Learning activities?

ChrisG83

Has anyone started any simple learning activities or plan to soon? I have seen so many cool ideas but some are defiantly for older toddlers. I got some things to try but haven't set up yet.
Actually I did tape a paper towel roll to the wall and let Ashley drop little puffs balls down the tube into a bucket. That worked for all of 2 minutes until she ripped the tube off the wall and threw the puff balls down the stairs.

chricast

That is to funny! I haven't done anything other then flash cards with emma.

CnAnA

Alice doesn't have the attention span for any of that yet.  Even flash cards last about 3 cards, then she tries to eat them.  

pb_bride

a couple of weeks ago I took an empty diaper box and put in a bunch of his toys/belongings that are of the same color (I picked red) - so there was some red cars, red wooden nails, red book, red triangles (from the shape sorter), red stuffed animal, and a red apple.  I gave him the box and let him discover what was inside.  He was more interested in taking the stuff out than realizing the color scheme...  I may try again in another month or 2. My plan is to do a different color every week or 2 weeks.

Not sure what else is considered a "learning activity," we do a lot of counting with his books (he has at least 4 or 5 different books that count from 1-10.  I also count his cheerios on his tray when he got them down to 10 or fewer.  I SAH with DS so I probably should do more of learning stuff and sensory stuff but I'm lazy.

kindershlitz

Following directions songs...doesn't go very well but he does jump at the right time, sometimes spins

We do chunky wooden puzzles, read, color (while he sort of colors I write his name or some words), we have foam letters for the tub too

I made a sensory bean box with dumping and filling and that is fun until he starts throwing beans

It depends on the learning skill- so many things- motor? language? academics?

Mrs_Lady

i've  done things like finger paint (with food), various little art/craft projects, reading, language (flash cards, word play, identifying body parts, scribbling, kid puzzle), playdates, music and dance....i'm one tired momma at days end!  He is going to start going to school in a few weeks part time so I hope the activity continues

CnAnA

We do read pretty much all day every day. I ask her where various animals are on the pages. We count, we dance, we roll around.

ChrisG83

RVASC811 said:

Lol. I am totally letting daycare do this. Mommy plays, reads books, and snuggles. I have seen a blog post going around Facebook--did you get the paper towel thing there? It was included.

Actually I have seen a bunch of things in Pinterest for toddler activities. It could be the same thing since sometimes those lists link up to a mommy blog.

Sillygirl85

I am going to preface this by saying that as I teacher I lean towards constructivism and the works of Piaget and Vygotsky.

According to the constructivist stages of development our children are in the sensorimotor stage, which lasts from birth to two years old. During this stage children accquire knowledge of the world around them through their interactions and experiences. What they are going to learn from is interacting with their environment. It's a lot of cause and effect and mimicking. We do a lot of talking about books. Asking what does the horse say? The horse says neigh. Telling him what objects are.
From my knowledge of stages of development and learning theory I believe that at this age it is best to use the natural opportunities that are presented as you interact with your child rather then planned lessons or activities.

The next stage is preoperational (2-7 years). This is when children will begin to engage in make believe. Also memory and language are more developed. In my opinion this is when planned activities for exploration and learning would be more effective.

wesleycrusher

I have bookmarked a few links to sites with lots of great sensory play ideas. A lot of edible ones, too.  but I think she's a little young and some seem messy so  going to wait til the summer when we're outside.

blondie42107

While I am in the kitchen, I give ds2 a bowl, spoon, measuring cup and some cheerios (or similar) to play.  He loves pouring, etc.  He likes "sorting" laundry with me too.  And feeding the cats but most of the food ends up on the floor.