16 Tot School Activities {14-16 months}

Here is a compiled list of activities that Luke and I have done during the past two months.  I would love to hear any ideas you have...please share below!

Balls on Bubble Wrap

Skills:
Gross motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
Give your child a few balls and let your little one move the balls around on the bubble wrap.  Discuss how it sounds and feels.

Sensory Baskets

Skills:
Sensory development

Activity:
Sensory baskets can be made around a number of themes.  A winter basket, color basket, shape basket, or holiday basket are all ways to help your little one learn about the environment.

Magnets on the Whiteboard

Skills:
Fine motor development
Number recognition
Letter recognition

Activity:
Have your child practice placing magnets on and off the whiteboard. You can use numbers, letters, animal magnets.  Not only is this good for letter and number recognition, it's great for fine motor development.

Exploring Lids

Skills:
Sensory development
Shapes: circle

Activity:
Give your little one different sized lids you have lying around the house.  Talk about how they feel and make sure to slip in the word 'circle' a lot.

Straws in and out

Skills:
Fine motor

Activity:
Use an empty Parmesan container and give your child some straws (I stuck with five straws).  Practice putting the straws in and out of the container.  Your child will probably want to take them out more than put the straws in.

Animal Puzzles

Skills:
Animal identification
Fine motor development
Problem solving
Spatial awareness

Activity:
Puzzles are so good for the brain!  I love them for this reason and also because they are just plain fun (especially when there's animal noises involved).  These Melissa and Doug puzzles that we have are perfect for little hands.

Poms 

Skills:
Sensory development
Color identification 
Fine motor development

Activity:
Poms are such fun, little, fuzzy, round all-purpose poofs.  Just place a container of poms in from of your child and let them go to town.  For older tots, you could have them move the poms from one container on the left to another container on the right and work on directionality.  

 Play Food Mix-Up

Skills:
Fine motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
Grab some play food and a mixing bowl and spoon.  Show your child how to mix the food around in the bowl.  You can also work on food vocabulary.

Poms in a Toilet Paper Roll

Skills:
Fine motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
Tape a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll to a cupboard or your refrigerator.  Put a container of poms in front of your child and demonstrate how to put the poms through the tube.  

Chalkboard

Skills:
Fine motor development
Pre-writing

Activity:
Super simple: give your child a piece of chalk and a chalkboard.  Chalk is so great for kids who are still working on their fine motor skills.  The chalk allows the child to make lots of marks because there isn't just one end that does this.  Lots of positive reinforcement for writing.

 

Making a Fort

Skills:
Gross motor development

Activity:
Pretty self explanatory...and so much fun!

Sensory Bottles

Skills:
Sensory development

Activity:
Grab some old 4 ounce bottles or any small container and put beads, clothespins, anything will make noise.  They are fun little shakers, perfect for little hands!

Dominos

Skills:
Fine motor development
Number recognition

Activity:
Dominos are great for kiddos.  Count the dots on each side with your child and make piles, towers, and trains.

Muffin Tin Sorting

Skills:
Fine motor development

Activity:
Use a muffin tin and have your child sort caps, balls, cut up toilet paper rolls, or anything that you have sitting around.

Yogurt Painting

Skills:
Art
Fine motor development
Pre-writing

Activity:
If you're worried about your little one putting paint in his mouth, this is the perfect way to introduce finger painting.  As you can see, Luke put piles of it into his mouth before painting a little.

Balloons

Skills:
Gross motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
Balloons are so much fun for little ones. If you try this and a balloon pops, be sure to take away from baby ASAP, as it can be a choking hazard.

Linked up at:

http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net

http://www.icanteachmychild.com

Tot School {16 months}

I'm going to be real (remember my post a few weeks back).  We didn't 'do' Tot School much this week.  We had a busier than normal week and that, paired with the fact that it was gorgeous outside, meant we just didn't get all the activities accomplished.  I am okay with that.  I'm giving myself grace to be imperfect and flexible and relaxed and okay with all of it.  So all you Mommas that didn't get to everything this week...I'm with you!

Here is what we did get to this week...

Muffin Tin Sorting

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Colors
Counting

Activity:
I have been saving caps from different containers for some time now.  I finally feel Luke is at the age I can give him smaller caps and he won't shove it down his throat.  I was by his side during this entire activity just to be sure.  We counted the caps, put the caps into the muffin tin, and, of course, dumped them out.

Balloons

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Gross motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
I blew up a few balloons and let Luke go to town.  He loved throwing them, chasing them, and squeezing them.  I am really surprised neither of them popped. If you try this and a balloon pops, be sure to take away from baby ASAP, as it can be a choking hazard.

Green Dot Painting

Rating: 2/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Colors: green
Pre-writing
Art

Activity:
I gave Luke a dot paint marker and I think he forgot what to do with it.  I put my hand over his hand and we made dots for this activity.

Pillow Climbing

Rating: 4/5

Skills:
Gross motor development

Activity:
This was not on my plans for this week, but I was washing the sheets and Luke just happened to find my comforter and pillows.  He loved climbing on top and then back down.  Luke thinks climbing is the cat's meow.

Exploring Outside
***Luke's favorite of the week

"Learning is experience.  Everything else is just information." -Albert Einstein

Rating: 5/5 

Skills:
Gross motor development
Sensory development
Life skills

Activity:
This is how we spent most of our week.  We went on walks, Luke explored the wheels on the grain cart, the 4-wheeler, the dolly and then climbed hills, tromped through flower beds, and felt the breeze in his swing.  He loved watching the wind move through the trees and branches and laughed at Abel as he was sunning himself on the hill.  Not to get all mushy...but this is why I wanted to move out here and why I love the Trail so much...days and moments like these.

