Tot School: 15 1/2 months

Last week at MOPS we had an amazing mom, Jennifer Brown, come to speak to our group.  She is an incredible speaker and is easy to connect to within minutes.  She is so 'real' and I think that's why I appreciate her so much.  

This year she spoke about many things, but the one thing that hit home with me is not comparing myself or my child to other moms and kids.  How many of you do that?  I will raise both my hands, because I am guilty!  But, I needed to hear that.  I need to write that on my chalkboard, forehead, and bathroom mirror, so I don't forget when I see that perfect Mom with her perfect clothes and make-up and perfect child quietly sitting on her lap.  

The reason Jennifer brought this up is because we are all messy.  We all have problems, issues, and hurts.  None of us are perfect, even if we do have perfect make-up (someone teach me please!).  Jennifer also challenged us to be 'real' with our mom and women friends.  She told us not to put on a 'mask' when we have moms over to our house or go out for coffee...be real, be honest, and make a connection.  

So, that is what I'm going to try to do when I share Luke's Tot School week with you.  Be real.  You will know our failures, successes, frustrations, etc.  Because I am just as messy as the next person.  Cheers to being real!  

Okay...on with the show.  Here is what Luke and I were up to last week during Tot School:

Sensory Bottles

Rating: 4/5

Skills:
Sensory development

Activity:
I made these sensory bottles out of Luke's old bottles with beads and mini clothespins inside, and boy did he love shaking them.  I gave these to him while I was baking and chatted to him about them as I worked, but honestly, I didn't interact with him too much during this.  He didn't mind, he loved them anyway and was able to play independently for awhile.  Check out how he is putting them in a box by the fireplace...this kid loves making piles.

Dominos

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Number recognition

Activity:
This continues to be one of Luke's favorites.  We count the dots on each side and then Luke takes them and makes piles around the basement.  He LOVES piles.  He has also started to go and set them in front of Abel (our dog).  Abel would prefer food, but he will take what he can get.

an old picture

Balls in a Cup
***Luke's favorite of the week

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Counting

Activity:
Grandma Diane let Luke and I take home some wiffle golf balls the other weekend and I put five of them in a small bowl for Luke.  He enjoyed throwing each one out and then going and picking them up.  He LOVED this game.  It is also a good independent activity.  I gave this to him while I was making dinner one night.

Sorry..I didn't get any pictures of this activity.  Maybe next time.

Muffin Tin Sorting

Rating: 2/5

Skills:
Fine motor development

Activity:
I had high hopes for this one, but it was a big flop.  Luke mainly wanted to throw the toilet paper rolls, so I took it away.  I am really trying to teach him to only throw balls.  I am losing this battle right now...

Chalkboard

Rating: 3/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Pre-writing

Activity:
I gave him two different pieces of chalk and he was really excited at first.  He started to make some marks, but then just wanted to put the chalk on his chair and not write on his board.  This activity didn't last long this week.

Yogurt Painting

Rating: 3/5

Skills:
Art
Fine motor development
Pre-writing

Activity:
Luke did pretty well with this activity, considering he actually touched the 'paint'.  He mostly touched it to eat it, but hey, we're moving in the right direction.

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