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lorideese has been a member since 01-10-03
 
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Well, it's been a long time, but let's see if I can remember We used to have special "school toys" that my little ones could only play with during school time. Things like Duplos, simple puzzles, a pegboard, etc. I tried to find things they could do pretty much on their own, but that were quiet. I kept them together and only pulled them out when I was doing school with the others. I also tried to include my little ones in what we were doing as much as possible. They'd play with the math manipulatives that we were using (or that we just finished with), they'd sit on my lap when we did read-alouds, or sit at the table with us and color while the others did their written work. It also helped if I stopped school now and then and spent time with the little one, reading to her or playing with her. I always tried to think of my toddlers as my youngest student, and fit them into our schedule, too. That way I didn't see them as an interruption to our day, and it kept the overall mood in our home a lot more pleasant. When Adana was a little older, maybe 3-1/2 or 4, I would set up stations for her. I'd put out maybe four things she could do for school, and she'd move from one to the other during the day. Discovery Toys makes a lot of great things that we used. My goal was to train her to stay with each station for a longer and longer period of time, until she could eventually do about 30 minutes at each without stopping. That was great preparation for when she started kindergarten later on, and really helped increase her attention span in a fun way. I know it can be really challenging with a 2-year-old, but it's worth the effort to include them, and will make things easier for you in another year or two.
Lori D. in FL
Wife to Ricky
Homeschool Mom to A.J. (16), Aly (13), Ana (12), Adana (10)
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| Re: Toddler Activity Ideas during school? |
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bherd4him has been a member since 08-03-04
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Wow! Thanks for the ideas!
Have an AWESOME day with an AWESOME God!
Barbi
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| Re: Toddler Activity Ideas during school? |
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bobsamlou has been a member since 12-29-04
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My youngest just turned 4. I let him watch a little TV. I have a CD of printing worksheets and he will do that sometimes. He got a "My First Leappad" for his birthday and calls that his school. He also got an educational globe from Vtech that he plays with for school too.
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tamaraw has been a member since 12-15-05
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Howdy! I know what you mean! I have a large span: 24yo (USAF), 18yo (comp sci major), 12 yo and 8yo. From the time I began homeschooling, I have had a preschooler and now my oldest has two little boys. Lori gave you excellent ideas and time-tested proven ones, too. I can only add something very important...all these ideas work for moments at a time. It is a continual job that requires supernatural creativity and strength. It is also the best thing that can happen to you. Prayer in the morning, prayer between (and in the middle of) subjects, prayer at lunch, prayer in the "secret library room", prayer in the car going to field trips, and prayer when the sun goes down!! Having toddlers helps us to remember that we can only function with God's grace and supernatural power.
Tips:
1. Homemade playdoh (with cream of tartar). A mother's dream!
2. water and pouring things...homeschool near the bathtub!
3. cornmeal and sifty things (okay, so you have to sweep up...small price)
4. "class" things during naps, group things while baby is up.
5. find a big open field and homeschool picnic style on a blanket thrown on the grass...toddlers are usually lulled into dreaminess in the fresh breeze...bring balls, take nature walks, a pillow and snacks and drinks.
6. Go easy on yourself! Next year will be better, the older children are learning more than academics, and education (as I tell my children) is THEIR responsibility, not mine. I just lead them. (I.E., they know they have to keep on task while mom is changing the stinky in the next room.)
And remember: the grace of our God is unlimited, His supernatural power is ours, and we are loved in all.
Tamara, who just noticed that this post is replying to posts a few years old...?
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| Re: Toddler Activity Ideas during school? |
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jill2b1g has been a member since 11-10-08
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Those are some great ideas!
My kids are 5,3 and 1. soon to be 4 and 2 in Jan.
My 3 yr. old does whatever his older brother does but it is hard to keep the youngest occupied.
we usually start when she is napping.
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