[Posted by Rachel of http://www.tangerineskitchen.blogspot.com]
I had L last evening ransacking my kitchen. L seemed like she had lost something and she was desperately in search of god knows what! She preferred no help from neither A nor me!!!
So we let her be on her ransacking spree...after a few minutes there was an excited expressive sound!!! L's search mission was sucessful, because she had finally found what she had been looking for...Hmmm and guess what the treasure was..a plastic mesh (the one used to scrub dishes) ...a brightly coloured one that she had specifically picked up from the store when I was buying my monthly stocks...
Well this was bought two months back..I had forgotten about it and so had she..Wonder what reminded her of it yesterday of all days!!
Anyways she then wanted her paints, her own proclaimed palette (a lid of one of her kitchen set pans),her dhurrie..(she always lays her dhurrie and only then does she proceed with her articstic activities!!!)and not to forget her dear plastic scrub..L then specifically preferred to have a sheet only from my sketchbook..which is something very dear to me...anyways, after a lot of persuasion by L..I finally gave in..
She lay her drawing sheet (actually mine)on her dhurrie, dipped her mesh in all the colours and dabbed it on the sheets...After a few minutes she wanted the bottle brush, sponge, her tooth brush to do the same..
Finally she wanted to frame the work of art and hang it right in the place where an art done by me is hung!!!!
This made me wonder how come i never thought of this activity when i was at a loss of ideas to keep L occupied.
I think this is an interesting activity.. It does help them in identifying colours...I even saw her mixing colours..
Just a few pointers when you get your child to do this ..Make sure he/she is wearing old clothes, and newspapers are spread out on the floor..In doing so..after the kids are done with their activity,, all you need to do is to clear the newspapers..
Showing posts with label Toddler Activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toddler Activities. Show all posts
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Little crafted box cars
[This post is written by Tharini of Winkie's Way.]
As if Winkie does not have enough train engines, freight cars and track sets, I set out to give him one more. This time crafted from scratch, with the simplest of materials lying around the house. The original idea came in a little weekly craft newsletter. Usually I would glance through them, and since I won't have one or the other raw material at home, I would reject it. But a quick look at the list of stuff needed for this craft and I knew I wanted to try it with Winkie. Take a look at the list yourself. Isn't it simple and easy?
4 matchboxes
Paint
Buttons or black stickers
Aluminium foil
Glue
Scissors
Marker pen
Ribbon
Cool huh?
I didn't follow the exact instructions. Once I got a rough idea, I did my own thing.
1. Took out all the little boxes from the matchbox and painted them in different colours.
2. Took a little ribbon and glued the boxes to the ribbon, so all the box cars get connected.
3. Glued on little coloured buttons for the wheels.
4. Cut half a matchbox and glued it on to the first car, so it becomes the engine.
5. You can used scrunched up circles of foil glued on to the first car, and make it the train lights, or use little silver sequins like me.
6. As an additional personal touch, and since I had them at home, I used some alphabet beads I had lying around (I was to make key chains for every member of the family with those, abandoned the idea when R refused to use his!)...and glued them on to the boxcars, named after Winkie and Thambi.
This was the result. In the original idea, they used the matchbox covers as the actual box cars, and the match'box' with the open side up, was laid on top, and filled with little pebbles so it had the total freight car feel. I should do it that way next time.
As if Winkie does not have enough train engines, freight cars and track sets, I set out to give him one more. This time crafted from scratch, with the simplest of materials lying around the house. The original idea came in a little weekly craft newsletter. Usually I would glance through them, and since I won't have one or the other raw material at home, I would reject it. But a quick look at the list of stuff needed for this craft and I knew I wanted to try it with Winkie. Take a look at the list yourself. Isn't it simple and easy?4 matchboxes
Paint
Buttons or black stickers
Aluminium foil
Glue
Scissors
Marker pen
Ribbon
Cool huh?
I didn't follow the exact instructions. Once I got a rough idea, I did my own thing.
