Toddler Ideas…again.

Hi,

I think this is my first post on these boards, but this is a question I’ve dealt with and actually know something about, so here’s my 2 cents.

Have you seen some of the Montessori type activities?  I haven’t done much yet, but here are some ideas I’ve read about:

practice pouring rice or beans back and forth between two small pitchers

transferring beans from one bowl to another with a small spoon (or with fingers if the spoon is too advanced). 

I’m sure you could do a search and find more.  If you have a child who still mouths everything, they would have to be right beside you, but it would keep them busy.

When I really need to get my little one out of my hair, I throw her in the tub.  I start with just a little warm water, but leave the faucet running as slowly as I can get it so the water stays warm.  That way she’ll play for an hour with cups to pour, boats to float, plastic animals to bathe, etc.  My girls’ bedroom is within sight of the tub, so school can happen in the bedroom while little sister plays in the water. 

My DD (now 25 months) will also spend quite a bit of time washing the walls, cupboards, chairs, tables, windows, or anything else in reach with a damp wash cloth.  Since that’s where the fingerprints are anyway…

Playdough is also great.  If she still eats it, make it out of peanut butter mixed with enough flour to make the right consistency.

Otherwise she just wanders around the room we are in pushing ‘babies’ in strollers or wrapping them up and carrying them around.

Now, my only other comment is to remind you to make sure you are not making too much of ‘school’ for a kindergartner!  They should be spending the vast majority of their time exploring, especially outdoors.  My 6 year old is only doing about 45 minutes of sit down school, and that is even broken up into 2 or 3 sessions per day.  Last year we did even less.  At this age there is too much to be learned to waste too much time in formal studies!

Joanne

I place a table cloth under the rice containers, but I bought a bag of 15 bean soup because of the different sizes and colors in the package.  I put bowls, measuring cups and sppons for them to use.

You could make a box of rice full of small items for the child to find inside.  (kind of like a needle in a haystack)

You can get foam pieces very cheap, those are fun.  

“Tea party” with a little set and a cookie sheet to contain the water.  My dds love this,

I second (or third) the cupboard with available kid “toys” – tupperware-type and lids work well also.

Jen,

  Here are a couple of ideas I used. besides the ones above. If she is still small enough I would put mine in one side of the sink and bubble water on the otherside. I would let her clean the sink. 🙂 and any plastic dishes. She would clean her toys. (The plastic ones) It would last for hours. I also had chores for her to do. She would wash the windows, doorknobs, fridge, dishwasher,and lightswithches with a diaper wipe. Now she just about washes everything. When the kids were younger I would dress them in their snow pants, boots, and mittens and fill the tub with snow. It was hours of  fun. That way they were safe and I could do alot!  Dress-up clothes and shoes are another idea. You can get these really cheap the day after Halloween. I just get mine at the resale shop all year round. We have a wonderful collection. Legos are not just for little boys!  I know she is a little girl but cars seem to be a hit with my little girl. My little girl still loves playing with the dry erase markers and board. Those magnetic  letters on the fridge are fascinating. You could use your old magnets that come in the mail and cut  pictures out of a magazine. Attach them to the magnet with double sided tape. I sort of laminated the clothes with packing tape before I attached them to the magnet with double sided tape or carpet tape. She can dress the faces with different pants, skirts, shirts,ect…   Electric Bubble blower is another idea if it is nice out. She can even do that in the tub. This doesn’t last as long as the sink full of bubble water but it still is a different activity.  I also recommend a sand and water table. You can put snow in that also with a little bit of powder lemonade to give it color and taste. Just put a plastic mat underneath and hours of fun there. Someone mentioned rice in the table that is a good idea also. Teach her how to keep it in the table. If she gets some out let her sweep it up. She could use one of those dust busters. Yes, there maybe a little mess at first but she will learn some very good skills doing alot of these things and she will let you alone long enough to get things done. Oh, I almost forgot. You might let her on the computer. I know she is young but you can let her go to Starfall.com and she can listen to the stories. You would be surprised at how much a young child can learn especially with older siblings. My sons taught my daughter how to use the mouse at a very young age. I was very surprised how quickly she could figure it out. Another thing my daughter loves to do is my hair. She crawls up on a chair behind me while I read or do the computer. She gets out all the hair scrunchies and the hairbrush and makes me beautiful. I hope all this helps. Good luck and Good luck over seas. 

Hello! We live overseas and try to remain as minimalist as possible as well. Also on short trips we don’t take but a couple toys and books so that we can take time to explore new things where we go. This way there is enough rhythm to give a sense of home and connection, as well as excitement for what we might find each day.

i have a almost 2 year old and 4 year old. I have experience with Montessori, the Israeli and Japanese preschool system which are both beautiful, and lots of fun at home.

ideas for Early Years (most of these work in different ways ages of 1+)

—we do smaller scale scooping with different spoons – and handful of rice, and a handful of 1-2 types of beans. Rice and beans are quite expensive where we live and this makes the activity manageable almost anywhere, even at a friend’s house.

—we also do play dough, and this blog encouraged me to do water activities more. There are some great “sensory soup” blog posts out there. A little more messy and hands on for you though.

—here in japan they go “fishing” with handmade fish magnets and magnet fishing pole. Melissa and Doug sells a ready made puzzle one.

—music time 10-30 min. pots and pans as musical instruments, as well as store bought or home made shakers, egg shakers, tambourines, oatmeal cylinder drums. Egg shakers and homemade oatmeal cylinder drums are especially nice if you’re doing school at the same time as they’re not too loud. Older kids can also make the instruments for the younger ones as a inclusive project. If you use sand it will also be a gentle sound.

—a scarf and ribbon box. You can also do local material scraps if you are somewhere like Africa, India or Japan. 10-20 minutes. Super fun. I have always dreamed of making a local scraps play book.

—ribbons for dancing to classical music. Our kids also love Watoto Children’s Choir. Also you can get your second langauge practice in here.

—shaving cream painting in the bathroom or shower. Just spray shaving cream! Super easy to clean up! They need to know not to get it in the eyes, but they can use long paint brushes to make squiggles and dots and circles. Great sensory activity. I’ve also seen it done outside on whiteboards, where the shaving cream is applied on medium sized whiteboards and kids paint their picture.

—make bread or cookies! Usually from the time my child is about 18 months I have them scooping, pouring and stirring. My 2 year old loves the smells of vanilla and cinnamon, and the taste of a little salt and brown sugar. It’s even ok for her to taste the flour. Don’t worry too much about germs as it gets all cooked out in the oven 🙂