Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Ideas please!

Last week in Michigan was rainy and cold-and a good glimpse of what it's going to be like to be stuck inside this Winter. A friend of mine is doing pre-school at home this year with her four year old, and is having really good results. It has me thinking-I'd like to do some kind of structured learning time/play time this Winter with my two year old. Obviously she's too young to drill numbers and letters and stuff, but I thought we could work on things like colors, and do crafts, songs, etc. The problem is, I'm going to run out of ideas fast! Do any of you have ideas, or do you know of a good source, website, etc. to get ideas from?

8 comments:

cornnut32 said...

this is a great one for kid-friendly science experiements.

http://smmartideas.blogspot.com/

also ran across this, so cute!

http://rarelyhomemom.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/kid-crafts/

Bethany said...

I've started to look up things too but haven't come across many for young toddlers. As for my own idea's...I plan on making a felt board and cutting out things for weather (clouds, sun, rain drops, wind, blue sky) so in the mornings we can look outside and Luke can put up what the weather is like. I also want to cut out shapes, letters and numbers so he can begin to recognize them (he's not quite 2). I let Luke play in the sink today. I filled up one side and let him use a little cup to pour it into the other side. Maybe she could help bake by pouring ingredients into the bowl after you've measured them. Songs are wonderful! We used to attend a music class and I still sing the songs with Luke. We even have little instruments that he can shake or bang. I hope these idea's help.

rebecca said...

This Lady's blog has lots of great things. http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/

She does the "Montessori" style which is great for little kids. In fact if you google Montessori supplies you can find great ideas, and great things to buy.

Also check out the library. There are some great toddler/preschool activity books that might be really helpful.

Julianne said...

When my older two were little we used to do Brighter Vision. It's a monthly thing that gets sent to you. It used to be about $16 a month. It comes with a book, a workbook and a craft. If you contact them you can usually try one month for free. It's great--we loved it!! Here's the website:

http://www.brightervision.com/

Let me know if you guys use it and what you think!

Lindsey said...

Steph, I have some awesome idea activity books from my student teaching days that you can borrow from me since I obviously won't be needing them for a few years. They are crammed with hundreds of activity ideas organized into themes like families, pets, space, plants, bears, food, the human body, etc. Then under each theme it gives tons of activity ideas for different ares of development; language, artistic, cognitive, physical etc. I just pulled them out and got really excited! They are for ages 2-6, so some activities you probably would have to modify, but I'll try to get these books to you soon!

The Schacher Family said...

I have tons of lesson plans I can send your way that I have used for the two year old class I teach for work. Let me organize them a little bit and then I can e-mail them to you. Also two years old is a good time to start ABC recognition. I wouldn't drill it but you'd be suprised how quick they learn letter. Anyway what is your e-mail and I will send you ideas.

Claire said...

Susan- can you send them to me also?? I figure I might as well start preparing... its only a matter of time before Cecelia will be ready for these types of things!

Abby said...

www.familyfun.com

click on craft finder