Notes for adults

Age 2 · 10 min · Easy

Color a fire truck and put together a four-piece puzzle with help from an adult.

Learning objectives

• Explore making marks on the picture with crayons.
• Try fitting pieces together to make the fire truck.
• Point to or name a part of the truck.

What you need

• Printed activity sheet
• Thick, nontoxic crayons
• Scissors for adult use

Safety notes

An adult should supervise throughout and do all the cutting. Use thick, nontoxic crayons. If your child still puts objects in their mouth, do not offer the paper pieces or crayons; instead, explore the whole picture by pointing and talking together.

How to do it

1. Print the sheet and set out the crayons.
2. Show your child the fire truck and talk about what they see.
3. Invite your child to color the truck however they like.
4. Cut the four pieces along the lines yourself.
5. Show your child how to join two pieces by looking for parts that fit.
6. Let your child try putting the truck together, helping as needed.
7. Look at the finished truck together and celebrate your child's effort.

Teaching suggestions

• Ask, “Where do you think this piece fits?”
• Offer one piece at a time if four are too many.
• Leave one or two pieces in place as a clue.
• Talk about vehicles your child has seen in the neighborhood or in books.

Variations

• Make it easier: Put three pieces together and invite your child to add the last one.
• Make it harder: Mix up all four pieces and let your child try putting them together with less help.
• Keep playing: Once the puzzle is complete, pretend to drive the truck together and talk about where it is going.

Talk about it

• What do you see on the truck?
• Where do you think this piece goes?
• Where could the truck go?
• What would you like to tell me about your truck?

What to look for

• Notice whether your child makes marks on the picture with a crayon.
• Watch for attempts to join or reposition the pieces.
• Notice whether your child points to or names a part of the truck.