Letter Races - Letter Practice

First, If you don't own letter mats, get some! I found mine at the consignment shop - super cheap! They are a blast. 

We have the out and about most of the time. My children work best when we rotate toys in and out of our playroom/family room. I got these back out when grandma came to visit - any extra back up activities are always appreciated. 

Kids LOVE jumping! I asked if he wanted to jump/stomp (as a dinosaur) on letter tiles - of course that was a YES! 

 

I started by throwing tiles on the floor and asking him to find the letter and jumping on it. It was a good refresher to call/drop them on the floor in order and let him jump on them right as they fell.

We called a few of his favorites several times so he could really stomp.

Send the kids on a hunt for certain letters and let them call letters out to you. He loved telling me to find various letters then saying, "Good Job, Mommy"!!!! Kids love to teach also, give them the chance! 

When people get the chance to teach, they learn 90% of what is presented to them!!!!!!

Let them teach you!!!

We created our letter race track. He and I would find the letters and connect them in order. We took turns so he wouldn't burn out.

Even, little lady and our pup started racing and having a blast!

I started calling letters as he ran. CP would run up and down until he found it and jumped/stomped/sat/squatted on that tile. He was ecstatic when he got it correct. He's normally very good with his letters, so this was hysterical!

 

 

Finally, he started jumping and moving his legs out from under him, landing on his bottom. Hysterical!

 

Have fun with letters, make things a game, and always talk to your child giving them the words to communicate with you!

Inside Garden from Tomato Containers

Indoor Easy Garden

As my little man and I created these little indoor gardens, I become more excited about summer coming and having him learning about gardening, plants, and growing. 

We were invited to the neighbors for a dinner party and there was no way I was showing up empty handed. I created an easy and DELICIOUS tomato and olive salad that was a HUGE hit. 

I rinsed the cherry tomatoes and realizes I NEEDED to keep these containers for something and it me later to use them as a little terrarium or mini green house.

 

I purchased little violets and used some extra dirt from the backyard. I had little man join me in the backyard to gather the dirt. It had just rained and he wasn't too thrilled with the 'mud' aspect. 

   

Conversation during this activity was all about how plants grow. We got to see the roots of the violets and spent time feeling how small and thin they are. It was cool to talk about how the roots soak up water and nutrients (I related it do plant food) to help the plant grow strong and beautiful. I showed him that trees are plants, too. We discussed plants are large and small but they all have roots. 

 

We have these in the kitchen window. I would love to put them in the play room on their art table however, the dog would love to help redecorate our home with these. :)

 

I love reusing containers. Anything works. Get Creative on your own terms. 

Remember: Every activity is an opportunity to help build your child's vocabulary. Don't worry about talking 'above' there head as long as you connect it to something they already know and can give them a visual. 

Sweet Letters

Cooking or Baking with kids is such a great activity.

This provides so many opportunities to talk with your kids about what you are doing, helping their vocabulary grow, practice measuring/reading recipes/learning fractions, and bringing out the creativity in your child. 

 

We made simple sugar cookies (our recipe was from Betty Crocker, a classic)  and then made an easy royal icing frosting to decorate. 

It was amazing to practice patience! He had to practice waiting his turn to help and taste test. We would frost a cookie and the little man could have a little 'extra' frosting on his finger. Repeat.... needless to say he had a little 'extra' several times.

 

We opted to practice letters and numbers. He loves talking about letters for mommy, daddy, and his sister. So we spent time practicing specific letters! It's always a good idea to focus on a few letters or numbers with your young toddler so they become more familiar and secure with those without over loading or over stimulating.