| Author | |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: Feb 11 2007 at 4:34pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I have a little lump of money set aside for educational materials for my dear grandson (3). As it looks as if he will be joining our homeschool on a permanent basis, I need to buy him some things of his own to do during school hours. He is definitely not ready for any formal reading or math instruction yet, so I am looking more at simple things like perhaps a geoboard or peg puzzles, etc.
Keeping in mind that I already have many of the basic things like legos, pattern blocks, puzzles, etc, and alot of the practical life stuff that my 5 yo uses he will also use, what are the few things you get the most mileage out of for that age?
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
knowloveserve
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 31 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 759
|
| Posted: Feb 13 2007 at 10:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Good, quality art supplies. Paints, butcher paper, a vinyl smock if you like.
I find that quality paints last much longer than cheapos.
But since he is only three, some basic tempuras should do fine.
__________________
Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
chicken lady
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2315
|
| Posted: Feb 13 2007 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Theresa I have been thinking about this since you first posted. I have nothing to add, it sounds like you have all the things I would recommend. As you already know he is so young and he has you and your beautiful families love, really what else does he need. If anything get some great books he can always cherish  Good thread it really has me pondering what we really need, versus want for our dc education. Thanks for the food for thought.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rebecca
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 30 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1898
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 1:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
knowloveserve wrote:
Good, quality art supplies. Paints, butcher paper, a vinyl smock if you like.
I find that quality paints last much longer than cheapos.
But since he is only three, some basic tempuras should do fine.
|
|
|
I agree with Ellie. Art supplies are a great idea, although I would save the tempura for dinner and go with the tempera for the paints. 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
knowloveserve
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 31 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 759
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 9:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
 agreed!
__________________
Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 9:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
+JMJ+
I think the key with 2-3ish-year-olds is variety. My boys always like things to "play" with that are not intended as toys per se and toys they had not seen in a while.
What I did when they were this age (and I am getting ready to do again) is make a high shelf with a lot of little boxes of special toys that you can pull off and get a few minutes of peace. I called these "20 minute" toys..because I usually got 15-20 minutes of good play from them until they were on to something else! This is also where I reserved all toys with smaller pieces that I didn’t want spread over the entire house ( I knew when they were playing with it and could pick it up right away).
My list of toys was varied and you probably already own a lot of things that you can use already. I included things like:
lacing beads
small blocks
play dough
coloring books
small puzzles
toy cars
shape sorters
lacing toys
Anything Mellissa & Doug
toy animals
stencils
dress up clothes
flash light
timers
kitchen utensils
tool set
I remember purchasing a lot of these types of toys at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Tuesday Morning.
I hope this helps!
Betsy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 9:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
+JMJ+
Okay, I just read your post more closely. I would do the same thing with just more "educational" toys. But, keep it varied and new.
Betsy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
chicken lady
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2315
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 10:36am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Good point Betsy!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryMary
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 04 2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 535
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 12:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Theresa, I have always found my three year olds eager to help with "real work" around the home, what about miniature but real tools such as a good quality broom or mop, some real but child sized gardening tools (or at this time of year.. a SHOVEL  ?). Also all of my 3 yo children have LOVED small musical instruments. I have a bin of egg shakers, sticks, tambourines, "zig zag' blocks, small drums, recorders etc. that is a huge hit with the 5 and under crowd.
HTH!
__________________
Mary
Wife 2 1
Mum 2 four blessings on earth and two in heaven!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 12:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Very helpful, everyone.
I also do the "20 minute toys" idea that Betsy suggested, especially with toys that have many small pieces (Noah's Ark, legos, puzzles, etc). I keep them up and bring them out only 1 at a time. I just need to get some more, as they tend to last for more like 10 minutes with him, at best. Poor thing has never had the habit of attention cultivated, so that is something I am working on.
I just discovered a Tuesday Morning store about 1.5 hours away. WOW! It was a real life-saver at Christmas!I think I need to pay another visit.
Oh, and Mary, thanks for reminding me about the musical instruments. I have them around here somewhere...
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
vmalott
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 15 2006
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 536
|
| Posted: Feb 14 2007 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hmmm...How about things like matching cards for animals. Maybe nice ones that are sturdy and have real photos of natural objects. We have some from the Baby Einstein company (nature), but I know there are other places out there that make similar products.
Art cards? Like from Mommy It's Renoir? My 2 and 4 yos really enjoy matching these and like handling the little folders I made for them.
Books on tape? Or books with an accompanying CD or cassette.
Some CGS materials? Wooden figures, the mini Mass kit
I just got the same amount of money for my birthday from my mom. What did I spend it on? After way too much deliberation, I bought a new pair of heels and a ton of books from a store that was closing. So much for the mini Mass kit! Next month, right? (I keep telling myself that)
Valerie
__________________
Valerie
Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
Seven Times the Fun
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: $100.00...What would you buy?
