Need suggestions

[Michelle Podnar]

Hello,

I am not sure if any of you remember me, I always lurk, but have posted a
couple times before. I currently am looking after 2 - 1 year olds (just
newly 1)(one of them is my DD), and need suggestions for thing to do. I
have lots of toys, and take them for walks and to the local parks, but
sometimes I think they still get bored (especially on rainy days). I do
have a wiggles tape that they love to dance to, but as far as crafts, are
they too young. Most of the craft supplies I see show for 3 +. I know they
would still try to eat crayons or markers, but is there anything else I can
do with them.

Thanks

Michelle P

[Patricia Lambert]

I would suggest just doing everyday activities with, cooking and even
cleaning.
Washing dishes, sweeping and folding laundry, of course in the begining they
will mostly be watching but they will love it.
Also try to have a daily schedule so in the moment you aren't trying to
think of what to do next.
good luck,
trisha

[*Debbie*]

Hi, I have worked with 1's in the past in a centre and we did lot's of art
activities with them. If they can hold a brush there is nothing stopping
them from painting. We used feather dusters, fly swatts, mesh dabs etc.
Cover a table with paper for them to paint on. Even non walkers who can
stand against a table can participate. Sensory experiences that are safe
like jelly play, pasta play, peanut butter playdough (check for allergies).
At this age they also love to stack items and place smaller items into
larger items e.g large pegs into boxes. Boxes of various sizes. Plain old
tupperware containers is also a favourite, peg boards, stacking cups. I
don't know where to start or end with giving you ideas as I could go on
forever. Hopefully you will be able to use a few that I have mentioned The
things you can do is endless. I agree with Trisha, set up a daily schedule,
plan ahead for your days and times of the days. Good Luck.

Debbie

"Patricia Lambert" <lam...@mother.com> wrote in message
news:00rOa.335$Oz2...@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...

[Joanie]

They are NOT too young for crafts. a paper and cryon is fine for ethis
age... or paper and large peices of colorful "sticky tape" my dc kids love
Dora the Explorer :) I have bright blue and yellow masking tape. You can
cut squares the kids can feel the textures...

You can paint with pudding (not a take home project lol).

Fingerpainting... making sure it's non toxic.

I have a book that has crafts for babies.. I have to dig it out of the
basement it is somewhere on my bookshelf down there... I will email you with
a bunch of things from there as well as the name of the book.

Any craft you see for 2s or3s can be scaled down for younger kids to do.
Most of the crafts my 3 and 4s do I also have for the 1.5 year olds as well.
It does not matter what the end result is... just the process of making it,
thats the fun part :)

--
Joanie

"You're stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and braver than you
believe."
~Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

"Michelle Podnar" <mpo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Y%oOa.886$Ag6....@news20.bellglobal.com...

[Michelle Podnar]

Thanks for all the suggestions!! I will try some of the art & sensory that
you suggested. I look forward to more once you are able to get the book
out.

Thanks again

Michelle P
"Joanie" <Jo...@JoaniesHouse.comNOJUNK> wrote in message
news:IvwOa.20112$Ha....@nwrdny02.gnilink.net...

[Cj-]

Hi Michelle,

This site always has fun suggestions shared by other careproviders.

http://perpetualpreschool.com/toddlers/

Doing crafts with toddlers is great fun, it just requires organization,
and strict supervision. And wet wipes near by. *L*

Cj-

[Cj-]

Cj- wrote:
> Hi Michelle,
>
> This site always has fun suggestions shared by other careproviders.
>
> http://perpetualpreschool.com/toddlers/

Here is an example idea from this site. Sounds fun!

Do no-mess finger-painting! Especially nice for those children who are
slow to warm up to getting their hands painty. Put out finger-paint
paper or wax paper, and tape to the table. Drop on a few blobs of thick
tempera paint or finger-paint. Cover the paint with a sheet of saran
wrap, and tape down the edges. Encourage the children to move the colors
around with their hands to mix. When they're done, take off the saran
wrap, and invite the children to press sheets of white paper over the
wet paint to make prints.

Doing mirror painting too would be fun with toddlers, folding paper over
to squish the paint inside and then opening it up to see your design.
Like "magic". ;o)

[Cj-]

ok...more ideas....again from the Perpetual preschool site.

