Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Suggestions for one year olds
Calling on the mamas out there (and those of you with more experience with one year olds than me). I'm a preschool aide (yay!) with 3-4 kiddos on my own between the ages of 1 and 2 for about 3 hours in the morning when they're waking up (uhhhh...). Between breakfast and playtime outside there isn't a *ton* of downtime for them, but I want to start getting an idea of what to do with them as far as arts and crafts, numbers, letters/words, sensory, etc etc for times when we do have some free time. I'm so clueless. I've started a Pinterest board to find some good age-appropriate activities, but sometimes those can be pretty involved, more appropriate with being in the home, with one child of that age group, and all those resources at your hands, rather than on the fly with three to four kids around the same age. So, suggestions welcome!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This website has a picture of some good toys for ages 1-3: http://michaelolaf.com/store/13toys.html. I've noticed that John, who's 18 months, really loves "helping" with dusting, sorting, wiping up: they love "work" to the extent of their ability. Teaching them as much as possible to get themselves ready for snack, for outside, etc. may take more time, but they are invaluable skills, and their parents will thank you.
ReplyDeleteYep, Colette's favorites are: pretending to do things that Mommy does (sweeping, cleaning with any towel/rag... and water if you're feeling brave, "cooking", getting her own shoes, books, etc), being read to, and always, if putting things in other things. They're a little young for sitting down to do arts and crafts or letters, but Millie pretty much gave you the down-low up above... I'm just repeating - great advice! Being included in the work of everyday life is big. So, yep, pretty much what Millie said. :)
ReplyDeleteAck, blogger just ate my comment.
ReplyDeleteI have saved a bunch of (plastic) jars like from mayonaisse, peanut butter, couscous, ketchup, a couple spice bottles, etc. and my kids have loved putting items (non-choking size) in and out, trying to put the lids on, and then shaking them around and seeing what noise they make.
Anything that involves putting something in a slot. We use buttons, which obviously the younger the kid the more choking hazard you have to worry about. Maybe milk-lids put into a coffee tub with a slot cut in the top?
Chunky puzzles like the link below are great for small hands.
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Wooden-Chunky-Puzzle/dp/B000E9DPCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407966506&sr=8-1&keywords=melissa+and+doug+farm+animals+chunky
Clem really likes play food and dishes too.
Have fun!!!
Also anything that involves stacking. Be it stacking cups or something you engineer on your own. And blocks. Building up, knocking down. Endless fun.
ReplyDeleteOK, no more comments. I promise. Maybe.