I decided it was time to introduce my 2-year-old granddaughter to a practical life activity that was always very popular when I was a Montessori teacher – eggshell crushing. I had an idea for a project and needed to start preparing in advance.
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Eggshell crushing in itself is simple to set up if you have a mortar and pestle. I had received one in the Montessori By Mom Art Appreciation Toolbox. Montessori Services has a nice mortar and pestle, too.
Eggshell Crushing – Montessori Practical Life Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers {Video}
Zoey had so much fun with this activity! I only show part of her eggshell crushing activities in this 57-second video. She worked with it a long time and repeated it a number of times, too.
Preparing an Eggshell Crushing Activity
Materials Used:
- Mortar and Pestle (such as one from Montessori By Mom or Montessori Services). These are real tools, so you can use them for your herbs and spices, too.
- Tray (I used a Montessori Services large plastic tray.)
- 2 small containers (one for clean, dry eggshells and one for crushed eggshells)
- spoon for transferring crushed eggshells
- clean, dry eggshells (I’ve been using white eggs lately so that I can wash the eggshells in hot water and let them dry for winter projects. Dyed eggshells are fabulous for collages year round!)
Many mortar and pestle activities don’t include a spoon. I decided to use one for this activity to add some extra possibilities for concentrated work and fine-motor development. I’m so glad I did! Zoey loved the spoon. She used it to transfer eggshells, but she also spent quite a bit of time stirring the eggshells.
Activities with the Crushed Eggshells
See my Snowy Day eggshell crushing and pin poking activity for a fun way to use white eggshells!
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Debbie says
This looks fun for the kids! And, not something I would have ever thought to have them do! Thanks for sharing it! It will be interesting to see the project!
Gwen says
And here I have just been composting my eggshells all these years. It had never occurred to me to do a sensorial job with them! (And they will probably compost better after being crushed any ways! 😉 )
For other parents looking to do this, you can also often find inexpensive mortar & pestles at Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshall’s.
Juliana says
I’ve been collecting my egg shells so that my primary students can do this work. My employer told me the shells need to be sanitized in a microwave to get rid of any salmonella. Would you happen to know how long I need to microwave the shells? Thanks!