This is the third post in the Family First series. Check out the saucy marriage post and then grab your own free tidy home printable to maintain a consistent clean without the hassle.
This year, I’m making fun learning a priority with my two year-old by creating a tot school agenda. Last year we started a flexible routine learning to recognize the ABC’s, but our unpredictable schedule left us stuck at “D.” Fortunately, my daughter captured the sights and sounds of the first three letters despite my inconsistency, but in 2014 I’m aiming to maintain an easy, flexible tot school agenda to keep us on track.
We do a loose, simple version of tot school.
Most of our lesson materials are common household items, toys we’ve got on hand, and free learning printables. I plan a week of lessons and then collect the necessary manipulatives and store them for easy day to day access.
I use the same relaxed routine with my two year-old most mornings and we spend no more than twenty minutes going over the lesson of the day in three or four stimulating scenarios. When she loses focus, I call it quits. It’s more important to me to engage with my daughter through creative playtime than to drill learning into her head.
Here is our easy alphabet-focused tot school agenda:
Present the letter of the day.
Show a picture and talk about the sound it makes. Have your toddler mimic the sound and repeat the name of the letter. Ask him about the sound of the letter and its name in as many creative ways as you can. Grab a book or toy containing the letter and point to it.
Watch a letter video.
These free Nelly and Ned and TeeHee Town videos are my toddler’s favorites and they’re only about two to three minutes long.
Play with a manipulative.
Hand your child a sensory object to demonstrate the letter of the day. It can be as simple as colorful letter magnets or a puzzle piece. We spend tons of time shaping letters with homemade play dough too.
Make a craft project together.
Draw the letter on an art pad and color it with your toddler. Creatively use household objects to make 3-D letter art. If you need toddler art inspiration, pick up this book. It’s my go-to resource for tactile, fun art activities with my toddler. It’s full of sensory activities and recipes for homemade paints and doughs.
Make a big deal about displaying the letter art in your home. When you finish the project, showcase the art in your house and use it to recall the letter sounds with your child.
Follow me on Pinterest and snag more creative learning play ideas.
Do you have learning time in your day? What does it look like at your house? Please share below in the comments!
More toddler playtime activities you’ll enjoy:
I remember these days when my guys were little – enjoy and cherish these moments. Thank you for linking up with us @ the #WWDParty – have a wonderful weekend.
I do really enjoy having my babies tiny. It’s definitely challenging and tiring most days, but I love it! Thanks so much for stopping by this weekend, Antionette!
I do similar activities with my daughter. She just turned 20 months and I probably won’t send her to preschool until she is 3. That means a lot of learning time at home for us! Thanks for sharing over at the Weekend Wind Down Party! 🙂
I hope you enjoy home learning as much as we do, Nicole. I’m still not sure at what age I’ll send my kiddos to preschool, but here in Costa Rica people send them very early- earlier than I will, for sure 😉 Thank you so much for taking time out of your weekend to come visit.
GReat tips! I have been teaching my son letters but know that he is getting to be almost 2 he is more interested! Would love for you to come over and share at The Happiness is Homemade Link party http://mommyondemand.com/happiness-homemade-3/
I did tot school with my oldest who is now 5 and it will be time to start very soon with my littlest. I loved it and it brought structure to our days! I’m Emma and I’m in your SITS tribe so it’s lovely to meet you! Your blog is so cute and I’m off to follow you on the various channels 🙂
Thanks so much, Emma. I’d love to hear more about how you did tot school with your oldest child. I really don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into, but for now, it works 🙂
Great tips, I am always looking for new ideas to keep my tot active and learning. Thanks for sharing Jelli 🙂
I know what you mean! It’s great to find activities that toddlers enjoy and keep them sitting still for a moment or two. Some days I feel like the only time I have time to do anything at all is when my little girl is napping… and not escaping the crib to play 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Kelly!