Tot School (Week 17)

Caeden is currently 26 months old.

For more Tot School ideas, check out Carisa's posts over at 1+1+1=1!

I didn't have too many new activities for C this week.  I actually accomplished my goal of having a "calendar time" (more like me singing...him clapping...and being distracted by his toys), but at least he seems somewhat interested in learning!  To see what our "calendar time" board looks like, see my post HERE.

ART: Watercolors and Chalk
Our letter of the week was "U" so I got the watercolors out and let C paint his letter U template that I printed from HERE. 

C colored on his chalkboard...and traced my hand. :)

SENSORY: Fun with Playdough
Our color of the week was GREEN so I got out our green playdough.  I know I lack the tools that go with playdough, so I have to improvise. :)  We made snakes, counted the balls of playdough, and then he lined everything up!  What's with boys (and maybe girls too?) lining everything up?

Magnet Pages:  Umbrella
I finally bought magnets for C to use for magnet pages.  I found them in Wal-Mart's back-to-school aisle for $2/ea.  They had some great deals! :)  I printed off the U is for Umbrella magnet sheet HERE.  He did so good at this activity!  

Color Sorting: Green/Yellow 
I found these Color Matching Cards from Homeschool Creations.  One of her suggestions was to use the cards to introduce one, or two colors at a time.  I figured I need to slow down, and start introducing colors to C one or two sets a week.  I think this might help reinforce a few colors instead of the entire rainbow! So I picked the Green and Yellow set to see what he would do.  C, as usual, was not interested in finding the correct color.  He was able to tell me what was ON the cards, but had no concept of putting with pictures with the correct color.  I even got his green/yellow foam blocks for him to place on the colors...but I ended up doing it. :)  I got this out several times this week.  Maybe we'll go down to one color a week. :)

 I'm still trying to figure out the best way to help teach colors, so any suggestions are welcome! :)

Fine Motor:  Pipe Cleaners, Penny Drop, & Foam Block Drop

C really enjoys these activities, so I used these as time fillers.  It has been extremely hot where we live so our outside time has been put on halt.  So we have had some extra Tot School during the evenings to help limit the TV watching. :) 

 I love the tongue sticking out of his mouth...that's real concentration. :)

Puzzles:  
I got out one of our new puzzles, the Melissa and Doug Beginner Pattern Blocks, and C did well with finding the correct shapes.  He especially like the boards that had a firetruck and a train on them.  We had to get all of the boards out while he only worked on one or two at at time. :)  I also found the Melissa and Doug Wooden Chunky Construction puzzle at a garage sale, and as you can imagine, it's one of C's favorites (I do not have a picture of him with that one).

Techy Tot:  "Computer" Time
C got this computer last Christmas and he really hasn't played with it much until recently.  It's nothing really great, but it does help with reinforcing shapes and ABC's, and plays some kiddie songs.  :)

Mom's Favorites:

Wearing that backpack makes him look older. :(

That was our week!  I received my Amazon order of new activities that I can't wait to incorporate into our Tot School times.  Some are a bit too old developmentally for C, but I took advantage of their sale on Melissa and Doug products last weekend.  It was like Christmas in July! :)

We also celebrated me turning the big 3-0 on Friday (insert scream here).  My husband was also able to spend some much needed time with Caeden before he goes back to teaching and coaching next week.  We sure are going to miss having him home! 

Here are the tools we used this week:

Feel free to leave a comment and become a follower!   

Thanks for stopping by Caeden's Corner! :)