I know I have a lot of posts about Audrey, but how do you engage a toddler? Sophia is almost 2 1/2 and always begs to do “school”. We have a lot of fun activities that we do together and I thought I would share them with you.
Here a few activities that we did today…
We started with our ABC puzzle. I printed two copies and cut out the letters on one copy and attached magnets to the back. We used a large cookie sheet for this activity. You can get this activity {HERE} for FREE.
We actually worked on sounds for this puzzle, and not just matching the letter. Sophia said each sound as she matched them up. This is an excellent way to practice phonics and to prepare to sound out words.
This activity (CVC Packet) was not something that I had in mind for Sophia, but she REALLY wanted to do it!! This is an activity is actually for a Kindergarten student, but she actually did REALLY well!
We worked with CVC printables, which you can see {HERE}. I started by asking Sophia, “What sound does cat start with? /c/…/c/…/c/…cat?” She immediately picked up the letter C. I only put out the 3 tiles for cat and together we worked on putting them in place. Slowly….VERY slowly! Honestly, I was pretty amazing at how interested she was in this task and how well she did! I think having a big sister who reads has a lot to do with it;)
She went on to work with rat and hat, and then she was DONE! She didn’t want to do it any more:) I just followed her lead. You never want to push a child, but you sure don’t want to hold them back either.
We worked on tracing our DIY Montessori felt letters. You can see the post {HERE}.
Sophia assembled her ABC train puzzle. Instead of giving her all of the pieces at once, I gave her 5 letters to assemble, then she worked on the next five. She felt very successful!
Then she worked on cutting…I know…doesn’t it look scary! A toddler with scissors!! Well, she is under close supervision when handling scissors. If I could make one recommendation, buy a good pair designed specifically for little hands. We LOVE Fiscars. I think I picked up ours at Target.
Scissor skills are a very important fine motor skill that will later help with writing.
I actually just cut out a strip of construction paper, added some lines for her to cut on and divided them with stickers.
She loves using the glue stick!! She glued her newly cut stickers onto her Valentines! How cute…this one was for Mommy:)
She put her Valentine in our Valentine mail box (Target $1, decorated with Target $1 stickers). Such a fun and very productive day.
This is why she LOVES doing “school”.
A hard days work, all done in our jammies:)
A hard days work, all done in our jammies:)
Adorable! I'm sure she'll be reading too before you know it 🙂
I love all your products & use them in my classroom daily.
Color Me Kinder
I love this idea. My 3 1/2 year old son is obsessed with scissors–in a good way–and wants all activities that he can cut. What a great way to do it with the lines and stickers–especially for a theme unit. His teacher at school also recommended using paint sample strips (don't you know Home Depot hates these ideas to get around) to practice cutting too as it's a bit harder paper but not too hard. Maybe you could utilize that as well.
Looks like a fun day! I will put these away for when my girls are older. I have 13 month old twins and am already thinking about what kind of engaging activities I can come up with for them to do!
Twins, Teaching and Tacos.
Nothing is more fun to a toddler/preschooler than a scissors and glue. My Sweetie loves to cut and glue. When I run out of things for her to do when working with my grandson I just cut strips, add letters or numbers to a page and on the strips and have cut and paste to the match. She loves it. And yes, they both ask to do school. Love it.
What a cutie!! Love all the activities – I think I should be doing some with my little readers who are struggling. Or maybe she could come tutor them??? 🙂
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
I just started blogging and found your blog. Love it! I can't wait to read more!
Glitter and Glue
Can't decide if I love all of your creative ideas the most or looking at your precious children in the photos the most. Oh well, I won't choose, I love both!
Great ideas! I think the font you used for the alphabet matching on a cookie sheet is really similar to the alphabet magnets we have. Might not have to print out two 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
I would love for you to link up at my tray link party and maybe you will get some more ideas for how to "do school" with a toddler from the awesome moms who link up 🙂
http://his4homeschooling.blogspot.com/2012/02/whats-on-tray-wednesday-6.html
You have so many cute ideas! Thanks for sharing!