Two Weeks With Your Toddler: Are You ready???

As we head into a new universal experience; the next 2 weeks present a challenge for parents, grandparents and caretakers everywhere as we work together towards a healthier and safe environment for everyone.

With that in mind listen up:

You got this!

You can do this and with consistency, routine and some new ideas, the next 2 weeks might very well be a time you will always treasure. So grab your glass of wine, or maybe some coffee and cake and follow me…

Think about beginning the day with some Free Play:

Whatever set up you have in your home, think about creating some centers. You could have toys as you usually do; but look at your playroom or play area differently over the next 2 weeks. When toys are easily seen, children can get into play more efficiently. It is easier to choose and to play independently.

Some center ideas are: A bucket of blocks, books lined up on a lower shelf, a small table with crayons and paper, an area with kitchen items…you get the idea. Each day bring out one thing that is different, so you don’t have to buy anything new, just put away some toys and add some that are already in your home.

To increase curiosity and play you can also have a “what’s new table”. This simply means that each day a new activity, toy or item is showcased on the table. This creates new interest for old things.

The “What’s New Table”

Allow and encourage this free play concept for as long as your individual child or children are content. (This is truly different in each family) It also gives you time for that first coffee or tea of the day!

Sing a clean- up song while they help you put all the toys away. If you want a child to help you clean, be very specific. “You pick up the yellow blocks and I’ll pick up the red ones. “You pick up the books and I can pick up the trucks.” This helps children to feel less overwhelmed and tend to the task. If they pick up one item, thank them for helping you take care of the home, think “team building”.

It’s time to get ready for the special activity of the day.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Sticker and stamping either in a book or on a box you happen to have lying around
• Streamers and popsicle sticks: Attach to the sticks and they can fly around the room to music, make them go up and down…
• Feathers in a bucket, make it rain feathers and then they pick them up and put them back in bucket- count to 5 and make it rain again. *This activity is a 12-24 -month old crowd pleaser!
• Feelings Book: One of my favorite things to do. This is so good for helping children identify their emotions and it is a lot of fun.  Put together a bunch of pictures that show a whole range of emotions, you can put them in a photo album. You can cut them in advance and then as you show each picture to your children, they can help you glue them into a book. Together you will have made your very own Feeling Book.
• What’s in the bag: Here is an all- time good laugh and very exciting for young children.  Put an object in a bag. Children should not be able to see inside. Tell them they can hold the bag, shake the bag, smell the bag, put the bag on their head but…they can’t peek inside. They need to guess what is in there. After guessing, you can tell them to close their eyes (no peeking) as you place another object inside the bag and play it again.
• Water Play: Are you brave enough for water outside the tub? Standing at the kitchen sink (for those who have a toddler tower) can be a lot of fun. Squeezing sponges, filling measuring cups and spoons and you have a brilliant activity. Just be sure to have at least 2 big towels. Don’t be fearful, it is totally worth it!

What sinks and what floats: For those who don’t have the tower, a large tub at a table where children can play “what sinks and what floats”. Find the items around that will demonstrate this amazing concept. Some examples would be feathers, a sponge, a toy car, and whatever else you can find. Put in a few ice cubes and then you have a science experiment!

Cleaning with Sponges: Midway through the morning everyone is ready for a snack. Before eating, hand your child a special cleaning sponge and allow them to clean the table. Hand washing and cleaning are also an important part of the routine.

After snack, it is time for outdoor play if the weather allows for that and you are in the mood!

Remember that it is developmentally appropriate for a child to “stop and smell the flowers” and so if they notice a tiny rock on the ground, then discover that with them. Puddles are great for jumping in and so going on a “puddle hunt” is a great activity.

As you head into the lunch hour, children can help prepare even if it means mashing a potato. Allowing a 2- year old to pour and stir is life changing! You can also give your child a one cup measuring cup and have them pour from that into their own cup. This is a great fine motor experience and a real self-esteem booster.

If you aren’t venturing into the great outdoors, then it’s time to turn up the music.

You can dance, practice ballet movements, walk on tippy-toes or crawl on the floor. It’s also fun to set up chairs and pretend you are on an airplane or on a train and wave to the crowds. Put on your seat belts and press all the buttons (children love buttons) and then take off to far away lands. My personal favorite is riding the train and going for ice cream! All within the confines of your playroom! Have you ever taken off in a spaceship, walked on the moon and then come home to cheering crowds?

Exhausted, thankful it is lunch time and then off to nap. Hopefully you will have a couple of hours to rejuvenate.

After nap and the usual snack, it is time once more to get creative. You might need some screen time but if you do, be sure it is something you watch together and be on hand to make comments, point out what they are seeing, making it interactive.

Here are a few more activities:

• The Screaming Box: Decorate a cardboard box. Everyone might need it as the days progress. It is okay to place a scream inside a box and then move on.
• Bath timecan be a great way to pass the time, go for it.
• Picture Frames: If you want to make your own picture frames, children can help by gluing popsicle sticks together.
• “Bumblemoms” Check out this group on Facebook created by Tami Zuckerman. There are over 2300 members and they post so many amazing ideas.
• Celebrate the Family Meal: Since this will be remembered as a special time together where everyone helped the planet to be healthy, it is a perfect time to celebrate the family meal. If you have some picture frames around, children can create art and frame them to be put on the dinner table.
• Flower arrangements: A nice idea is to buy some dried flowers and the foam blocks used for flower arrangements. It is super easy for children to glue on shiny paper or stickers and stick the flowers in for a beautiful arrangement. Have some different dishes if you can on some days and on other days put a tablecloth on the table just to dress things up. Children love to help in the kitchen so be brave, hand them a spoon and get to work in any way you can.

As the day comes to an end, talk about the best parts of the day and what to look forward to tomorrow.

Remember that consistency and routine will help everyone survive the day. Mean what you say and follow through, children feel so safe and loved with rules and boundaries and most of all firm but fair guidance. If you need any help, if you need behavior tips to manage the day, don’t hesitate to write in, we are here to walk through the next 2 weeks with you.

Do you want my all – time favorite play-dough recipe, better and more lasting than anything you’ll buy in the store? Send me a message and I’ll send it your way!

Cheers!  Sharyn

 

Coming soon: How to turn The Very Hungry Caterpillar story by Eric Carle into an amazing activity your toddlers will love!