Tot School (Week 3)

Caeden is currently 23 months old

We had a very busy week! I did not do too much with Caeden this week due to us being gone during the times when I usually sit down to do an activity with him.

Our letter for the week was "K". Usually on Monday's is when I do the letter for his ABC book. I printed off a cut-n-past picture from here to add to the letter. I obviously cut out the pieces and then I helped him put them on. He did a fairly good job of pasting them on there, but I did help guide his hands so everything wouldn't be smashed on top of each other.

A simple art activity we did this week for our "K" theme, was making a kite out of torn up pieces of construction paper, and contact paper.  This is such a quick, mess-free, simple activity for C.  I lay out of piece of contact paper (I tape the sides down so it doesn't come up), I then give C a small bowl that contains the pieces of construction paper.  I model for him how to put the pieces on.  C usually will do 1 or 2 like I show him, and then it's fistful's of the paper and just putting them on the contact paper.  He will pound on it to make them stick, but this activity doesn't last long when you do it in fistfuls. :)

I then cover it with another pieces of contact paper and then make whatever shape, or object we are talking abut his week.  I traced a diamond shape, and free handed the bows.  It's supposed to have a "stained glass" look to it, so we hung it in our window in the kitchen.

We worked on couting and number recognition this week.  I printed the numbers from here.

I also brought out the peg board this week, and C was able to get the pegs into the holes without much help from me.  He really likes to stack them and now we are into "counting" them.  Counting in our house means, he points...we count...and he "mimics" what we are saying. :)

On Wednesday morning we have our story time at the library.  Before it starts we usually pick out a few books for the week, and then C plays in the little area that they have for tots.  He likes to look at the aquarium and then play in a little playhouse. 

This week in story time we talked about All About Me.  We did finger plays, read a book, and then helped put a little doll together while we name the parts (head, tummy, legs, arms).  I love our story time, because at the end of each session, they send home the songs and activities that they did during the session to do at home.

C is in a shy, and timid stage...meaning if I leave his eyesight for more than a second...he flips out!  So he sat on my lap during most of story time.  He was able to help put the doll's legs and arms up on the magnetic whiteboard, but he was reluctant without me by his side.

After story time we went to his friend Cooper's house.  Cooper just turned two, and is quite the active little boy!  We played outside, and then played with some of Cooper's new toys.  C was in heaven!  Although, once again...if mommy wasn't there...he wouldn't play!  I'm hoping this is a phase, at least that's what everyone tells me!

On Thursday, we went over to my Grandparents house so they could see C.  We had not been over there since Easter, and they just love watching him play...and spoiling him. :)  Unfortunately I did not get any pictures of us being there. :(

Friday morning we met a few friends at the mall to eat and then play in the little play area for kids.  It was a good day to play inside since it was raining.  Usually he runs around and plays, but like I mentioned earlier, he's just not too keen on leaving my side!

Here are a few fun photos from the week!  My husband has been busy with his full and part-time jobs and his coaching soccer, so when C gets to see Daddy...it's a fun time!

Hopefully next week we can get more activities out.  We both have come down with some allergy/cold stuff over the weekend, so we hope to feel better soon!

I really have not gotten into too much planning since his attention span is about 2 minutes or less, and I don't want to force him to do things that he is not developmentally ready to do yet.  I think just putting in some structure now is good for him and as he gets older we'll incorporate circle time, worksheets, etc.  I sometimes just get a little anxious when I see awesome activities that other moms do!  :)

~Jamie