December 09, 2010
NB: If you can't see the Toddler Ideas header above, set your email provider to allow images from clever-toddler-activities.com
Christmas Ideas
Toddler Ideas is the insightful ezine delivered to your inbox monthly from clever-toddler-activities.com
December 2010 Issue 15
Featuring:
- Opening Thoughts – Toys, Toys Everywhere!
- Tip of the Month - Want to Think ‘Outside the Box’ For Gifts?
- Cute Corner – Thawing a Turkey
- Wise Words – Do Perfectly Behaved Children Become Perfect Adults?
- Featured Page – Christmas Activities for Kids
Opening Thoughts
Toys, Toys Everywhere!Do you feel like your home has been invaded by singing, dancing and talking toys? Join the club. :-) As we want the best for our kids while being bombarded with clever marketing campaigns, naturally we try to give them lots of lovely toys, right? However, I've heard many mums agree that toddlers can easily become overwhelmed by the vast amount of toys that the industry portray the tots want.
Of course toddlers love playing with toys but I've often found that they're entertained and fascinated by the most mundane of objects and social interaction (especially with their parents). Remember, children have a strong drive to understand the world and become adults. Have you ever found your toddler preferring your shoes, phones, keys, torches (flashlights) and laptops etc to their toys? Having said that though, children do benefit from a choice of quality toys. It's a balancing act, right?!
Here are some unique children's gifts ideas plus other inspiration that I hope you like.
Tip of the Month
Want to Think 'Outside the Box' For Gifts?Toddlerhood is a great time to introduce your child to different sorts of presents because they’re open to learning about what the traditions of this season are. Remember now you are setting the stage for what your children will come to expect every year.
A Personalized Book
Yeah, there are companies that slot names into the story to make any child the main character, but they won't be in the pictures. Making a book about your toddler is a fun project which I’m sure will be well received by them. Nowadays it’s easy to make a book that looks professional with photo book services and self publishing. Many toddlers would adore a short photo book telling the story of their day (words are optional). Or you could let your creativity shine by writing and illustrating a story for your child (it wouldn't have to look professional for a toddler to love it).
Designer Clothes for Their Beloved Soft Toy
Personally, I couldn’t do a good job of sewing or knitting clothes but I remember loving the clothes and accessories my mum made for my favourite teddy. A few weeks ago one of the girls I care for asked for a coat for her special bunny because "it was cold" (we made do by putting one of her T-shirts on it). Maybe you child's old baby clothes would work well too.
Let Them Experience Their Gift
This is a great opportunity to follow a child’s interests and give them the time of their lives. Ideas include tickets or season passes for the family to attend:
- Some kind of local child friendly attraction, like a theme park, water park, zoo, sea-life centre, castle, museum or safari park.
- A fun ride on a boat, small (or big) plane, steam train (or modern if that would be a treat) or a local hot air balloon.
- A show of their favourite characters, a musical, a ballet performance, another kind of dance or ice skating show. (Consider the child's ability to sit still and watch something for an extended period of time).
- Or would the child like to learn new skills and have the opportunity to use special resources? What about dance, sport or music classes being a gift?
Giving money for savings might sound a little boring but I assure you that the child will really appreciate it later. Maybe you could create a child’s fund/savings bank account for them. Investing their gift money is another option, it’s up to you.
Personally I wouldn’t let a small child know that they’ve got a gift which they’re only allowed in years to come, since they can’t reason until they are six years old. One group of mothers agreed that their child(ren) wouldn’t miss a present from, say, Grandma under the tree. But if your family's tradition is to hand over the gifts personally, maybe you could make or buy an inexpensive (yet special) gift if that would make you both feel more comfortable.
Have a good think about what they need/want and what you could offer, then be creative. :-)
Cute Corner
Thawing a TurkeyWe visited our newly married daughter, who was preparing her first Thanksgiving dinner. I noticed the turkey thawing in the kitchen sink with a dish drainer inverted over the bird. I asked why a drainer covered the turkey.
Our daughter turned to my wife and said, "Mom, you always did it that way."
"Yes," my wife replied, "but you don't have a cat!"
Received via the Clean Joke website.
Wise Words
Do Perfectly Behaved Children Become Perfect Adults?L.S. Vygotsky writes, “People with great passions,people who accomplish great deeds, people who possess strong feelings, people with great minds and a strong personality rarely come out of good little boys and girls”
This comes from my favourite parenting book, Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort, Ph. Available from Amazon from the UK
and USA
Featured Page
Christmas Activities for KidsIntroduce your toddler to the wonders of Christmas with these fun Christmas activities for kids. These are especially easy for little ones. If you celebrate Christmas why not check out these Christmas Children’s Crafts!.
What do you think?
If you liked this ezine please do a friend and me a big favour and tell them about Toddler Ideas. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, click here to subscribe. When you subscribe, you'll receive a FREE download of 'On the Spot' Toddler Activities that can be done anywhere with whatever is around you.I would be happy to answer any questions you have about toddlers. I'd also love to read a cute/funny story about young children, a parenting tip, a great toddler activity or a comment you have about Toddler Ideas at our Contact Form.