Dear Mommas, My LO just turned 2. I am now a SAHM and WAHM: I teach one class at a local college now and do most of the work from home. My son has a sitter 3-4 times a week for 2-3 hours. We may or may not start some sort of pre-school for a few hours a few times a week instead, depending on his reaction (he loves being around a great deal of children and loves being the center of their attention). We are still pondering this decision.
An open question: how do I make the most of this special next year with him? What new activities should I introduce? What would you do differently this third year of life from your experience? Yes, I have a library of parenting books and some parent friends with kids his age, but I value your opinions very much -- possibly even more :)
Jilly
library story times, splash parks, simple crafts at home, going swimming, going to the park, lots of reading, puppet shows...
Jilly,
In my opinion until he is potty trained I would keep him at home. Once he is potty trained I would look into the school setting.
As far as using your time wisely, I think a schedule is very important. Plan 1 thing to do special each day. It does not aways have to be something huge. Today we are going to go to the mall and pick out grammies Christmas present and stop at the cookie place for a snack and ride the quarter rides. Tomorrow we are going to stay home and make handprint ornaments for Christman package decorations. Wednesday we are going to pack a lunch and meet a freind at the playground. I think it is important that you stick to a plan and do not try to do to much. Enjoy breakfast with him and tell him what the plan is for the day. Make sure he knows that what you planned that day is important to you and you think it will be fun for him.
Enjoy every moment you have and cheish it.
Gymnastics and swimming! These were the 2 best choices I made for my kids starting at this age....gives them so much control and realization of what their lil' bodies can do!
Of course reading....but letting them finger paint and play with play dough at this age is hours of great fun and good for the imagination!
~Edit~
Oh, and puzzles! I come from a puzzle loving family and my kids thoroughly enjoyed the wooden puzzles at this age...its a great way to teach colors and animals and shapes too!
Follow his lead and see where it goes. Spend time with him on his terms. If he likes fingerpainting, great. If you are doing it so he'll "learn something", stop.
Kids at this (or any) age need time with their mom (and/or dad). That's the best gift you can give him.
If he loves pre-school, great. If he doesn't or is anxious, take him out and go back to what you are already doing. Why mess up a good thing? I'm amazed how we are all on auto-pilot when it comes to putting our kids in pre-school - some like it, most don't, no kid "needs" it.
Have fun and play!
Read John Holt's "How Children Learn" - as an educator you may have read this already.
Your son just turned 2, so it will take about another 6 mos before he fits into his "2" stage. He still qualifies for daycare, not preschool. A kids work is play, so any activities that involves improving his motor skills, and speech development. Next year is quite a way for him if he just turned 2.
J., I would also be interested in learning what others have to say! My son just turned 2 recently. I work full time, so would like to take advantage of the time I do have to spend with him and make it as fulfilling as possible for both of us! L.
Take pictures and keep them in order so that later ( because I know I do not have time now) you can go back and scrap book them. Do art projects with your son, go for walks, read lots of books...keep a journal. Make new family traditions.Let him help with cooking, it sounds crazy but little ones love to help and they are ever so much more capable then we usually give them credit for. My oldest Absolutely loves to cook and has from a very young age.
My youngest is 3 now, I have gone through this stage of life twice before with my kids. It can be a very fun age...pick your battles wisely, for the most part try and maintain a schedule, read and listen to music everyday and try and embrace nature...if I had any regrets at all I would say that there were too many times when I wrinkled up my nose because I thought something would be dirty, but with my youngest we have done it all...jumped in mud puddles...rolled in leaves...and had a flour fight...with Alex ( my youngest) I do not look back and have regrets....I look forward and ask...what will tomorrow bring?
Enjoy this time!
Hi Jilly!
Lots of Play! Hands on tactical stuff is awesome for this stage of development. Anything that squishes, squeezes, twists, squirts and plops is sure to be a hit. Some of the biggest hits during this time for us were a water table and an art easel. You can move them inside/outside and add all kinds of household things which makes it more interesting.
We were home until preschool (33 mos) so the biggest thing that worked for us during this year was to stick to a SIMPLE schedule of befores and afters. It was easier on both of us. Easier for me to plan and then she knows what to expect for the day such as outside time is after morning snack and before nap. Arts/crafts was after nap but before dinner. (ps This also helped me with gentle obedience...she loves arts and crafts but knows she has to take a nap first if she wants to do them ;-) thus eliminating the battle over "I don't want to nap". Ha!)
Spraying water on color construction paper with fingerpaint adds another element of fun! Those little plastic balls from the ball pit make alot of fun being scooped out with the ice cream scooper from the water table, etc....the possibilities are endless at this age and what ever he does if you are around...that's all that matters!
Time, give him your time.
best, k