-Sometimes toddlers really do not like to get their hands messy while
painting, so, use bubble wrap and make a mitt that the children can slip
their hands into. Leaves a great print too!

-Cook up a package of spaghetti. Drain and let cool. when ready to use,
moisten with a little water and add a little school glue. Mix well. Give
the children sturdy construction paper, oak tag or cardboard and have
them place the spaghetti onto the surface. A fun sensory project.
Let harden.

-Line a cardboard box (with sides) with white paper. Put a couple of
drops of paint on it. Put a golf ball on the paper and help the child
twirl the box around. Observe what happens as the ball rolls on the
paint. This can be done with marbles with the older kids.

-Sensory/Art: Squeezing Goop- in easy -squeeze bottles, (you may need to
widen the hole) mix equal parts flour, water, and salt. Color with paint
or food coloring. You should have a mixture the consistency of wet sand
that can be squeezed out. Let the children squeeze their goop onto
cardboard. Let dry.

-tape two pieces of butcher paper across the length and width of a
table. Place chunky crayons on the center of table. Children can choose
this area to draw or create pictures whenever they choose. I keep this
going all week . Change the paper as needed. Also provide stickers.

-Q-Tip Painting, Toddlers love to explore with paint but some times
paint brushes seem a little to much for there small hands. Q-tip's work
great as a toddler "paint brush."

[Michelle Podnar]

Thanks you so much for all the ideas, I will have to try them. I will let
you know how it goes.

Michelle P
"Cj-" <summe...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3F0AC719...@hotmail.com...

[Michelle Podnar]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Michelle P
"*Debbie*" <red...@bigpong.com.za> wrote in message
news:fGvOa.4618$oN.1...@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...

[Michelle Podnar]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Michelle P

"Patricia Lambert" <lam...@mother.com> wrote in message
news:00rOa.335$Oz2...@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...

[Joanie]

I did not forget you..... I still have to look for the book... I know its
odd shaped with a drawing of a big fat babies head on the front! lol

--
Joanie

"You're stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and braver than you
believe."
~Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

"Michelle Podnar" <mpo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:f2yOa.9331$Tx.3...@news20.bellglobal.com...

[bluefields]

Get a big empty box, like a refrigerator or dishwasher size box.........cut out
windows and a door.....let the toddlers scribble on the box, hide things in the
box, or just run around and play with it........a rainy day fun day!!

[*Debbie*]

That is one of my favourite activities. I give the children boxes of
different sizes and add blankets and sheets. Children of all ages love
this. Keeps them busy for hours. I'm always on the look out for boxes and
my car is usually full of them.

Debbie

"bluefields" <bluef...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:3F202F75...@adelphia.net...

[Joanie]

OK I've found the book!!

Wonder Play - dancing games art fun cooking music!

Here are a few things to do with young ones....

Painting with water... get paint brushes and take the kids outside with
pails of water... let them "paint" the walls the ground trees... what ever
:)

Home made Instruments....

Use an oat meal container as a drum... tape constuction paper on and
decorate with stickers or constact paper

Use Yogurt containers with lids as shakers , dried beans, rice, or buttons
make wonderful noises! be sure to take closed so that the kids cannot open
the shaker.

Turn two paper plates into a tambourine fill with dried beans or rice. let
kids color the plates , add beans , then tape the edges of the plates closed

**********

For One year old's
Blanket rides.... put a mid size blanket on the floor.... let kids take
turns sitting the blanket as you pull them around... Bonus is you get a work
out as well!! :)

Blanket pretend... go on a picnis, take a ride in a car.... use your
imagination... bathroom throw rugs are also good for this activity.

Baby Parade! Put on Music give the kids a platic container and a spoon and
be in a parade!!!!!

Tap Tap Tap.... sit the kids in a circle or at the table... start clapping
your hands or tapping on the table... watch how fast the catch on... wave
your hands in the air.... slap your knees....tap soft then hard... fast then
slow... children love to repeat things!

Make a puppet out of a paper bag.... let the kids color what ever they
want... you draw eyes a nose and a happy face and let them put on a show for
you!

give kids a strip of stickers and a sheet of white paper... let them stick
the stickers where ever they want! :)

ok I could type the whole book...LOL

some one has it on ebay....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3542246303&category=46342

I paid more than this so it's worth it! :)