Learning Ideas

 by Kimberly Farmer

Jumping Hopscotch

Ava and I made up a new version of hopscotch. Instead of the traditional hopscotch layout, we drew random squares on the pavement and jumped from one to the next. After this picture was taken, Ava wanted numbers in the squares, so we added them and called out the numbers as we jumped on them.

You could do the same thing with letters, or for older kids you could make it a math game by having your child jump on a number, then you jump on a number, and then have your child add/subtract/multiply/divide the two numbers you are standing on. Lots of possibilities…

 by Kimberly Farmer

Pretty Flower Pressing

The other day, I came across the pretty little flower press my parents gave me when I was a girl, so I got it out and Ava began picking flowers to press in it. If you don’t own a flower press, just do it the old fashioned way – sandwich your flowers and leaves between absorbent paper and then stack heavy books on top. (If you have never pressed flowers before, the online article A Beginner’s Guide to Pressing Flowers may be helpful.)

After the flowers and leaves have dried, let your child have fun with them. They can make pretty designs, patterns, and scenes as they glue the flowers to paper.

Because I wasn’t in the mood for the mess of glue, I cut out a circle of contact paper and let Ava just stick her flowers and leaves directly to the sticky side. After she finishd, I added the other piece of contact paper (slightly larger than the first, to make placing it easier) and trimmed it. Then we added a hole and a ribbon, so it can be hung. I like making it with contact paper, because both sides of the flowers and leaves can be viewed. This technique would also make a pretty bookmark or card (You know I love my bookmarks and cards!).

 by Kimberly Farmer

Sewing 101: Preschooler Style

I found children’s needles at the craft store, and couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce my daughter to sewing/needle work. These needles are large, plastic, and dull-pointed. I purchased the pack of two needles, one sheet (appx. 12″x18″) of plastic stuff (I have no idea what the name of it is) with holes that are larger than the standard size, and some colorful yarn.

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 by Kimberly Farmer

Blanket Time

A couple weeks ago, I introduced Ava to “Blanket Time” and it went over great! In case you are unfamiliar with the concept of blanket time, let me assure you that it is wonderful. Here is how we are doing it…

I lay a blanket or small quilt down on the floor in a location that is quiet (and safe) for her and is not right around me. I let her choose one toy (or set of related toys like her dollhouse or Mrs. Potato Head) and one book and take them to the blanket. Next, I ask her the rules of blanket time, to which she promptly (and happily) replies, “Rule number 1 is ‘Sit on my bottom.’ Rule number 1 the second time is ‘Be quiet.'” Then I set the timer for 20 minutes (we’ll probably start doing 30 minutes soon) and let her push the start button. That’s it. I walk away, she plays, and there is peace and quiet for 20 precious, consecutive minutes!

A really nice benefit of Ava liking Blanket Time is that I was able to implement it in public when Tim and I had an important professional meeting and we were unable to do anything but take the kids with us. On the way, I explained to Ava what she could expect when we arrived at the office, and when we got there, she was perfectly content to sit on her blanket (I took the smallest one we have) beside our chairs and play quietly for the duration of our meeting. I was so proud of her, and I was thrilled (and relieved) that it worked!

One thing I am careful to do is to not use Blanket Time as a punishment. I only treat it as a positive thing. So far, so good! She is often the one reminding me that “It’s Blanket Time!”
 by Kimberly Farmer

Observing the Weather

Little Meteorologist

My daughter is really interested in what the weather is doing. She makes a really big deal about the sun, rain, and of course, rainbows! So I decided that as part of our morning routine we would begin finding out the day’s forecast and discussing it. What better way for her to be involved than for her to get to draw each day’s weather herself. Whether it’s sunshine, rain, snow, lightning, or a rainbow, she can draw it on the glass of our picture frame, we can discuss it throughout the day, and then the next day we can wipe it off and do it again!

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 by Kimberly Farmer

Alphabet Book

The Lesson
Ava has been learning her alphabet since she was 1 1/2, but just recently I started introducing her to the lower case letters and making an attempt to stress the sounds the letters make. Well, she caught on very quickly, so I decided to take off with it.

The Concept
Together, over the past several weeks, Ava and I have been creating her Alphabet Book. We have been working on and creating a letter every day or every other day. We talk about the letter and the sound it makes and then we go searching through magazines, stickers, and household items to find the letter and pictures of words that begin with that letter. We cut them out or gather them and then Ava glues them to the paper. She enjoys showing her book to friends and family, and we revisit it together at home to reinforce what she has learned and is building upon.

The Materials
– Magazines
– Construction Paper
– Scissors
– Stick Glue
– Snack-sized plastic bags/envelopes
– Photo Album

I bought a $1.00 photo album from Walmart (Target also sells them for $2.00). These albums have clear pockets on the front and back, which are ideal for creating your own cover.

We cut construction paper into 4×6 sheets for the pages to glue our letters and pictures on.

While searching for pictures that begin with the letter D, for example, I often found a great picture of a zebra, keys, or socks. I wasn’t about to pass these up and risk never finding them again when it came time for the letter Z, K, or S. So, I cut the pictures out when I came across them and stored them in their own plastic bag or envelope labeled with the appropriate letter to keep things organized.

My mom knew about our book, while we were working on it, so from time to time she would mail pictures she had found for letters she knew we hadn’t made yet. This was a fun way for her take part in the fun, and it helped broaden the pictures we could choose from for Ava’s book.

 by Kimberly Farmer

Fun Wallet

My mom bought this cute photo-wallet and then filled it with interesting pictures (many of which she sketched and colored herself) for Ava. Ava carries it around and looks at it and talks about the pictures in it. Very cute idea. Thanks, Mom.