1. Took out all the little boxes from the matchbox and painted them in different colours.
2. Took a little ribbon and glued the boxes to the ribbon, so all the box cars get connected.
3. Glued on little coloured buttons for the wheels.
4. Cut half a matchbox and glued it on to the first car, so it becomes the engine.
5. You can used scrunched up circles of foil glued on to the first car, and make it the train lights, or use little silver sequins like me.
6. As an additional personal touch, and since I had them at home, I used some alphabet beads I had lying around (I was to make key chains for every member of the family with those, abandoned the idea when R refused to use his!)...and glued them on to the boxcars, named after Winkie and Thambi.
This was the result. In the original idea, they used the matchbox covers as the actual box cars, and the match'box' with the open side up, was laid on top, and filled with little pebbles so it had the total freight car feel. I should do it that way next time.
Winkie does like them, and its easy for him to play with this mini set on the dining table. And for the past 24 hours, he has set aside his Thomas Trains and Salty engines for the simple pleasures of home made goods.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Memory Cards
[posted by Sheela at The Joy of My Life. Many thanks to Sandeepa for reminding me to post it at our DMC! ]
Concentration or Memory is a simple game that helps improve memory in children (and adults). There are several versions of this game. Some involve objects, but this here is for little Ana, with home-made cards.
The cards are laid out face down. Each player takes a turn and flips 2 cards at random. If the cards match, they get to keep the pair. If they don't, they put it back exactly where they flipped them. The memory part is that, they should try to remember which position had which card, so, that as the game progresses, the matching act becomes less of a random guess and more of a test of memory.
For Ana, who is 2 years old, the maximum number of cards I use at a time is 12 - which involve 6 pairs, with each pair having a particular picture she easily recognizes and can match without any shred of doubt.
These are home-made cards, so, when I detect some wear, I make new ones. They are not as sturdy as the store-bought laminated cards, and the pictures are not as pretty and colorful. But, it serves the purpose :-)
Supplies I used: card stock paper, paper cutter, rubber stamps, rubber stamp ink pad, some construction paper and dye-cut punch, pinking shears, glue stick.
We don't use color cartridges in our printer, so, I didn't try to design graphics on my computer and print them out. At some point, I would like to print out just the black&white outline and color them, rather than using rubber stamps.
But, the reason I chose to use rubber stamps is so that I can make the cards with Ana. She likes to help me make things, even if she has no clue what I am making. "Let's make some memory cards, Ana" is all I had to say the first time, and when she saw me gather my supplies and settle down, she faithfully sat next to me, observing for a while, then asking to try and glue the flowers at the back and so on... Of course, I always go back and "adjust" it so it looks more uniform.
She is fascinated by the pinking shears and knows it as "Amma's soosuss" (scissors) and has her own plastic scissors with which she tries to clip her hair, her toys and such, of course, without success as it is just toy scissors.
And, while I try to rubber stamp her memory cards as uniformly as I can, she has a blast stamping on her "art" notebook. Her preferred ink color is the turquoise blue, for some reason!
Anyway, as she gets older, I hope to have fun having her design her own cards, and more of them - I can't wait to play with about 50 cards all laid out and trying to match them from memory with Ana...
D and I play with Ana. We don't really insist on turns, as sometimes Ana is so carried away with flipping that she does manage to get all the pairs. This can be played like Solitaire, so, if we can encourage her to get into this game, we could let her play on her own down the road and enjoy the "free time" we get meanwhile ;-)
Concentration or Memory is a simple game that helps improve memory in children (and adults). There are several versions of this game. Some involve objects, but this here is for little Ana, with home-made cards.
The cards are laid out face down. Each player takes a turn and flips 2 cards at random. If the cards match, they get to keep the pair. If they don't, they put it back exactly where they flipped them. The memory part is that, they should try to remember which position had which card, so, that as the game progresses, the matching act becomes less of a random guess and more of a test of memory.
For Ana, who is 2 years old, the maximum number of cards I use at a time is 12 - which involve 6 pairs, with each pair having a particular picture she easily recognizes and can match without any shred of doubt.
