June 8, 2009

Tot-School

Tot School

RockerTot is currently 24 months old.


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Well, my baby is now two years old. Our week consisted of mostly playtime... that's probably why I feel that he learned so much this week.
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aka BirthdayTot



aka ScholarTot

I made these three-part cards to fit a picture frame I had. RockerTot didn't really care for this activity. I'll probably wait a few months and then try again.


He played with his magnetic farm board. He bought this for a few dollars at Walmart with some of his birthday money.


His wooden train set became a tot-school activity this week. I handed him the large zip-top bag and let him put it together by himself for the first time. (We have to keep it put away due to space issues. I wish we could have it out all the time, but it's just not possible.)


He really enjoyed playing "match the letters" with RockerBoy's old Boggle, Jr game.


Here is a shot of RockerTot admiring his completed stacking rings activity. I thought it looked like an urn... who knows what he envisioned...


I found this wooden map of the United States at Fred's for $1, so I bought it for him. It had 11 pieces so I thought it would be a great step up from his knob puzzles (which he outgrew over 6 months ago), but he worked the whole puzzle the very first time he saw it. I'm struggling to find puzzles that are not too challenging or easy for him. (I'd welcome any suggestions.)


I made some counting cards for RockerTot to use with our Tot-School poker chip manipulatives. He really, really liked doing this activity. (I have since laminated the cards using Contact Paper.)


aka ApprenticeTot

RockerBoy and RockerTot helped weed the flower beds.


RockerTot learned how to kick his feet to propel himself in the pool. He can now use his arms as well and can get to any point in the pool whenever he wants. He can balance himself well enough now that the second ring is no longer necessary (the first ring is attached to the suit). He also loves to slide (Mommy catches him) and jump in from the side.


RockerTot learned to use the bottle-brush to clean his cups.


He also helped me load the washing machine. He loves to do laundry (and jump in piles of laundry.... and dump out the basket of clean laundry when I'm not looking... etc.)


RockerDad cut the handle of an old broom and replaced the plastic cap. I trimmed the bristles and RockerTot had his very own broom. It hangs on a hook beside his apron so that he can use it anytime he wishes. He should have a small dustpan of his own within the next week (if I can remember to get one).


Just Plain RockerTot

He loved punching out the dinosaurs to use on his new Make Your Own Dinosaur Land book and pop-up play set.


He was so excited with his new kitchen and food area. Here he is cooking and serving some broccoli.


He can't seem to get enough of his new blanket that Grandma crocheted for him. It's not just a blanket.. it's also a toy.


I helped him make some shapes with his new TinkerToys. He loved the wheels on the axle the best, though. :)


I also made him the windmill shown on the canister. Well, I said it was a windmill... he was convinced it was a tunnel.


We also made RockerTot's favorite letter (both cases) out of TinkerToys. He thought this was pretty cool.


This was supposed to be a "ScholarTot" activity. I placed masking tape on the floor as a "balance beam" for him to walk on, but he ran on the line (sort of) and then grabbed a car and carefully drove it all along the line.


RockerMoms Fave Photos

... you can still look cool even while doing something as mundane as housework...


RockerTot looking at the new model train catalog with RockerDad. It's one of their many common interests.


I stepped onto the front porch to talk to my brother for under two minutes and I walked back in to find this. He was reprimanded, but I had to get a photo. I love the egg in his shoe...

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11 comments:

  1. Great post, as always! I love how much you let him help around the house and make it fun with his own tools.

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  2. Happy Birthday Rocker Tot! I love the photos. I am a big fan of the Melissa and Doug chunky puzzles - we have the school bus puzzle and fire engine puzzle. Here is a link to the school bus puzzle
    http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-School-Bus-Chunky/dp/B000EOEAQM
    And here is a link to the fire engine puzzle
    http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Chunky-Puzzle/dp/B000E99Y6S/ref=pd_sim_t_1
    I think Rocker Tot will find these puzzles challenging but not too difficult and I definitely recommend them.

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  3. Oh, and great idea on cutting down the adult broom. I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

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  4. No lower case letter blocks, sadly. I think there's too many shapes to make it esy to make.
    Try the Melissa and Doug 4 in 1 puzzles. It's a small box that comes with 4 puzzles. The puzzles are the size of the lid of the box and are about 9 or 12 pieces. My boys are 4 and this is the perfect size puzzle for them. Not too hard, but not easy.

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  5. Great post! You are very creative. I can't wait to see more of what you do with Rocker Tot!

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  6. Looks like a great week! Happy Birthday RockerTot! I need to let Sammy make his train set by himself. hehe the egg picture is to funny!

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  7. Great ideas. Bear has also grown out of her knob puzzles, although she still enjoys doing them. My mom had got her two board books that have 3 to 6 piece puzzles (one per page). The 6 piece ones she needs help with, but she can do the three and four piece pages. I like your idea of using the picture frame for the three part cards.

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  8. OK seriously, where do you get those COOL mag board books?
    He always looks like he's having so much fun. And who coudn't resist the eggs...isn't sweet how LO's can fund JUST the WRONG thing to get into in the shortest amount of time.

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  9. Awesome post - I also liked how you split it into different sections. Your son is so lucky to be exposed to so many different experiences, and I agree with you that children learn best through play. I personally liked your idea with picture frame and word-picture combos. I can see that it might be a little early for a 2-year-old, but I was thinking of the way to do word-picture match creatively, and I am going to try your approach out.

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  10. By the way, I just noticed that you have a rocker baby on the way - Congratulations! I hope you are feeling well!

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  11. you can interrogate all you want. LOL
    YES! They are washable. You can buy at any art store or Amazon and prob even at Target or Walmart (but not sure)

    http://www.dotart.com/markers.htm

    ReplyDelete

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