Task Boxes

I LOVE task boxes! I try to make boxes that work with children's IEP and interest. I have slowly been making boxes and collecting items the past 2 years and so far I have almost 50 boxes. This post will cover 18 Task Boxes. These are mostly fine motor skills, but they may also incorporate other skills. 

I use plastic shoe boxes for their size and durability. Some I have had my hubby cut holes and I glued smaller containers inside for sorting.

Today I just organized them and hope it works. I gave each tub a number and then stacked them in my closet. I will put a list of the Task Boxes on the cabinet door. This will allow the therapist that work with the children in my room and the classroom assistant to know what is available and where to find it. 

Task boxes can be used in a variety of ways, and I've done it all! I have given children "assignments" that include 3-4 boxes and then they can chose a reward. I use them for table play times if we don't have time to go to centers or in-between activities. I OFTEN pull them when working 1/1 or in small groups to teach and give the child the extra guided practice that he/she needs. Sometimes I have a child ask for one at center time and that is so fun for me, because I know they are practicing a skill they need to practice.  

Here are 18 of my Task Boxes.....

Task Box 1: Unifix cubes. One side they are separated and the other side they are put together..they can take them apart or put them together..color really doesn't matter. Some kiddos like to keep them separated.

Task Box 2: Stacking cups. (I need to add more cups). The first cup is glued to the lid and the children are to stack more cups on top.This is a favorite of many of my students.

Task Box 3:  Lacing boards. Depending on the child's abilities they complete the number of cards you assign. They can pick which ones they complete.

Task Box 4:  Lacing disks. Start out with just a couple and as the child progresses you add more to the cup that is in the lid. You want the child to complete with little frustration.

Task Box 5: Lacing large beads. Put the number of beads you want the child to string on the lid. Child may use chenille stick (pipe cleaner) or string. Again, start with a few and add as the child's ability improves.

Task Box 6: Lacing Medium beads (Do this only when child has mastered the larger beads). Again, use chenille stick or string. Use the same process as the large beads.

Task Box 7: Using tongs to pick up bones and put in bowl. (there was another part to this, but it was lost in the move). This is from Lakeshore and they have several different themes. I like to use the larger tongs. Increase the number as they become successful until they do all the bones.

Task Box 8: (same as Box 1) Unifix cubes. One side they are separated and the other side they are put together..they can take them apart or put them together..color really doesn't matter. Some kiddos like to keep them separated. 

 Task Box 9: Velcro cubes. The children are to pick off one cube at a time and put it in the bucket. There is a small Velcro circle on each block. This makes the child have to pull. It's a great 'task completion' for those children you need to reward quickly, but they need to earn it. I have one child in my class who loves to do this. She has even learned to put the cubes back on, which is hard because there is only one piece of Velcro on each cube.

 Task Box 10: Large peg boards. I have some that are numbers and some that are not. I like the numbers because it gives a sense of completion and you can slowly increase the number required. I have the children put them in and then to clean up they have to take them out again. 

Task Box 11:  Bear links. They have to push to put together and pull apart to clean up. 

Task Box 12: DUPLO blocks. They stack them and then they have to pull them apart to clean up. Lots of fine motor and hand/eye coordination. 

Task Box 13: Using Tongs with pom poms. Move the poms from one bowl to the other. Vary the number according to the child's ability. 

Task Box 14:  Clothespin Drop. The children drop one clothespin at a time into the box. The hole is sized so the pin will only fit in one direction. Again, vary the number according to the child's ability or attention. Another favorite for my students who struggle with fine motor.

Task Box 15: Lacing boards. Depending on the child's abilities they complete the number of cards you assign. They can pick which ones they complete.

Task Box 16: Block building/imitation. This can be just stacking the blocks or block imitation where they build a copy of what you have built. There are only 1 inch blocks in this task box. 

 Task Box 17: Block imitation-basic color 1 inch cubes are used. You build it and the child copies it.

Task Box 18: Block imitation from pictures. This is the last step in block imitation. Depending on the child's level you either put the blocks needed to complete the building in a Ziploc bag, then later add a few extra to the bag the child won't use and last, they pick from the box of blocks. Be sure you have the blocks needed for the structures. It could easily frustrate a child if a piece is missing.

Great Task Box Resource:

Shoebox Tasks- http://www.shoeboxtasks.com/

If you have or know of a great Task Box site, let me know so I can add it to my page.

Thanks!

Mrs. Trish