These are home-made cards, so, when I detect some wear, I make new ones. They are not as sturdy as the store-bought laminated cards, and the pictures are not as pretty and colorful. But, it serves the purpose :-)
Supplies I used: card stock paper, paper cutter, rubber stamps, rubber stamp ink pad, some construction paper and dye-cut punch, pinking shears, glue stick.
We don't use color cartridges in our printer, so, I didn't try to design graphics on my computer and print them out. At some point, I would like to print out just the black&white outline and color them, rather than using rubber stamps.
But, the reason I chose to use rubber stamps is so that I can make the cards with Ana. She likes to help me make things, even if she has no clue what I am making. "Let's make some memory cards, Ana" is all I had to say the first time, and when she saw me gather my supplies and settle down, she faithfully sat next to me, observing for a while, then asking to try and glue the flowers at the back and so on... Of course, I always go back and "adjust" it so it looks more uniform.
She is fascinated by the pinking shears and knows it as "Amma's soosuss" (scissors) and has her own plastic scissors with which she tries to clip her hair, her toys and such, of course, without success as it is just toy scissors.
And, while I try to rubber stamp her memory cards as uniformly as I can, she has a blast stamping on her "art" notebook. Her preferred ink color is the turquoise blue, for some reason!
Anyway, as she gets older, I hope to have fun having her design her own cards, and more of them - I can't wait to play with about 50 cards all laid out and trying to match them from memory with Ana...
D and I play with Ana. We don't really insist on turns, as sometimes Ana is so carried away with flipping that she does manage to get all the pairs. This can be played like Solitaire, so, if we can encourage her to get into this game, we could let her play on her own down the road and enjoy the "free time" we get meanwhile ;-)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Piano lessons anyone ?
Quick question:
What is a good age to start piano lessons ?
How to get a teacher ?
What are the rates ? I found one who says $25 for 30 min, isn't that too expensive ?
Kay, I remember you had suggested a music class your daughter/friend's kid go to. Can you please post the URL.
What is a good age to start piano lessons ?
How to get a teacher ?
What are the rates ? I found one who says $25 for 30 min, isn't that too expensive ?
Kay, I remember you had suggested a music class your daughter/friend's kid go to. Can you please post the URL.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Toddlers and Friendship
(This post by Sandeepa of Bong Mom's CookBook)
Hey Moms
I have a question regarding toddlers and their friendship pattern
My 3 year old started a new pre-school/day care from April, it’s been a month now. She is a friendly child but not an extrovert.
Last year she used to go to a different school. She was in the class for 2-3 year olds and was there for almost 8 months. She had made a couple of very good friends there and even at home she would keep talking about them. She would call up her friend on her toy phone when at home. Also when we dropped her or picked her up from school some of the kids would yell “S your Mom is here” or “Bye” or whatever.
In the new school S seems to be happy. When we drop off she is smiling and she looks happy when I pick her up. However she keeps saying she does not have a friend here. When I ask her teachers they say “S plays with everyone”. When I go to pick her up usually it’s their outside play time and I see most of the children going up and down the slides or running but not really playing together. None of the children wave or say “Bye” either (though I make it a point that we both wave to them and say Bye). I thought maybe this was because “S” was new. Yesterday when I went to pick her up, there was one more parent picking up his son who is in the same class. None of the children said anything to him either.
I also enrolled her into a school Karate class thinking that would help her bond. S enjoys the Karate class but it hasn’t done anything in the friendship front.
I felt sad. Is this a regular behavior with 3 year olds? Should I be fine that S looks happy though she doesn’t really have friends yet? Usually S loves playing with other kids whom she knows well and she and my neighbors’ daughter kind of play together so I think she would love to have friends at school too
Somehow the kids saying “Bye” or acknowledging that a friend is now leaving for home would have helped me. I keep harping on this with D and so thought of asking you girls
Hey Moms
I have a question regarding toddlers and their friendship pattern
My 3 year old started a new pre-school/day care from April, it’s been a month now. She is a friendly child but not an extrovert.
