June 01, 2009
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Toddler Ideas is the insightful ezine delivered to your inbox every month from clever-toddler-activities.com
June 2009 Issue 01
Featuring:
- Opening Thoughts Meet your Toddler Ideas Editor
- Q&A with Claire - Beating the Recession With a Toddler
- Tip of the Month Grasp Those Teachable Moments
- Cute Corner Toddler Logic
- Featured Page Remember Father's Day!
Opening Thoughts
Meet Your EditorHi, I'm Claire. I'm the main webmaster and writer of clever-toddler-activities.com along with Patricia. I'm a trained and experienced nanny/nursery nurse (or childcare worker for those who are not familiar with the British lingo). Fortunately I've worked the most with my favourite age group, which of course is toddlers.
I believe that toddlers' curiosity and striving for independence is often misunderstood as mischief. I'm pleased that Toddler Ideas gives me the opportunity to share ways I've found successful in guiding toddlers to fulfil their need for learning through activities.
I'm always on a quest to create and try out new and exciting toddler activities. Naturally this means looking for inspiration beyond their toys, which toddlers already do! How many times have you turned around to see your toddler playing with anything but their toys?
Little ones love to explore what we use because they have a deep desire to be like us. Using safe objects that are around us not only creates free activities but also gives toddlers a sense of feeling trusted and empowered.
If you like the idea of entertaining your toddler for free, enjoy the host of activities and games in this issue.
Q&A With Claire
If you have a question about toddlers, we'd love to help! Just use our handy contact form.Beating the Recession With a Toddler
Question:
Dear Claire and Patricia,
I absolutely love your site. I have a little query. My husband's been laid off and now our son's one, he's grown out of his baby toys. I've picked up a few toys here and there but he gets bored with them quickly too! We can't afford any more at the moment and I don't want him to turn into a couch potato, watching TV all day. Do you have any ideas?
Warmest Regards,
Kate
Answer:
Dear Kate,
I've often seen toddlers completely ignoring the many toys we rotate a few times a day at nursery. They've got such short attention spans that it's hard to keep up! I agree that TV has very limited value for toddlers since they learn best through doing and moving.
What I do is look around and think 'what would be both safe and interesting for a toddler?' Your toddler can help too. Let him roam in your toddler-proofed home and see what he finds. Does your son like trying on your shoes, climbing in the empty washing basket or putting lots of small things in a bag or box, lugging them around the room and then taking them out?
Here's some ideas of how to extend your son's play with household objects to entertain and teach him at the same time.
- Toss the Sock
Fold over and tuck socks together as normal and give him target practice by encouraging him to toss them in the washing basket. - You'd be amazed at how useful junk mail is! Toddler's love looking through catalogues. You could also cut pictures of people, vehicles, flowers, food, furniture and toys out of catalogues or magazines for your toddler to stick on the backs of letters you no longer need.
- 'Painting' the house, driveway or outside toys with water using decorating brushes or old toothbrushes. You don't need paint. Your toddler will be very happy using plain water!
- Musical bumps is a great free toddler game. If your toddler is ever going to go to a party he will be playing this game. So it's good idea to practice these toddler party games in the relaxed atmosphere of home.
- A First 'Shape Sorter' The commercial ones are often too tricky for one-year-olds to master anyway. Keep an empty tissue box and some small food package boxes or lids from jars that will fit through the hole in the top. I've been amazed at how popular this is!
- Can His Eyes Keep Up?Hide an object under one of three identical cups with your son watching. Swap two of the cups and have him guess where it is. After a bit of practise he might be able to follow two swaps.
- First Geography and Maths Lesson Take a trip outside and collect natural things like shells, pebbles, driftwood, fir cones, fallen leafs and conkers. At home pick out two of each objects for your little one to have some supperized exploration. Causally demonstrate matching the pairs while commenting on what your doing. After a while your son might want to help you match up the pairs.
- Shakers Even one year olds can join in making these home made musical instruments. Save and wash a small plastic pill or supplement tub, one with a childproof lid is ideal. Supply a few dried beans or pasta shells in a bowl on a tray with the tub. Show your toddler how to put them into the tub one by one. (This encourages his hand muscles to strengthen which will help him to write later.)
Cut a piece of paper to cover the label and let your toddler either draw and/or glue colourful paper or card pieces on it. Then all you have to do is tightly screw on the lid, glue or tape on the label, then when it's dry your toddler can enjoy his creation many times. - Make Chunky Toddler Crayons Does your son find it hard to hold on to crayons? Quite a few one-year-olds find it hard work. A few days ago I came across an excellent blog post with instructions on how melt a bunch of old broken crayons into chunky disk shaped toddler crayons.
These are just a few - you'll be able to find many more free activities on our Free Toddler Games page.
Take care, Claire
Tip of the Month
Grasp Those Teachable MomentsAfter all, you are your child's first teacher. Pointing out the obvious can really accelerate your toddler's speech as well as their general knowledge. If don't already, you may like to talk with your toddler about what they are eating, doing, seeing, hearing and feeling.
Giving your toddler (and baby) the opportunity to match vocabulary to the sensory input she is receiving will give her a vital skill that she'll benefit from the rest of her life. This can also reduce your child's frustration about not being able to express her feelings and being misunderstood, which are often the causes of tantrums.
Please don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting you talk 24/7. But grasp the many little opportunities we get in a day where we can impart our knowledge to an eager learner. Simply slip in a casual sentence or two about what your little one is experiencing. Then go with the flow - you may find that she's interested in learning the parts of a flower, where milk comes from or how you're fixing the car.
Cute Corner
Toddler LogicI had just finished wiping a toddler's nose in the 2 year old room of a nursery (day care). I didn't use one of the tissues I had picked up so I asked the group, is anyone's nose running? while looking around. Eager to show off his knowledge, a little boy replied we run in the garden!
Featured Page
Remember Father's Day!Father's Day is on 21st June this year, but don't worry, we've got you covered! Simply check out our Father's Day Crafts page for ideas on how to help your child make a card, gift and even a banner to show their appreciation for Dad.
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 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 page.