Toddler Package - Activity ideas

[TriciaMR]

Is there an activity sheet/booklet for the toddler toys? At conference, I asked for and received the booklet for the preschool toys, but then realized after I got home the activities are all for the 3-5 yo preschool package not the 2-3 yo toddler package.

We have two of the toddler toys - the one with the 5 different shapes in 5 colors that go on the posts, and then the toddler traveler tote one.

For the shapes/colors on the posts: we would match the color to the post, and then I would put a different shape on each post (making sure the shape color did NOT match the post) and have the boys match the shape. It was hard for them after matching color to match the shape the first few times.

We've also set up the shapes like dominoes on the floor, and then knocked the one end over (that always gets a big laugh from the boys).

For the other one, it has mostly been a "play" toy. But, I have had them count the posts, tell me the colors, name the shapes.

-Trish

[cbollin]

. But I'd like to train him to sit with us and do things with us. Eventually he is going to have to anyway

I’d like to recommend a neat little workshop that David Hazell gives at convention workshops. It’s called Occupying Preschoolers while Teaching Olders. You can get more information about how to order those CD’s from this link
http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?t=3234

Does your toddler sit in a high chair at meal times? I use to do read alouds at lunch time or snack time and keep the toddler half happy for just a minute longer with an ice cube on the tray. Or a pile of mashed potatoes that clean up easily from her face after we were done. Nap time is good to get a lot of individual school time done and then as the toddlers get older they can get included a bit more here and there. But what worked for us for long term was to look for times that we were naturally together (meal times for example) and do little bits of some school work at the table while toddler was already there.

-crystal

[cbollin]

MFW doesn't haven't one for the toddler (2 year old) package. Maybe some of us could brain storm some ideas to expand their uses for children who are developmentally around 2 or 2.5 or a young 3 y.o and post those ideas on this thread to help a bit. One of the issues is of course that 2 year olds can be in different places with language developmental and other skills and some of them have very short attention spans :)

Some Learning Ideas for 2-3 year old using the Toddler Package in MFW.

Because children in this age can have a wide variety of language development and motor skills, adjust these ideas to fit them and slowly increase the difficulty level. Have some fun with your child. Just about any kind of regular game that you would play with a toddler, you can find a way to include one of the toys in that game.


Active Play (great for giving a toddler some undivided attention for a few minutes with parent or sibling)

Go on a Shape Hunt. Toy needed – shape and Color Sorter, or Toddler Tote
How to Play:
Parent or older sibling selects two items (such as the Cat and the Bear in Toddler Tote) and “hides them in plain view” or in “partial sight”.
Tell the toddler Find the Bear and Bring it to me.
Variations for older toddlers --- use 2 shapes in different colors, or 2 pieces the same color, but different shape. Remember to be happy with the toddler when they find it and bring it to you. (good for interactive play and following verbal instructions)

Variation for older sibling to play with toddler and teach them (while parent teaches another child)--- if you have the book Going on a Bear Hunt and your child already likes this book, perhaps you can chant along and sing "We're going on a Bear Hunt.... we're going catch a Blue one. What a Beautiful Day." You might have to help your toddler and get on the floor and pretend with them. But that's ok. Well, our bear was blue, use whatever the color is of the bear in your package.


Plop Plop in the Bucket – toy needed, Tall Stacker Pegs and Pegboard, and a wide container that is easy to empty such as mixing bowl, empty jar, or even an empty oatmeal box.
Scattered a pile of pegs on the floor but not too scattered.
Have child stand up and drop the pegs in the bucket.
Have child do this in some kind of order related to color. Put the Green Pegs in. Put the Yellow pegs in. variations --- use smaller containers, or have your child put in 2 pegs at a time


Put a toy on your Head --- toy needed – Bear from Toddler Tote. In a Sing Song voice, say “put your Bear on your Head on your Head. Put your Bear on your Head, on your head. Did you ever see a bear, hiding somewhere, Put your bear on your head on your head.”

Make up verses and change it the animal or use shapes from shape sorter.
Put your Cat on your head….. did you ever see a cat, hiding Just like THAT?
Put your Dog on your head….. did you ever see a dog, hiding near a log??

and of course.... put the bear on your arm, foot, leg. Model it for your child if needed. Some children at this age are still learning the names of parts of the body and coordinating their own little selves to find things. give lots of ((hugs)).


Sitting Together Play (a bit more quiet now.. shhh....)

Play All Aboard!!! -- toy needed Number Express.
Let your child build the train and encourage soft Chugga Chugga Chugga sounds. Maybe the Cat, dog or bear from toddler tote would like to ride on the train too.

Do you have the book Freight Train by Donald Crews?

Make a Shape/Color spinner --- toy needed Shape and color sorter, and a long shoe string or piece of yarn. Let child put the shapes from the Shape and Color sorter on the string, hold both end and spin them.


Older Sibling’s Turn -- Sometimes our older homeschooled children can come up with ideas to do that are fun for the toddler. Remember to encourage older kids to sit with their sibling and have fun.