Linked up at:

http://www.icanteachmychild.com

Random Picture Friday

Hey all!  Happy Friday!  Do you feel spring where you are?  We sure do here on the Trail and it's pretty darn exciting.  We spent as much time as possible outside this week and are just soaking in the warm days (and by warm I mean 50-60 degrees).  Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Cooking Club...love these girls!  

Meeting Baby Ellen...she is perfect (and doesn't Mommy Annie look amazing??!!)

Amelia helping Luke with his cup

Luke enjoys PB&J

Seriously?!

Watching the big trucks move corn

Girl's Weekend: DIY Wine Glasses

Every Mom needs a girl's weekend every once in awhile.  Lucky for me, I was able to do just that last weekend....and it was absolutely wonderful. (A HUGE THANK YOU to Kevin for having a boy's weekend at home with Luke.)

I was able to see and catch up with two of my best friends, Anne and Paige, while enjoying the luxury of some girl time sans kiddos.  We all met in Iowa City and were able to receive pedicures and then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at Target and in our hotel room chatting it up and stuffing our faces with yummy food and chocolate.  We had a grandiose plan of going to a fancy dinner, but were content with picking up take-out and watching T.V. in bed.  Perfection.

I wanted to bring something for the girls, so I decided to make some chalkboard wine glasses.  They were so fun and easy to make and didn't cost me a penny because I had all the materials on hand.  These would be perfect for favors for a bridal shower/bachelorette party or just a fun gift for a girlfriend.  Hope you try because these are super simple!

Supplies
Painter's tape
Chalkboard paint
Wine glasses
Foam brush or paint brush
Newspaper
Chalk

Directions
1. Tape off the wine glass at the stem.

2.  Paint a coat of chalkboard paint on the bottom of the glass.
Let dry for 30 minutes and repeat 3-4 times.

3.  Prime the glass by rubbing a good layer of chalk over the paint.  
4.  Write name or saying on wine glass.  Enjoy!  (Glasses are hand wash only.)
5.  Optional: Put chocolate in glasses, wrap in cellophane and use baker's twine to tie the top closed.

Tot School {16 months}

This week has seemed a bit long.  I don't know if it's the gray skies or all the time spent inside at home, but it's been a long one.  Spring needs to get here soon. (I can see you all nodding your heads.)

Luke and I were able to do some fun things during Tot School, although most of the activities lasted an average of three minutes.  That's okay, Luke is learning and having fun, even if it's for three minutes at a time.

Here is what we were up to this week:

Swim Lessons

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Life skills
Gross motor development

Activity:
Luke had his first swimming lesson this week.  He and I both enjoyed it...he absolutely loves the water.  His favorite part: chasing the little balls around the pool.  His not-so-favorite part: when the swimming instructor held him for the first time in the pool.  He was not a fan.

Chalkboard

Rating: 2/5

Skills:
Pre-writing
Fine motor development

Activity:
Luke really loves the chalkboard...for a minute or two at a time.  He makes a mark or two, gets really excited and then wants to climb down.  At least he is making marks; that's a huge victory.

Green Sensory Basket
***Luke's favorite of the week

Rating: 5/5

Skills:
Sensory development
Colors: green
Fine motor development

Activity:
Luke love his green sensory basket.  He put the green poms in the big stacking cups we have and then would want me to close the cups together.  He also loved putting his thumb in the holes of the cups to touch the poms.

Green Finger Painting

Rating: 3/5

Skills:
Pre-writing
Art
Colors: green
Sensory development

Activity:
Luke is enjoying painting more and more.  He really disliked it at first, but after multiple attempts, he likes to touch the paint.  Speaking from experience, if your kiddo doesn't like painting at first...try, try again.  I also gave Luke a brush to paint with this time.  He really liked the brush, but didn't do much painting with it.

Milk Jug and Clothes Pins

Rating: 2/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Sensory development

Activity:
I used an old milk jug and cut out a square in the front of it with a box cutter.  I lined it with electrical tape because of the possible sharp edges.  The goal was to have Luke put the clothes pins in the top and then get them out of the bottom.  He did this a few times with assistance, but really just wanted to play with the clothes pins.

Sensory Bottles with Metal Bowl

Rating: 4/5

Skills:
Sensory development

Activity:
I gave Luke the sensory bottles from last week, along with a spoon and metal bowl.  He loved the loud sounds the bottles made in the bowl.

Five Balls in a Cup

Rating: 4/5

Skills:
Fine motor development
Gross motor development
Counting

Activity:
I put five wiffle golf balls in a cup and let Luke go to town.  He loved throwing them and then he would go around and pick them up.  We counted as he put the balls into the cup.

Linked up at:

http://www.icanteachmychild.com

http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

I had a reason to bake last week...woohooo!  We had a small family get together on Thursday because my sister-in-law, Hillary, and her little princess, Kathryn, were in town for a few days.  It's so good when they're here!  I made these no-bake peanut butters; mainly because I was being a bit lazy and they are no-bake, but also because I hadn't tried them and they looked so good.  And. they. are.  They are rich and decadent.  My kind of dessert.  Hope you try!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Adapted from Add a Pinch

Ingredients
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter

3 ounce dark chocolate bar, chopped
1 T shortening
1/4 cup peanut butter chips

Directions
1.  Combine first four ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Spread evenly into 9x13 pan.
2.  Combine the ingredients for the topping into glass bowl.  Melt in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in-between.  Stir until smooth.
3.  Pour topping on peanut butter bar base.
4.  Put pan into freezer for 15 minutes.  Store in refrigerator.

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.

Linked up at:

www.1plus1plus1equals1.net

www.icanteachmychild.com