David and Goliath

This theme has been the toddlers favorite so far! They loved playing with what I call fuzzy balls! (Really they are just pom pom balls from the craft store.) They don't hurt anyone.  They're safe for them to chew on (However, I tried to discourage this.) and not to mention soft! Their favorite activity was when we reenacted the story, and I was their Goliath, they had to toss the stones (pom pom balls) at my head.  They thought my reaction was hilarious and kept wanting to do it every time we got the story bus out!  Also each time we read the story, we all were Goliath.  We showed off our muscles and talked about how strong we were!


Story Bus Toys: Pom pom balls for stones, little people fence, farmer (David), Noah (Saul), Sheep


We worked on the letter Dd all week for David (and Daddy)! We pressed a D cookie cutter into the play dough for sensory play.



We made our own shield so that we would remember that God is our shield, and he'll help us fight our Goliath. (giants).  They painted a paper plate, and I added a string on the back for them to hold on to it.



We also colored real stones and made a bag to keep them safe.  Each stone stands for something we have already learned this year.

Baby Moses

Baby Moses was a little bit harder than I expected to plan, but the kids still enjoyed learning about him.

Instead of the story bus, we had the story basket (bigger items that wouldn't fit in the the story bus).
In the basket we included: the basket, the princess, Baby Moses (Elmo),  and a blanket



After reading the story several times, I allowed the toddlers to try wrapping "Baby Moses."  They also acted out the story using the characters.

They love looking at the pictures in this Bible because it is so bright and colorful.  My little one will look at it forever it feels like in the evening.

The only craft we did this time was a basket for Baby Moses.  It took us several days to finish.  First, they colored it different colors.  Each day, we colored with a different color to represent different things that the basket was made from.  Then the last day we glued string onto our basket.  I already had the yarn precut, and the glue on the basket.  The toddlers just had to pick up the string and place it on basket.  I only had one that did not enjoy the texture of the yarn.  The baskets were also already cut out.   (Not sure how to rotate picture.)


We are in the process of moving so we turned a box into a 'basket' and they took turns pretending to be Baby Moses.  I also used a clothes basket when I noticed how much fun they had getting in and out of the box.

Grandparent's Day

We made hand-print butterfly magnets for our grandparents.  The poem I did not make up.  I found it on Google images and do not remember where exactly it was found; however, the rest I did on my own with them! You wouldn't believe how much they enjoyed getting their hands painted.  I think we may need to just finger paint sometime!

Toddler Name Games

I used bath letters, traced them on a piece of foam (will stick to wall in bathtub when wet so can be played in water as well), and had them match the letters to the traced letters.


I wrote their name on a name card in permanent marker.  Then, I laminated it and had the toddlers trace their name with a dry erase marker.  I sometimes hold their hand and help them trace the letter correctly.  Other times I let them just explore with how to hold the marker and how to write on their own.  Either way I feel like they are learning and being exposed to the letters in their names.

  


For sensory play, we used a cookie cutter of the first letter of their names and tried cutting it out of play dough.  Play dough is always exciting for them when I get it out; however, I have to sit with them the entire time it is out because I do have one that would love to eat it!


Remember to repeat the letters as much as possible.  Each time you trace a letter with the child, say that letter.  Every time the child picks up a foam letter, be sure to say the letter.  The more they hear it, the quicker they will learn it.  I have one already saying a couple of their letters without repeating after me.

I also use magnetic letters and puzzle letters for the children to use for play and letter recognition.

Toddler Fun!

I teach them to clean up after themselves after lunch and snack.  Believe it or not, they really enjoy doing this and get upset if I don't give it to them first.



Sometimes they get to prepare their own snack.  This is tough for the little ones, but definitely teaches them fine motor skills.



Puzzle Time! Another tough thing for them, but great for fine motors.



Shapes and Fine Motor Practice! They love this because it is one on one time with me.



Water Color Painting





Calendar Time with lots of singing, dancing, and moving to keep them interested!



Pretending to teach calendar time.



We saw a puppet show about The Kissing Hand story and made our own little craft/reminder to take home with us our first week of day care.



Lots of sensory play!

They are always wanting to play with socks and cards.  I decided to give them several of each to enjoy.  Kept them busy forever! They loved them both!

Toddlers love instruments!



Snacks are always a must!  They usually eat fresh fruit, crackers, and/or cheese for snacks.



They love to knock down blocks!  I try to have several different types of building materials such as these blocks to play for the children to learn, interact, and build.


Bubble Play

Jesus Calms the Storm: Ocean Theme Play

I have been trying to find new, creative ways to teach the toddlers Bible stories.  J received this truck lunch box from our church as a back to school gift.  We call it our story telling truck!  I find items we already have around the house to use as props for telling the story.  Then after so many times of the toddlers listening to the story, I let them free play with the props and try to retell the story on their own.  They love playing with the 'special story toys.'

Inside the story truck for the story Jesus Calms the Storm, I added the following: Little People (disciples and Jesus), instruments (to make the sounds of the storm), a kids' bible (to tell the story from), fish, ducks, (animals of the sea),and pillow (cushion Jesus was sleeping on).

For this story, we really focused on the ocean theme.  The toddlers painted with stamps different sea creatures.  

Of course what is ocean theme without the sand! Because it was so hot, I brought some of the sand and sand toys inside for them to play with in the sensory table as well.


Don't forget water play for ocean theme!

If you have a small pool, let them play in it for sensory play.  Toddlers love water! The picture on the right is a little boat my mother in law had.  The kids loved this thing...almost too much with all the fighting over it.  However it was so worth the smiles and fun they had on it!

One of the many snacks the toddlers tried was blue jello with goldfish for the ocean.  They also ate banana boats which was definitely a favorite among them!