware of how hard they were working!
"This stuff is sticky!"
"Look what I got for you!"
"I wonder what it could be? Oh my, a block! Thanks so much!"
"Awe, thank you for my present."
"Here, open it, open it!"
"Can you help me hold the paper tight?"
"I like this paper, it looks pretty with a bow on it."
"Here, I made you a present."