Last year she used to go to a different school. She was in the class for 2-3 year olds and was there for almost 8 months. She had made a couple of very good friends there and even at home she would keep talking about them. She would call up her friend on her toy phone when at home. Also when we dropped her or picked her up from school some of the kids would yell “S your Mom is here” or “Bye” or whatever.
In the new school S seems to be happy. When we drop off she is smiling and she looks happy when I pick her up. However she keeps saying she does not have a friend here. When I ask her teachers they say “S plays with everyone”. When I go to pick her up usually it’s their outside play time and I see most of the children going up and down the slides or running but not really playing together. None of the children wave or say “Bye” either (though I make it a point that we both wave to them and say Bye). I thought maybe this was because “S” was new. Yesterday when I went to pick her up, there was one more parent picking up his son who is in the same class. None of the children said anything to him either.
I also enrolled her into a school Karate class thinking that would help her bond. S enjoys the Karate class but it hasn’t done anything in the friendship front.
I felt sad. Is this a regular behavior with 3 year olds? Should I be fine that S looks happy though she doesn’t really have friends yet? Usually S loves playing with other kids whom she knows well and she and my neighbors’ daughter kind of play together so I think she would love to have friends at school too
Somehow the kids saying “Bye” or acknowledging that a friend is now leaving for home would have helped me. I keep harping on this with D and so thought of asking you girls
Friday, April 27, 2007
Educating a 2.5 yr old...
Hi all,
Its really interesting to read all the posts..this site is just wonderful.
Wanted to post something on "what to teach my 2.5 yr old" ? By this I mean, is it the right time to introduce alphabets? or numbers? or rhymes are enough for this age? etc etc.
By the way, all the tips from the "desimomz " are great..
Education system in Holland is pretty different. They aim to bring up the child in a very normal balanced pace. They also allow the child to be the judge of their actions from a very young age.
I will give you an example. Couple of weeks ago I went to register my son in a Dutch school. ( "A" will be going to school from sept 2008). While I was there, a senior teacher was showing me around the school and said that "this school is based on a system of education that allows students (4 yr olds) to "choose" whether he/she wants to do homework or not!"
Its a pity that I dont have a picture of my facial expression on hearing this!!!
;-)
For me this is absurd...SURELY my Indian upbringing makes me think like this. Times have changed..I agree, but still its very difficult to imagine a 4-yr old WANTING to do homework!
On the other hand, last time I visited India, found my friends daughter (5 yr old) carrying a school bag which weighed 2 kilos atleast, with books, note books, cursive writing workbooks etc etc..Here in Holland my 8 yr old niece goes to school still without books. Inspite of that, she reads/write fluent Dutch and quite good english.
I personally believe that no education system can be BAD..all have their good points and bad. The confusion arises when a person brought up in a certain system faces the other.
On one hand, "A" being treated like a kid, not being burdened with kilos of books makes me very happy. On the other hand, "A" not being able to cursive write at the age of 5 might disappoint me...
On a lighter note: Good that we cant see the future...because "A" with his DANGLA(dutch+ bangla) language is influencing me so much that I am afraid I might need to go back to school again.......
If only I could put the two education systems (dutch and indian) in a jar, shake it and use the final product .....
cheers,
DR
Its really interesting to read all the posts..this site is just wonderful.
Wanted to post something on "what to teach my 2.5 yr old" ? By this I mean, is it the right time to introduce alphabets? or numbers? or rhymes are enough for this age? etc etc.
By the way, all the tips from the "desimomz " are great..
Education system in Holland is pretty different. They aim to bring up the child in a very normal balanced pace. They also allow the child to be the judge of their actions from a very young age.
I will give you an example. Couple of weeks ago I went to register my son in a Dutch school. ( "A" will be going to school from sept 2008). While I was there, a senior teacher was showing me around the school and said that "this school is based on a system of education that allows students (4 yr olds) to "choose" whether he/she wants to do homework or not!"