*****
You might have to adjust skill level lower for the youngest just turning 2 year old. and after you've played with them with some games, just let them explore the toys on their own.

-crystal

[rosecottage]

All the book titles that follow offer ideas for babies on up, and since MFW just offers materials for children 2 & over, I thought it might be ok.

My husband's former kindergarten teacher, June Oberlander, has a book on the market called "Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready" with developmental activities to use with children from birth till age 5. The purpose is to help children develop more fully during those younger years than they might otherwise. Some of the activities might be helpful in occupying them. Just an idea for those with children too young for MFW's materials.

I find that my little ones are happiest when they are given the chance to "work on" (play, really) whatever they are learning developmentally, and get frustrated when prevented from doing whatever they are trying to learn at the time.

Oh, also, there is a terrific book called "Creative Family Times," which is full of ideas for structuring your baby/young child's day. I have used this one a lot with much success, for teaching "sit time" beginning at 18 months and "playpen time" starting with younger babies & continuing through toddler-hood (when the duration is gradually lengthened & turns in to "room time"). The "Managers of Their Homes" book by Teri Maxwell also has some good ideas in it.

[cbollin]

I thought of more ideas last night and this morning.


Take an old coffee can. Decorate outside with construction paper. Make a large enough hole in the plastic lid of the can. Let toddler push the pegs through the hole, open the lid, dump the pegs back out, put lid back on and do it again and again like toddlers like to do.


Play Tote that Block! Use any kind of container (old purse, book bag, a basket, laundry basket) – encourage toddler to put the toys in the container and push or carry it around. Make it a game with older sibling --- good time to model language such as Please, Thank You as your toddler gives you something from the treasure box. Work together to put things away in their right place. For people who like to teach their children how and when to politely "interrupt", this game can be incorporated into that skill. (be patient while they learn....)


Give the toddler their own tactile box (a shoe box with rice, or other material) --- Get a space that will be easier to clean up, let the child put a few of the Toddler pack toys in the rice or cornmeal or whatever, and find their buried treasure.
If making too much mess in the house makes it harder for mom, here is an idea: Tell child that they get to play Buried Treasure for 15 minutes. Set a timer. At the end of buried treasure, clean it up until another time. Nice thing with Lauri toys -- they are washable with soap and water. Give toddler a cooking pan/pot with a little bit of soapy water and let him water and dry the toys (with supervision of course). Probably not a good idea to let them put the toys in a sink so they don't get lost in the drain ;)
Variation for toddler who has older sibling who is using Spelling Power
Try to schedule this tactile box activity when older siblings are working in Spelling Power. One of the things in Spelling Power is that you use multi sensory methods in the 10 step study time. One of those things is a tactile activity. When older siblings get to play in a box with something fun, this might be the time to do this activity with everyone. Toddler sees that everyone has to stop the activity together. Encourage them to trace the numbers from Number Express or shapes from the Sorter while older siblings are writing their spelling words in tactile box.

-crystal

[hsmomof5]

I can't think of the blog addy right now but there is a blog with info on toddler bags. Hit my siggy to my blog and look under Topics for "homeschooling with toddlers". HTH

[rosecottage]

A friend at my church just arranged a "Preschool Activity Bag" swap. I made 10 each of 2 activity bags, and ten other ladies and I swapped bags. Each ended up with a complete set of 20 different preschool activities. My 3yo is enjoying them very much. Only problem is that he seems to have a varying, unpredictable attention span for each activity. I need to refine how I use these. He is very verbal, my most articulate three year old to date, but he has a hard time keeping quiet while using these. I probably need to dedicate a little time just for his preschool time early in the day, so he doesn't need to act up to get mommy's attention. Again, I am eager to hear the talk at the conference!

Also, Kathryn Stout of Design A Study has some good suggestions for preschool toys in articles she has put on her website. And then there is the "Preschoolers and Peace" website. Can you tell I have needed to research this subject???

David Hazell will be speaking about preschoolers here in AZ in two weeks. I hope to be able to attend his workshops and hear his ideas.

[Julie in MN]

I bought the toddler package yesterday at convention. I need advice on ways that any of you have used those toys for a HUGE variety of teaching (the more ideas the better). And I need simple specific uses if any of you can give them. In my sleep deprived stupor it is challenging to come up with ideas beyond the very obvious. I am really worn out by my very active ds and baby boy. So calling all experienced parents! Help!!

Edie

Hi Edie,
My grandson LOVES the pegboard, and there is a sheet of ideas packaged inside of that.

If you purchased the toddler set, you could call the office and ask if you could purchase the preschool booklet. Of course, the majority won't apply to the toddler set, but a few things will apply to the pegs and in general it may give you some ideas.

Another place to check is the Toddler archives:
viewforum.php?f=2

I'm sure more moms of littles will chime in, as well. I just thought I'd mention those couple of things.
Julie