| Author | |
Cassandra
Forum Rookie
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: July 18 2005 at 5:11pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I have a 22 month old and I am looking for productive activities, besides constant running, climbing, and throwing  . Do any of you have predictable routines for your toddlers beyond the sleeping and eating schedule? His bedtime, eating, and naps are all at the same time every day which we never have a problem with. But beyond that we don't have much of a plan. Any ideas for me? I do have 3 older children who play with him, but I'm wondering if what's happening is summertime "no schedule", and things are running a little loosely around here lately...
__________________
Cassandra
Wife to Jeremy and Mom to 5 little lambs
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: July 18 2005 at 5:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Cassandra,
There was some structure ideas in this thread Sleep and Structure, but I'm sure there are more ideas.
Do you have reading times? I have quiet times to play puzzles and color. My son is the same age as yours.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cassandra
Forum Rookie
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: July 18 2005 at 7:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey Jenn,
Yes, I read that discussion and enjoyed it. I was glad you started it  .
We do have reading times, but they are more spontaneous as he grabs books throughout the day, and one who is nearby will read to him. Coloring we've done a little as that doesn't seem to interest him for very long. He'll play action figures with one, follow another to a pond, and toss a ball with another. Do you structure your little guy's day? We always seem to stumble into the next activity with no plan, and sometimes the "no plan" ends up being plain old chaos. Actually, we have a chunky puzzle which he does seem to enjoy for some quieter time. That's been random too.
It is 7 years between this child and the one before him. I guess I am reaquainting myself with this age and want to make the most of our time together as I have witnessed how quickly it passes. My lack of plan leaves me watching a busy day and wondering where the time went... I also have a 5 month old, and I want to give them all I can. Thanks for your input  !
__________________
Cassandra
Wife to Jeremy and Mom to 5 little lambs
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
saintanneshs
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 15 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 591
|
| Posted: July 18 2005 at 11:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Cassandra...I was just thinking about how nice the "chaos" of a 2yo's (or almost 2 yo's) world is, especially during the summer months. They seem to accept less structure than the older ones and the baby, content most days to be surprised at all of the new summer activities and discoveries made at leisure. I honestly don't know if I am as flexible as my 2yo is!
For those days when we have some structure (and are not heading to the library or a playdate or the pool), here are some productive things my 2 yr. old likes to do (and we've incorporated them into his "routine"):
After breakfast, prayers and some music, he likes to sit in his chair at the table and play with a box filled with pencils and crayons and scrap paper (lots of those left-over post-it Christmas stocking stuffers) and a few calculators and an old cell phone. He plays in his box for about 30 min (while watching big brothers do a CD on the computer from the library).
Early-morning he "reads" books from the library bag (on the couch) to his buddies (his stuffed animals) and with his brothers, after our reading time together.
Mid-morning he likes to play with the blocks, trains or beans tub, scooping and measuring, driving his small vehicles through the beans. Then comes "quiet time" when he just snuggles his blankie & buddies and lays down on the couch (Oh, to be 2 again!)
Late-morning he usually does whatever bible story or art or math game we do for the day (with lots of help), or plays with his toys (alone or with brothers).
Before lunch he likes water play (cups and spoons and droppers and such in the sink...water everywhere! What a mess!  ) while I get lunch ready.
Change clothes (he's soaking wet), eat lunch, a story by himself on Mommy's lap, naptime.
Snacktime, play outside (I'm taking paper for him when we do our nature journaling...he doesn't want to be left out of anything)
Clean up, play with brothers while I cook dinner, dinner, bath, read-aloud, prayers, bed.
I have a few tubs on shelves of constructive things to play with, like play dough, stamps, lacing beads, finger puppets, blunt-edged scissors with more scrap paper and a glue stick...note* I made the mistake of turning my back on this last one and found a huge letter "B" glued to my livingroom wall a few weeks ago, my middle son just beaming...
plastic dinosaurs and farm animals, flannel board pcs, dot art painters, sidewalk chalk (does come out of furniture coverings if not used on the easel), matchbox cars, puzzles and peg boards... lots of fun for a toddler (if he isn't already busy putting the blue making tape all over the floor in little trails... )
__________________
Kristine
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: July 19 2005 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Love your post, Kristine! You gave me some great ideas. We're in a bit of a rut as to what he plays all day.