Its a pity that I dont have a picture of my facial expression on hearing this!!!
;-)
For me this is absurd...SURELY my Indian upbringing makes me think like this. Times have changed..I agree, but still its very difficult to imagine a 4-yr old WANTING to do homework!
On the other hand, last time I visited India, found my friends daughter (5 yr old) carrying a school bag which weighed 2 kilos atleast, with books, note books, cursive writing workbooks etc etc..Here in Holland my 8 yr old niece goes to school still without books. Inspite of that, she reads/write fluent Dutch and quite good english.
I personally believe that no education system can be BAD..all have their good points and bad. The confusion arises when a person brought up in a certain system faces the other.
On one hand, "A" being treated like a kid, not being burdened with kilos of books makes me very happy. On the other hand, "A" not being able to cursive write at the age of 5 might disappoint me...
On a lighter note: Good that we cant see the future...because "A" with his DANGLA(dutch+ bangla) language is influencing me so much that I am afraid I might need to go back to school again.......
If only I could put the two education systems (dutch and indian) in a jar, shake it and use the final product .....
cheers,
DR
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Learning Activities
(posted by ramya of www.ramyascuisine.wordpress.com)
I want to know how u plan Ur 2yr old daily activities and learning.Any suggestions that u can give me.As for me i make her do the ABC's in starfall.com in which they spell and teach.First i used to do her this but within 2 days she learned it.She is doing this from past 2-3 months.Now i just sit beside her and she does everything except some which r difficult for her.I observed she is thinking and using common sense and brain.I don't want to believe this but i am observing this.Ya.......she really figured out what to do and how to do.Yuppy............i gave her a kiss.I was awestruck by this performance.But i make sure she is not over obssesive regarding this daily i allow her to do for 1/2 hr.I don't like watching tv's also alot,but sometimes they don't listen.I make her draw something she is intrested or hear the Rhymes,dance or whatever she want.She loves playing in our balcony,if its sunny i allow her to go out.Before sleeping i read her a story.I have 2-3 books i repeat them,now-a-days i stopped but i like reading to her.once we move i will again start the routine.She even brings a book of her choice to me.Even in the morning she likes to hear about pooh and pigglet.I appreciate any suggestions so i can improve.Hear i miss my parents if they r around they used to tell lot of stories.My dad had a daily routine with her when we were in india.She used to llaugh laugh and sleep.Even i do the same but anyhow i too miss them.
I want to know how u plan Ur 2yr old daily activities and learning.Any suggestions that u can give me.As for me i make her do the ABC's in starfall.com in which they spell and teach.First i used to do her this but within 2 days she learned it.She is doing this from past 2-3 months.Now i just sit beside her and she does everything except some which r difficult for her.I observed she is thinking and using common sense and brain.I don't want to believe this but i am observing this.Ya.......she really figured out what to do and how to do.Yuppy............i gave her a kiss.I was awestruck by this performance.But i make sure she is not over obssesive regarding this daily i allow her to do for 1/2 hr.I don't like watching tv's also alot,but sometimes they don't listen.I make her draw something she is intrested or hear the Rhymes,dance or whatever she want.She loves playing in our balcony,if its sunny i allow her to go out.Before sleeping i read her a story.I have 2-3 books i repeat them,now-a-days i stopped but i like reading to her.once we move i will again start the routine.She even brings a book of her choice to me.Even in the morning she likes to hear about pooh and pigglet.I appreciate any suggestions so i can improve.Hear i miss my parents if they r around they used to tell lot of stories.My dad had a daily routine with her when we were in india.She used to llaugh laugh and sleep.Even i do the same but anyhow i too miss them.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Simple tested Kid crafts
[This post is written by Tharini of Winkie's Way.]
Hi Girls...
Hi Girls...
Just sharing here a new craft that Winkie and I, did together yesterday. We are crafting in full swing now. He's been home nursing a cold, and so every afternoon, when he tires of his trains and computer games, we sit down to constructively use our hands. I plan to make a regular chronicle of all the odds and ends we craft together, because he has begun to enjoy it, and I dare say we can make some things that will be of some value around the house. Also, it will serve as a databank for anyone looking for ideas, and I can look forward to some feedback and ideas in return.
