Need some help with my two toddlers!
Hi everyone. I recently yanked my kids (1 and 2 years old) out of daycare. After playing educational tetris with my school schedule, I finally got my classes switched over to online courses so I can stay home with the wee folk. I want to get going on some kind of curriculum, and I wanted some advice. Where are some resources online, or otherwise for home care for toddlers? Stores? Anyone have any ideas?
Comments
Toddler/ Preschooler Resources
It depends what you mean by curriculum. All toddlers need is to play. You can hit some garage sales and find some good open-ended toys like blocks, dolls, etc... When my oldest was a toddler and we were making a play room for him I focused on areas they would have at a preschool. An art area ($20 IKEA painting easel, a "house keeping area" dolls, brooms, etc... dress-up clothes (Goodwill is an excellent resource for outfitting a little dress-up area) and a reading area. The next thing I would focus on is some play groups. The YMCA is a great resource in our area. They have "open-gym" times for kids to run around on the mats and use their "big muscles" especially in our area where most of the time it's raining... or it seems to be. The also have swim lessons and a multitude of other things for the kids to do as they get older and they offer membership assistance based on income. Play groups that include support for the parents as well via getting together with other parents are available through Bates Technical college. They also are the umbrella organization behind all the local co-op preschools which start at age 2. Another great resource that is pretty unique to our area. There's also various other support groups/ play groups if you do some digging. MOPS, etc....
Hope this helps! Have fun!
Toddlers - Montessori lessons
Here is another Montessori website. I really like this one:
http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/Montessori
Two toddlers
Must agree with Jennifer about North Orchard Delong Co-Op! That is a great start to "formal" learning.
Cheri
Two toddlers
The most important thing is reading to them and developing their language skills. Take them to the library, go to garage sales, book stores, etc. Have them draw pictures (especially your 2 year old) and ask them to tell you about the picture. Then write their "story" down and let them see how stories and pictures are connected, and how language converts to writing. Ask their opinions and talk with them about everything. For math, count cheerios, write numbers, and help them see how you use numbers.
If you really want curriculum materials, I'd go here to start:
http://www.montessorimom.com/montessori-free-printouts-downloads/
Hi Alex
Have you tried Learning Sprout? (Downtown Tacoma) their upstairs is filled with teaching resources. The Garfield Book Co. also has a really nice assortment of educational materials upstairs.
But my main advice would be not to worry too much about formal curriculum for toddlers and just keep them busy playing, playing is the best way to learn at that age. There are lots of great recipes for playdough and other great tactile projects available online. There's something about getting to dig in the dirt or play with play dough every day that really calms the toddler soul.
As they get older you might like to check out the cooperative preschools, my eldest went to the North Orchard Delong Cooperative and had a great time, it's just a few hours a week and parents help out. They are run through the Bates technical college home and family life department, which is a fantastic resource for parents.
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