I was thinking that all my son's life is about spontaneity and flexibility. His eyes are always open to the new and smallest little things, and ready to try everything new. I guess it would be considered "chaos" sometimes. The only structure in his days/activities is around eating, sleeping and errand times. In between there are his personal times for play. Sometimes he plays alone, other times he wants the companionship. Since it's just "me and Mommy" it's a totally different dynamic than I've ever been around. He helps me out with my household chores, as far as he's able.
When Daddy comes home, it's dinnertime and playtime. They play frisbee, golf and baseball, and then after I clean up if the weather is good, we go for a walk in our neighborhood. He rides, but still enjoys it. Ds is really into any kind of sport with balls...I mean REALLY enthusiastic. Give him a ball or anything shaped like a ball and he's off!
saintanneshs wrote:
| Before lunch he likes water play (cups and spoons and droppers and such in the sink...water everywhere! What a mess!) while I get lunch ready. |
|
|
What does he stand on to get to the sink?
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
saintanneshs
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 15 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 591
|
| Posted: July 21 2005 at 10:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn,
Glad I could help!
My little guy usually stands on one of our dining room chairs with a non-skid rug underneath. Probably isn't the safest but I'm usually right there next to him or close enough to help out if he needs me.
__________________
Kristine
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
momwise
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1914
|
| Posted: July 22 2005 at 8:15am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn,
A dishpan or giant size bowl on the floor will work if Gregory's not quite ready for the big chair.
Pre-school agers *love* to have 3 bowls of colored water in the sink (red, blue, yellow) and some droppers or little medicine cups to mix them with. Mine mix them in muffin or ice trays.
__________________
Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Tina P.
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1638
|
| Posted: Aug 21 2005 at 7:51am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have story or naptime after lunch is cleared. Even those who can't read grab a stack of books and page through pictures (rather than take a nap! ).
Lena and Jacob, my two youngest, have their *math* books (really coloring books) in which they work as the others do their school work. And we recently purchased some art books that even the older kids love. Those who have less of a school day get to use these to hone their drawing skills. Sometimes I make salt dough for the kids, but this can be messy. One of their favorite things to do is draw letters or pictures in shaving cream on the table. Sure smells nice in the dining room when that's all cleaned up.
Lena likes to play with her baby dolls but likes to paly *with* someone during those times and that someone tends to be her busier older sister. Jacob has been a very accomodating Daddy lately, however.
I can't think of any other activities we have the littlies do while the others are busy off-hand. If I remember any in the near future, I'll post again. I hope this gives you a start.
God bless,
__________________
Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Nov 01 2005 at 9:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Paula's Archives Preschool Activities came across my desk today. I haven't checked the activities out yet but I'll have a toddler here soon and my want some inspiration .
Have a blessed day with your littles!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2005 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have a schedule for sleep and eating, but I have to admit that the little ones have no other schedule. I haven't found this to be too much of a problem. We have a closet of puzzles, playdoh, spill-proof bubbles, coloring supplies, felt, refrigerator magnets, etc that all kids are welcome to use whenever. And we always start our school time with everyone at the table and then the little guy wanders off when he feels like it.
The bubbles have been very popular lately, but I have found that you have to buy the bubble solution from the store or they do leak.
One thing I didn't see mentioned here is dry beans. I have to say that the clean-up with water play overwhelms me so I avoid it if it can't be outside. (I don't have big kids to help yet). However, during the rainy season in Hawaii, my stock pot filled with Garbanzos or black beans and sand toys was always a hit with all the kids. I didn't worry about them getting on the floor; I just vacuumed afterward which to me is easier than mopping up water.
Also, there is nothing like some pots and pans and wooden spoons for fun noisy play while I pick up a bit. I had to learn to save a few spoons just for me though, as the kids would get carried away and break them.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Activities with Toddlers