Project : Pencil holder
Materials needed :
Some plain cardboard material (I used the scrap cover from a clock I once bought)
Popsicle sticks (I got them from walmart)
Kid friendly non toxic glue
Cello-tape
Scissors (the adult ones, you'll be doing all the cutting in this one)
Total Time required: 2 hours
Method:
1. Cut the 4 sides of the box to the measurements you want, and then cello-tape them together from the inside to form a box. I don't think glue would have worked for the joining. Also, cello-taping from the inside is better, otw, when you glue the sticks on to the sides of the box, they don't remain steady.
2. Then cut a square for the base and make it slightly bigger than the actual base of the box. Use glue to connect the box to the base. Let it remain for 15 min, so it holds firm.
3. Start glueing the sticks to the sides of the box to finish all four sides. You can use any permutation of colours that you like. Let it hold for 1/2 an hour.
4. Then cut off the extra bits from the base, so none of the cardboard sticks out. (pun unintended)!
5. Find a use for it. I wanted to build upon the riot of colours and use it to house his colour pencils. (*pssst*...this makes a great Father's Day gift, for Dad to display on his desk at work.)
PS - I appreciate any suggestions on how better we could have accomplished this. Also, its my desire to craft with things lying around the house, things that we may normally recycle or trash without a second thought, and not have to buy from the stores other than the regular stuff like colour pencils/paints, some basic craft paper, etc. Its going to be a challenge, but I'm sure its doable. It would be great if you all can also share your ideas towards the same and any projects that you have undertaken with your children. Age no bar on this one. :)
Friday, April 6, 2007
Fun activities for babies/toddlers...
Hi All,
I would like to start my first post by introducing myself. I'm Deepa (can call me Dee), from Houston. I'm a mother to my 14 month old son Krishna alias Chintu . I am also a hardware engineer in a fortune 10 company. Life's adventures on being a first time, working mother at that got me interested to this blog :) I am already finding it very useful and I'm sure it's going to be great bonding with all you moms out there from here on ...
I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on some of the fun activities that I can do with my 14 month old. I talk to him a loottt..we sing and dance... I have introduced him to crayons and scribbling, sandbox etc. I know his brain in like a sponge right now that can absorb anything. So wanted to see if there are other fun ways that I can keep him happily entertained.
Also, I think many of you can relate to this part...what are you doing to help your baby's social intereaction with other kids ? My husband and I work full time, so I don't get to join the local mom's club in their activities. I get pretty much the weekends and evenings. Since he is growing up so fast, I think interacting with other babies/kids will be good for him from now on. Am I thinking too much into it or is it a valid concern? If it is, I am looking for tips on helping find playmates for him :)
looking forward to fun answers from the supermoms :)
-Dee
I would like to start my first post by introducing myself. I'm Deepa (can call me Dee), from Houston. I'm a mother to my 14 month old son Krishna alias Chintu . I am also a hardware engineer in a fortune 10 company. Life's adventures on being a first time, working mother at that got me interested to this blog :) I am already finding it very useful and I'm sure it's going to be great bonding with all you moms out there from here on ...
I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on some of the fun activities that I can do with my 14 month old. I talk to him a loottt..we sing and dance... I have introduced him to crayons and scribbling, sandbox etc. I know his brain in like a sponge right now that can absorb anything. So wanted to see if there are other fun ways that I can keep him happily entertained.
Also, I think many of you can relate to this part...what are you doing to help your baby's social intereaction with other kids ? My husband and I work full time, so I don't get to join the local mom's club in their activities. I get pretty much the weekends and evenings. Since he is growing up so fast, I think interacting with other babies/kids will be good for him from now on. Am I thinking too much into it or is it a valid concern? If it is, I am looking for tips on helping find playmates for him :)
looking forward to fun answers from the supermoms :)
-Dee
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