February 01, 2010
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Clean Toddler Activities!
Toddler Ideas is the insightful ezine delivered to your inbox every month from clever-toddler-activities.com
February 2010 Issue 08
Featuring:
- Opening Thoughts – Do You Or Toddler Hate Mess?
- Q&A with Claire - Which Toddler Activities Don't Involve A Big Mess?
- Cute Corner – Baby Brother
- Tip of the Month - Think Inside the Box, While Thinking Outside of the Box :-)
- Featured Page – Happy Valentines Day!
Opening Thoughts
Do You Or Your Toddler Hate Mess?Personally I don't mind mess but I've come across many mums, carers and quite a few toddlers who can't stand it. Don't worry there's plenty of toddler activities that make little or no mess. I've also found that these sort of activities are often easy, free, have fantastic learning potential and are loved by loads of toddlers and preschoolers too (including those who love mess)!
By the way, I'm using the British meaning of the word clean (as in not dirty) - some of the activities may need tidying up at the end. :-) I hope you find this issue of Toddler Ideas useful.
Q&A With Claire
If you have a question about toddlers, we'd love to help! Just use our handy contact form.Which Toddler Activities Don't Involve A Big Mess?
Question:
Hi, I have a dilemma I hope you can help me with. One of the little girls I've started looking after can't stand having a crumb on her hands never mind paint or glue. I still want to do educational and fun activities with her, along with sister (who loves finger painting etc). Sorry, you've probably got the answer dotted around your site but I work long hours as a nanny and I'm studying too, so would you be so kind as to save me the time? Thanks so much! - Daniel
Answer:
Hi Daniel,
Wow, you do sound busy! I'm happy to help. I've also cared for children who hate getting their hands messy and it can be a little challenging accommodating their needs when you're looking after other children too. Art is often the first thing we think about when planning to do activities with young children yet there are plenty of other games that don't include a big mess. Below are some clean toddler activity ideas I've found to be successful with children who don't like mess and even ones that do. Here's a few links so you can quickly find more if you like.
Clean Toddler Activity Ideas
Where is it?
Encourage her memory and problem solving skills by hiding an object under one of three upside-down solid beakers, then swap them around and have her guess where it is.
Copy Cat
Encourage the girls to copy actions/exercises you do such as shugging your shoulders, touching toes, crouching, blinking etc. (Keep in mind that one-year-olds find it hard to jump.) Active toddler games often need little or no tidying up.
What is in the sock?
This is a variation on the feely bag/box activity. Place a safe interesting object in a sock then both have a feel and discuss what it could be. She can then enjoy the challege of retrieving it and seeing if you were both right. This presents an awesome opportunity to introduce descriptive words in a playful manner.
Exploring Shoes
Gather a variety of shoes.... different sizes, colours, fastenings. Describe and compare the features and talk about who wears the shoes and for what occasion etc. Of course, they might like to try them on too.
Liven things up a bit
Musical bumps is a great free toddler game. If your toddler is ever going to go to a party she will be playing this game. It's good idea to practice toddler party games in the relaxed atmosphere of home. There's no need for prizes or for children to be 'out' if last, at this stage. Here's more toddler party games that could be done anytime.
First 'Shape Sorters'
Simply collect or put together some very easy home made toys for even more popular toddler activities. This simple activity is a favourite among many one-year-olds, even ones who can master a real shape sorter. Find a container and some smaller objects so your toddler can fill it with things. Keep an empty tissue box and some small food package boxes or lids from jars that will fit through the hole in the top. This is brilliant for making this game slightly more challenging.
A unique toy
A thermal blanket (from an outdoors/camping shop). Your toddler will love the rustling sound as she crawls or walks on it, shakes and plays peek-a-boo with it. I've seen many excited toddlers and babies playing with a thermal blanket. I always closely supervise toddlers when this toy is in use. This is a great activity for right before dinner or an outing as it's quick to tidy up.
Put those old catalogues to good use
Toddlers love looking through catalogues. They're the perfect prop for the pointing game and are great for sparking all sorts of discussions too.
Most of the activities on the free toddler games page are clean activities. Nursery rhymes and action rhymes are absolutely mess-free toddler activities.
If you've subscribed to Toddler Ideas you'll have the 'On the Spot' Toddler Activity slips or cards which are wonderful reminders of completely mess-free activities! If you haven't yet, simply subscribe to the free monthly ezine and you'll receive a FREE download of this handy reference you can print out and have reminders when you need them the most.
I hope you find these ideas useful! Feel free to ask us any more questions as they arise. Take care and have fun.
Warmest regards,
Claire
Cute Corner
Baby BrotherWhile my husband was stationed overseas, our four-year-old daughter decided that she needed a baby brother.
"Good idea," I told her. "But don't you think we should wait until your father's home?"
She had a better idea. "Why don't we just surprise him?"
Received via The Good, Clean Funnies List
Tip of the Month
Think Inside the Box While Thinking Outside the Box :-)Isn't it unfortunate that toddlers are so fascinated by tiny objects when they're still in the habit of exploring things with their mouths? To top it all off they also have a strong urge for independence so often the last thing they want to do is give you the object they've just discovered. Of course you could watch them like a hawk and keep your toddler within reach when they are handling a small item. When it just needs to disapear for your child's safety, distraction sometimes works but as their memory and determination increases it's handy to have another trick up your slieve.
This is a simple and effective technique that often enlists genuine cooperation from a toddler in a caring way that respects the child's independence. I found simply asking them to put a tiny lid or a conker, for example, in something like your pocket, a rubbish bin (trash can), a small compartment of your bag or an empty glass works most of the time. Using a neutral tone of voice helps too. If that doesn't work you could try giving them a choice of two containers to drop the object into. This has saved me many times, I hope it works for you too. :-)
Featured Page
Happy Valentines Day!Introduce your little one to Valentines Day. Here's some tips on how to share the true meaning of this special day - toddler style. Have some holiday fun with your little one by taking part in these Valentines Toddler Activities!
What do you think?
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